I read a lot. I usually have three books going at any one time. All of them business books of one sort or another. I read management books. I read customer service books. I read marketing books, and I read leadership books. My wife thinks I've got Attention Deficit Disorder because I can't focus on just one thing at a time.

She may be right. But then again, she might just be wrong. I do focus on just one thing at a time--TAXI. All the books are aimed at making the company the best it can possibly be.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Who gives a rat's derrière Laskow, enough about your company and your books!" "Tell me something that will help me!!" the masses were heard to say.

I'm trying damn it. And even though I've probably told you this before, please just let me get a word in edgewise.

It's the books. I'm absolutely convinced that self-education can bring you to new levels of accomplishment. I was a pretty awful student in school. As a matter of fact, I hated school from the first day of kindergarten until the day I finished my fifth year of college.

It just wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention. Yet now, I can't seem to read my books fast enough. I want to learn all I can, as fast as I can. I'm addicted to learning.

Why now? Because I have a purpose. I didn't when I was in school. I was only marking time waiting to be "sprung" from the jaws of the educational system.

Am I saying that school is a waste? No. We all need to learn to read and write. And of course, we should know about American and World history. Math? Yuck! The rudiments are needed to build a strong foundation. But people want to learn about what interests them much more passionately than what doesn't.

If you're reading this, then I have little doubt that you are passionate about making music.