Tomorrow Begins Today
One of Robert Fripp’s aphorisms is, “Tomorrow is the first lie of the devil.” Well, I am ready to stop living in the ‘Humdrum’. I no longer wish to work for peanuts in my part-time retail job at The Depot. However, I do need to supplement my disability income. The plan is to somehow add to my income with a modest goal of $200 a week playing guitar. That’s all I need to leave the day job, but it’s easier said than done.
I’ve been noodling on guitar almost every day for just over 25 years. But, concerted practice has not been my cup of tea. I basically take the advice of Slash who once said, “I don’t practice. I just play.” I realize that if it’s to be it’s up to me. This will involve some wood-shedding before cutting ties to The Depot. To realize my $200 a week goal will take what I call ED (Energy and Discipline). Starting tomorrow it’s time to begin learning and writing some songs, mastering my rig and practicing consistently. Then it’s a matter of networking to find like minded musicians and find a paying gig.
I am also looking for an added benefit from a committment to music that I haven’t had in years. I have to find the spiritual side of music. Andy Summers has said that the two to four hours a day he practices is sacred and almost like meditation. Fripp has said that his Soundscapes are like wordless prayers. I’ve ordered The Inner Game of Music from the library and am determined to touch the Almighty with my music. King David did it and at some point in the future I will too.
Lastly, I have finally closed on my disaster assistance loan for Hurricane Wilma from the Small Business Administration. It looked like it was going to fall through a couple times but the final dispersement should come next week. The $43,600 will go towards an extensive remodeling of my condo and I plan to turn one of my spare bedrooms into a recording and live music studio.
Now if I can just find the ED needed to start practicing guitar and keyboards, and writing some lyrics too.