I don't know when my body decided it didn't really need sleep so much anymore, but let me tell you, this was not my decision. I don't know what happened. I'd be sleeping right now, but I just ... can't. I woke up a thousand times in the night, never really reaching deep sleep, and after Joe's alarm went off (which I regularly sleep through and never notice, except for today, I guess), I tossed and turned so much and my back ached so much that I thought I'd better just get up for a while. And so here I am, at 8:26 am. Good morning!

(I feel like I should add here that that would be a normal waking time for most people, but not for me, Night Owl Girl, who stayed up until 3:30am. Usually, I sleep much more than four and a half hours. Okay, back to your regularly scheduled program....)

Right now, I'm pumping all kinds of music into my ears through my headphones at the highest possible volume. I never do this, but it actually feels really good, like.... like it's exactly what I need. Also, it helps to drown out the radio that Joe is playing while he showers. Maybe it's just me, but I'm never in the mood for Howard Stern first thing in the morning. I'm rarely in the mood for his show at any hour of the day, in fact. I guess you could say I'm not a huge fan.

I am a huge fan of music, though (ooh, nice segue!). I love many, many genres, and listen to them all mixed together whenever I play from my mp3 list. Right now, I've got Beatles and Beethoven, oldies, jazz, and Matchbox 20 in the list set. "Moonlight Sonata" is playing currently.

I wish I could play piano. I wish I owned a piano.

I'm going to play my flute today.

Music is fairly emotional for me, as it ties into many memories. Certain songs remind me of certain people, or periods of time in my life, and they all mean different things to me. I'm one of those people who learns best by hearing things, so words people have spoken to me, as well as songs I've heard, are the things that stay in my mind the longest and are the most vivid of my memories.

I was also in Band for six years. I played flute for six years and tenor saxophone for four. Those times in Band class are some of my fondest memories. Sadly, I think because of Band class, I've often equated playing music with competition. But playing is not competing, anymore. And whenever I do decide to take out my flute and just play, it's ... it's unlike anything else. It's relaxing, interesting, fun. It's an expression of something very deep within me. It's a really amazing experience, and sometimes I lose sight of the fact that it's fine to do something for no other purpose than to enjoy it. I don't have to be competing. I don't have to aspire to be a professional flautist. It's fine if I never teach anyone else how to play flute. I don't have to play in chamber music groups, or flute choirs. I can just play, just for me, in my home, for the sheer enjoyment of it. I'll try to remember that and play more often, I think.

Just now, I'm realizing how much I love the lyrics to Bob Dylan's "Forever Young." Here, check it out...

Forever Young

-Bob Dylan

I love that there's a song for every occasion, a song for every mood, a song for every person out there to enjoy. Music is fascinating and wonderful, and I am amazed that I forget that, sometimes. Well, I'm remembering now, thanks to a few of my favorite artists and mild insomnia. And now I'm in a much better mood than I was when I first awoke from my restless state of "slumber," if you can even call it that. I've rekindled my love of music, and I must say, it feels great.

May your song always be sung...

Have a beautiful day!

~~Meg