Hi, my name is Peter and I'm a workaholic. For the last few years I've worked especially hard, since I'm blessed to play a leading part in the Jabber community. Unfortunately, working 60-80 hours a week leaves little time for other interests and pursuits, of which I have many. One of the longest-running for me is music. I started playing guitar and bass when I was 12 or 13, and I've been writing songs and instrumental pieces since I was 17 or so. I've never found the time (or money) to record my music, nor do I have that real performer's personality or a hunger to be up on stage, so my musical pursuits are not very public. But that doesn't make them any less important to me. Earlier today I had a longish talk about music with my friend Eric Nolte, who is a much more accomplished musician than I am (he is a pianist, violist, and composer when he's not flying airplanes for a living). Talking with Eric has renewed my dedication to becoming more actively involved in music. So I've just requested a number of music theory books from the Denver public library, as well as songbooks for Hoagy Carmichael, Yip Harburg, and writers of several other songs I've been meaning to learn. Eric pointed me to musictheory.net, which looks like a great resource. I'm doing some more research on home recording equipment (still leaning towards a Tascam 428 since supposedly it's Linux-compatible, and I'm still lusting after a Warwick electric bass). I need to force myself to participate in the next songwriter's open stage at Swallow Hill (on Thursday, September 11 -- not an auspicious date, I must admit), at which local songwriters can sing two or three songs of their own creation (I think I'd sing Center of the World and either Pre-Emptive Strike or She is Woman). I'm thinking I might attend the songwriting workshop being presented by Wendy Waldman on October 24 at Swallow Hill (I'll be at her concert that night, too -- she is an awesome songwriter). Since returning from vacation last week I haven't worked a single night or weekend, and I'm striving hard to keep that up so that I can give some time to my musical (and philosophical) activities. Yes, even a workaholic like me recognizes that balance is important...