Ever since I was little, springtime in Louisville has always been my favorite time of year. It’s not because the trees are blooming or because the birds are chirping again. It’s because it’s derby time. Since I live in Bowling Green now, I’ll be making several trips home over the next few weeks so I don’t miss out. Of course I have to make it to Thunder Over Louisville and the Pegasus Parade. I’ve never been to the Derby itself, just the surrounding events, but everyone knows the actual Derby is for out-of-towners.

For the unfortunate few who have never made it to Thunder (including my fiancé and future in-laws), it’s hard to explain the magic if you’ve never experienced it. Imagine the fourth of July with your family times a billion. You and your 500,000 closest friends gather on the waterfront starting as early as you can get there. People are huddled in blankets or sunbath on them, depending on Louisville’s fickle weather. The air show takes up most of the afternoon with over 100 planes, including skydiving and stunts. Then it’s show time. The largest fireworks show in North America has never disappointed me. From the time I rode around on my dad’s shoulders to see above the crowd to last year when I was finally old enough to have a beer at the Chow Wagon, Thunder has always shook me- literally.

If you don’t have any plans for April 18, come kick off the Kentucky Derby Festival with me!

Check out this link if you're new to Thunder and want some more info:

http://www.thunderoverlouisville.org/index.html

Illegally downloading music

Illegal downloading

Most people have strong feelings about downloading music. Either you love it or hate it, you pay or it or you get viruses. I personally am a bit wishy-washy on the issue, but I know that deep down, it is wrong.
I’m not doing to lie, I do have limewire and I rarely pay for music unless it is one of my favorite artists. However, the fact that I mooch off other people instead of buying a $12 CD isn’t something I am proud of.
If someone hacked into my computer, stole papers I’ve written for class and turned them in for a grade, I’d be mad. I don’t blame artists for suing and being upset that people get what they do for a living for free.
I believe downloading music for free is 100% illegal and 100% wrong. I also believe premarital relations are wrong and I’m having a baby in August. On the list of cardinal sins, downloading music isn’t on the top of the list, but that doesn’t make it ok.
While I don’t think I’ll stop downloading the occasional song, I don’t promote or advocate doing it.