Shuffle It

As my first day off, I wanted to start things on a good note. Do something to pump myself up and be motivated.

I have wanted to get in better shape and begin exercising again. Determined, I woke up at the same time I always do - 6:00 a.m. and put on my workout clothes instead of sleeping in.

I grabbed my Zune mp3 player. (Yes, we are not iPod folks. Kirk is anti-Apple. Bill Gates is his BFF after me so it's only PC products for us). Now normally, I listen to the same tunes. I have a jogging list that I created. I never grow tired of it. Jogging to U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name," is like starting my day off with a great cup of coffee. That is usually followed by Billy Idol's "Dancing With Myself," to make me push the distance and throw in some rockin' arm movements and hip action.

But today, I decided to be different. It's the first full day of my freedom so I must mix it up, right? Literally mix it up.

So when I turned on my Zune, I hit the "shuffle" option and let the mp3 fate determine what music I should walk and run to. These were the songs it chose for me:

1) Just Dance - Lady Gaga
2) Shake It Up - The Cars
3) Fighter - Christina Aguilera
4) Ray of Light - Madonna
5) It's My Life - Bon Jovi
6) Jenny Says - Cowboy Mouth
7) Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks
8) Hero - Foo Fighters

Wow! What a great, diverse selection of music that fate(?) or perhaps the music gods played for me.

To start off with Lady Gaga just cracked me up. I mean, it's like that woman is everywhere and her songs are always stuck in your head! I jam to her music at least twice a week in the car. So it was funny to begin with her. I said I wanted to dance more so here she is telling me to do it.

After I dance, I need to shake things up according to The Cars. Point taken. I will add in some extra booty-shakin' moves.

When Christina's "Fighter" song came on, I felt stronger. I said to myself, okay, I can do this. I picked up the pace. I love it when strong female singers come through the airwaves. They get me going!

Now feeling like I am contender, Madonna suddenly comes on. Madonna - my idol since the fourth grade. The essence of cool. There she was like a ray of sunshine looking down on me. I won't let you down Mo!

Then came "It's My Life!" - another strong message song. You can read what you like into it. But I took it as, hey this is my life. Everyone else can suck it because I need to enjoy my time here. I am going to live my life, MY way and indeed make most of it. Sing it Jon. I love you by the way. You're so hot, even after all these years.

Cowboy Mouth was a blast from my past. For those of you who do not know them, they are a local New Orleans group who had a few hits that went into minor mainstream back in the day. I LOVE THEM! How perfect that they came through my earphones reminding me of when I first was into them, at age 22, when I literally looked and felt my best.

Dixie Chicks then popped on reminding me it was time to get my brain and body back in gear - get ready to run again. Thanks ladies. I realize that you pissed off a lot of Americans a few years ago with your political statements. But I still adore you. Your music kicks butt.

And then for my ending, Foo Fighters. Love me some Foo! Their song "Hero," is another one that gets me going and thinking. A good reminder to think hard about those who you admire. Choose your heroes wisely and find the extraordinary in the ordinary.

All great songs. Each of them making me think deeply about the lyrics behind them. None of this would be taking place if I hadn't decided to shuffle it this morning.

So that is my simple message for today. When you feel like a fresh start, SHUFFLE IT!

Oh, I can't wait to see what the rest of my day will bring and what songs I will hear next....