All Too Soon

To the casual observer it may appear that I have not written since my birthday. That would be untrue.

At the end of the post on my birthday I had mentioned that I had entered a writing contest, and that was my birthday present. It really was. There was a $125 entry fee, plus the prize is so incredible it'd be the birthday present to end all birthday presents.

The more I think about it, the more astounding the potential of a win becomes. It will change everything forever and make everything make sense and would also solve the remaining personal issues I've yet been able to conquer. However, that's another story.

Which was my point to begin with. I haven't been writing here, but I HAVE been writing over THERE. THERE being another collection of thoughts & stories related specifically to this essay contest I entered. For my birthday present. For a prize that would be a mind blowing miracle.

But enough about that. That's over there and we're HERE.

So I just saw a picture and story about Jack Cassady who is a rather well accomplished rock bass player from the beginnings of classic rock. Jefferson Airplane.

Seeing him with his hollow body bass guitar reminded me that he has a signature model that I entertained when considering hollow bodies myself. I'm just not a fan of "Signature Model's" for some reason. Which is neither here nor there. Especially when you consider that I, until recently owned an Allen Woody Signature Model, which I did indeed love.

Back on point (if there is one), when I saw Jack Cassady I thought (and I feel bad) "I thought he was dead?"

Then I remembered that was Jack Bruce. He was the bass player for Cream with Eric Clapton & Ginger Baker (how freaking cool of a name is THAT for a rock drummer? Ginger Baker!).

Now, while I'm unaware of any specific influence from them in regards to my bass playing, I'm sure it exists from the countless times I've listened to their music and bass lines in particular on the radio as a kid.

That's not the point either.

Thinking about Jack Bruce being gone reminded me of something that has been bothering me for awhile. Most of this year thus far I believe. Maybe even earlier.

The point is that with each passing day we lose more and more people that have helped make up life as we know it. Or knew it to be more precise.

Most of the actors from the TV shows we watched as kids are now gone. Some entire casts have moved on.

The musicians who made the music that was the sound track of our lives.

While it's amazing how many are still around and still making music (Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Dylan, AC/DC and a bunch more) there's quite a few that are all gone.

The Ramones.

Mick & Keith are 70 something. They can't keep touring forever.

The same thing applies to the elder members of our family who, while most have lived long and happy lives are nonetheless leaving us with less connections to our past everyday.

Places and things are also taking their place on the list of things that used to be and will unfortunately be forgotten.

How many times have you driven through the old neighborhoods and noticed houses and buildings gone? Some will always remain in our memories for one reason or another, but how many times have you found that you just couldn't quite remember what the building was or who lived in that house that used to be there?

All these things pass by with the passing of time.

I suppose it's the natural order of things; I mean, it's obviously been happening since the beginning. Whenever & whatever the beginning was.

Even though it is the natural order of things, it doesn't make it any less sad to experience.

Driving through my home town and seeing everything that's gone and everything that's new just blows my mind.

My Mom would get lost if she could come back for a drive around town.

The memories of what was and is no more are just strange. I remember the days when men wore suits and fedora's as daily attire. Barely, but I remember it. Football coaches too.

Why should it even matter that fashion has changed that much? I don't know. As a guy who rarely wears suits and doesn't own a fedora (though I have a pork pie I'm rather fond of) I'm cool with the casual comfort I move around in.

I guess it's because everything in this life makes up what it is, for each of us. As the things that shaped us and were the life we lived pass into yesterday, the people, places and things that have guided us gone, we're left looking at an unknown future without the guidance and influence that has got us this far.

But we're also left with today.

Today is the day we can do things.

Today we can plan. Today we can dream. Today we can execute.

Tomorrow? Who knows if we'll be able to do anything tomorrow?

I believe there are lessons in all of this but it just seems scarier the more the familiar departs and the future becomes now.

All too soon.