We officially live in Seattle now. Both Ponzi and I have participated in drinking coffee on a regular basis, we know how to drive defensively on the highways and offensively on the side streets, we watched the Blue Angels fly overhead during Seafair, and now we’ve been to our very first Bumbershoot. It’s the music festival to end all music festivals (at least, here in the Pacific Northwest). It reminded me a lot of Lollapalooza - only better. It’s a four-day event that attracts cultures of all types, people of all ages, and artists of all genres. The music acts were fantastic, no doubt - and the overall experience was enjoyable. Since I suffer from a short attention span, though, I’m not inclined to attend concerts that are longer than fifteen minutes (unless I really, really like the artist). Bumbershoot, in this way, was perfect for me. Before boredom would set in, I was able to walk to another stage / area and soak up yet another cool music performance. Busking, by the way, was strictly forbidden (yet I’m sure it happened, anyway).

Music has always been a small part of my life, as I’m sure it’s been a part of yours. My tastes have always been eclectic, however. Since my fiancee loves listening to hip-hop and R&B, my CD library has expanded exponentially. Can’t say that I prefer her style all the time, but it’s certainly grown on me. When we’re in the car together, the dial is typically tuned into some kind of talk station; I’m the kind of guy who would rather keep his brain educated rather than entertained while driving around town. Not to say that I wouldn’t care to rock out every once in a while with a good tune or two, but I really have to be in the mood for whatever it is I’m listening to. I’m not much of a freeloading downloader, either; I didn’t jump aboard the Napster bandwagon until they started their legitimate service (and Ponzi signed up for it without my knowledge). Nine times out of ten, we have something playing in the background. Having some kind of sound is often better than sitting in silence. This, of course, coming from someone who never knows when to shut up. At least I don’t sing along… regularly.