General Music Chat

When I was much younger, I always thought that when I got older things were
gonna be different, better, easier. Decades have slipped by and things aren't.
If anything they're harder. You know the old sayin "If I Knew Then What I Know Now"
WOW everything would be different. I guess I'm feelin my age tonight.
I know what I know right now and it doesn't help me.
I want to retire soon but the economy and health care costs scare the sh*t out of me.
My wife is not well and I must protect her future. I may end up working longer.
When I do get time for myself I am all about excess. I drink too much. I fish almost
too much . I stay up too late and drive too fast. My body aches from years
of tree climbing years ago. Never satisfied musically anymore.
You know what?
Music can be a curse. If you can play the sh*t out of an instrument then you have
it in your blood. You cant get a transfusion for that. If you are part of the 1%
that actually have a musical career and make a living with it that's the bomb.
If not you find yourself squeezing it into your life and never really getting your
arms around it like you want to. For many if you graphed out their musical
satisfaction over a life time it would look like a mountain range up-down-up-down.
Over all I guess I'd rather make music than not but there are probably a lot of
things I don't do that I would find fanfuckingtastic.
I want to learn how to weld aluminum. Isn't that weird.
I don't have time to cut my hair but I want to learn how to weld aluminum.

I know, thanks for listening to me vent. I'm sure many would Love to have my
problems instead of their own.[/b]

When I was much younger, I always thought that when I got older things were
gonna be different, better, easier. Decades have slipped by and things aren't.
If anything they're harder. You know the old sayin "If I Knew Then What I Know Now"
WOW everything would be different. I guess I'm feelin my age tonight.
I know what I know right now and it doesn't help me.
I want to retire soon but the economy and health care costs scare the sh*t out of me.
My wife is not well and I must protect her future. I may end up working longer.
When I do get time for myself I am all about excess. I drink too much. I fish almost
too much . I stay up too late and drive too fast. My body aches from years
of tree climbing years ago. Never satisfied musically anymore.
You know what?
Music can be a curse. If you can play the sh*t out of an instrument then you have
it in your blood. You cant get a transfusion for that. If you are part of the 1%
that actually have a musical career and make a living with it that's the bomb.
If not you find yourself squeezing it into your life and never really getting your
arms around it like you want to. For many if you graphed out their musical
satisfaction over a life time it would look like a mountain range up-down-up-down.
Over all I guess I'd rather make music than not but there are probably a lot of
things I don't do that I would find fanfuckingtastic.
I want to learn how to weld aluminum. Isn't that weird.
I don't have time to cut my hair but I want to learn how to weld aluminum.

I know, thanks for listening to me vent. I'm sure many would Love to have my
problems instead of their own.[/b]

"If I Knew Then What I Know Now?"

I dunno.
I expected to be dead by 30.
So, I've already exceeded my expectations in one way.

I was totally prepared to be homeless, living out of a van, on permanent tour with a punk rock band.
I'm actually a little disappointed it didn't turn out like that.

There are always ups and downs.
But, I would have liked to know back then that things wouldn't be as bad as I had expected.

I'd like to learn how to do circuit-bending.
My attempts so far have been unsuccessful.
I guess I will have to keep studying and trying again.

When I was much younger, I always thought that when I got older things were
gonna be different, better, easier. Decades have slipped by and things aren't.
If anything they're harder. You know the old sayin "If I Knew Then What I Know Now"
WOW everything would be different. I guess I'm feelin my age tonight.
I know what I know right now and it doesn't help me.
I want to retire soon but the economy and health care costs scare the sh*t out of me.
My wife is not well and I must protect her future. I may end up working longer.
When I do get time for myself I am all about excess. I drink too much. I fish almost
too much . I stay up too late and drive too fast. My body aches from years
of tree climbing years ago. Never satisfied musically anymore.
You know what?
Music can be a curse. If you can play the sh*t out of an instrument then you have
it in your blood. You cant get a transfusion for that. If you are part of the 1%
that actually have a musical career and make a living with it that's the bomb.
If not you find yourself squeezing it into your life and never really getting your
arms around it like you want to. For many if you graphed out their musical
satisfaction over a life time it would look like a mountain range up-down-up-down.
Over all I guess I'd rather make music than not but there are probably a lot of
things I don't do that I would find fanfuckingtastic.
I want to learn how to weld aluminum. Isn't that weird.
I don't have time to cut my hair but I want to learn how to weld aluminum.

I know, thanks for listening to me vent. I'm sure many would Love to have my
problems instead of their own.[/b]

Wow Klug.. I feel for you-

I too thought it would get easier.. but that's what they told us- Our parents, our teachers, our leaders.. "get a career, work hard, you will succeed".. and in their world and past it was almost the truth. What they failed to realize (that our generations are well aware of) was that they created a false economy and a false sense to security.

Gone are the days where hard work generates any real advantages, gone are the days where healthcare is affordable by all (in the 90's it was relatively cheap compared to today), and gone are the days where a young person or couple can expect to own their own land or home. We are a generation paying debt. While a few elite have amassed the public fortune, the remainder have to fight, spit, grab, and hold onto anything and everything they can get. This has led us to a competitive nature and feudalism between each other that is leaving people in ruin.

No longer can you "work hard" and put in an honest days work for an honest days pay. Now you have to play dirty- engage the office politics and learn to throw people under the bus.. stab them in the back.. stab them in the face, if necessary. Claw, dig.. no remorse. You can't afford to feel bad for JoeBob's family, better them then you. So what if his wife was pregnant? You need to succeed, and nice guys like JoeBob are your doormat.

And if you don't embrace that life? Then you are a lazy librul.

Welcome to the 21st century in fascist america.

When I was much younger, I always thought that when I got older things were
gonna be different, better, easier. Decades have slipped by and things aren't.
If anything they're harder. You know the old sayin "If I Knew Then What I Know Now"
WOW everything would be different. I guess I'm feelin my age tonight.
I know what I know right now and it doesn't help me.
I want to retire soon but the economy and health care costs scare the sh*t out of me.
My wife is not well and I must protect her future. I may end up working longer.
When I do get time for myself I am all about excess. I drink too much. I fish almost
too much . I stay up too late and drive too fast. My body aches from years
of tree climbing years ago. Never satisfied musically anymore.
You know what?
Music can be a curse. If you can play the sh*t out of an instrument then you have
it in your blood. You cant get a transfusion for that. If you are part of the 1%
that actually have a musical career and make a living with it that's the bomb.
If not you find yourself squeezing it into your life and never really getting your
arms around it like you want to. For many if you graphed out their musical
satisfaction over a life time it would look like a mountain range up-down-up-down.
Over all I guess I'd rather make music than not but there are probably a lot of
things I don't do that I would find fanfuckingtastic.
I want to learn how to weld aluminum. Isn't that weird.
I don't have time to cut my hair but I want to learn how to weld aluminum.

I know, thanks for listening to me vent. I'm sure many would Love to have my
problems instead of their own.[/b]

Wow Klug.. I feel for you-

I too thought it would get easier.. but that's what they told us- Our parents, our teachers, our leaders.. "get a career, work hard, you will succeed".. and in their world and past it was almost the truth. What they failed to realize (that our generations are well aware of) was that they created a false economy and a false sense to security.

Gone are the days where hard work generates any real advantages, gone are the days where healthcare is affordable by all (in the 90's it was relatively cheap compared to today), and gone are the days where a young person or couple can expect to own their own land or home. We are a generation paying debt. While a few elite have amassed the public fortune, the remainder have to fight, spit, grab, and hold onto anything and everything they can get. This has led us to a competitive nature and feudalism between each other that is leaving people in ruin.

No longer can you "work hard" and put in an honest days work for an honest days pay. Now you have to play dirty- engage the office politics and learn to throw people under the bus.. stab them in the back.. stab them in the face, if necessary. Claw, dig.. no remorse. You can't afford to feel bad for JoeBob's family, better them then you. So what if his wife was pregnant? You need to succeed, and nice guys like JoeBob are your doormat.

And if you don't embrace that life? Then you are a lazy librul.

Welcome to the 21st century in fascist america.

Yeah, that about sums up the situation.

"You got to work hard, you got to work hard, if you want anything at all." - Depeche Mode

I'm sorry for you guys and anyone else who have worked hard but have not yet reaped your reward. If you give your all and work hard at your dream everyday you will succeed. But if you have not truly given your all I have no pity for you. Life is no picnic but it's better than the alternative.

All in all I believe I have succeeded in life because I worked my ass off. Nothing was given to me, I earned it all. I paid my own way through college, raised two great kids, have a beautiful house, drive a new car, buy whatever gear I need and record whenever I want. I'm in two excellent bands with guys I love like brothers. I had a lot of adversity in the last ten years; I got divorced, lost my job and then the economy crashed. But I get up everyday and go to work and things are starting to look very good again. My boss gave me a $3,000 bonus check and a $100 a week raise on Friday. All you have to do is try and the universe will provide.

"You got to work hard, you got to work hard, if you want anything at all." - Depeche Mode

I'm sorry for you guys and anyone else who have worked hard but have not yet reaped your reward. If you give your all and work hard at your dream everyday you will succeed. But if you have not truly given your all I have no pity for you. Life is no picnic but it's better than the alternative.

All in all I believe I have succeeded in life because I worked my ass off. Nothing was given to me, I earned it all. I paid my own way through college, raised two great kids, have a beautiful house, drive a new car, buy whatever gear I need and record whenever I want. I'm in two excellent bands with guys I love like brothers. I had a lot of adversity in the last ten years; I got divorced, lost my job and then the economy crashed. But I get up everyday and go to work and things are starting to look very good again. My boss gave me a $3,000 bonus check and a $100 a week raise on Friday. All you have to do is try and the universe will provide.

Yes, we really do reap what we sew... in often unexpected ways. The jaded "I must be a thief to get ahead" is a dead end street.

Im with Jimmy, sorry life hasnt worked out like some of you planned.

Hell if my life had worked out like I planned I would be in a multi-platnium rock band living the rock star life! LOL!

But all in all its been a good ride. Ive started business's, closed some, went thru liquidations, a divorce that due to the timing and the economy left me with about 25% of the networth I had built up, Ive played with the same guys off and on musically for 25 years, raced dirt bikes with my son and even got third in a World Event, Im remarried to the most beautiful gurl in the world.

Ive had a lot of ups and downs, but whenever I hit one of those big downs, instead of wallowing in self pity I just bucked it up, faced it and put it behind me.

Musically these days I am in a period of transition, but I can honestly say for the first time in my musical life, I can play anything that I want to play. Ive always made the time to pursue music, even thou I had two kids who are very close to adult hood and taking care of themselves. Im sure I will got thru many more down periods, but I will just continue on being positive and making the most of my life.

Thats all I can do is keep going forward, no matter what. And at this point i dont have any regrets, cause I dont take the time to acknowledge that sort of thing.

Life is just too short to dwell on what might have been, just live life to the fullest you are able too.

"You got to work hard, you got to work hard, if you want anything at all." - Depeche Mode

I'm sorry for you guys and anyone else who have worked hard but have not yet reaped your reward. If you give your all and work hard at your dream everyday you will succeed. But if you have not truly given your all I have no pity for you. Life is no picnic but it's better than the alternative.

All in all I believe I have succeeded in life because I worked my ass off. Nothing was given to me, I earned it all. I paid my own way through college, raised two great kids, have a beautiful house, drive a new car, buy whatever gear I need and record whenever I want. I'm in two excellent bands with guys I love like brothers. I had a lot of adversity in the last ten years; I got divorced, lost my job and then the economy crashed. But I get up everyday and go to work and things are starting to look very good again. My boss gave me a $3,000 bonus check and a $100 a week raise on Friday. All you have to do is try and the universe will provide.

Jim, no offense, but have you ever heard that life isn't fair?
If it were, the United States would've been a third world shithole long ago.

That's great that you had opportunities and were in a position to take advantage of them.
That's the best that anyone can do.
But, there were probably several other guys applying for the same nice-paying job that you got, who worked just as hard (or more), and are now toiling at a McShitjob...if some other catastrophe hasn't hit them yet.
Life is just kinda like that.

There is an episode of ST:TNG, "Peak Performance", where Data plays a videogame against some chessmaster-like alien.
The alien kicks Data's ass...repeatedly.
Of course Data thinks that there must be a programming or mechanical flaw in him.
So, he stays in his quarters, running diagnostics on himself.
Picard gets annoyed that Data is not on duty and has a talk with him.
What he tells Data is priceless.
"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life."

Life is like catching alligators.

It's all about your approach.

If some of you guys put in as much effort trying to better your lives as you do trying to one up the next guy on here, you might be doing better.

Sadly the pay isnt that good dissing other people.

coming from somebody born with a silver spoon in his mouth

Another good thing to remember: all problems are opportunities.

I will acknowledge that there is a certain amount of luck involved in success, but a key characteristic of winners is that when luck goes against them, they do not stop or slow down, they find a way around the obstacle.

Of course life isn't fair. It can actually be quite cruel. Life is geared toward the success of the species, not of the individual. But everyone has something that if harnessed can make life enjoyable. Find your thing and do it.

Another good thing to remember: all problems are opportunities.

I will acknowledge that there is a certain amount of luck involved in success, but a key characteristic of winners is that when luck goes against them, they do not stop or slow down, they find a way around the obstacle.

Of course life isn't fair. It can actually be quite cruel. Life is geared toward the success of the species, not of the individual. But everyone has something that if harnessed can make life enjoyable. Find your thing and do it.

I guess a good example of this would be Romney's children when they get in a financial bind..

"You got to work hard, you got to work hard, if you want anything at all." - Depeche Mode

I'm sorry for you guys and anyone else who have worked hard but have not yet reaped your reward. If you give your all and work hard at your dream everyday you will succeed. But if you have not truly given your all I have no pity for you. Life is no picnic but it's better than the alternative.

All in all I believe I have succeeded in life because I worked my ass off. Nothing was given to me, I earned it all. I paid my own way through college, raised two great kids, have a beautiful house, drive a new car, buy whatever gear I need and record whenever I want. I'm in two excellent bands with guys I love like brothers. I had a lot of adversity in the last ten years; I got divorced, lost my job and then the economy crashed. But I get up everyday and go to work and things are starting to look very good again. My boss gave me a $3,000 bonus check and a $100 a week raise on Friday. All you have to do is try and the universe will provide.

Jim, no offense, but have you ever heard that life isn't fair?
If it were, the United States would've been a third world shithole long ago.

That's great that you had opportunities and were in a position to take advantage of them.
That's the best that anyone can do.
But, there were probably several other guys applying for the same nice-paying job that you got, who worked just as hard (or more), and are now toiling at a McShitjob...if some other catastrophe hasn't hit them yet.
Life is just kinda like that.

There is an episode of ST:TNG, "Peak Performance", where Data plays a videogame against some chessmaster-like alien.
The alien kicks Data's ass...repeatedly.
Of course Data thinks that there must be a programming or mechanical flaw in him.
So, he stays in his quarters, running diagnostics on himself.
Picard gets annoyed that Data is not on duty and has a talk with him.
What he tells Data is priceless.
"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness, that is life."

That's a good way to put it Mike.

To everyone else- Yes, of course I'm jaded. I'm a cynical bastard these days, and for good reason.

I worked hard, I played by all the rules, and did exactly what "they" said.

Through a series of bad luck, misfortunes, or whatever you want to call them, those very rules and ideals conspired against me, actually causing more hard and destruction than I ever thought possible- ultimately landing me in a revolving door of barely hanging on . I've not printed my entire story here, but bits and pieces here and there. Did I do everything perfectly? NO. Did I make mistakes? Sure I did- we all do- that's how we LEARN, especially when we didn't have the luxury of having parents who taught us, and a failed education system that cares more about test scores than actual life skills. I learned many things the hard way- but I also succeeded when times allowed for it.

Times changed, and I found myself saddled with a host of problems that only the chance of extremely bad luck could have summoned. I've accepted my fate, and live with it every day. I juggle bills and pray I don't fall further behind, I cope, I survive.

What really burns me? The total lack of compassion and empathy towards people in the same boat as me. We are deemed "lazy" by those who were simply lucky enough to not have been a victim of circumstances.

Like I said, I accepted my fate. There's no way out for me.. I'm a smart guy- I've done the math- It always comes out the same. a big fat negative number a the end. I have made the BEST possible decisions to support my circumstances, and cannot make changes without substantial and devastating risks.

The only way out is a winning lottery ticket at this point.

as a devout self-confessed Christian just said, on another thread here, on BandMix moments ago, " I am not in control and never have been" so it is up to the man in the sky to determine whether you lead a comfortable life, or a life like Van Gogh led, which was the bare minimumn