Good Morning

One of the best things about getting up early to do my workouts is the oppotunity to listen to music before work. I love my commute and would not trade it for anything, but I have missed that 30 or so minutes of uninterrupted music time first thing in the morning. I get to hear radio on the weekends now and that’s about all. I love having daily music again. Of course, for the most part the music I listen to for working out is dance music, but anything is better than nothing.

And my body is remembering that there was a time when I went dancing every Friday and Saturday night, almost without fail. Now I’m always too tired, or the clubs are too expensive or the drinks are too expensive or it’s too crowded, etc. I’m not saying I’m gonna run out and go to Backstreet on Saturday. Just that I’m enjoying being physical again and it’s improving my days–the music and the movement.

And now I have to confess something that my father won’t want to hear. Shania Twain is terrific workout music. The way my Dad tells it, Shania ruined country music. My esteem of the genre not being especially high to begin with (don’t balk, I listen to a lot of it, and a lot of bluegrass and mountain music too), I think that’s an overstated accusation that overlooks the culpability of the Nashville music empire and its minions who continue to pander to the lowest common denominator. The industry that churns out and rewards jingoistic, rebel-infused, put-a-boot-in-their-ass anthems by the likes of Toby Keith.

Anyway, Shania’s music is not high quality and her diva status is overrated, but damnit, it makes me feel good and it gets my legs moving and it’s apolitical. I tease Katie about being in touch with her inner gay man because she’s so obsessed with Cher. Well, Shania is the voice of my inner fag and I just can’t keep her quiet anymore. I will not hide my Shania cds in shame! I’m dragging them out of the closet and we’re gonna do some aerobic activity! Man, I feel like a woman!

Dear Diary, this is Amy. I seem to have lost my mind. That is all.