Now, the mist across the window hides the lines
But nothing hides color of the lights that shine
Electricity so fine
Look and dry your eyes...

We, so tired of all the darkness in our lives
With no more angry words to say can come alive
Get into a car and drive to the other side
(Me babe, steppin' out)
Into the night, into the light
You babe, steppin' out
Into the night, into the light

We, are young bet getting old before our time
We'll leave the TV and the radio behind
Don't you wonder what we'll find
Steppin' out tonight

You can dress in pink and blue just like a child
And in a yellow taxi turn to me and smile
We'll be there in just a while, if you follow me
(Me babe, steppin' out)
Into the night, into the light
You babe, steppin' out
Into the night, into the light

"Steppin' Out" - Joe Jackson

Just a song that I had to pull out of the archives thanks to a Jimmy Fallon show appearance. I actually went out and bought his Greatest Hits CD off of iTunes... I think this song actually came out back in 1982 - I was a whopping 6 years old. I don't think I even knew who Joe Jackson was until maybe five years ago, but whenever that piano started up my hand always reached for the volume knob. 

Recently I actually looked at the lyrics... go figure. This is an anthem. An 80s hype song. And now, replacing "Midnight Train to Georgia" as the song I will be leaving Minnesota and returning home with. I don't return home as a person that has failed, rather a person reborn with a new sense of focus for my life. Everyone in the Twin Cities that has supported me over the past three years I can't begin to thank you for your support during this time of growth for me. I promise you this won't be the last time you see me... just look for me when you're steppin' out. 

Can you imagine him actually saying that???

One day I was on the ground
When I needed a hand
And it couldn't be found
I was so far down
That I couldn't get up
You know and
One day I was one of life's losers
Even my friends were my ac-cus-ers
And in my head
Lost before I'd begun

I had a dream
But it turned to dust
What I thought was love
That must have been lust
I was living in style
When the walls fell in
When I played my hand
I looked like a joker
Turn around
Fate must have woke her
'Cause lady luck she was
Waiting outside the door

I'm winning
I'm winning
I'm winning
And I don't intend on losing again

Too bad it belonged to me
It was the wrong time
And I meant to be
It took a long time
And I knew for now
I can see the day
That I breath for
Friends agree there's a need
To play the game
And to win again

I'm winning
I'm winning
I'm winning
And I don't intend on losing again


"Winning" - Santana featuring Alex Ligertwood


Thanks to Charlie Sheen for helping a pretty good Santana tune get a second wind - I was going two or three times a week hearing it on the radio for a while. It is certainly one of those songs that has been speaking to me over the past few months. The answer to the old phrase "Are you better off now than you were a year ago" for me is a resounding YES. It is said that in good times your friends know you, and in bad times you know your friends. This past year, I have most certainly been reminded of who my friends are. What's even better is I've met some new ones that I am sure I would not have had the honor to get to know had I stayed on the path I was on. 

I've been accused of writing only when I was pissed off - maybe it's because when things are going good I don't make time to sit back and write... not stopping to smell the roses and document the experience. Well, I'm not going to make any declarations that I'm going to start documenting everything - I'm probably not. It's summertime in Minnesota... unless I'm going to sit outside and type (I hear you all saying that I'd do that - shut it) - I just don't see it happening. 

Anyway, I didn't really have much on my mind outside of the song - I'm winning, and I don't intend on losing again. Just wanted you to know in case you were wondering.