Well, what a year. Every time you think you've got life figured out it comes along and beats you to death with irony. These last two monthes have brought hope into my life that the other 10 had nearly killed. My lifetime dream is starting to take shape finally after 4 years of solid failure. When i look back at all thats changed since last christmas i almost don't believe its only been a year, yet somehow it feels like an eternity. I had my life savings stolen in Feb, went through 5 cars, watched a friend and two coworker's spiral into hard drug addiction, watched one said coworker overdose, got stabbed, broke up with my girlfriend of nearly 6 years, went through 10 band mates (one of which threatened to kill me then begged me to move in with him) and obama is our president elect. Theres been a lot of learning this year, a lot of mistakes, a lot of dissapointment but these last two months have lifted my spirits and given me a sense that i am on the verge of something great. The result of tons of auditions and aweful situations has finally paid off. Looking for 4 years, and we found them all in the same neighborhood within 3 weeks of each other. Looking forward to see what 2009 holds for Stained Angel. I myself will continue putting one foot in front of the other, because everything may change, but faith is forever.
Let me start by saying that I have had some interesting times in the first three years of pursuing my dream and met some shall we say colorful characters along the way. And by colorful I mean psychotic, narcissistic, scumbags hellbent on doing nothing and expecting the rock and roll stork to bring them success and leave it on their doorstep in a fleece throw ( such as the one I'm wrapped up in now... it was affordable, comfy, and purple...that is to say 'perfect'). So just to get all the negative year end wrap up out of the way, lets just make a list of the negative things. I'm not complaining mind you,. I'm not saying I'd have rather done exploratory surgery on myself with a rolling pen and a live rooster with a healthy crack addiction, but I'm not completely rejecting that course of action as an amicable alternative to this years happenings. Lets see....
- My Grandmother passed the next morning. And the next day...
- Discovered said band members had copyrighted our debut album that we had spent over $10,000 and worked on for two years of our lives. Can't use it, can't sell it, can't release it. - Had to cancel several thousands of dollars worth of shows.
- Got stuck with a lease to a house we couldn't afford.
- Moved to a house in Florida without AC. 95 degrees in your living room at 2 am...someone fetch me that rooster and a ten piece. I need him focused.
- Had little to no work for the majority of our time in Daytona.
- Got evicted from our home with i think about 48 hrs notice, despite being paid up on rent.
- Line up change....
- Got all my music gear except for one guitar stolen.
- After moving 3000 miles to add three members to the band, two of them quit without any honest explanation right before our first show.... and throw in some issues that prolly shouldn't be made public..you get the idea.
So here's what I've gotten out of this :
I have a best friend who's always been there through thick and thin. Played one of the best shows I've been blessed to perform. Discovered who my true friends were. This little nugget is really much more valuable than you'd think. Got a third band member and friend that shares me and Kyle's dream and vision. My determination is stronger than ever, thankfully God doubled up on the blind stubborn determination in my recipe. I Learned to laugh in a situation when your only real valid option was committing armed robbery to keep from starving to death. All this conflict has proved I have what it takes to achieve my dream. I've never doubted my dream. I was made to persevere, I was made to overcome.
"My heart and soul would always say, rock the people."
God has blessed you with pure determination. When He gives you a talent and a dream He will see it thru. Keeping you uplifted in prayer cousin!! ROCK ON!!!
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