Analogy

When you hear the first strains of a piece of music, and it appeals to you, it strikes a chord (pardon the pun) in your heart and brain that it is something to be pursued, that is, you want to keep listening. The bass or snare drums, the strum or screech of a guitar, a soft or intense voice, something about the tempo and just the recognition of the sound of it draws you in. As the song builds, whether by beat or lyrics, a smile forms on your face, and you are pleased. Most songs have an introduction, a chorus and a crescendo. If you are listening to a compilation, as in a CD, different aspects of the music stay similar, whether it's the voice or the instrumentation. Each song builds upon the next, and when you've listened to the first few cuts, and you are now drawn in, sometimes you don't want to turn it off. You want to finish it.

The same thing happens when you open a book with writing that pleases you. It is on a topic you want to pursue - be it mystery, romance or non-fiction, it is well-written, and it is familiar in language and style. Each book and hopefully each chapter has an introduction, a chorus (repeat of character names and personalities), and a crescendo, to keep the reader enticed until the finale. Instead of using the hearing sense, you are using the sense of vision and touch - to turn the pages.

Music and writing are both very creative endeavors, and I am in awe of those who can write lyrics and music. What an endeavor to be able to create something with different sounds and beats and words and assemble it in a manner that it sounds good. Of course, not everyone likes the same music or writing, and that is the beautiful thing about all the different personalities of the world. There is something for everyone.

This analogy came to me as I listened to my brother's band, the Blackouts, on Saturday night at Bar of Soap in Dallas. I'd heard them play several times years ago, and the lyrics and beat (they are so tight) drew me right in again, as if I was reading it, I mean hearing it, for the first time. It was an awesome time, and I thank my brother Chris for the invitation.

Good Night.