Scared to go visit my folks because I’m worried my niece will kick my butt.

When I first began to post, my intentions were to use this blog as a driving force pushing me to dive back into the world of jazz through the examination and sharing of jazz solos which have impacted my life. I also wanted this to be a place where those who visit might experience something "off the beaten path."

Since my first post in September of 2007, I have strayed from this goal becoming distracted by the novelty of personal blog posts. Essentially, writing on jazz solos fell away to personal videos and commentaries, which then degraded to poor attempts at comedic bits. See "My first product review" in the archives, September, 2007, for a good example.

While I will continue to write on personal topics and share aspects of my life with you, I want to take this opportunity to "right the boat" and get back on track. With that in mind, I would like to feature a jazz solo by the great tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker. Sadly, Michael Brecker, unquestionably the top tenor saxophonist of this era, passed away on January 13th, 2007.

Born in the late 70’s, I missed out on the chance to hear and see so many great jazz musicians. To have seen John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderly, or any of the numerous jazz greats at the top of their game in the mid 1900’s would have been life changing. Regretfully I must now add Michael Brecker to that list of names.

The solo, which you can listen to by clicking on the album art below, comes off the track "I Mean You" found on the McCoy Tyner album entitled "Infinity." I began writing this post 4 months ago. During that time I have been unable to find the words that appropriately convey what Michael Brecker’s music means to me. I have many favorite Brecker solos and songs, so there are more to come, but for now, please enjoy and let me know what you think.

What is it like to be recognized in public? What is it like to draw a crowd with people clamoring for autographs or pictures? How do you react when you visit a studio on behalf of your alma mater to shoot a philanthropic video, only to have them march some poor schlep they call the office champion out to play you in ping-pong? If you are Patrick Crayton of the Dallas Cowboys, you very courteously engage such schlep in two games and lose them both.

In playing the part of the poor schlep in this story, I have to say it really was a unique experience playing ping-pong with Patrick Crayton. What made it so unique for me personally was the fact that while the moment probably meant next to nothing to Patrick, I got a kick out of playing a game with someone famous. Not only someone famous, but someone I follow through sports, someone local. And let me add, while I did win both games, Patrick did exhibit some serious skill at the table. If he spent half an hour at lunch every day at the table like this poor schlep, I would have been in trouble, but this time I was lucky. Thank you to Patrick for the game. You have earned a new fan.

Click here to view a larger version of the image above.

The scene is so familiar. The nervous husband, or more often than not today, boyfriend, paces in nervous expectation of the result. The wife, or baby’s momma, is excited as she takes the test, but nervous as to how her significant other will react. It’s positive. Oh No! Oh Yeah! Oh Crap!

Hollywood loves to create a dramatic scene, although, a scene that’s based more on reality than fiction; a scene, I participated in this morning. A scene that I am proud to say was positive. It is so satisfying to do this the right way. To be married, in love with your wife, and ready to take the next step. I will admit it is a little scary, and at this point, hasn’t really sunk in, but, the outlook from today is good.

To do things the right way is never easy. There are always challenges and obstacles that get in the way. However, when you do things the right way, and accomplish your task, it is so satisfying. You just feel good. This is true in every aspect of life. In relationships, in your work, in everything you do, you are always setting an example for others. It’s easy to do what YOU want, but the feeling you get when you do what’s right can never be matched.

Although I am far from perfect, I am very happy and proud to have gotten it right this time.