Hotel California

The latest version of Hotel California is already about 14 years old. It was in 1994 when the group reunited for a series of concerts. It was their Hell Freezes Over Concert,
 and all of the original members were there. Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmitt, Don Felder and of course,  the nutty, Joe Walsh. All excellent musicians in their own
right, these guys coming baclk together was something of a miracle, for they hadn't played together for about 14 years at the time. Glenn Fey said,

"We never really broke up, we just were on a 14 year vacation."  Some vacation.

And an album came out. My dad, who always loved the Eagles for their versatility-going from all and out rock and roll mode, and sometimes(for my mom's sake)they played
very country-like songs like "Take It Easy." In fact, the Eagles have been embraced on both pop charts and country charts for the entire span of their 30-plus year career.

And hence, Hotel California, version two is where I stem my memory from. I was listening to the album in my friend, Matt's car. We had been on a bachelor weekend way
up in Lac du Flambeau in Northern Wisconsin, Matt was getting married soon and we hung out with Matt's uncle  and father-in-law to be, Matt's brother in law, and myself.
Because it was a difficult weekend for some, I was the only college buddy of his to be able to come. We ice fished, we went to the casino, smoked too many cigars and
drank too much Captian Morgan's. But it was worth every minute, since I was able to see a side of Matt that I usually didn't see with other friends around.
We even wrote a song together(about every day being Saturday when you're unemployed) and had a great time.

On the way back, he put on the album, which I wasn't familiar with at the time. The start of beautiful, flamenco style guitars danced and played with the listener's ears.
This went on for a minute or so, and then-the familiar note for Hotel California were played. It was then when the audience's reaction to the song had taken hold. They
recognized this old musical friend of theirs, this wonderful song! And Don Henley sings lead and he sounds like no time had passed since the group had broken up.
I hope that the next time I see my friend, Matt, that we can start where we left off, as if our friendship, like the song Hotel California, would be timeless.