E2TG 2/25/2020 - Mardi Gras - Boy Sit Down Mix (Hey You Remix)

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Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Lent, and all that....

Growing up Catholic, I remember the big deal of deciding what to "give up" for Lent. You wanted to pick something hard, but not too hard to give up for 40 days. It seemed like it was generally something not so good for you - like sodas or chocolate. I also remembered the debates - so Lent represents the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, but it is only technically 40 days if Sunday's are excluded, and if Sundays are excluded that meant you could partake in our chosen sacrifice on the Sundays in Lent. It seemed like it was always our Protestant friends who scoffed at this "loophole".  

But, in my (albeit) limited understanding - the sacrifice - and indeed any fasting - is supposed to serve a spiritual purpose - to clear away things that keep you from focusing on what is important. And I do think such time is vital and sadly often neglected (present company definitely not excepted). Whether the thing you are focused on is the pending death and resurrection of a savior or something else, I am of a mind that there has to be more meaning to this life than just base survival and the quest for material comforts. 

So, I am not sure that I am going to "give up" anything this Lenten period - except maybe negativity or something like that, but I do hope to spend this time reflecting on what is important to me. As for how any of this relates to E2TG, well, E2TG is important to me and music is important to me. I guess I want to reflect on how I can best reflect those loves in how I conduct myself through this blog every day. 

Pre-Lent Thoughts: 

 Yesterday, after work, I was listening to some music from my phone - and the thought occurred to me that I really want E2TG to be more spontaneous and natural. I don't yet know what that means or what it looks like, but I will let you know.  Nevertheless, I heard a track from Hey Tom - the Tom House Tribute album by Brock Zeman, and I was reminded of what an amazing album it is and what a wonderful songwriter Tom House is.  I also heard a track from the forthcoming Chris Moyse album - which is fantastic, and I was struck about the amazing work being done by so many of my friends. 

    Featured Friday Playlist

WTF Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Planet Earth Mix

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Like many (but not all, I know) of my friends, I am devastated and saddened and confused by what has transpired.  I am kind of, but not totally, at a loss for words right now. I do know this... I am not moving to Canada or anywhere else because of what has happened. (As tempting as that thought may be). And I hope none of my friends who feel so compelled do either (although as I said, I understand the thought). The fact is that right now, the very people who feel so compelled are needed now more than ever. Anyone in a minority (racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, disability) needs us.

Here is a little truth bomb.  That factors that lead to this outcome (be that ignorance, fear, bigotry of any kind, anger) those factors did not begin with one man - they were exploited and revealed.  Those who reject all of those things... we now have a better idea of how big a fight we have.

And for the record, to me, this is not about politics. I understand and respect that we all have different out looks.  I may not support fiscal conservatism, but I understand it and accept that it is a valid viewpoint. What I cannot understand or accept as a valid viewpoint - is misogyny, mocking the disabled, xenophobia, homophobia, racism, etc.).  Maybe, I am an eternal optimist, but I choose to believe that the majority of people who voted for that candidate (who opening displayed and supported those things) did not do so for those reasons directly - but rather for reasons I cannot begin to fathom but which I could at least accept on some level.

I also understand that not everyone who reads E2TG will agree with what I have just written. E2TG has always been and will continue to be about music and the power it has to uplift and move and comfort and to transform.

So, again, I turn to music.... I have not created (and may not create) a "Wild Wednesday" playlist.  Rather, today's shuffle includes every single song currently residing on my phone memory card.

Also, just for today, I changed the name of the shuffle... because, seriously, WTF!

#E2TG Takes on Americana Fest 2015 - Part II

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So, sorry no update yesterday.  The pace of life tends to increase during AMA week...

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Pain in the Butt Mix

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Let's jump right into the shuffle... some music for a  rainy Thursday morning here in Nashville....