Name your top 5 bands in 5 seconds...Go!

I asked that in my small group a few months ago. I always thought I could tell a little about a person by the kind of music they listen to. One person was actually able to answer within the allotted time, even I hesitated. As always I answered with a question, "Depends on my mood." (That really wasn't a question but you get the idea). There are always a least 2 or 3 in my top 5, but the others change from time to time. So this time around I thought I would list my top 10 favorite bands/artists of all time. These are artists I just can't live without. They are not just "cool" this stuff actually moves me. To the point that I will stop what I am doing and just listen. I can feel the emotion and it stirs something inside me. That was the criteria I used to compile my list. Now these are not in any particular order, except for the last one. The last entry, hands down, if I had to rid myself of all my musical library and could only keep one album, it would be the last one I list here. I thought I would have a difficult time listing these but after I got going it wasn't hard at all, especially the last one.

So without further ado:
The Sisters of Mercy
Bauhaus
The Cure
Depeche Mode
Faith No More
Primus
King's X
The Cult
Pink Floyd
Leonard Cohen (album; The Essential Leonard Cohen)

Now these may not be the best bands ever to pick up an instrument or pen, but they speak to me. I love music, you could say I have a passion for it, though I have no talent in it. The things I do have a talent for, I don't necessarily have a passion for. Isn't that funny, it makes me appreciate those who do have the talent all the more.

A joyous occasion

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending my niece Erin's wedding (Ruth's brother's daughter). Her husband, Travis, is a really great guy and we're so happy for them. My daughter Kirsten had the honor of being a flower girl for them and she really enjoyed it. She did so good - we were so proud of her. Here's a few pictures from the event that Ruth threw on a slideshow.