"At the end of every hard earned day, people find a Reason to Believe"

Pondering Hope, Men, and Music:
Not long ago, a friend of mine said, "What the world needs are songs of Hope". I couldn't agree more. The average songs on the radio are either mindless bubblegum or dreary commiseration: "Life sucks - we're the victims - you and me, let's drown our sorrows - have a party"- far from the Hope people are looking for.


We all know that men carry the stereotype of bottling up feelings and emotions - but last night grown men were dancing in the isles, singing at the top of their lungs, and pounding fists in the air to the beat of a drum. What causes this reaction in such "closed off" individuals? Obviously, it has to be that people relate to the themes of the music, but also maybe it's that he's singing to them, and yet almost for them - when they may have no voice of their own. As the producer asked Johnny Cash, "If you had just one song to sing to God before you die, what would it be?"


My co-concert goer asked "Can God be so good as to really bless someone like Bruce with that much talent and ability to reach people, or if you have to make a deal with the Devil?". I told him God is good and puts people all over, wherever they're needed.


This all made me think of my own music and aspirations. If I'm where God's placed me, what am I doing with the bit'o'talent that he's bestowed? I've always struggled with why I keep coming up with songs and what I'm to do with them. Most are spiritual in nature, so do I sing to the converted, edifying the body of believers? Or do I take these songs of Hope into secular areas that may need it the most? Lately, I've thought the latter may be the answer for me - one beggar telling another where to find bread, etc...


But for sure, people long for something and someone to get behind. That desire, when met with the appropriate message (and in this case - anthems in song), can break down many a hearts high wall. My hope is that my life and music might be a part of that process.


The Concert:

I have had the good fortune to see some great artists in my life: Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, CSNY, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Phish, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers; but few come close to what I witnessed on Monday night in Columbus.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band easily put on the best show I have EVER seen (topping even the midnight to sunrise New Years Eve Phish concert - yes they played for 8 hours).

Bruce and the gang continually raised the bar over and over until the encore that put the energy in the auditorium at absolutely ridiculous levels. There was never more than a 15 second break in between songs - most of the 2 1/2 hour set went from an crashing crescendo with Bruce screaming 1-2-3-4 right into the next song: not bad for a guy pushing 60. As my co-concert goer put it, "His energy has decreased over the years, as his Intensity has increased". He really believes what he's singing and gets behind every song as the energy drags you in and makes you get behind it as well.

After the first 5 minutes I knew it was worth twice what I paid. Highlights included a sick blues rendition of "Reason To Believe" from the Nebraska album. This led into an anthemic "Because The Night" - which sadly is better know from the 10,000 Maniacs version, but I assure you - Bruce who wrote it, performs it 10,000 times better.

I got to hear my current favorite song "She's the One" from the Born to Run Album - which was ridiculous, as were "Badlands, Sherry Darling, and The Promised Land". The encore included "Born To Run", "Rosalita", and a brawl of a "Glory Days".

If you are unfamiliar with Bruce or the above mentioned songs, please get on iTunes and give him a listen - something will jump out at you, I promise.

Thanks for Reading, Frank

Trans-Atlantic Blog Migration

Given the dynamic success of my Japanese Blog, "Post-Modern Konichiwa", I thought I should begin an English version of the same. Do not worry, this will not interfere with my pirate radio duties as your late night D.J. "Velvet Jones ".

For those of you who are not regular subscribers, my non-stage name is Franklin: I'm 28, married to Christine, have one son Jacob, with another son on the way. I love my family!

I also enjoy music and playing the guitar. I recently found out that I get to see Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen in concert on Monday -look out for the post on that!

I've recently been promoted to "Patient Accounts Supervisor" at my work, which is a new title that my boss hopes will encompass overseeing billing and reimbursement. I feel like Peter from Office Space: "A straight shooter with upper-management written all over him.....we're looking to put as many as 4 people - directly underneath you." Except I can't have lunch at Chatchki's.

Today I participated in an Egg-Drop / hunt in Kent Ohio - where I happened to be staying for the signing of my new book, "The Joke's On You: Sarcasm and How To Spot It". I was signed up to be in the Easter Bunny suit, but was quickly dismissed of my duties due to my Abe Lincoln-length extremities. So I became the guide for the sub-bunny, since she could not see at all through the rabbit-head holes that I assume had been carved out by Ms. O'Leary's first graders after the paper-mache had dried.

But it went off without many a hitch, around 700 people showed despite the weather, so that was great. A good outreach and promotion for our flourishing church.

Then I came home to find my pregnant wife in full nesting mode, so we hung some curtains and rearranged our bedroom. I'm happy to help most days, even if I don't act like it - she's good to put up with me.

Thanks for reading, more to come.

Honest Engine, Franklin