Lyrical

I don't "get" music.

Of course, I can appreciate the sounds of it, and enjoy listening to it. But I don't view it as an integral part of my existence the way some people seem to. As I've said, I'm a reader so I like to read album/artist reviews online and in print. When something is made to sound particularly good, I go out and pursue it but always end up disappointed. The descriptions provided by a music writer never seem to match up to reality in any meaningful way for me.

I bring this up to point out that I don't often go around town listening to music. I am usually plugged in, but I am listening to the radio or podcasts. I like to learn or hear interesting stories or comedy when I am on the go. Not that I haven't tried blasting some tunes. But within a few minutes, I get bored and lose interest, invariably switching off the music and doing something else.

Paradoxically, if I go too long without listening to music, I start to feel really down and have this strange craving, like you'd get for a cookie or bacon. It's hard to explain. But fulfilling this craving almost always happens at home and not out.

I have been remiss. Without being able to listen to anything else on the go, I finally understand what the hype is all about. Listening to music and just letting your mind wander, assuming it's the right music for the right mood and atmosphere, can really be uplifting and thought provoking in a very meaningful way. It's hard to explain in words, but it allows your mind to experience things better or in a more meaningful way. At least, that's how it seems to me today!