Thursday, November 20, 2008

So Real


I found some old lyrics I had written in a lifetime long, long, ago and .....well you know. I was a love sick pup most of my younger days and spent considerable time writing about the love interests in my life. I also kept journals and wrote a lot of short stories. I almost never wrote when I was happy. This (I assume) is why my quill dried out in the last couple of decades. There have been no creative writing classes, no bands to bring songs to, and in the current trend of stability (in the relationship department) no lovelorn heart to mend. There was nobody to read the stories, and without melody most lyrics fail to stand on their own, so...why write...right?


I have been in some pretty bad bands in my day, some good ones too. Even in the bad bands, we managed to write a good song or two. I don't think anything is quite as rewarding as having an idea about a phrase or a melody and then hearing it played well. As you get used to songs and the shine wears off a little you figure out which ones hold water and which are hollow. The really good songs change as they age, while retaining the essence of the original idea. It is funny how I can look back and remember how I felt about those songs and those subjects, some three decades on. I am always surprised about how vivid those faces and times are when I hear the old tapes, or flip those spiral notebooks.


Fourteen years ago (DEAR GOD!) I took some classes when my first son was born. One of them was a writing class. It was great to know that someone would hear your story, even if you suffered a thousand deaths during the critique. Writing fell to the wayside, as diapers had to be changed, I had two jobs and two sons, a year apart. For the next three years, I never lifted my head from the grindstone, trying to keep the bill collectors at bay. Later, I did a lot of recording for local artists and managed a band. Then, like a summer squall, it all just settled. I was left without any crusades to fight so I threw down my sword, and went home.


This blog has rekindled some of the old feelings. I feel like a writer again and now I think of ways I can smash my days into the blog and tie them to bicycle. A couple of the crew guys (at our Thursday lunch) asked what was up, and why I hadn't posted anything. It made me realize this little blog is worth writing.

I'll wait over there for the "a thousand deaths" part now.

W.B.Z.N.

17 comments:

BIG JIM said...

Glad to have you back. You may renew my subscription.

nicol said...

Renew mine too!

BIGWORM said...

I've said it once. I'll say it a thousand times. A day without the Wrecking Ball is like a road trip without the radio.

Juancho said...

Cut one- let's start with that picture...

Anonymous said...

Thanks Terry. Good or not, I still like to see a new post every once in awhile. No pressure though. If the post sucks, I 'll still read it. Well, I won't read it, but I'll glance over it. Well, I won't glance over it, but I'll......you get the point.

Human Wrecking Ball said...

BJS- Nic, done and done.
BW thanks I think.
Jauncho....huh?
BM that still makes me laugh.

BIGWORM said...

I think Juancho is making reference to the "death of a thousand cuts". He is making his opening cut on your "fabulous" choice of illustration.
Personally, I thought it was a self portrait from 1990. (Cut two!)

Ms. Moon said...

Brother B- you and I should get together and do our own writing workshops. Want to? I do.
In the meantime, keep blogging. It keeps your quill sharp.

Anonymous said...

I'll come to the workshop; I could use the advice.

But on WB's days, I'll yell Freebird! a couple times to make him feel at home.

Human Wrecking Ball said...

Sister Moon,
I'd love to if I could find the time. If you get Juancho to come and if I can write something and we can eat something Mr. Moon shot with something you grew (to counter balance) ...I am in. I'll bring desert and beer and Juancho if he needs a ride!

Human Wrecking Ball said...

Mag can come too.....I guess.

Anonymous said...

wooooo whoooo! but then I must be travvelllinng on...

Ms. Moon said...

Let's set it up. Call me.

Juancho said...

You had it right the first time. You want to write better? Suffer more.

"All you need are three chords and the truth." Bob Dylan

Anonymous said...

I'd like to learn to write too! I'll bring the appetite.

Mingo

Mingo said...

shakespeare in love?

Human Wrecking Ball said...

Yup.