Music has always been important in my life.

When I was little, we listened to my parents' music... The Four Seasons, The Beatles, The Monkees, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones. Later on after my parent's split we listened to a bit more Fleetwood Mac, Styx, Foreigner.

I had this little plastic orange organ - a Disney organ with colored chord keys and a book - I used to play all the time.

In late elementary, I played violin, which pleased my grandfather who was a great violinist.

In middle school I began singing in things like solo performance and state competitions. On a whim, I entered a local band/vocalist competition and sang three songs acapella and won 2nd prize. I never used the gift certificate to a keyboard store. I was a huge fan of Prince and Michael Jackson. The first concert I saw (other than Neil Diamond with mom) was Prince's 1999 tour. I dated a professional breakdancer. I looked like Madonna (not on purpose, we just resemble each other and she was the big thing then.

I moved on to heavy metal when I discovered Metallica, and flashing back to that Black Sabbath Vol. 4 album I found in my parents stuff - I loved Wheels of Confusion (first song) so much I didn't listen to any other song on the album for a while. I loved Ozzy.

The college I attended had a conservatory as well.

Music became an even bigger part of my life after I left college. I started learning about reggae and Bob Marley. I read the most interesting biography (Catch a Fire) about him and was introduced to all sorts of music. And lots of Jamaicans in my hometown and annual reggaefest on the farm. This music and the magic of Bob captured my soul. This is probably the music that changed my life most. It is responsible for the birth of my daughter and the outdoor music festival scene I found myself at home in. That translated to the hippie fests with the folksy bluesy music that led to my understanding of peace and community and freedom.

A while later I was turned on to blues - old school blues. I'd been a fan of SRV and ZZ Top, as well as Zeppelin and Stones, but didn't know the roots. Dating a guitarist of a popular band (that he hooked up with after we were together a while) that played lots of blues and blues rock meant that flavored my life quite a bit for a few years. I got to sing at a couple gigs of other people.

I bought myself a 5-string bass a little over a year ago. I love playing it, although I don't much lately. There were only two songs played at my wedding: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley and Baby, I'm Amazed by Paul McCartney. These songs were carefully chosen.

Mostly the present. Learning to live in the present is a hard task for many. Focusing on the present, which is the only timeframe in which we can act, which is the only thing that makes change, makes life richer and has more integrity. However, the actions are balanced by learning lessons of the past and keeping in mind the goals of the future.

One of my favorite quotes: If you want to know the past, to know what has caused you, look at yourself in the present, for that is the past's effect. If you want to know your future, then look at yourself in the present, for that is the cause of the future. (from Buddha Speaks)

Many. The most recent and most powerful experience was dreaming about my husband in great detail, including appearance, full name, brother and father's names, specific things said on a regular basis (e.g. his brother is my age - hubby is younger - and he likes to tell hubby he should have been with me, which is something specifically appearing in my dream), clothes worn at our wedding, etc. etc. I had this dream about two-three years before I even met my husband and forgot about it completely until about a month after we were married. I remember thinking when I woke up that I must have remembered his name wrong because "Manual" was not a name... but it is Manuel, pronounced the same way. I wrote this dream down.

Similar things have happened in dreamtime. I have also recently tested and discovered the great accuracy of my impressions. I have offered readings for people on another social networking site and the results have been very personal, detailed, and accurate. I ask the people to do a simple exercise and give me a list of words, use a tool that was passed down in my clan, and rely on my impressions to give the readings. I also traded Q&A "psychic testing" with another woman online and the results were decent. I also have received informaiton in meditation, including speaking with my deceased grandfather and learning something I never knew before (confirmed by my grandmother), and a variety of other psychic experiences.

Learning to hear it and differentiate it was a little tricky for a while, but I have been blessed to receive some ancient tools that help provide a direct communication link with my intuition. I am aware enough about myself to know when to examine an inner voice for signs of fear or expectation or other things that can skew perception of truth. In general, the truth (provided by my intuition) is very simple, very profound, opens doors, and does not involve anyone speaking for anyone else. I have been so fortunate to have several wonderful tools shared with me. They really keep me grounded and either reinforce the messages I believe I am receiving or else they shake out the clear message in a very cool way.

Tired. Disappointed. Peaceful.

The Lady of the Lake

Cleveland, Ohio. Most of my family immigrated to the Cleveland area in the 1800s from Europe, including Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary.