It's
summer! Time for BBQ's, beach, bikes and more female vocalists than Carter's Little
Liver Pills (anyone old enough to get that?). Seriously, every day another female
vocalist (CD) comes across my desk. First thought; "Who's she
dating?" Second thought; "Good picture." Third
thought; "I'll listen later." I realize that promoters
have to make a living and that these projects are revenue producing, however, if the
product being promoted is not up to par (or just another vocalist) doesn't that hurt the
promoters integrity when one is told..."...she's the best since Sarah or Ella
or Carmen or Diana." I'll most likely get some angry or unfriendly
comments from those who disagree with my premise, but remember, this is what I do for a
living and I stand by my remarks. I live this daily!
Am I wrong or is talking on
the phone when driving is a law that should be enforced!!! It's not the phone alone
that's distracting BUT the conversation that is taking place. Talking while driving
is a disaster waiting to happen. Think about it...it's a distraction and takes your
mind off the driving. Common people, get wise. Don't answer the damn phone
while driving.
My friend, Ken Seiffert (a
true world class bass player) sent me a profound eMail the other day that I must share
with as many people as possible. It seems that age is on all our minds and at the same
time our personal egg timer is slowly sifting down to the glass bottom. If I may;
As
I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own
friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed.
I am entitled to not make my bed. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy to be
extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before
they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer
until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to the wonderful Jazz of
Jarrett or Miles or Rosolino, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a loved one no
longer with us... I will.
I
will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive
into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I
eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my
heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a
child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken
hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A Heart Never broken is
pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am
so happy to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful
laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.So
many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could
turn silver. As you get older you care less about what other people think. I
don't question myself anymore. I've
even earned the right to be wrong. So,
I like being old. It has set me free.
I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here I will not waste time lamenting what
could have been, or worrying about what will be. And
I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it)!
Boy I wish I wrote that!
That's it but I have other
opinions you may not be interested in, however, as a heads up, I will use this space
(because I pay for it) to share these thoughts with you in the future. You can
always respond by eMail: dongordon@hawaii.rr.com
or dgordon@hawaiipublicradio.org.
Seriously, if you read this let me know what you think, I'd like to know.
Best wishes,
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