My friend, George Maurer, combines his "roguish charm" with his piano chops.

I cruised up to Badger Boys State early Thursday morning to hang with the counselors (I'm an ex-Boys Stater and counselor - look for a post on this soon). Bunked with my buddy George Maurer who's a counselor as well.

Check out his site. George has been called "Minnesota’s premier jazz pianist" and is an accomplished pianist, composer and arranger.

(Above) George and I at Boys State attending the alumni reception Thursday evening. When I was George's counselor at Boys State in 1985 (egad), he and some of the other boys took my bed, lamp and desk from my room and placed it out on the roof of Scott Hall. Thanks, George.

His latest creative effort is Songs From the Wayward Journey: The Nicollet Island Compilation, Vol. 1. Listen to "But You Don't See Me". My favorite - probably 'cause I have a close friend who's not "seeing me" right now.

Thanks for the music, George. I won't forget the the roof thing though.

"But You Don't See Me"

© Copyright 2009 George Maurer

Whenever love breaks your heart
and your life falls apart.
You always need a friend who you can rely on.
And every time it turns out I'm
the one whose shoulder you will cry on.
But you don't see me.

And when romance comes once more
you show up at my door
and swear to me that "this time, love is real."
My heart grows weak as you start to speak
of the boy who's now your new ideal.
But you don't see me.

When I said to you that true love's charms
could all be found in your best friend's arms
that notion seems to have surprised you.
That distant look in your eyes
I think now I realize
how much your dreams have hypnotized you.

It's time for me to find someone new
who will keep me in view
and see me clearly, morning, night, and noon.
But my farewell won't break the spell
for you've been blinded by the moon.
But you don't see me.
You see long and far.
You see that far away star.
But you don't see me.