Gotta Cut Footloose!

OK, I know, how old is that song? But what a fun song! Do I really want to count up the years? Hmm, let's see, I'm 41 less how many years..... nope, don't want to go there! Anyway, on my way in this morning this song came on the radio. And as you know, music speaks volumes to me. So, I got to thinking about what this song reminds me of... friends. Me and my girlfriends trying to learn that silly dance they do at the end of the movie. And the fact that after all these years, I am still very close with some of those friends.

So, I was thinking... why do we stay in contact with some groups of friends and not others? It's called "effort" on both ends. My girlfriend Michele and I have to plan dinner and drinks about 3 to 4 weeks in advance because she travels so much and my kids schedules are crazy as well.

It's funny how as we get older we have "pods" of friends. I have people I went to Pre-K through high school with, some I went to college with, ones I use to work with at each job, my kids friends' parents and so on. Wouldn't it be great if we could get all of our pods together and see everyone at the same time! Yeah it would - but good luck on that one.

It's very hard to maintain your friendships. It takes planning "play dates" for adults! Haven't you ever run into to someone and you say "let's get together" but neither one of you follows through. Well do it, take the first step - it has been worth it for me.

And then we have the new phenomenon - facebook! Don't you love it! I have rekindled with more friends that way including friends across the US as well as in Germany and England. And many of us have gotten together - but again, it takes effort and planning.

So, I thought to myself, I'm going to call one of my dear girlfriends today, one I use to work with, and plan a play date. Well, have you gotten anything out of the blog besides the fact that I really do like the song Footloose? Make your call to one friend, cut loose... gotta cut Footloose ya know!

The Golden Train

While sitting in traffic this morning, once again, my time alone to think - I thought I had seen it all!!! During a minimum 50 minute bumper to bumper drive I see a lot of what goes on in other people's cars - some of which I'd rather not repeat. Anyway, I've seen women putting on make up including mascara (not sure how that's even possible), I've seen people eating breakfast - and I don't mean a pop tart, I'm talking a bowl of cereal! Today, I saw a gal curing her hair with a curling iron - I didn't even know they made such a thing. She would strategically pick strands of hair with one hand and using the iron with the other. How was she driving? I'm sure her knee was holding her bowl of cereal! So, I think, "please, just get me out of here!"

Anyway, blowing my horn and making her realize how much she was backing up traffic even more, she moved on. Right after that one of my favorite songs came on, a CD from an up and coming artist, Justin Nozuka. Music speaks volumes to me. The name of the song is "Golden Train." The theme of the song is that a couple seem to have a great relationship that's going terrific. But then he asks the question to her... "tomorrow if the Golden Train came to take you away... would you go or would you stay?" I guess I take it as, life is so good right now - but could it be better?

We all ask those questions, for instance: "20 years ago 'what if' OR if I had done things differently 'what if'" - I know, the answer is always, "well I wouldn't be where I am today whether it be kids, careers, friendships... but really, "What if that Golden Train came my way?" I know, I know... get out of my Peter Pan dream world (as my friends so affectionately tell me) but it's just such a nice visual don't you think? I would stay, of course - much like most of you. Now the chick with the curling iron - she needs to jump on it if for anything to get out of my way!

Ironically, the following song is "I'm in Peace" - go figure. I made the right decision.