Life today is like a Michael Buble song...

When I think of songs I think of days past when I felt like a particular song or was listening to it. I have really vivid memories from odd times simply because of particular songs linked to the memory. But I'm not writing about the hypothoses of sensory input assocation. I just want to say - today I feel like that Michael Buble song "Home." Only, I'd have to say I probably feel more like the country version since I'm thinking of home - Alabama. The funny thing is I hate that version with all my being, but right now I'd cut off a finger to be in my truck driving down Wilmer Rd. listening to it. Go figure...

Especially relevant is the line, "Maybe surrounded by a million people I still feel alone, and let me go home. Oh, I've got to go home." There are way too many people in Hanoi. The commies should redistribute some population or something. I mean if you're gonna be communist then why not take advantage of it, you know what I'm saying? (Ok. I'm not totally serious, and no disrespect intended to the government of Vietnam. You reading, guys???)

The problem is really not food or the heat. I miss my family; I miss my girlfriend. I want to hold her and be with her, yet I can't. It's like the adult version of a kid who wants to have the new toy more than anything, but daddy keeps saying, "No."

I miss my brother, and I hate not being able to hear about his first experiences in college. He'll be fine; I'm not sure I will sometimes.

Now I'm thinking of a Derek Webb song, and it's so good I'm gonna put the whole thing on here. Please read it:

As I survey the ground for ants

Looking for a place to sit and read

I'm reminded of the streets of my hometown How they're much like this concrete that's warm beneath my feet

And how I'm all wrapped up in my mother's face

With a touch of my father just up around the eyes

And the sound of my brother's laugh

But more wrapped up in what binds our ever distant lives

But if I must go

Things, I trust, will be better off without me

But I don't want to know

Life is better off a mystery

So keep'em coming these lines on the road

And keep me responsible be it a light or heavy load

And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise

And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes

Hometown weather is on TV

I imagine the lives of the people living there

And I'm curious if they imagine me

Cause they just wanna leave; I wish that I could stay

But I get turned around

And I mistake some happiness for blessing

But I'm blessed as the poor

Still I judge success by how I'm dressing

So I'll sing a song of my hometown

I'll breathe the air and walk the streets

Maybe find a place to sit and read

And the ants are welcome company

And you know what? I couldn't say it better...

I'll be ok. Grace my feet and faith my eyes... Bring it on, Hanoi. Bring - it - on.