Twenty Seven

Where were you and what were you doing at 27? For me it was a time of major transition...divorce, a move across the country (from Philaelphia to San Francisco) with little more than the clothes on my back, a guitar and my good friend Diane.
For some reason those memories have decided to visit me today, and with it a bit of melencholy...Diane is gone, killed off by Ovarian Cancer after a 13 year long fight.
At 27 years of age I thought we'd live forever. Looking back like so many others have done and will do, I wonder what might have been, but am grateful for what has been more than anything else.
So for today, in honor of memories and with a feeling that changes are coming again, Fifty Five can be the new Twenty Seven....time travel is easy afterall.

Introspection

Potential  by rcw

Introspection....to look within.
That's not as easy as some might think, especially if honesty is involved.  Then all heck breaks loose.

A good examination of the soul means no holding back, no excuses.  There's nobody else in the room so there's no reason to impress.  The only thing that's needed is a willingness to look and an openness to self-criticism. 

Right there is where it gets hard, because we all want to believe that we're as living our best selves.

Personally, I've got a lot of hard work ahead before I can honestly say that.  But I am willing to do the work, and perhaps this blog is part of that process.

So For today, Fifty Five is the new Introspection....a point of view that's all about self-improvement.

Thoughts on Death

Jack likes the song "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry. The song got me to thinking.

Death, to me, is not an end but a transition....a moving on of the life-force energy that makes up a persona.
The body, too, continues to transform; albeit either slowed down or hastened, with local customs or other extenuating circumstances.

Star Fractal by rcw

Many humans fear death. Do I? No....and yes.  I don't fear the fact of it, only hope that mine is not painful for me or others....that it's quick and done. Most people probably hope for the same.  A stroke in my sleep...sudden, over. 

I don't want to create a mess or be a burden...don't want to traumatize anybody or anything like that.  Just simple, quiet, good night.

As for what happens after.....throw a huge party, everybody imbibe in whatever floats your boat.....jam....dance....laugh....remember....have fun. Show surfing movies, drink several rounds of excellent bourbon, jump on a trampoline. Kick up your heels dancing to some Preservation Hall Jazz Band music and don't forget the strippers!

In short, celebrate all the good things in life because that's what it's all about. 

As for my mortal remains, let science have what it wants, cremate the rest and mix it in the soil for some excellent cannabis.....then gather after it's been properly dried, trimmed and cured (old school) and smoke.
That's what I want when I die....young.....at any age.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Thoughts On Death....hey, it's bound to happen!

Uh One Uh, And Uh Two Uh...

It's a dance, this life of ours...one foot in front of the other, keeping in time with the music lest we step on our own or our partner's feet.
The music is sweet and the stars are out, party lights reflect in the water alongside our party boat
and so we dance on and on well past midnight and into the morning.

That's what Fifty Five feels like today...the dance...and a one uh, and a two uh....on and on.

                                                                                                           X Marks The Spot  by rcw

Life Long Sound Track

Our Behringer mixer....how we record today

Recording, recording, recording!  It's all I seem to think about!  Since a very young age, that's absolutely true.

I remember as a kid, in the basement of my parents' home....my brother Jim and I would jam, and I couldn't wait for the day to hear how it sounded.

At one point in time, my brother Bob made a recording device out of a portable record player....amazing!  But my most special moment was when I got one of those little reel-to-reel recorders (like the old "Mission Impossible" portables) and was able to finally get an earfull.

What I heard wasn't bad.

When the cassette recorders came into being, I was really pleased.  Then I was able to experiment with things like overdubbing.

Even after I was on my own, I tried recording things....even if it was just singing to an instrumental and recording with a small hand-held cassette.

So now, when we have a studio in our home, I'm really in my element!  And boy, am I happy!

For today, Fifty Five Is The New 

Performance

Jack and I have been performing together for a number of years, and every time we do I still get butterflies.

That's natural. But once I'm out there and singing, they settle down and good things get to happen.

We're not exactly raking in the bucks...actually we're just starting out in that sense....but we are able to create and are having fun.

That's pretty important....being able to have fun at what one does.

This photo is from one of our television appearances on the Bro Jud Show.  We were performing "Trick Of Time" at the time.

For today, Fifty Five Is The New Performance....Randi and Jack, still at it after all these years

Fifty Four Point Five or so

Today I feel exactly as old as I am...not quite Fifty-Five, but working on it!
All the creaks and pings are a little bit worse than a couple years ago...but then again I've lived long enough to be able to laugh about it.
Getting older has its frightening moments, worrying about pending health issues, money issues, all the rest....its enough to make one want to go embrionic!
But if I waste all my time worrying nothing will get done. So rather than worry myself into an early grave, I'll take it one step at a time. And for today that step is being exactly where I am, almost Fifty-Five....but remember, all things are subject to change!