New York State of Mind living in Californication

There's something about Billy Joel that people from the northeastern U.S. are conditioned to love, honor and serve. Instead of a generic greatest hits collection it should be titled the Gospel: According to Billy.

From Piano Man to Big Shot to Goodnight Saigon to River of Dreams, we love him. If someone makes a negative remark, we will defend him as if he is a helpless younger sibling. We are not afraid to select ANY ditty he's penned (even the ones you know he must've written liquored up) from the jukebox in a dive bar full of bikers. We will sing Captain Jack in karaoke bars without flinching at the word masturbate.

We LOVE him. It's not about the actual scene he describes though. He conveys a feeling that anyone from that part of the world can understand. He reminds us of home, even when his imagery doesn't come close to our memories.

Which is why I found myself listening to New York State of Mind on a loop this weekend.

Alone, in my living room, I sit in Los Angeles wanting to be back wth my family more than I have in the past for years that I've lived here. Possibly more than I have in my life.

Then again, that could have been the beer...