Greeting gentle reader! I hope this finds you in good health and spirits.

Karaoke is a funny thing. You can nights where all your singers are good. And then there are mixed nights. Like tonight. There's this one guy. He's older. He's always at karaoke. He couldn't carry a tune in a bucket if you handed it to him. But he tries. That's what counts. But sometimes, I really wanna shake him. The songs he sings, are mostly older country. And there's a few songs I hadn't heard in a couple years. I had forgotten what the original sounded like. So it wasn't really torture....until. I recently had to listen to some of the older country. Wow. He really does massacre some of the songs.  But, he tries.

I'm listening to some of the classic rock tunes right now. I currently have ELO playing. Electric Light Orchestra for those of you unfamiliar with the abbreviation. Sometimes,  what's termed at AM 70's is nice to have around the house. It's mellow.

I have a variety of influences in my musical taste. Being a DJ, I know there are stereo types of the profession. That we play what we want to play, play weird stuff or songs that are too heavy. I often surprise people. Generally, I surprise older generations with my choices. "You weren't even born when this was hit!"  "How did you know about this song?" etc...  I simply smile and reply that I was blessed growing up. I had grandparents that were both military in WWII, Uncles that were in Viet Nam, Aunts that listened to "Bubble Gum" pop of the 70's. My mother was mainly soft rock. My dad, country. My cousin, Missy and me, set the alarm to watch MTV for the debut. And various boyfriends took care of the heavier metal for me. I personally, like the softer rock. I guess we really do turn into our parents at some point.

Well. It's 3AM. It's about the time I attempt to go to sleep. I usually toss and turn a while. I'm an insomniac for the most part. I have found a trick that works in getting my brain to shut off. Ya know, you can't stop thinking about work, or the fight you had with your friend. Or the screw up you made. Whatever it is. This sometimes works. If you ever have trouble sleeping...I recommend the following.

Lay down, get comfy. All tucked in the way you like. Close your eyes, and start to picture your perfect house. I mean, you're absolute dream place. Money's no object in your dreams. Go crazy. Picture the outside. What color is it? How many floors? Lots of windows? Do you have a garden? Walk around your yard. See all the things there. Walk inside. And go room to room. What colors are there? What kind of furniture? Decorate your dream house anyway you like. I really never get farther than the first floor. On really bad nights, I imagine what I would do to an abandoned warehouse.  I figure I've built hundreds of houses. Each one a little different. It's fun. Sometimes, I do make it all the way through the house. Then I envision a get together. I invite all the people I would love to have a conversation with. Einstein, Freud...you get the idea.