So much wonderful stuff to read here this morning. I spent most of the weekend away from the computer, which was good. Yesterday I went to a great bluegrass concert.
sugaree will know the artist, Ricky Skaggs. Amazing energy and musicianship.
Between songs, Skaggs gave impromptu history talks about bluegrass -- he would make an amazing teacher! He was a child prodigy but really broke through when he was about 30 with multiple country hits, Grammy awards, and the CMA Entertainer of the Year award. Big stuff. Apparently, though, he was actually
prohibited by his record contract from playing or recording bluegrass music. Can you imagine? He could only play country. This lasted about 12 years.
About 15 years ago, when he was about 45, he got out of that contract. He was able to start his own record label, with a major label distributing the records. He plays and sings the music he loves. And he's won a zillion more Grammys. Interesting story and a thrilling concert.
nikki, your comments about the main thread really resonated with me and went along with some of what was written in the advice in that NYT article that mentioned the need to develop a rhythm to how we consume information. In olden times, you got "news" at certain times a day and if you missed it that was it. The ability to get news all the time, whether it is Adam news or political news or what have you, can drive a "fear of missing out" (this is, apparently a REAL marketing concept -- most marketing is driven by fear).
So ... driven by fear, I have spent too many "fan bucks" on the main thread. Ungood!
I need my fan bucks for fun stuff.
nikki, your time zone enables you to have some emotional distance and sift through for the news and that is something I want to consciously create for myself.
momtomany, I hope you will post here and
gelly I hope you will as well.
mom, I lurked on Atop for several months last summer before joining and it was your posts about Burning Man that made me join.
This morning, I saw a wonderful quotation from the young new quarterback for my football team. He was told that some play he made was one for the record books. He shrugged and said, "Stats are for losers." I don't mean that in a disrespectful way towards the numbers folks, but I think what the young man meant is that trying to measure things that way makes everything feel
so very small. A wonderful sports play is about heart and magic and the way it makes you feel -- the interplay between the player and his teammates and the fans. That is what Adam is all about for me.
There were 300 people in Austin, Texas yesterday watching a happy man and his band play his heart out. There is so much more to a life in music than selling a million widgets.
To
gelly and anyone else thinking of posting: please do. Please read the first post on the Moon Garden thread, right under the picture of the moon that
jamie posted. Anyone can post here. Some of us talk big ideas here because
there is no place else to talk about thoughts that need respect and time to develop. The Moon Garden is for anyone who wants to talk as if we're all just have a drink around the same table. Please pull up a chair and talk about whatever you wish.
About twitter -- just create a separate account for your Adam stuff! That's what I did. Keeps out those pesky RL people and allows for all the cray voting and flailing you like.
I have not used my twitter much but if any of you want to follow me my twitter is @meltsinyourface. I will follow you back.
Here is some wonderful inspiration, a video about Danny McAskill, a bicycle stunt rider:
McAskill's obvious joy about being able to do what he loves and his willingness to be on the edge of possibility reminds me of Adam and his singing. A great little video.
. It is quite the special group of people. 
