Day: March 10, 2007

I do love music. Tonight the ride home featured this sweet shuffle:

• Last Time in Love – Sloan
• Black – Pearl Jam
• Honey Don’t Think – Grant Lee Buffalo
• Until the Next Time – Dramarama
• Photograph – Def Leppard
• Bad Luck – Social Distortion (I love that band!)
• Zoysia – Bottle Rockets
• Strangers in the Night – Frank
• Let there Be Rock – Drive By Truckers
• Meet Me on the Ledge – Varnaline
• Note to Self: Don’t Die – Ryan Adams

“What art has had a significant impact on your life?” That was the question Joyce posed to her staff yesterday at our off site meeting. That was followed by some cool stories about how art had changed the lives of my new peers. Here are some of them:

• One guy was completely inspired by the lawn designs cut into the grass at Fenway.
• A recent Junior High play helped a young mother show her young daughter that kids can perform too.
• The sound of Sarah McLachlan’s voice sang the power of music to a young woman.
• The difficulty learning to play guitar gave a guy more appreciation for the great ones.
• One guy sang with the Boston Pops and in Rome at the Vatican with his college chorus.
• “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac sent a guy to explore the Beat generation and led him to discover Bob Dylan.
• The book, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” led one to gain perspective on the relatively petty struggles of his own life.
• Another book, “Sophie’s Choice” has stayed with Joyce since she read it over 20 years ago.

I struggled with my choice… Music? There are so many songs that have moved me. Tar Hut?, Pollock? I opted for my trip to Britain’s National Gallery with Kevin and Noreen in March of 2001. (This week Quicken just informed me!) Since then art has changed my perspective so many times. I believe it has made me a better person.

What art has affected your life?

First I bought a scale, then I bought a tool to combat the frightening reality it glared. Working out has been a lifestyle for me since high school, but for some reason I stopped going to the gym late last summer and well, time just keeps uh, running. The reason is somewhat of a “chicken and egg” question: Did stress cause me to not exercise or did not exercising cause me stress? Either way, my current level requires some management. Plus, in a few short months I’ll want to be looking good in my Speedo. (go ahead, I dare you…) Delivery is Thursday, then we’ll see if I manage to use if for something other than a clothes rack.