I thought I was too candid, but maybe I'm too candent. Maybe both. You decide; I can't.

candent (KAN-duhnt) adjective 1. Glowing. 2. Impassioned.
[From Latin candent-, stemp of candens, present participle of candere (to shine or glow). Ultimately from Indo-European root kand- (to shine). Other words from the same root are candle, incandescent, incense, candid, candida, and candidate (in reference to white togas worn by Romans seeking office).]

For the record...

At the risk of sounding like I'm recreating the provocative "Crash" Davis speech from Bull Durham -- I believe in second chances. I believe in the magnetism of souls. I believe in the healing powers of open communication, understanding and forgiveness. I believe that our thoughts create, however unwittingly, those situations that best serve to allow our progress. I believe that adversity is the most effective proving ground, because I believe we don't learn the lesson if it isn't hard. I believe that God, or the Higher Power, or the Universe, has wisdom - and, clearly, a wicked sense of humor - far beyond our own severely limited comprehension. And I like to listen when he/she/it speaks. Even when he/she/it says that which I'm not prepared to hear (as is often the case). Even when it brings back to me that which I, for whatever reason, have rejected once and for all. I believe that very little in this world is once and for all.

Do you hold similar beliefs? Do you believe that, when we're given the opportunity to make the necessary corrections, we should choose to make them gratefully and fearlessly?

Do you appreciate irony?

This is one of the many reasons I love my mom. She e-mails me stuff like this.

THINGS YOU'LL NEVER HEAR ON THE BAND BUS

Ladies, I'll need to see some proof of age, please.

Boy, I can't wait 'till we get to Maine.

No, I could hear the monitor just fine -- I screwed up.

I walked her home, kissed her goodnight, and came straight back to the bus.

Go ahead and roll 'em down the aisle -- they're only cymbals.

Should we go back and get the drummer?

Wow! The leader nailed every tempo perfectly again tonight -- and everybody played perfectly in tune all night long -- again!

Boy, it sure is fun playing all those old Glenn Miller arrangements.

Can you believe all the money we're getting?

Man, I wish we could get the guitar player to turn up a bit louder.

Hey, who cleaned up in here, this bus smells like a spring breeze!

I sure hope we reach the next town in time for Mass.

I can't wait to get to my private hotel room so I can have eight hours' uninterrupted sleep, a swim in the pool and a couple of margaritas with my complimentary steak dinner before the gig.

Yeah, I got into music mainly because of the job security, the benefits and the opportunities for advancement...and these great bus trips, of course.

So, are you more heavily invested in balanced or growth funds?

Nice to be back in this cozy bus again, hangin' with my pals.