The Inspiration

"Crappy bands inspire us, they give us inspiration not to suck!"

It is my experience that crappy people can inspire me. I've had some pretty bad examples to follow. The people in the position of guidance and responsible for little things such as advice, support and encouragement have failed...miserably...tragically...unfortunately. I've come to realize this over time and at this point it shouldn't matter. I'm old enough and maturing, finding my place on this planet. But the fact is, these people have done their job in inspiring me not to fail myself and those I care for. They are everything I wish not to be, an inspiration.

I get most of my inspiration from great music. Dios (Manos), Let's Go Sailing, Tmonium and Say Hi To Your Mom is recommended listening. I credit the college radio station 88.5 here in Atlanta for discovering them. Georgia State University students host the shows and you can discover some great bands amidst the Contemporary Japanese and Broadway sessions. XM radio's XMU is also a great place to find some great indie music like Elbow.

I was planning to go to Big Day Out, a concert promoted by the alternative radio station here, 99.7. Plans were nixed. It would have been my first concert and its loaded with tons of independent acts. I'm sure it would have been a fun, memorable day and would have served as my birthday celebration. As it stands now I plan to be renewing my car registration and downloading music.

Speaking of birthdays. To me its like my very own New Year. I take a look back at where I was last year and see if I'm better off, the same, or worse than I am now. Last year I just quit my job as a flight attendant and started working for my dad. The pay was good and exciting in the beginning. Later on it became lonely and I didn't like flying from city to city sleeping in (very nice) hotels alone. The job I have now is far less glamorous but the pay is about the same but I wish I stayed in the air.

Around this time last year I was starting a relationship with an amazing person...one of the best I know. Things didn't work out but I thought I would break my record of being a relationship for more than 12 months. Maybe next time I'll slow things down a bit. Now I plan on going 12 months without someone, we'll see.

Taking it all into account, I can say I'm a little better off than I was yesteryear. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm getting there. I'm not who I want to be, but I'm getting there. The inspiration not to suck. The inspiration to prove you wrong.

An old Chinese proverb says, 'success in the end, erases all of the mistakes along the way'. Do you agree? I do not.