I am learning more about the post college life each day. One important thing is, time goes by very quickly. It has been about 8 months since i graduated, it feels less than 8 minutes. Life has completely changed, and so much has happened on all fronts, but it still feels lke no time has gone by. whuteva
I had my 2nd Billy Martin lesson last week. It went better than the first, because I eventually got over the fact that i was sitting in a small room with my freaking percussive idol. The problem is, the initial shock is still there. You know how it is when you go to see your favorite band, and they walk out on stage? Its like “READY TO ROCK!!!! AAAAHHHH” well, that feeling does not translate well to having to perform. this is exactly the first 3 minutes of arriving at the house.
(Steve rings bell, Billy answers door)
S:Hey
B:Hey (Shakes Hand)
small child is sitting in kitchen doorway
B: (Insert small child name here), This is Steve, you met him, right?
S:(to small child) Hey
SC: (Extremely sarcasticly for a 5 yr old) Hey
B: adjust what you want on the kit (goes to say goodbye to SC who is going off to school)
B: Ok, Play me a solo, tell a story
Thats it. No little discussion to get things going, just hello, lets rock. I have mentioned on this blog before how cool i think it is when kids make fun of older people, and his son did just that. So, that was fun. BUT, its some extreme pressure to walk in and have to play a drum solo, something I am not at all used to. But, i got in a small groove, and ended it a bit weak. I sort of blacked out, and I have absolutely NO recollection of what I played.
He commented much better than last time (in which i totally ripped of one of his beats in a lame ass groove attempt). He basically said be more agressive, just get on the kit and tear it up, right away, none of this weak stuff, you fucking slacker, why can’t you rock!!???
well, not in those words, but you get the idea. I think i’m past the intimidation thing, mainly because I practiced the stuff he gave me for a long time. My mind is now set to learn some badass stuff, unfortunately, lessons are hella expensive, so I can only learn and progress once a month at most.
Much else is happening, lets discuss.
Throughout life, people will fuck with you, its pretty much a given, right? Sometimes its because they genuinely don’t like you, sometimes its out of differences in morals, sometimes its downright insecurity. All I can say is, sometimes the phrase “To Each His Own” is all you can go by. Let me share a story with you.
In college, I had a roomate in an apartment after I moved off campus (damn you housing lottery!) We were good friends at first, but as moving in with someone often does, it created problems. Our morals were overall the same, but we differed on some key issues. Namely that of illegal substances. That has never been my thing, I got all my ya ya’s out when I was way too young to be doing things like that, but most go through it in the college years. Also, I was in a period in life where I was being crushed by the Man, and felt need to almost give in.
So we fought. Oh yes, we fought. Many hurtful things were said on both ends, some things were broken, someone got smacked with a leg of lamb (not really, but can you imagine? oh man, best knockout ever). Soooo, this roomate moved out, and we didnt talk for over a year. Then, recently we began to talk again. We each realized that the other had some beliefs we did not share, but if we didnt try to push those on the other, all would be good. My point is, fuck with others if you will, but only do it for childish reasons. Make fun of someone’s shirt, their taste in music, movies, or books, but leave the beliefs alone. (as far as religion, only make fun of Jesus, he’s pretty much fair game)
I avoided all specifics in this story to protect the innocent/not really innocent, but here is one, it happens to be one of my best lines ever. One day, I found some illegal substances in the fridge, my sanctuary locker of non illegal substance. a fight soon began, and I uttered the line “Dude, I don’t keep my food with your drugs, keep the drugs away from my food”. I still enjoy that one.
Also, go to Harry Shearer’s website www.harryshearer.com and download “Heck Of A Job” its freaking hilarious. Its his ode to Michael Brown