New Possibilities

It's early on a quiet Saturday morning. In a little while, I'm going to a meeting about getting one of my original songs on a compilation CD to benefit music programs in our school district. And, as excited as I am to be part of this worthwhile cause, I'm even more excited about finally putting something tangible out there, instead of defaulting to my usual "I'm too busy to record now, I have to mow the lawn" position.

I realized something awhile back about all creative endeavors. If you quit trying or are endlessly putting things off, you're guaranteed not to succeed. I don't mean to get all Deepak Chopra on you, but it's the truth. As an artist, there's nothing more exciting and fulfilling than actually having an iron in the fire, no matter how much of a long-shot it is. It's SOMETHING. It's an EFFORT. It's a DREAM IN THE EARLY STAGES OF FRUITION!

I've been a musician and a songwriter now for nearly thirty years. Some people look at me and think "Oh, that's sad, he never really made it, did he?" I think it all depends on what your definition of "making it" is. I've achieved things in music that millions of other aspiring musicians never have. Likewise, there are those who've gone further than me. That doesn't mean that I'm going to quit doing what I love, based on someone else's criteria, it fills me with excitement thinking of what might be.

Huey Lewis was much older than the average pop star when he finally hit it big in the '80's. Actor John Mulroney was a local Chicago actor until he was in his 60's and found the role of a lifetime on "Frasier." If either of these guys had quit after ten or fifteen years of pursuing their dream, just think of the creative loss to all of us.

So, as I sit here typing, on the cusp of my 45th birthday, I'm still as excited as I was when I was fourteen and got my first acoustic guitar at a neighbor's garage sale. Oh, the possibilities!

Back From The Dead!!!

A friend of mine recently started a blog. It's really good, and well worth giving a looksy....www.garykunich.blogspot.com. It's reminded me that roughly five years ago, I had one going myself, which I had completely abandoned. As I read through my old posts, I had to swat the memories away like so many bees buzzin' 'round my extra-large head (size 7 & 5/8, for those of you scoring at home). What a time capsule it was; lots of angry, anti-Bush tirades and stories about being annoyed by people in general. I'm in a slightly different place now, so I figured I'd take another shot at waxing Miyagi's car collection. I hadn't even finished typing that last sentence, before I realized how dirty it sounded. Maybe this is a bad idea.

My wife has also been putting together some ideas for her own blog, which, from what I've seen, looks to be a really worthwhile collection of stories and inspirational quotes. She's had some health issues crop up in the past few years, and I think she wants to make her blog a place where people with similar problems can go to get in out of the rain. I'm glad she's doing it. She's a very creative person who doesn't get much opportunity to be creative. I'm proud of her.

Lastly, the idea of blogging again has really appealed to my current sense of legacy. I'd love to know what my Dad or my Grandfather were thinking as they made their way through life. Someday, I'll tell my daughter about this online journal, so that she can get a sideways peek into her own family history. It's a little more personal than if a third person was recollecting what I was like. As for me, even just writing this "Hey! Remember me?" post has left me feeling more positive and calm. Onward.