August and Everything After
Most of us have first loves, and maybe even multiple lives we've lived. If only in our heads. I started life thinking I was an entertainer, but luckily I realized early on I'm mostly just entertaining myself. This is a great trait to have, being able to self soothe and keep oneself entertained. I feel like if only we could do more of this, we would be better, less judgemental and insecure. Value your talents, I guess that's the best lesson from this. Life is not always about what you can do for others.
Being empathetic and observational by nature, like any good scientist, actually pairs well with the arts. While modern life is compartmentalized and we have 'careers' most of human history has us learning and using our curiosity to express ourselves fully. Unlike in capitalism, we aren't made to hone andonly use our skills towards a monetary goal. Against what we've been indoctrinated into in the US, money driven tasks aren't as fulfilling or beneficial to our overall health as self-expression.
So, yes, I enjoy acting, theater, music, writing lyrics especially. This will always be a passion of mine. When you're writing lyrics, it's not intimidating. It's not a whole ass book, or a huge project. It's a mood, or a moment even. Or it can be a lifetime but summed up in a few verses and a chorus. Good songwriters will draw you in and make you understand. They will bring you to where they are ORalternately they make you feel like they've been where YOU are. That's a talent.
Few songs will make me stop what I'm doing and listen. Jeff Buckley, Lover You Should Have Come Over. Counting Crows, Four Days And Nights. Stevie Nicks, Dreams. Journey, Lights. Sam Cooke, A Change Is Gonna Come. I've started making my playlist for when I'm no longer around. Before anyone gets worried, I'm not going ANYWHERE. I am fascinated with leaving my lastthoughts in musical form though. My final mixtape if you will. Like a love letter. Who knows, I may still have some lyrics of my own to leave behind. But, in case I can't do better than my fellow musicians, I want to make sure that I recognize them for their talents. And no, not every great song is sung by it's writer, but some are. Those willcompletely overwhelm your senses with their passion, tone and meaning.
Such as this one:
Silver Springs
Time cast it's spell on you, but you won't forget me. I know I could have lovee you but you would not let me.
I'll follow you down 'til the sound of my voice will haunt you. Was I such a fool? You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you. Give me just a chance.
'Til the last drop. -N
