The 270 Minute Commute

That's 4 hours and 30 mins...to go 6 miles!  So the millionth winter storm this season moved into Nashville late this afternoon.  Seriously!  We've had a winter storm every week since the first week of January.  Shortly before 4pm we got the e-mail "if you feel you need to leave at this time you may do so."  Well, I always feel a bit guilty leaving early since I only live 6 miles down the road and many of my coworkers live much farther away.  Well today I paid for it.  I stuck around until 4:15 and by then there was a line to get out of the parking lot into the first intersection which was clogged with traffic.

See exhibit A (notice the daylight).

I was traveling about .4 miles an hour (yes that's point 4)!  I attempted to move off the side road onto the main road, but the main road traffic was not letting anybody on, so after 20 mins I bailed and went back to the side road.  Traffic was finally moving when it came to a halt again...road closed.  The cops tried to get me to turn around, but Taco Bell was right there and I had been in the car for 2 hours!  I needed food, drink, and a bathroom!  So I deliberately disobeyed them. :)  I made a run for the border!  That's huge for me...and I hate Taco Bell, but I was desperate.

After a quick stop, I jumped back on the road again.  I continued to occupy myself with Facebook, phone calls, and music.  The main road was brined earlier in the afternoon, but the snow came so fast, it didn't matter.  It was completely covered in snow and ice.

Exhibit B (don't be fooled by the lack of traffic)

Exhibit C: The traffic line (no end in sight)

It took all my patience to stay sane.  As I got closer to home, the number of stranded vehicles grew exponentially.  Drivers abandoned their vehicles in parking lots, boulevards, and along the side of the road.

Exhibit D

After 4 hours, 30 mins, 6 miles and several icy hills, I saw this.

Exhibit E

My garage door...a sight for sore eyes!

After today's awful commute, the next time a see an e-mail that says "if you feel you need to leave," I'm heading for the hills ASAP!!

Even though it was a trying 4 hours, I'm thankful that I made it home with my SUV and myself all in one piece.

25 Days of Christmas Songs: Go Tell It On The Mountain

Merry Christmas!  

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:11

Go tell the good news on the mountain...over the hills and every where!

I hope you are able to spend this day with the ones you love.  

If you don't know the band Seabird, you should get to know them.  I love their music.  I was originally going to post "Joy To The World" but on second thought Seabird's version didn't feel exciting enough for me.  I love their version of "Joy To The World," but it's more reflective and less triumphant than the original hymn.  Still a great song so check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAbf_r8DMkg

Seabird's version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" is not your traditional hymn either, but you have to change things up once in awhile.  And these guys do it right!  So gather your family and friends, get your groove on, and "Go Tell It On The Mountain...that Jesus Christ is born!"

25 Days of Christmas Songs: Silent Night

Christmas Eve.  A holy night. All is calm.  A baby like no other is about to enter our world.

The poem “Silent Night” was put to music after the church organ broke right before Christmas.  It’s believed that it was originally performed with a few voices and a lone guitar. 

Last year a friend introduced me to Chris Botti, a trumpet player.  I happened to see his Christmas CD on clearance after Christmas last year.  I bought it and put it on the shelf.  This year I finally opened it and took a listen.  I immediately fell in love.  In this version of “Silent Night” Chris captures the wonder and tenderness of this holy night.

Silent Night – Chris Botti

25 Days of Christmas Songs: O Holy Night

This is another one of my most favorite Christmas songs!  I love singing this song on Christmas Eve.  No other song captures the miracle of the night.

"O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born!

O night, O holy night, O night divine!

O Holy Night - 98 Degrees

25 Days of Christmas Songs: Noel

Growing up I would often listen to my parents CDs and dance around the family room.  One of the artists they listened to was Jim Brickman.  He’s an artist who knows how to tug at your heart strings.  From intimate arrangements to love songs, I grew to love his piano arrangements and enjoy listening to him at Christmas.

Noel – Jim Brickman

25 Days of Christmas Songs: Carol Of The Bells

I was searching YouTube for my favorite arrangement of this song.  It's amazing how many versions of a song called "Carol of the Bells" don't feature any bells!  And of course I chose a version without bells!  But this version from Home Alone brings back memories.  This movie came out when I was 10 years old.  It was the ultimate childhood adventure.  And you have to admit that the cover which appears to be the Hungarian version is pretty spectacular!  Could it get any busier?  Is this a cartoon??  What's even more fun is that my dad loves this movie.  It's hard to say if he really, really loves the movie or likes that Macaulay Culkin's relative lived a few steps away from us in Fargo.  Probably a bit of both. :)


Carol Of The Bells - John Williams

25 Days of Christmas Songs: Don't Save It All For Christmas Day

If you're looking for a Christmas song that you can belt out with abandon, this is it!  If you happen to be driving around Nashville, you may catch me making a fool of myself in my car singing at the top of my lungs..."Don't save it all for Christmas Day!"

Don't Save It All For Christmas Day - Celine Dion