Behind The Music: Writing "The Recession Blues"

Couldn't sleep tonight so I got started on a new song. Wrote this one on my ukulele after playing around with the chord progression for weeks. The music started out a bit faster-paced but I slowed it down. Once I got it to a tempo I liked, I realized that it - for whatever reason - reminded me of an old black and white film. From there, I got to thinking about The Great Depression which then reminded me of the news recently about the debt ceiling and all of the financial turmoil America seems to be in these days. So I wrote the following song (audio posted below the lyrics):

Money’s tight and times are tough

But we’ve got a roof over our heads

Working hard from nine to five

Induces some stress

But at the end of the day

We’ll come home to rest

What’s the use in complaining

Things could always be worse

There are people without the means we’ve got

Let’s make do with this here lot

So Uncle Sam’s got you down

What else is new, that’s the standard fare in this town

The news is depressin’

Especially in this here recession

But dust it off, don’t wear a frown

What’s the use in complaining

Things could always be worse

There are people without the means we’ve got

Let’s make do with this here lot

[Whistle solo goes here]

We’ve made it through wars

And other manic attacks

We’ve made it through the worst

We always make a comeback

There are people without the means we’ve got

Let’s make do with this here lot

Nationals Buzz Post Round-Up: April through the All-Star Break

The 2011 MLB All-Star break is approaching and it got me thinking that this is a perfect time to round-up my freelance work from my guest blogging for MASNSports.com's Nationals Buzz this season.

My work for Nationals Buzz is part of a season-long initiative of welcoming guest bloggers to MASN Sports' "little corner of cyberspace," as managing editor Pete Kerzel likes to say.

I have to say that I am truly thankful for the opportunity I've had to write for MASN and being able share my thoughts on baseball in the District. I look forward to the rest of the season and can't wait to continue improving my baseball writing.

Once the second half of the season starts, the rotation of guest bloggers will change a bit and the format will switch to one post per week, per blogger as opposed to five posts in a week per blogger. So be on the lookout for posts from me on Wednesdays and definitely check out my colleagues on the other days! They're both insightful and entertaining.

Week 1

Growing up with the Nats, new extended family

As Ramos takes root, Nationals catch good fortune

Where's the help from Nats' leadoff hitters?

Root, root, root at your own risk

Nats need to put Phils in rear-view mirror

Week 2

Fans often forget that baseball's still a difficult job

Giving thanks for endearing features at Nationals Park

Learning to cope without Zimmerman's impact

Would Veeck's wacky promotion play at Nationals Park?

Horning in on an unsound change of plans

Week 3

Zimmerman inches back toward D.C.

Uniform alteration could fashion change for Nats

Recalling poise, power and hype surpassing expectation

Electric Harper challenging short attention spans

Hair-raising growth of hirsute Twitter accounts

Week 4

Creating a sense of baseball community

Could patriotic Nats become America's Team?
Johnson holds Nats accountable with levity, pride
Unprompted responses create hopeful stadium buzz
Winning three of four vs. Cubs shows progress