Inauguration Day. No question that this is one of my favorite days of the year. Every four years we get to celebrate the transfer of power and our form of government. Second only to the 4th of July in terms of recognizing why we are the envy of so many around the world. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this Inauguration. Between the security and Covid, it was unclear on what was going to take place. And many thought that it should have been held indoors for security reasons. I’m glad they didn’t.

Once again we showcased the beauty of our seat of government. The Capitol building was draped in the red, white and blue. The sea of flags on the Mall in place of people, was majestic. And the lights surrounding the reflecting pond to commemorate the Covid victims at the Lincoln Memorial were absolutely breathtaking. I watched the news coverage all day and amongst the speeches they kept flashing the pictures of the various government buildings and monuments. I was reminded of how much I love Washington D.C. The visual of the president being sworn in to office on the exact spot that two weeks before was being overrun by a mob was powerful. Seeing the heads of our government and former presidents attending the ceremony was an important visual. It sent a message to every citizen and to those around the world that nothing would stop us. It would have been understood had they decided to hold the ceremony indoors. No one would have questioned the heightened security. That’s what made the images all the more impactful.

From start to finish, it was an incredible display of national pride in our country and our democracy. Politics was mostly put aside for the day. The virtual parade across the country was fun to watch. Every state represented was a showcase of both our diversity and our togetherness. The variety of artists that performed during the evening celebration covered all music types and generations. By design, it was a display of inclusiveness and unity. Having started the day by getting blown away by the poem recited by Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, it was only fitting that we end the day with the greatest display of fireworks I’ve ever seen.

For just a moment, it felt as if a weight had been lifted from the world. More importantly, I felt such a swelling of pride and patriotism. One can only hope that the message of hope and unity will be remembered as we deal with the difficult days ahead. But for the first time in along time, the road ahead looks to be a little less bumpy.

Music memories –

The virtual parade across America ended with the New Radicals singing their 1998 hit, “You Give What You Get.” I loved that song when it came out and I realized I hadn’t listened to it in a long time and it reminded me of other music groups from the time period. I’ve been wanting to write about music for a long time. It’s not easy to do when music has been such a big part of my life and my tastes have changed so dramatically over the years. So I decided to start with my favorite group from the 90’s – Rob Thomas and Matchbox Twenty.

I constantly say that I’m not a big poetry fan, but it’s not true. Not if you consider song lyrics to be a form of poetry which I believe to be true. The songs that tend to stick with me are the ones where the lyrics have meaning to me in some way. The melody is important too, but I’m a wordie. I love a well written song lyric. When I was younger, I would keep a binder of all my favorite song lyrics. Luckily the internet saved me from years of typing.

Rob Thomas is one of my favorite songwriters. His words are soulful and appeal to the lost soul in me. 3AM was their first hit, if I remember correctly, but it was Long Day that grabbed me.

Reach down your hand in your pocket
Pull out some hope for me
It’s been a long day, always ain’t that right
And no Lord your hand won’t stop it
Just keep you trembling
It’s been a long day, always ain’t that right

Matchbox 20

I was in my mid-20’s when this song came out. I didn’t know what kind of adult I was going to be and I was working in a job that I wasn’t sure was going anywhere. My friends were finishing college, which I had deferred and there were many moody days. (Okay, so I still have moody days.) Matchbox Twenty helped me get through those days. Yourself or Someone Like You was permanently in my CD rotation. That is until Mad Season came in 2000. Then it was Bent…who can’t identify with these lyrics?

If I fall along the way
Pick me up and dust me off
And if I get too tired to make it
Be my breath so I can walk

If I need some other love
Give me more than I can stand
And when my smile gets old and faded
Wait around I’ll smile again

Shouldn’t be so complicated
Just hold me and then
Just hold me again

Can you help me I’m bent
I’m so scared that I’ll never
Get put back together

Matchbox 20

We all feel broken at one time or another and are looking for someone to help put us back together. I’m no different than any other person in that regard. The melody in this song was hauntingly beautiful to me. Still is.

If You’re Gone is another favorite – perfect blend of poetry and melody. This song reminds of imminent loss and the wanting to hold on. In taking this trip down memory lane, I was reminded of how much I love this group’s music. I dug out all of my old CD’s and played them all. I loaded them onto my phone and listened again while at work.

More Than You Think You Are followed in 2002 and then Rob Thomas started on his solo career. Ever the Same is pure poetry –

You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you’re no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I’ll not forget
But I can only give you love
Fall on me
Tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
And I’ll be there for you
And you’ll be there for me
Forever it’s you
Forever in me
Ever the same

Part of being a fan includes seeing the artists live. I’ve been very lucky and was able to go see both Matchbox Twenty and Rob Thomas live on more than one occasion. The true test of great music is if it is just as impactful when hearing it live and out of the production studio. I can say that these shows never disappointed. I loved that the band would do a set of covers of songs that meant something to them. When the music sounds better live, then you know you’ve been to a great show. Not once did I ever leave a Matchbox Twenty or Rob Thomas show without wanting to do it all over again the next night.

I discovered that iTunes has a series of albums under iTunes Originals where the songs are intermixed with the artist’s memories of where they were in their career or how the song developed. iTunes Originals – Rob Thomas was a wonderful find. And to hear the context behind the music is tremendous for a fan. The beauty of a song is that it can mean something different to each person that listens to it. The artist has one interpretation that is shared, but it is up to the listener to decide what they get from that song.

My music tastes may change over the years, but I will always come back to Matchbox Twenty and Rob Thomas. The music expresses the emotions that I can’t or won’t. And when those emotions need to be released, then I know that I can hide in the safety of a pair earbuds and let the music wash through me and know that all will be right again in the world…

Game night update –

We played Forgotten Waters this weekend. We found it while watching game reviews on YouTube from the Dice Tower crew. Gamers are a strange bunch, but that’s a topic for another day. Forgotten Waters is another cooperative game but in a campaign style. We played the tutorial campaign and so were able to finish it in an evening. More importantly, we were pirates! Oh yes, eye patches and peg legs included. Alright, no peg legs, but we were still playing as pirates. We rolled dice to create our pirate name. I was Saint She-Beast and a seeker pirate. I don’t know how much seeking I did, but I did collect my share of treasure. LOL Collectively we were successful in completing our quest. Loads of fun and fairly easy to learn. I’m looking forward to our next campaign on the high seas.

The last word –

“We’re all looking for something, something to be.” ~ Rob Thomas, “Something to Be”, 2005.