Saturday, April 26, 2008

Spring? Where are you?

Its official. I cannot stand Minnesota winters anymore! Its almost May and look what greeted us this morning, MORE SNOW! I will count my blessings, people south of us got over a half foot of it. Global Warming? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

4/20 Santana/ Derek Trucks Band


I bought tickets for this show about 4 months before the show. I have to admit, I wasn't very fired up to see it. Its been a rough road lately with a loved one battling a illness and my mind has been elsewhere. As the days rolled toward this show, I began to listen again to Santana.

I have always loved his first 3 albums. Very gritty and yet beautiful, ethnic and yet accessible. Even as a young man, I loved the sound of Carlos Santana's guitar. I can only describe it as a cry like tone. I can usually pick out a Carlos tone in about 2 notes, very distinctive. It very releasing to me, and I have turned to those albums several times for several reasons.

So, it was with a bit of irony that I would be going to a Santana show ( I saw them in 1982 as my 2nd ever concert) when I was feeling kinda down and needed some "healing". I was hoping to hear more of the early gritty stuff, and less of the radio friendly stuff that he has been putting out the last decade or so. Some of it is good, but much of it doesn't come close to the early raw stuff.

The show began with a mix of both. I was enjoying the show but it wasn't really hitting me. Then Carlos stopped the show, and spoke to the crowd. He spoke about how we all are a light, and even though we all have varying degrees of pain, happiness, success and failure, we all can shine our light. Now some yo-yo's thought that meant to light lighters up....and others took it as a much deeper spiritual comment. To each its own, I think you know how I took it. :-)

Then, as if on cue. Carlos ripped into 4 songs that were some of my favorite Santana release songs.


1.Batuka
2. No one to depend on
3. Incident at Neshabur
4.Everybodys Everything.

It was great. I loved it and felt released. As you know, I connect with music on that level. I am so glad to have it in my life.

The show as a whole, was solid. It was a night I wont forget, not just for the music but for the emotions.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Cathedral Of St.Paul


Today, I took a tour ( along with my Family and my Mom) of the Cathedral Of St. Paul. Built in 1904, it is a stunning sight. The intricate craftsmanship of the marble and sculpture really makes you appreciate how much work was put into this grand place of worship.

The tour guides throughout the Cathedral told stores of the history of the church and of a era long before todays modern style churches. I love history, and this place did not lack it in the least.

What I took away from this visit was how many different cultures contributed to the building of this dramatic structure. Financially and Physically. It was built by the people of Minnesota and by all walks of life.

Just like your typical parish, rich,poor, privileged, and down on luck. This was a place for sanctuary.

I found peace in it today. I feel blessed.