I think about this friction between how people are seen by others and how they see themselves a lot. I'm glad you encouraged him to get out there and start singing.
You're really a great writer. You've got a good vocabulary and you paint a picture. I know you've written books. You should keep writing them. You've got the talent.
I love this and it resonates in a weird/synchronistic way. This weekend I was shopping at my local market. There is usually someone out front busking and I try to support them because it's lovely having the live entertainment and because I admire them for putting themselves OUT there. It seems monumental to me (a new-ish guitarist who is terrified to play in front of folks). So, there was a cheerful fella playing guitar and harmonica. When I dropped a couple of bucks in his bucket he said, "Hey, there is one of my bookmarks left if you can use a bookmark!" 'I can!' I replied. Turns out he's a fine artist as well. The bookmark had this punkie looking long-faced dude w/a mohawk and the words "Okay, count to 10....1...2...3...4" The musician/artist apologized for it being sorta weird and I said, "That's ok, I like weird!" These kinds of exchanges give your day a little lift and your soul a little charge. :)
Chill. This guy might be the one guy or one like him in karma land that might stop to give you cpr if you’re having a heart attack. I had a good friend who had his drum set stolen from his van after a gig. He’s been a drumming friend for 35 years, used to throw me great paying gigs when I needed the money badly.
I had picked up a great but mistreated drum set at a garage sale a few months before. One long time hobby of mine has been restoring drums, amps and guitars.
So I got the call and heard about his drums getting stolen. He’s in his late 60s, paid off house but limited income and SSI, and I knew he couldn’t come up with cash for a kit to keep working.
So I called and offered him the drum set, and also, another kit I’ve had for years he always liked. He said it was “serendipity” that I had by chance purchased and restored a kit I really didn’t need but bought for the high end cymbals that came with it. I was thinking it was synchronicity, but he thinks it’s more serendipitous.
No matter. Both roads end up at the same place. Keith has drums again, is happily working and playing drums with his new old kit, and I feel great. Oh, he offered to pay for them, which means he’s a straight up guy. He got them for nada. He made me thousands of dollars decades ago when it was well needed by me by giving me his extra gigs. I don’t forget people who do me favors, and I think karma likes it too.
PSS. The only thing I’d have done different is ask him to sing for me. Good job encouraging open mic and other forms of public singing for this dude. Being a lawyer can be a soul sucking existence. Ask me how I know.
Not sure if it matters but I don’t read your substack with the expectation for you to be funny. I read your substack because your style of humor reflects a certain level of critical thinking about your subject matter. The thoughts (and the thoughts about the thoughts) you share on any given topic as a result of that style of critical thinking create a welcoming environment for your readers. From UFOs to religion or trump politics, we get a chance to inhabit the complicated yet inviting space between your ears.
IMO, God, or the Universe if that word feels better to people, is in constant communication with us. Sometimes, and sometimes even for long stretches of time, I'm walking in a spiritual desert, where the veil is thick and I don't seem to experience anything out of the ordinary. But other times, the veil is thin, and synchronicities abound. I never know quite what they mean, but maybe what they mean isn't so important as the simple fact that they happen in the first place.
What’s the singing app??
I think about this friction between how people are seen by others and how they see themselves a lot. I'm glad you encouraged him to get out there and start singing.
You're really a great writer. You've got a good vocabulary and you paint a picture. I know you've written books. You should keep writing them. You've got the talent.
I definitely needed to hear this story, Michael. Thx for sharing. Hope you're well.
I love this and it resonates in a weird/synchronistic way. This weekend I was shopping at my local market. There is usually someone out front busking and I try to support them because it's lovely having the live entertainment and because I admire them for putting themselves OUT there. It seems monumental to me (a new-ish guitarist who is terrified to play in front of folks). So, there was a cheerful fella playing guitar and harmonica. When I dropped a couple of bucks in his bucket he said, "Hey, there is one of my bookmarks left if you can use a bookmark!" 'I can!' I replied. Turns out he's a fine artist as well. The bookmark had this punkie looking long-faced dude w/a mohawk and the words "Okay, count to 10....1...2...3...4" The musician/artist apologized for it being sorta weird and I said, "That's ok, I like weird!" These kinds of exchanges give your day a little lift and your soul a little charge. :)
This is very nice.
Chill. This guy might be the one guy or one like him in karma land that might stop to give you cpr if you’re having a heart attack. I had a good friend who had his drum set stolen from his van after a gig. He’s been a drumming friend for 35 years, used to throw me great paying gigs when I needed the money badly.
I had picked up a great but mistreated drum set at a garage sale a few months before. One long time hobby of mine has been restoring drums, amps and guitars.
So I got the call and heard about his drums getting stolen. He’s in his late 60s, paid off house but limited income and SSI, and I knew he couldn’t come up with cash for a kit to keep working.
So I called and offered him the drum set, and also, another kit I’ve had for years he always liked. He said it was “serendipity” that I had by chance purchased and restored a kit I really didn’t need but bought for the high end cymbals that came with it. I was thinking it was synchronicity, but he thinks it’s more serendipitous.
No matter. Both roads end up at the same place. Keith has drums again, is happily working and playing drums with his new old kit, and I feel great. Oh, he offered to pay for them, which means he’s a straight up guy. He got them for nada. He made me thousands of dollars decades ago when it was well needed by me by giving me his extra gigs. I don’t forget people who do me favors, and I think karma likes it too.
PS. Unfortunately, you’re naturally funny, and there is nothing you can do about it. My job is done here.
PSS. The only thing I’d have done different is ask him to sing for me. Good job encouraging open mic and other forms of public singing for this dude. Being a lawyer can be a soul sucking existence. Ask me how I know.
Not sure if it matters but I don’t read your substack with the expectation for you to be funny. I read your substack because your style of humor reflects a certain level of critical thinking about your subject matter. The thoughts (and the thoughts about the thoughts) you share on any given topic as a result of that style of critical thinking create a welcoming environment for your readers. From UFOs to religion or trump politics, we get a chance to inhabit the complicated yet inviting space between your ears.
Thanks, I so needed to hear this today ❤️
IMO, God, or the Universe if that word feels better to people, is in constant communication with us. Sometimes, and sometimes even for long stretches of time, I'm walking in a spiritual desert, where the veil is thick and I don't seem to experience anything out of the ordinary. But other times, the veil is thin, and synchronicities abound. I never know quite what they mean, but maybe what they mean isn't so important as the simple fact that they happen in the first place.
This is lovely.
Who are you, and what have you done with Cranky Ian Grumpus?