Author: real.life

“Back To Life….”

Oh well, another weekend over. Monday morning waiting on us. Back to life, back to reality….

You ever have one of those moments where you make yourself laugh? I had one last week.

You see, I was feeling pretty good healthwise. Gettin’ in a little extra walking, waking up even earlier than usual. Was inspired to add some content and to write at times that I normally wouldn’t. And this is where the story begins.

I hear music in my head all of the time. I like to write songs as at one point in my life I hoped to write music professionally. When an idea comes to me I grab the nearest recording medium and vocalise what I hear. Going back some forty years I have thousands of “song ideas” recorded to casette, vhs, reel to reel, micro casette, cd, cd-r, ADAT, Zip drive and mp3.

One day last week, way earlier than I normally would, I recorded one of these ideas. Shortly thereafter I posted some photos for post I had written. I HAD NO INTENTION OF POSTING MY “SONG IDEA”. Inadvertently posted my song idea with the photos. Lol! Mannnn, people started commenting on my “singing”. I had no idea what they were talking about. A little later my wife called me and asked why was singing on social media. What?!?!?!?

I went and checked my sights. Sure enough I hear my voice in all of its glory! I laughed my ass off. Took that post down so fast…. Man people can’t hear my s#@t before its complete! I felt naked knowing that it was out there. There is a silver lining however.

One, to redeem myself I HAVE to finish that song and repost it. Two, I now realize that I’m too old to post to social media before 7am. Especially during the weekdays before work. Speaking of work, tomorrow is Monday. It’s past my bedtime. Good night.

Back to life, back to reality……..

“Good Morning”

Good morning. Let’s get this Saturday started off right.  7 o’clock AM run to get the blood flowing.  Couple of hours out to see the sights.  Back to a nearby park for reflection. 

Recent news has included many talks concerning mental health, particularly amongst young people. This prompted me to have a discussion with my family.  I asked these simple questions: Are you happy?  Why or why not? What makes you happy? Are you happy with your place in our family? Can we do a better job of supporting each others’ pursuit of  happiness? 

Good conversation followed which forced me to think a little deeper for myself.  I oftentimes say to my friends that we owe it to ourselves to be as happy and healthy as we choose.  Otherwise what is the point? 

I’m happy to start with days like this.

“A View To A Tuesday”

In my previous post I shared how my dreary Monday went by relatively quickly. Well today is Tuesday, actually Tuesday night. 9:47pm Tuesday night and I realize that I was set up. Yep, that daggone Monday set my ass up!

You see, I never shop during the week. At 9pm on a week night I’m relaxing with music and/or reading. Not this Tuesday night. See, I was supposed to go to Walmart on my way home on Monday, but Monday had me so gassed up I went straight home to practice some bass. So guess when I remembered? Yep, Tuesday night. That damned Monday boy…….don’t make no sense.

So here I am at Walmart at 9 o’clock Tuesday night. Brother out here waxing his truck with the music jumpin. Dude out here yellin at somebody on his phone. Girl out here dressed in a robe lookin like she either just got out of OR just ready to get into bed. But with heels on…..! Always a party out here.

Got home a little past my “bedtime” at 9:30. A little music to set the mood. Wonder what Wednesday has in store for me?

“A View To A Monday”

Yea, I know it’s Tuesday.  That’s a good thing as Mondays have a way of testing your positivity and your patience. So making Monday go by quickly usually has a positive effect on the rest of your week.  Overcast and dreary Monday mornings are a challenge, making every increment of time last twice as long. 

But this dreary Monday morning was different, peculiar in the sense that it moved by so fast I hardly had time to complain about it. For the first time in my life I felt compelled to photograph my commute to work. It doesn’t take me long to dress and prepare for work but I find that I rush anyway. Some anxiety and refusal to accept the weekend being over play a part in that.

Not this Monday.  I took my time. Ate breskfast at home. Actually turned on the TV for a minute to check the weather. Not a good day for a two-wheeled commute. Okay. Into the car I go. Video or photo of every road traveled. Just because. Familiar radio voices to keep me company.

I arrive. A couple of deep breaths for relaxation before entering the building. Like always twenty minutes before the official “clock” starts. Daily Word, peek at a few of my commute photos and then work begins.

Somehow, the day just disappears. A few photos of my commute home. Wonder what Tuesday would bring…….

“Summer Nights”

Looking out of my window on an August summer night.  On this particular night, for some unknown reason, I am reminded of summer nights of my youth. I lived with my grandmother in those days. She was not fond of air conditioning so I kept a fan in my bedroom window. I did not have a television in my bedroom so I could listen to music without distractions. That was a good thing.

I can hear the fan blowing, doing it’s best to cool the room. My favorite songs playing in the background: “Star of a Story” by Heatwave, “Every Generation” and “Stay Awake” by Ronnie Laws, “Walk Into Sun” by Central Line, “Drop The Bomb” by Trouble Funk, “Body Moves” by Rare Essence, “One Of Those Nights” by Billy Ocean, “Funkin For Jamaica” by Tom Brown, “Planet Rock” by Soulsonic Force, “Journey” by NYC Peech Boys. I could go on for days. And the lovely “company” that my grandmother allowed to visit me….I had no idea how lucky I was!

Time goes on. I yearn for the feeling of leisurely innocence that those summer nights afforded. All of us neighborhood kids staying out way later than should have been allowed. Gettin’ lost in all kinds of mischievous activity. But it was wholesome adolescent fun.

Different time, different place. Thank God I had those life experiences. And for the ability to still realize how important they were to me.