No Sax Before Dinner

There are moments in life when I get overwhelmed by "a musical experience." Whether that be a moment of realization that I'm at an amazing concert that I'll remember for the rest of my life, I hear that perfect song at that perfect place and time, or I experience a moment that I know will never happen again... it's rather hard to describe. Moments like this to me are little religious experiences, they can present longing, hope, sadness, intense joy - they put me in my place. They can make me feel strong and big within this world or they can make me feel small and in awe of all that has come before me.

That feeling of awe was felt this last weekend at work. Joe Cocker, who performed at the original 1969 Woodstock Festival graced our stage. The show was incredible, from the moment I heard his band during sound check I was giddy. I was about to witness an artist that stood on the same stage where Jimi Hendrix tore into his famous rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, where Janis Joplin, CSNY, and the Grateful Dead all stood. It was an earth-shattering moment in music and American history and now in some indirect way I am attached to that moment. Seeing couples dancing on the lawn and reacting to Cocker's presence, just listening to his famous gritty voice, all of these things together produced swells of emotion in me more than once throughout the night.

I am deeply grateful I can say that I have seen someone who played at the original Woodstock.

A co-worker and I in front of a psychedelic painted VW van we had on site to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock.

And a video to reminisce...

Passion

I love this. It was written by a Chicago musician not much older than my self named Todd Carey. I just hope to one day achieve all that he speaks about

Passion:
What do you care about? How much do you want to put into it? Does it drive your life? Make you get up in the morning?

If you haven't found it yet, that's ok. Keep searching. It is worth pursuing. Passion gives me purpose, and I don't want to live without it. If you put it into the fire, it's going to burn hot, and it's going to burn for a long time. That's all I can ask for, and that's all I'm thankful for now. I'm happy to have a reason, happy to know, happy to share.

You know what? It's contagious, too. Brush up against someone who wants to truly live inspired, and all of a sudden you are truly alive. Imagine even going to a movie that shakes you, and you'll know what I'm talking about. You already know what I'm talking about.

The challenge is keeping it going, and keeping it close and within reach. Try, and when you figure it out, share it. It will help us all.