Do you have a pet peeve? Well, I did until she chewed through the wood railing on my family's back porch, along with some outside wiring to the house. After that, we gave her to a new, more chew-friendly home.

That may look like an innocent doggie in the photo, but she deserved her name change, which had started out as Daisy, but then became Peeve.

Besides not being a committed "pet person," my pet projects are among my favorite activities except for spending time with my family. I hope that my awesome wife, Jessica, my 3-year-old son, Luke, and almost 2-year-old, Noah, will forgive me for mentioning them in the same breath as my music. Of course, they are my top priority, which means that music composing often must wait till late at night.

Speaking of priorities, Luke will often yell at me to, "Stop singing!" since he wants my full attention. Don't worry; he is far from neglected. Somehow, his reaction reminds me of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," when the prince's father realizes that the prince doesn't want a castle. All the prince really wants is just "to sing . . ." except that his father keeps cutting off his musical numbers!

If my life were on film, it would definitely be a musical. A local community choir recently performed selections from my most major musical production to date, a sacred program called "Come Unto Christ." Contemporary artist, Angel Johnson's, sculptures depicting the life of Christ were a major inspiration for this sacred program.

For your listening pleasure, below are a few original compositions and one of my arrangements:

Between the Sirens and Orpheus by Jared_Bernotski

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds by Jared_Bernotski

AmazingGrace 10Apr2010 by Jared_Bernotski