The value of silence

I enjoy music. Excluding class time or when I'm watching TV, there is about a 95% chance that either my iPod or computer is producing some form of auditory background to my life. Look at when I'm doing homework and that goes to approximately a 105% chance (yes I know that's impossible. Get over it), because if I'm listening to music that I'm familiar with it helps me to tune out background noise. To say that music is a fairly integral part of my life might be considered an understatement.

But, much like last week's post, there is another side to this. Sometimes silence and stepping away from what you're working on can be a good thing too. For example, when I was working on my final project for my SAS Programming class, I hit a couple of roadblocks. The first one came while I was on campus and the second one was when I was wrapping up my homework for the night. In both cases I took a bit of time without music (drive home, walk to friend's apartment) and just thought about how to attack a specific part of the problem. Crazy thing is that it worked. Go figure.

So, music is good... when I'm working it helps me tune out background sounds and focus on my work, and when I'm not it's just plain fun to listen to. Silence is good for stepping back from what I'm doing (while working) and for relaxing when I'm not working. Solution:

Yep. I just found an excuse to pay for custom-made in-canal earphones. They'll work as earplugs (for silence) and sound great for music. Sign me up!

(Now about finding the money for those... :P)

Music for the week: Tenth Avenue North, "The Light Meets The Dark" and "Over and Underneath"
I first heard 10th Ave. N. when they opened for Jeremy Camp at the NC State Fair in '09... I'd caught a few of their songs on the radio but hadn't known it was them at the time. They were good, but I didn't get their album (Over and Underneath was out but their sophomore album hadn't been released yet) after the concert. I finally got both albums and found a great, contemplative but upbeat collection of songs. I enjoy listening to most of my music for studying but this seems to be especially good for that task.

I hope y'all have safe travels and quality time spent with friends and family over this Thanksgiving weekend... see ya right here next week!