A Bit of Ranting, Some Shameless Self-Promotion, and Some Sagely Squatch Advice
t’s been a while since I have had Java post one of these, but I thought this would be an opportunity to “bless” you all with some sage advice. Its well that I do this, you see, for I’m usually unable to follow my own advice, so someone should get some use out of it. Oh yeah…you’ll thank me later.
With everything that has been going on around here lately with Java, and others, my own experiences with a dear relative who has been diagnosed with cancer, and that relative’s situation, I’ve really realized some old sayings aren’t just cliche, they’re true as hell.
People…life is short. We get 80 years or less to do whatever it is we are here to do. Everything you are, everything you will be, will be summed up at the end of those few decades. Sometimes, we as people find ourselves in situations that are unpleasant, and no matter how you try, you just can’t make it any better. Many people will beat themselves up over those situations, and wonder endlessly “what could I have done to make it different”, or “there’s just nothing I can do”. Worrying about that which you cannot change is always futile.
Ricky Nelson once sang, “Well it’s all right now. I learned my lesson well. See, you can’t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself.” Life is hard, and fate often delivers a kick in the nuts right to your front door. Happiness doesn’t come easy. However, if you don’t look for it, you will never find it. You need to do whatever it takes to bring yourself a little happiness in life, period. A wise old curmudgeon once told me “Life is choices.” He was absolutely right. The choices we make today, will affect us tomorrow, and life is far too short to be miserable. Make sure that any tough decision you make, will be one that may have a chance of bringing you a bit of joy. Ultimately, at the end…that’s all there is. A life not worth living, is no life at all.
All the above does not mean you should always do so at the expense of others. If you are the kind of douchebag who believes your own personal fun is more important than anything else, no matter who it hurts or even inconveniences, and are reading this right now, please kill yourself. Go on…I’ll wait. Often, making other people happy, makes us happy. It’s pretty easy to do, it just takes a little thought. No one is likely to ask you to build them the Taj Mahal, either. But holding a door for some old lady, or other small acts of kindness won’t fucking kill you.
Don’t sit on the sidelines of life, and wonder what it would have been like if you had played. Record that album, write that book, paint that picture, knit that fekking sweater…whatever. Whatever that THING is that you’ve always wanted to do, or thought you should be doing, but haven’t yet, for fuck’s sake DO IT. It doesn’t matter if you do it well, or are the suckiest suck, ever to suck, at least you went for it. Everyone of us has something inside that eats us a little each day. Something that says “what would have been?”
For me, it’s music. For years, I’ve sung with this garage band or that, occasionally recording with friends on their songs, or cover songs. Recording a short album (or EP) of my own material, with me singing, and doing as much instrumentation as possible, seemed like a pipe dream. Until I finally said “Fuck that, I want to do it, and I have people who will help.” Now, I’ve got a nice little four song demo, waiting for the finishing touches, and however much packaging and bells and whistles I can afford.
I sing all the lyrics, play all the six-string guitars, and wrote all the songs. (I had a TON of help, by some very talented people) It’s going to be called “The Hivemind Project”, and it’s got four songs, all under three minutes. Someone said it sounds like “Kings of Leon…with balls.” I don’t mind that comparison, I like that band. I assure you, if there is any similarity, it wasn’t on purpose. If I were good enough to cop someone’s sound…I’d go for Tony Iommi’s thunderous tone, with David Gilmour’s ability. So, any similarity to anyone good…is unfortunately coincidental. I don’t think any of the songs are fantastic, but I don’t think any of them are bad.
You know what? It doesn’t matter. I DID it. I stopped wondering and went and gave it a shot. It doesn’t matter if I sell a million copies, and get signed to some ridiculous rock-star bullshit, or just make a few copies and harass my friends into buying one. All that matters is that I carpe’ed the freaking diem, and just did it. I’m gonna keep doing it, too. Again, and again…
So, thats my final message to you all for now, as the hour grows late. If there is something you have always wanted to do, or something you’ve wanted to try your hand at, but have put it off for whatever reason, do it! Do it NOW before its too late. Life is too short to be a miserable bastard all the time.
-Forever your girl,
The Squatch.
