We all know that too much of anything is bad for you. This is also true for media. Too much media is bad for you. The amount of political propaganda within news media in particular is stunning and should be avoided altogether. If you watch too much politicized media, your thinking will no longer be your own. Right now, in the lives of every man, woman, and child there is an enemy. It comes in the form of a flat screen and it tells people what to think, what to buy, what is on top of the charts, what is number one at the box office, and the number one movie rental of the week... along with every major tragedy that is currently happening in the country and the world. And it is all being brought to us at a cost to us. Believe me, that cost is more than just financial. Freedom does not exist under such conditions. It just doesn't.

I understand how someone would be inclined to stay busy all the time in order to avoid that dreaded alone-time. I understand how people get together for this reason and many other reasons. It seems there is nothing worse than having to exist in this world alone. But this ultimately comes down to perspective more so than how busy one can stay with their life. By that same token, it can be said that for at least one of those people who choose to stay busy to avoid that stinging loneliness and self hatred... it works. We humans can come up with all kinds of ways to make ourselves feel more comfortable with ourselves, especially if you are among those who struggle for reasons to not drive the truck off the cliff located about two miles from here. But there is always music and there will always be art of some kind. If the music and art is good and meaningful and true, then the world can be seen through the eyes of someone you may find interesting. The experience may even change your life.

There is one thing I know for sure and that is every hero I have ever had, every man and woman I have ever admired for their courage or action(s), every human being I have ever held in high regard have all been flawed individuals. There is no man who has ever walked this planet who didn't have some sort of shortcoming, so to speak. In some cases, these shortcomings involve or have involved unlawful activity... even perverse activity. Do such activities lessen the good in their deeds? Is it better not to find out that say one of your hero's was or is a child molester? In my book, a reality such as this example far outweighs any good they have done in my eyes and therefor the pages with their name on them are removed from my book of memories. But that is just the way I was raised and have come to understand as a human being. I totally understand however the effects of depression where harm is most often done to the self (and yes, it affects all those around as well). I know of more than one of my hero's who lived with depression and more than one who is currently living with his version of depression. For these guys to do the things they have done while battling forces unknown to them is truly amazing to me and both are sources of inspiration, when it comes. I suppose I should spend more time thinking along those lines, but very often those kind of lines have a way of not making it to the pavement... so straight or evenly curved.

Duane Allman & Eric Clapton 1970 - Studio Jams 1 thu 6

Age... is unimpressive!

Van Halen - 1984 - Drop Dead Legs

Atlanta Rhythm Section - So Into You (original)