The music's in me

Today we're at anchor, again. I thought I'd take this opportunity while our main engines are quiet, to take care of some uncomplicated but necessary tasks that I've been putting off.
I got the ole MP3 player out ( no, no Ipod yet ) and plugged in the earphones. Why not listen to a little of that rock and roll, I thought?

My player has a variety of different music on it, but since I grew up in the early 70's, rock and roll is usually the music of choice. I was a big fan of the British Invasion. As I worked on my engines, my ears were filled with the sounds of Led Zepplin, The Who and The Stones. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon.

I was told by one of my children that I was stuck in a musical time warp and that I should expand my horizons. I listened and gave it a try.

I tried dabbling in Jazz, but actually, that music sounds to me like they're all tuning their instruments...for the whole song. I just don't get it. I realize millions of people love Jazz music, and to them I say, enjoy. It's not for me.

My daughter Bryn likes country. I'm still trying to figure that one out. I've sat her down for a good talking to a couple of times, but I still find the radio in the car tuned to Country after she gets out. Kids.

I gave classical music a try and I do enjoy some of it. I've learned that Beethoven was a pretty talented dude.

Salsa and Merengue are my think outside the box choices for music. Love them both. I thought that if I expanded my horizons to NEW rock and roll, that that would count, so I now embrace Pearl jam, The Black Crows, Flogging Molly and Drp Kick Murphys.

Anyway, this afternoon, while in the engine room, right after "Stairway to Heaven" ended, a song came on that was completely different from anything I normally listen to. As I worked on my very manly 4000 horse power diesel engine my foot started tapping to this new song.

I put down my manly tools so I could look at my player to identify this song. It was good. I removed my MP3 from my pocket and looked at the screen.

I immediately experienced a sharp intake of breath as I read the song title.
"Take me or leave me"..........FROM THE MUSICAL RENT! That's right, I was listening to SHOW TUNES for heavens sake. I quickly glanced around, hoping not to be seen, like I was doing something wrong.

What would the crew think if they caught me, while working on the engines, listening to show tunes? And liking it?

After I composed myself, I restarted the song. "I give it a 90 Mr Clark, it has a good beat and you can dance to it."

What a great song. I wanted to throw down my manly crescent wrench, throw my grease covered hands in the air and do high leg kicks. But I refrained. No wonder my daughter Erin loves this stuff so much.

FYI- "Take me out tonight" from the same musical is pretty good, but it doesn't hold a candle to
"Take me or leave me." That song ROCKS

My horizons have been officially expanded.