Hope I die before I get old

Pete Townshend was maybe 20 years old when he wrote “My Generation,” with one of the most famous lines in all of rock and roll.

I’m sure it meant certain things to him at the time; I know that in my younger, more rebellious days (not that I’ve left those days completely behind), it meant a certain thing to me. It was all defiance and rage and railing against the status quo and the “old people” who just didn’t understand. A few decades later, it means...well, it actually still means all those things to me, but something a little more.

It means that I never want to become that person who is so set in their ways that they are unable to maintain their sense of adventure and fun.

In the car today, I was listening to Green Day’s “American Idiot,” and I loved these lyrics from “Letterbomb”:

Nobody likes you...
Everyone left you...
They're all out without you...
Having fun...

I don’t want to be that person, either. The person who says, “Oh, I just don’t feel like going out tonight,” or the one who says, “Oh, I really shouldn’t...that wouldn’t be proper.” Then watch as everyone goes out and has fun while I’m sitting home waiting for...what, exactly? My ship to come in? A friend? Godot? Someone to come and save me from my miserable, lonely existence? Fuck that shit. I don’t want to live my life afraid, staid, and unplayed.

Another line in “Letterbomb” says, “It’s not over till you’re underground.” I saw a recent quote that said, “You only live once. But that’s wrong. You only DIE once. You LIVE every day.”

I choose to live my life, to enjoy myself, and I can honestly say that I’m having as much, if not more, fun as I’ve ever had in my life. I’m with my best friend, someone who gets me and has the same philosophy, I’m feeling good, I’m enjoying my present, looking fondly back at my past (ohhh, I’ve had some good times, people!), and I’m looking forward to my future.

There are more adventures to be had, more concerts to enjoy, more songs to be sung, more trips to be taken, and more things to be written. MORE EXPERIENCES. And if life isn’t about the experiences, what is it about?

I look forward to every moment, both the good and the (hopefully rare) bad—both are part of life, right? Because every day we experience these things is another day lived and enjoyed and experienced. What a gift, and if my gusto seems a little improper to you at times, then you just go right ahead and cross your arms, furrow your brow, and give me give me that disapproving Church Lady look.

While you’re occupied with your disapproval, I’ll be living and enjoying my life, and awaiting the next adventure. Because there is always a new one around the corner, as long as you’re willing to look for it.

Feelin' a little sketchy

I've never considered myself a creative person. I'm more the logical, rational type, and it's hard for me to break out of my self-imposed noncreative mindset. I've never been able to sit down and just DRAW something, but one thing I am is a good mimic.

Years ago, I used to copy pictures using a charcoal pencil. You all know I loves me my music, so I did several sketches of some of my favorite artists. I liked charcoal because it blends so easily, but I remember doing a few sketches in regular pencil...I seem to have lost those somewhere along the way. But I still have my charcoal sketches, and finding these made me want to start doing this a little more. Even if I'm copying existent pictures or photographs, it still takes some time and effort to get it right, and I think it would be a nice exercise to see if I can still do it.

So here are some of my sketches:

Jim Morrison...I believe I did this one from the Rolling Stone cover that featured his picture and the headline "He's Hot...He's Sexy...He's Dead."

The Doors experienced a revival in the early 80's, and I know we all listened to a lot of their music in college.

Ray Davies, the lead singer of the Kinks.

I would guess this was also from Rolling Stone, but I don't recall.

And his brother, Dave.


















Pete Townshend

















This one is my favorite: Paul Simonon, the bassist for The Clash. A definite dark, punk vibe, and I like the eyes.

I think I'll be buying a couple of charcoal pencils and see what sort of trouble I can conjure up.