Skip to main content

November 1st... the start of another year

I tell ya, everyone should have the opportunity to take the day off of work on their birthday. There is nothing better than spending time with your wife and kids on a special day and having some relaxing moments to reflect on who you are, what your life is all about, and what you hope to achieve in the next year. I realize that most people do this on New Year's Day, but shouldn't it happen on your birthday?

So here I am, 38 and still working toward that brass ring. I've nabbed the sucker a couple of times in the past 8 years, but never been able to grab it and clutch it as mine. But I'm not giving up. No, I've found inspiration again in a couple of projects that are sprouting in my head. And I've returned to the words of Springsteen, whose lyrics to "Racing in the Street" have carried me through so many rough times when I felt like I'm going nowhere.

Some guys they just give up living
And start dying little little, piece by piece
Some guys come home from work and wash up
And go racin' in the street


I have to keep on working. I have to keep on writing. Something will break. The odds are in my favor. Now that "King's Highway" appears close to getting the distribution we have so desperately sought for four years, maybe some doors will finally open and I'll be able to make a living as a working writer. I don't know what happened in the past week, I really don't, but I feel rejuvenated. Even spending four hours swearing, banging my head and wrenching my back replacing the kitchen faucet did not phase me.

Today is a good day. Today I feel alive and excited about the future once again. And now I have something to look back on when the days aren't so good.

It has been a happy birthday, indeed.

Aloha

Comments

DrJeff said…
Scottus,

I went looking for the King's Highway link the other day to show it to someone and I noticed the link doesn't work anymore. Can you send me a copy on DVD?

-Jeff

Popular posts from this blog

MARATHON FOOTNOTES (for those who didn't think I would really footnote a stream of consciousness thought): Footnote #1 Academy Award Winning Best Picture Films from 1969 to the Present: Midnight Cowboy, Patton, The French Connection, The Godfather, The Sting, The Godfather II, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Rocky, Annie Hall, The Deer Hunter, Kramer Vs. Kramer, Ordinary People, Chariots of Fire, Gandhi, Terms of Endearment, Amadeus, Out of Africa, Platoon, The Last Emperor, Rain Man, Driving Miss Daisy, Dances With Wolves, The Silence of the Lambs, Unforgiven, Schindler’s List, Forrest Gump, Braveheart, The English Patient, Titanic, Shakespeare in Love, American Beauty, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Chicago, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Footnote #2 Members of the band YES, from 1969 to the present: In 1969, Yes is formed with Jon Anderson on vocals Peter Banks on guitar, Bill Bruford on drums, Tony Kaye on keyboards and Chris Squire playing bass. This group records...

A Trip Through the "My 90's Tapes" Collection Pt. 9: Mötley Crüe, "Girls, Girls, Girls"

Column 3, Row 13: Mötley Crüe , Girls Girls Girls. I was never a big fan of Mötley Crüe. I liked their radio hits, but I never listened to one of their albums in their entirety until 1989’s Dr. Feelgood , which was orchestrated in a way to dominate radio stations and suck in casual fans, like me, who had trouble getting past the Crüe’s purposeful sleaziness. That said I always admired them more than the other Sunset Strip bands. Bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee were such a formidable rhythm section and laid down a solid groove to all their music. Guitarist Mick Mars had a knack for making his guitar hiss sinister, matching his perpetual scowl. Vince Neil was nothing to write home about as a vocalist, which made his unpolished singing just a little more intriguing than most of the other front then who dominated mainstream rock in the mid-late 80’s. Girls Girls Girls was released in May of 1987, just in time for a long summer of Mötley Crüe taking over the mi...

Dispatches from the Road #1

I’m currently in the Dallas Lovefield airport on layover, final destination Louisville, Kentucky. I’ve embarked on a work camp trip with my church youth group, the Appalachian Service Project (ASP). On Sunday we’ll drive to Harlan, KY where we’ll work on some houses for folks in need of some help.  Six months ago I received word that I was receiving a work sabbatical after 20 years at Warner Brothers. It was Sophie who suggested that I go on this trip, a chance to reflect on things, do some good and renew my soul. I’m thankful that she recommended it. While I do have some anxiety over what is in store for us, I’m really excited to get to work. The kids on this trip are all kind and enthusiastic to help.  When I was in high school, I went to two church work camps and I couldn’t tell you what we did. I do remember listening to Cutting Crew and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, but the work? No idea. I’m currently writing on my phone, so I apologize if there are formatting errors or typ...