If I were stone, would you be the water that washes over me? If I were corn, would you be the mill that grinds me? If I were poor, would you be the hand reaching out or closing? If I were you, would I understand me? Love has its tru... more

The world has lost its damn mind. Either increased solar activity is changing brain waves and patterns, or we are going into some universal atmospheric cloud of change and chaos. Whatever it is, surely and for certain, the world has lost ... more

We humans are like the toddlers of the universe; curious, and just capable and intelligent enough to get ourselves into all kinds of messes. I can imagine our planet as the Universal TV show; somewhere, right now all across the universe,... more

Seven is the number of music notes and colors of the rainbow. Variations in vibrations, rhythms, melodies, tones, hues, shades and patterns, and these spectrums are used to create infinite combinations creativity — the “infinite” is the ... more

Ever felt like you were in the middle of a very bad story? In "Redemption Song," Bob Marley sang: "We've got to fulfill the book…" Taken out of context here, since he was singing about freeing your mind from "Mental Slavery" or "Mental Co... more

I love you Grace Potter, Michael Franti, Adele, and Jack White — to name a few. And all the others who came before and those not mentioned with you. Your music, talent and voices are much-needed bits of light in a world of robotic tones m... more

I am the Lorax!...or is it the Walrus? Never the mind, we all know that moolah makes the system go 'round…oh yeah, I mean the "World Time Machine." Borders, boredom, bedrooms and boardrooms, all "For the Love of Money…" and all the sorrow... more

I betcha know a lot of dirty words, don’t you? I know I do! I use 'em, too! Well, did you know that “Global Warming” is the newest in the lexicon of dirty words? Methinks it is a misnomer that misleads and gives excuse to those in denial... more

Hey kiddies! To paraphrase the Sugar Hill Gang: “Rock and Roll with so much soul, you can rock til you’re 101 years-old...” Yeah, we’re all just kids trying to figure it out until the day we die and stop caring about worldly things. The Sch... more

You know “The Logical Song,” by Supertramp? No? Well, please go online and look up the lyrics before reading on — don’t fret, I’ll wait… Okay, so those lyrics remind me of the beauty and innocence residing in my childhood memories. Memor... more

Bioluminescence… shines bright in the darkest of summer nights. As a child, I played under the summer sun all day into twilight, waiting to hear my mother’s voice calling me to come in. As a man, and more important, a human being, I wonde... more

I will relay a story of sorts. A story of sorts that started with laughter and the words: “We live like fools!…” strung together and coming from a voice sounding strangely like my own, punctuated with a tone of amusement and the amazement... more

“I still believe…” (Michael Been of The Call – R.I.P.). What is “believed” brings to mind “Wicked,” the story of Gregory Maguire, the back-story and ‘other side’ of L. Frank Baum’s fairy tale, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Whereas “Wicked... more

The brutally poetic beauty of Patty Smith; through her entire body the words flowed like a torrent in spate to her mouth, past her lips, pushing into the air: “People have the power!” … you know the rest. At least you should. Redeeming “t... more

One Love! “We the generation, (tell me why!) try to bring tribulation?” Indeed, why this “Holy Armageddon?” A question and a plea from Bob Marley, one of the coolest of the cool – Rasta! Predictions about the end persist – there are a var... more

Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards humankind! Ebenezer Scrooge repented and redeemed himself from the wickedness and corruption of a heart grown cold. The Grinch’s heart grew three sizes larger the morning after his misadventures, aimed... more

The passion and meaning of the one-thousand, nine-hundred, sixty, apostrophe “s” passed away and the page has turned. The last will and testament has been read. Are the kids alright? When is the last time they were fed? A bottle of amnesia ha... more

Certain items are essential and basic to all human life on planet Earth: water, air, food, and safe shelter. And yes, the most important is love. Golly gee-whiz you silly Priests of the Temple of Syrinx! Neil Peart wrote about it, Geddy Lee s... more

”Little darling,” George Harrison sang, complementing his beautiful guitar work, written on Eric Clapton's guitar. Still more; "Here comes the sun, here comes the sun, and I say..." Ahh...gorgeous, warm and soul-stirring of the most pleas... more

It’s summertime and I gaze into the midnight sky of starry blue and black, willing myself to know… come universe, let us join in dance again. I have witnessed the lights of Paris from my eyes; and yea, tis true; they cannot hold a candle ... more

Alas, a year has passed of writing articles as the columnist of "Strings and Things." It has been a healthy exercise of sorts, this writing of things and strings. Amusing myself, for the sake of amusing me. Fortunately, my interest in "N... more

Prometheus obviously did not obey the Prime Directive — basically, not interfering with a primitive world by introducing advanced artifacts from an advanced species. The tale of stolen fire is a symbol of humans being handed "civilization... more

Yeah, I know all about "looking California and feeling Minnesota... oh yeah," as Chris Cornell wrote and sang on "Outshined," that ever-so-awesome song by Soundgarden. Is it much worse than it appears? It works the other way too; looking... more

In this generation of hope, what are you listening to on your MP3 player? Granted, sometimes it seems that this is the generation of last hope, but hope nonetheless. Hope of redemption and salvation from ignorance. Hope for overcoming t... more

Please — if you’re a pre-teen or teen-aged girl — real or imagined — with sugary-pop leanings, please stop right here. No need to continue, it’ll just be bad for you. You won’t enjoy it, as Marvin, the depressed robot from ‘Hitchhiker’s G... more

The Crossroads is a Blues man’s thing. It’s a human thing; the darkest hour of the soul and the point of salvation and redemption, or a free-fall into chaos, confusion and self-annihilation. Oh, the decisions to be made! Of course, even with... more

Do you know the song by 4Non-Blondes, that goes: "I said Hey! What's going on!?" It reminds me of Socrates, who said something akin to: “I know, through not knowing.” As we ride up on 2012, cosmic is the crib, in which we live. What balan... more

We’re all geeks. Don't be fooled. From its original meaning, the word ‘Geek’ has morphed into a narrowly defined caricature of itself. Distilled to its essence, geekiness is the intentional focus or pursuit of something — we all have some... more

Once upon a time, a native Scot was asked what Scotland was like. I’m naturally curious — this was a very sincere inquiry. “Have you seen the movie, Trainspotting?” was the reply. “Yes,” I answered. “It’s just like that.” he said. ... more

Ain't life funny — the way things work out? Take Star Trek, a well put-together body of work which has endured the test of time. The original series was the best of campiness, creative drama, social themes and sci-fi. While touted as ‘se... more

As I listened to the music, he asked: "Are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced?" And finally…so soulfully, in a confessional vocal tremor, conveying sweetness wrapped in a soft, joyful cry of pain, he answered: "I have." Long ... more

“I’ve got a drink in my hand, my toes in the sand, all I need is …” The time has come to say goodbye to my beloved Bozone, my home for the past 16 years. The boondoggling wonder will rusticate somewhere on a sugar sand beach on... more

We interrupt this normally scheduled column for a word from the “Mrs.” Dear Loyal “Strings and Things” readers: March Madness has hit the Stevens household. You know that time of year — the kids head out to the driveway (aka ba... more

Tell Fat Jack to jump back, and give you a shot of some booze, so you can party to some stomp-down, butt-bumpin rock and roll, rhythm blues, cause the Boys are back in town... What could possibly be a better way to start the mo... more

The new year is in full swing, along with new changes for America and Wayne’s world. To great dismay, I joined the rank and file of unemployment. The benefit system is so discombobulated, I’m surprised more people don’t go post... more

It’s here once again, the month of mass consumer nympholepsy and holiday cheer. A time for personal bail outs and lavish office parties. My only hope is that everyone, I mean everyone, will stop this annual nonsense and get bac... more