Romanticism on a chilly/rainy night

The truly grande things in this life are to be shared.

If there is anything I've learned after a year of near solitude, study and experience, it's that love is discovered through many aspects of this life but, only for an individual and with an individual does it blossom to fruit worthy of the soul.

Take a step back and tilt your head today. Smell the air. Note the sunshine peeking from the clouds. Catch a waft of something desirable; even if it's only coffee from a nearby cafe. Watch children. Appreciate the narrative that is the lives of the people around you.

God is watching and wants us to be happy. I'm sure of it. And, you should be.

We are but saints awaiting our salvation. Trapped and basking in the sunshine of glory, we too often do not acknowledge. This life is full of pleasures so simple, they are forgotten. All the sensations to be grasped and felt are the gifts of this world.

Combined, they are love.

Today I thought of why I appreciate what I do. Music, art, conversation, hard work and good food. The interaction with children I try to never take for granted. The time spent with a great friend and a subsequent father.

The lands are wide and deep with stories.

Kids play in the fields of destiny.

They reach for and grasp the meaning of life. But, how soon we lose our arms whilst the plans of adulthood sever our reach.

I pray for practicality. But, I also pray for spirit. Spirit is just and nurtured with appreciation.

It should not be significant to notice the simple things of this age. But, it has become obsolete to smell the stench of glory. The quivering traffic of nonsense fills our consciousness until we die.

Life is grande, ladies and gentlemen. Please, look around and love the person next to you. WIthout clichéd nature; think of someone else today and smile when you'd usually frown.

The sun only rises so many times in this life.

Let's not waste a single ray.

(thank you, William Turner for Temeraire)

Art lately and 30-minute lectures

I've been on an elevated appreciative level for art and most particuarly the work of a few specific artists. So much so, that I've even considered taking up painting. And, the only way to qualify myself as being interested is in that I put 'painting supplies' on my Christmas exchange list, drawn out of a hat by some poor soul on my father's side of the family.

Writing 'the family' makes me think of the Godfather.

Anyway, mindless chatter in my head leads me to the path of Gustav Klimt, Le Baiser - his most famous work, perhaps - and a conversation with my mother, of all people, on how important his work has become to me. Klimt's use of seemed difference in his work, molded to created expressions of love have recently been inspiring to me. For some reason; I'm not sure why.

So, i told her of his work, included a small paraphrased biography in my monologue and told her of which works I really appreciated of his. I'm sure my mother thinks me a bit insane - as everyone else - for the random topics i like to bring up and harp on for half-hours at a time. And by harp, I mean lecture of their importance even as the audience member probably drones me out.

I would drone me out.

Tonight i watched a favourite film of mine; Another Woman. Directed and written by my soon-to-be friend, Woody Allen, and starring Gena Rowlands. In the movie, following the random kick of Klimt I mentioned, there is a reference to one of Klimt's paintings. I found it significant. But, I'm in the mood for significance. Even if you are not.

I also watched Darjeeling Limited for the 18th time.

One of my favorite lines: 'Wouldn't it be great if we heard a train go by in the distance?' spoke by Jack, Jason Schwartzman's

I heard a train earlier this evening. And, I thought of this. It made me smile.

Tonight, I also had it in my mind to teach Bella to speak. Therefore, braced with a bag of Act II microwave popcorn, I had Bella sit then 'speak' for a delicious-popped kernel of corn. She soon caught on and I felt as though I'd accomplished something.

We've only 27, now 26 days until christmas and again, I'm not asking for anything but, world peace and well, paint supplies. Have a good night everyone.

The struggle to write is not new. Rather, it has become the norm rather than the exception and despite my desire not to force anything, I must in order to produce something.

Recent times have been good. My trips to New York City and Los Angeles were both awe inspiring and moving. For one thing, I realised I would much rather be either place; if a place were the answer. However, I'm nearly sure it is not the correct time and I'm not in a state to run away. The process is slow but, unnerving if expedited. I must remain steady.

The holiday went well but, as I told a friend, the holidays have lost their luster. And, it hasn't been without an effort of holding onto some childlike grandeur of the days. In that I realized childhood has fleeted quickly and i've found myself headstrong for adulthood with self-discovery near completion. The joviality of the holidays, I also believe, will only be recharged with an upcoming stage of my life; if i'm so called. Children, like my childhood, are what make the holidays grande.

But, not yet.

Searching for despair/love

I can't decide if searching for love falls into the selfish endeavor category. I hold to selflessness and the needs of myself to provide for someone, as my excuse for reasonable persistence.

Situations and perspectives have changed in a years time. And, I'm indulgent of the misery having lead to a more enlightened state. I want more to encompass my brains efforts than for an effort focused so much on my happiness, however. In order to find love, one must strike down barriers of false assimilation and pretense. Then the search begins and only those lucky enough to remain simple minded have love throw into their lap.

I'm not so lucky, I'm afraid. Remaining to this assumption is fantastically unhealthy but, such can only be assumed when despair has recompensed for one night of love. Perhaps I'm petty but, living alone seems to be hell. And, having known what life is to live I'm useless and shall personify bemoan.

The antithesis of reality has to be my state of consciousness, or rather, I'm enlightened and everyone walks in a frenzied state. I'm sure it's quite the opposite. But, love is subjective? Yet, feels the same to everyone? "You're a buffoon," they'll say as I turn down the selfish act, again.


remaining motivated to make the move

The forcible nature of relationships forced is a problem in today's society.

People attempt to be things they aren't, are embraced to a certain extent by someone closely in contact, and then become miserable when they are truly right with themselves because, they know they have been phony the entire time.

And, no one can stand to be this way, forever.

Phonies die with thoughtless brains, with loved ones surrounding thinking not of what said person did but, what he/she didn't.

Where have all the brilliant minds gone?

Dogs and Cats

Sleep like we do.

Dreams are misleading

And, then a dream to end a streak of sanity.

Never blame others for misfortune but, rather, take in full perspective of all which surrounds. With success, you'll see everything seemingly and quickly worth blaming on someone else, is your own misgivings.

Having the luck for a few weeks to escape the reality of the abyss I created, I've been lucky. And, I shouldn't ask for more.

How simple a dream, steeped in reality, can bring it all crashing down within an instant of awakening. The cold air caressed my forehead, as the warmth of the nights fantasies quickly fleeted.

And, there I was, just as I found myself the night before. Alone. Tired and begging to attempt to relive times now so far gone, it is too late.

Don't ever let anyone tell you: 'it's not too late'. Because, it often is. They know it. And, you know it.

Kids are the Best

Do times change or do people?

I'm trying my best to create a routine and not push myself out of it, again.

The house is looking nice. I'm not impatient, I hope others aren't either. It'll take time and no matter what I do, I can't do bad work quickly.

I refuse.

Important people visit this Starbucks. Important; everyone. Either to their consiousness or someone elses.

I wish I could stop biting my fingernails and I wish this guy would stop using words like 'ancillary' and 'ubiquitous'. I wonder if he was related to Anne Frank?

Hopping and lunging, lightly grasping his mothers hand while she focused her attention not on him, he focused on nothing. Bopping down the street the little blond-haired kid found the time to kneel every 10 yards and alternate between throwing the sweet-gum pods into the street, and placing them in a rudimentary fashion, into his mothers purse.

On her phone, she never noticed. Nobody ever notices kids, and they're the only ones who make any sense.

Need to write
cant find the time
wait
that's not it
What is it?
it's not theres nothing
it's the writer is
nothing

down

needs to write something on this blog

or no one will read it; oh, wait..

What I'm Reading 6.26; Psychic Ocopi, no-hitter nonsense, Dracula and the World Cup

While I dredge my mind for details to the now-week old trip to Las Vegas I'll place some information down, you may or may not find interesting - but, nonetheless I've been paying attention to.

How 'bout them Reds! Back in first place after an apparent collapse in the land of baseball teams named after fishermen. I went to the game last night and despite the stale air of the ball park, it is phenomenal to feel the pulse in this city that really does live for baseball, but has been starved and sadly, atrophied into apathy from a lack of competitiveness the past decade.

Currently, I'm watching the World Cup, Uruguay has just beaten S. Korea...so, if the U.S.ers can beat Ghana (a challenge of desire for me, due to Ghana being, well, Ghana) they will play the Uruguans...or however, you say it.

Also in World Cup news, a psychic octopus has predicted each German outcome perfectly. A line from the story as it appears on BBC.com: "after correctly predicting Germany would beat Australia in their opening match, then lose to Serbia, and then beat Ghana..." Apparently, 'Paul' the octopus is a psychic, who knew it was possible?

In other news, screen-vampire Robert Pattinson is a blood relative to the 'real' dracula; Vlad the Impaler.

Turtle deaths are being blamed on shrimping, not the oil.

Dusty Baker dancin' in the dugout.

Ford is dropping the Lincoln Towncar and Crown Victoria.

The Governator WON'T... be back.

Another no-hitter...on 149 pitches and wait for it, 8 walks. Yuck.

Chihuahua takes ugliest dog prize!

A dog, driving his owner's car, ran over...his owner.

And, a list of wacky events this summer around the country. The cow-chip throw has always sounded like a blast.

Finding The Time; Vegas, GCNP, and other shhtuff

It seems like years, or weeks, since I last posted anything. And, despite my inclination to think what I think is interesting, it probably isn't and I just assume not write it down, in order to not waste my time reading it. Because, in reality I'm the only person reading it.

Last week my parents and I took a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Sorry, my Aunt Yvonne went, as well. We started with a virgin flight for my Mom on Delta Airlines. Ok, you're saying Virgin and Delta - doesn't make sense, right? Well in actuality it was virgin with a lowercase 'v' not Virgin, as in the airline. Basically, it was my mom's first time flying. After apparently laughing in a nonsensical fashion, upon entry of the B767, one stewardess - Karen, I believe - noticed my mom's excitement and verbally acknowledged: "Ew, someone is excited!" To which my Mom said: "Yeah, it's my first time flying." To which Karen said: "Cool, we have those all the time." At which point I thought she'd pull out the little 'wing' pin-clip thing you see stewardesses, more friendly than i'm used to, place on the shirt of someone taking their first flight. However, Karen in a way I'm well familiar with stewardesses said after a pause and her statement about having first-time flyers all the time: "But, they're usually 6 (years-old)."

And, of course my Mom laughed, my Dad laughed, my Aunt laughed and I, well, laughed but we all know how much I genuinely laugh.

ANYWAY, after a brief 2 hour flight to Atlanta and the hell-hole of a airport it is, and even more brief 4 hour flight to Las Vegas, we were there! Only, our rental-car agency closed at midnight and we were there promptly at 1:45, local time. Thankfully the adjacent car rental service; Alamo, honored our rental and even upgraded us as Moe or Jim or whatever his name was with the blue vest said: "You're going to the Grand Canyon in that?!" Referring to the car my Mom had set aside, a Pontiac G5. A bit small probably, but we would have made it, I think.

Onward we go; so the guy with the blue vest from Alamo set us up with a midsize car: a Kia Rondo, brown - although listed as 'grey' on the rental agreement, with, what i found out recently as rare, a third row, although we kept it down.

We drove off into the night, well my Dad drove - all four of couldn't possibly have driven all at the same time silly!

Anyway, driving away from the joint-rental car center at McClarren airport, we headed toward Las Vegas Blvd., AKA the Strip, and toward our hotel: The Stratosphere. We ate a quick breakfast at 4 a.m. VEGAS time at, what we came to learn from our waiter, with the strange accent - perhaps lisp, was the original IHOP. WOW, I thought. How lucky am I to be privy to this information and continued rambling at now, 4:30 a.m. (really 7:30 EST), when all i want is silence, some ice water and any semblance of a place to sleep?

I won't bore you with the wait time in line at the Stratosphere, for our room, or the sense of comfort with the first whiff of pumped-in oxygen and trace of cigarette smoke, or the image of old men in visors pumping more $$$ in slot machines, only to lose them and continue on hitting the buttons, pumping more money in and so on, over and over, again...

We slept. After getting our suite, confused with our room, we slept.

We awoke, repeated the breakfast routine, only this time at Denny's across the street from the hotel and then headed back to the room, grabbed our stuff and went out to the Red Rock Canyon. What a glorious site indeed!

I love the desert. No, really I do. Despite what people say or believe about dry heat, I'm a firm believer that it exists, like Santa Clause. But really, I love it. We stopped in the state park/rec-area and took pictures; I climbed up a rock hill, a red rock hill to be exact, took more pictures and peered down at the small people below, envying them for their sure-footedness and common-perception; an envy I constantly have even in flat-as-a-pancake Muncie.

We toured for a few hours and then drove back.

That night (Saturday), we ate a delicious dinner at TGI Friday's - and really it was good. The waitress was extremely nice and the service was good. It wasn't hard-shell crabs and beer, but it was good.

After, we parked at the Flamingo and took a similar walk to the one I took months before.

Photos here, photos there and a trip to the Bellagio that resembled a visit to a rare chocolate factory - I'm still convinced exists - fancied with chocolate fountains and Gene Wilder, somewhere, I hope.

The following day we treked to Mt. Charleston, well we drove, but we made it to the snow-capped mountain adjacent to Las Vegas.

It amazes me how out west, because of drastic elevation changes, vegetation and temperatures can change within a few minutes drive. It was near 90 degrees when we began the steady ascent toward Mt. Charleston and whence we arrived, it was easily in the low 70s.

Gorgeous also, is the advent of trees as you climb...5,000, 6,000, 7,000 feet up...i feel like i'm narrating the Grinch...you know the part when he is ascending Mt. Crumpit? Anyway, I love it - the change in elevation from place-to-place.

Following our 'descent' we made our way back to town in order not to miss our show at the Mandalay Bay: Lion King.

It was a gorgeous presentation of the Broadway show I've yet to see until now. The opening to the tune of 'Circle of Life', was moving.

What I'm Reading 4.25

Switching from aspirations for Broadway, publishing the next great American novel, teaching kids, having kids, and sailing around the world; I can’t have the same goals without realizing I might NOT do any of them.

Am I the only one that wants to do a hundred things but is dragged by anxiety at the moment of truth?

I wish I could accept who I am and move on, work hard and be pleased with the results but I’m still a long way from that.

Here’s what I’m reading:

The New York Times did a story on my main man Mike Leake.

Wal-Mart is cutting the price of the iPhone 3GS by $100; sounds like the release of the new iPhone is ever closer.

The Topsy-Turvy and other upside-down plant growers are gaining steam all over the place.

A story about a 77-year regular to Sardi’s a restaurant in NYC. It’s A great example of a great feature-profile.

The DOW dipped below 10,000 this morning at the opening amid worries in Korea.

Dell is set to release an iPad competitor. Please. I played with an iPad for the first time this weekend. Sweet.

The British Medical Council has banned the doctor who drew a connection between the MMR shot and Autism.

Apparently Google’s Pac Man logo is being blamed for hours of lost productivity.

What I'm Reading and doing 5.24

Who would have thought Thursday night, by Saturday night I’d be eating boiled quail eggs rolled in cucumber and a Japanese spice mixture, white salmon on a bed of shredded sweet potatoes and drinking Founders Red Rye Pale Ale?

And, not to mention staying at the Ambassador East Hotel in downtown Chicago, within walking, or in my case, running distance of Lake Shore Drive – beautiful weekend all around and I thank my sidekick and her parents for the splendid time.

We went to a wedding at the beautiful Notre Dame de Chicago church Saturday before eating some lunch (French fries) at Stanley’s a sports bar/restaurant with a parking lot adjacent devoted to corn-hole and Busch Light.

Following mass we headed to the reception where the delicious and fine appetizers of quail eggs, minced fish on spicy crackers and squash in Fila cups were being passed around; as well as the Red Rye Ale, a nice Bordeaux and Riesling.

Yesterday morning, Amy and I went for a run on Lake Shore Drive to Navy Pier, and then ran back and walked around for a few hours down Michigan Ave.; the Magnificent Mile, before heading back home.

Today, I’m really interested in further developments of the BP Oil Spill; and the reaction and re-reaction from BP officials and the administration. IS this a topic that will define Mr. Obama’s administration?

Used cars may be gaining value, while the new car industry is tanking, the used car business is thriving. Ask my friend Josh, and well me.

I made the Indianapolis Star, Web site at least!

New movie; Captain America will be shot innnnnnnnnnnnn……London!?

The Reds are going first-to-third better than anyone in baseball. I’m worried about Bailey’s shoulder and Cueto’s blister w/ Harang’s non-sensical approach to getting no one out, now.

Five Web sites that can change news.

What I'm Reading; Election coverage, Tased Fans, Pure-Bred Dog Cancer and Spiderman!

This morning I awoke in a pile of sweat, stress and anxiety.

A perfect way to start any day.

After rushing around, a couple brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts, application of mismatched socks and a struggle in locking the apartment door; I set off for The Star Press.

Now, because I'm 'part time' I don't feel like a 'real' member of the media but, today I was entitled to boss anyone around as I was the Delaware County AP correspondent.

I wrote three stories, polished and left by 2:30 p.m. I was to report to the Delaware Co. building by 6 p.m., as the polls closed for the primary election and I was to begin reporting to Spokane, Wash. on the results in Indiana.

What I'm reading:

Went to see Phish 3-D and at first I was skeptical but soon my skepticism although I'd hope it might linger, was swept off instead...

No apparent tea party affect in Indiana and North Carolina races.

A great lead from a great Keith Roysdon, announced the fact where media staffers were kicked out of the Democratic headquarters on election night.

Ernie Harwell, longtime broadcaster of the Detroit Tigers is dead at 92.

More fallout on the tased-Philly fan by Rob Neyer.

Cancer risks of pure-bred dogs by the Wall Street Journal.

AND, SPIDERMAN has come to the rescue, in a comic book store no less.

What I'm Reading 5.3; 3-D, Public Access, Oil Spills, Immigration, Eminem and a lost iPhone

Following a rather relaxing weekend, the week begins with the fruit of procrastination and no motivation to complete tasks even the most menial of laborers would finish.

This weekend I went to the Heorot 3-days in a row, went home; made $101.20 in yard sale junk, made tomato-basil-cream sauced tortellini and garlic bread, took a nap that ended up being a nights sleep and effectively worried about WHAT i had to do; without doing it.

Even with the urge of flying monkeys lifting me away, I'm not sure I would hurdle my problem with procrastination; perhaps because it has never fully-dispersed my success in completing tasks put off to the last minute.

Either way, I have a full week ahead, including a spot as an AP new correspondent; but, really. I have to total the votes for Delaware County and report on them to an AP desk person waiting for my tally and information gathering ability.

I have about 5 stories to write this week, none-of-which close to resembling something to put into a professional publication.

It's finals week and I'm not a student; nor do I care to be at this point.

Starbucks - bold and black - is a perfect way to start the week.

What I'm reading:

WOW! Muncie's channel 60, public access is up and running.

Yet another potential-victim to the oil nonsense in the Gulf.

United and Continental have merged. I can't wait until all the mergers because of the 'perfect' capitalist model, become one and we have government and one-private business. Then who do we root for?

Archbishop Tim Dolan spouts about immigration reform. I'm with my brother on this, as you should be.

IN Memphis, a mom turned her so in for stealing drugs from her bra.

In Tulsa, a back backed his car through the walll of a parking structure.

If you haven't heard, the image of morality is rapping about Ben Roethlisberger's 'struggles'.

Roger Ebert is against turning 3-D into the movie 'way of life'.

Speaking of 3-D, Phish in 3-D is at select theaters and I'm going to see it tonight in Plainfield, Ind. The 2.25 hour 'movie' is made up of the Halloween show in Indio, Calif. last year; including favorites like: Loving Cup, Strange Design, Wilson and Undermind.

And, again, the saga of the lost iPhone 4 goes on.

What I'm Reading 4.27; small horses, oil in the gulf, dead wallabies and redirected flights

Today I felt like I was pumping out stories like the oil well in the Gulf of Mexico.

Okay, that's in poor taste, at least to the Gulf sea-life, but also to those people who really are pumping out stories like nobodies business.

We've got snow in New England, Oil in the Gulf, a plane re-routed on its way from Paris to Atlanta to Bangor, Maine and dogs killing wallabies. I can't imagine the summer will be any more exciting.

The drilling to offset and redirect the oil being spilled into the Gulf, will take months to complete.

The plane I mentioned, was redirected to a Maine airport after an passenger said he had a fake passport and explosives in his luggage.

In Gaston, Ind. a woman is nursing a baby wallaby, after dogs apparently killed her four wallabies. The baby was in the mother's pouch. Weird.

If you're familiar with baseballreference.com, check out the many teams and jerseys of Matt Stairs.

The NY Giants have invited 33-year-old, former-Marine and Ball State Cardinal, Brandon Crawford to training camp.

An interesting interview with Jorge Posada.

A 6-pound horse may set a world record.

A man in Montana was fined for scaring 7-year old.

The saga goes on in the iPhone 4 saga.

What I'm Reading 4.22; Farewell to Fr. John, Earth Day, Wal-Mart, Beer and Potato Chips

Earth day is upon us and ironically enough, we are on the earth...on this day.

Anyway, I've done my part, in not adding to the green house gas emissions by walking everywhere today. I walk places everyday but I still have not been driving a car consistently since January when my car broke down.

Today I awoke and went to mass in the library; a farewell of sorts for Fr. John who will be leaving St. Francis and Muncie tomorrow at 6 a.m. So, bittersweet as I've come to really admire the man who has inspired me further to be a vegetarian.

I'm covering an event this afternoon in New Castle, so this will be a short and probably less-entertaining post.

In honor of Earth Day and the disposal of household hazardous waste and other items here is a project from my days at Ball State I was a part of. And, here is a list for the surrounding counties of Delaware, of where to get rid of your waste.

A day in Wal-Mart in 2 minutes. This is a time lapse video of a Wal-Mart store in New Brunswick, N.J. Thanks to Mr. Roysdon for this one.

Revolutionizing American Beer from the WSJ; a great story and another peak into the growing nature of craft beers and their appreciators. Like me.

While on the subject of beer, and a great beer at that; from what I hear. Dark Lord Day 2010 is this Saturday at 3 Floyds Brewery in Munster, Ind. It's the only day of the year you can get the famous Russian Imperial Stout.

The Stealers are hinting at the possibility of trading Worth-lis-berger. (fingers crossed)

Lay's is changing the shape of the salt crystals on their potato chips to make them healthier.

What I'm Reading 4.21; Bear Affair, iPhone 4, Franny Boyle and Lady Gaga, $100s, Alf

Never before have I thought about the thought of wondering how and where carnivals come from.

Today, as I made my daily trek to the stop to catch the MITS bus, a system that has been running as consistently as well, I have, trailers carrying 'Bear Affair' and part of a Ferris wheel passed me by. It was as if the 10' tall bears were waving at me as they passed by in their blue cover-alls and red caps.

I then thought the occurrence and why it occurred and where carnivals come from. It's not that I doubt the existence of carnival-equipment-storage facilities but I surely had never thought about it. The bears passed and with them, my angst for riding the bears that were built to spin, and spin they will - without me inside of them, of course.

I like to keep my greasy-sugared pastry and lemon shake-up inside my stomach.

And that's the thing I hate about carnivals anyway. Most of the rides go round-and-round, rather than up and down, which now sounds like a sexual inuendo or that stupid song by Dead or Alive. I am also terrified of carnies; circus/carnival folk. Like modern-day gypsy's they load up rides, get drunk, put together rides, and travel city-to-city - not necessarily in that order, but come on really, ever met a carnie you weren't a little frightened of?

And back to bear affair, now pictured above, I'm scared to death of any animal that is supposed to be fierce and wild but doesn't look to be fierce and wild. Where does that wildness go, as I load into 'bear affair' for the, now defined, last time, full-bellied and ready for fun.

No fun, however; just remnants of carnie-made-deep-fried-overpriced and heart attack-causing food - now on my chucks.

Go away carnivals, hide in the abyss of wonderment I'll now dive into, on a regular basis.


What I'm reading!:

An Apple employee - Gray Powell - apparently had a few too many and left the next-generation iPhone (4g) at a bar only to have a 'random drunk guy' pick it up, eventually figure out it wasn't a regular iPhone and Gizmodo got ahold of it. So here is a page dedicated to the next iPhone and the continuing saga, as Apple has formally asked for it back. And now, more accusations.

The NFL schedules are out and Worth-lis-berger is out 6 games. WOO HOO!

One young lady I had the chance to meet on a recent mission trip I attended made CNN for her choice to choose chastity in college. Excellent story. Check out the headline of the huffington post's blog: Lady Gaga, Franny Boyle (my friend) Choose Chastity! Awesome.

A new $100 bill. Who cares; it's not like I ever see one of those.

Quadruplets from New York have chosen to go to the same college.

ALF outtakes.

From The Star Press: Improvization has paid off for local jazz band

Check out this article from a great local writer on a great local band!:

Upright double bass notes elevate a cool hum filling Muncie's White River Landing, with a foundation of near-melancholy clarity. Beget of light conversation, an emanating vibraphone, feather-like brushes on a snare and a firm tempo, the setting is serenely at ease.

"It's a feeling," said Charlie Owens, drummer for Muncie's classical jazz group, Live Jazz Tonight. "Jazz gets in your blood."

For the members of Live Jazz Tonight, the eloquence created for casual listeners and loyal followers is the byproduct of practice and spirited improvisation.

"Jazz is an art," said Paul Rhine, double-bassist and flutist.

"It's an art form created as you're watching it, hearing it. And it's the only art form that I know of that is live and being created on display."

Live Jazz Tonight, formed with diverse characters from varying backgrounds, join together twice a week, not to display their differences, but their commonality; playing music they see as consummate communiqué.

"The self expression in terms of music is empowering; it's very empowering," said Owens. "They say painting is music that you can see and music is painting you can hear."

To continue reading click here