I believe the word you want is "paternal," Jerry, not "paternalistic." The former means "fatherly," and the latter has some negative connotations that definitely don't apply.

I've been sitting for hours, doing some very detailed work that requires a steady hand (no, not quite brain surgery) and listening to loud, raucous music in the form of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Don't know why, but lately I'm attracted to music that rocks the rafters when I do sit-down, detailed projects.

Am I reverting to a second teenager-hood (doing homework with music at full blast--the radio in my day--probably iPods today)? Does anyone else have such propensities?

Elmer