So it's been awhile...

Right, I suppose this post has been a while coming but, to quote one of the all-time great movies (Ghostbusters, from when the ghost Titanic appears in New York harbor), "Better late than never". At any rate, yes, I'm still here, and yes, this blog is still active.
So, where to begin? Perhaps with these, the most significant recent event:
And compare to....

For those of you who don't know, I was broadsided by a 16 year-old who ran a red light on the worst evening(weather-related) that I have experienced since I have been in Tallahassee. I survived with nothing more than a bruised psyche, as those of you who know me know how much my car means to me. It is a strange feeling to be so attached to an inanimate object, but I love my Focus like a brother, and I have found that it really does grate on my concious when I have to make do without him (yes, it's a he). At any rate, I am ok, and the Focus is in the process of being repaired (approximately $6000 in damage). Something that helps the pain a bit is something I came across today:http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ferrari22feb22,0,1384467,full.story?coll=la-home-headlines . Unbelievable a) what some people will do on public roads, b) no integrity to fess up to wrecking your car yourself, i.e. "dietrich" is, in my mind, a pathetic attempt to cover up the owner's mistake, c) how much money some people have. Oh well, atleast both (?) men survived, and without any serious injuries.

And speaking of helping ease the pain, if you like music at all, please check out http://www.crowmedicine.com/. Go to "Listen" at the top of the page, and watch the "Wagon Wheel" video (you can also check them out on iTunes). This group has serious talent, and it warms my heart to know that there are still people in the music industry who recognize that. Some bands' music just is, while others' exude a feeling that little else can capture, and it is apparent that the band members truly love music for music's sake, and would play even if they didn't get paid. Old Crow Medicine Show (OCMS) is one of those bands. I recently heard a discussion on NPR regarding iTunes and the overwhelming availablity of music in the modern world; the general idea was that because music is SO accesible now, it has, in effect, had its intrinsic/asthetic value cheapened. Before the advent of multiple recording mediums, it was discussed that music was really an event to experience. I agree to some extent, as now music is so omnipresent that it tends to be taken for granted; however, my counterargument to my own argument is that, by being plugged into iPods 24/7, maybe people really are appreciating music to an extent like never before....At any rate, while I never take any form of music for granted (except Dave Matthews... :-p), everytime I listen to OCMS I am floored at what music can do for a person's psyche, and amazed that people can create something something quite so amazing. (End music review... :) )

P.S. A big thanks to Mom for finding the OCMS CD in Borders!