I'm taking the weekend off from the blogosphere. You see, I turn 40 tomorrow and I think I deserve a break. That doesn’t mean I do deserve a break, mind you. I’m just saying I want one. But if I’m honest with myself, every day is a break for me. I’m a musician, for cryin’ out loud. What would I be taking a break from? Resting? A musician working looks like anyone else procrastinating. Sure, there are rehearsals, sound checks, the travel and odd hours, but in the grand scheme of things, my job is cake. The only thing I do that resembles work is carrying equipment into a venue. But that’s not too often, and besides, we have people on salary to do things like that.
When I was younger, say 26, I imagined at 40 having a job with a title. Like, “Regional Sales Manager” or “Communications Director.” Not Lead Guitarist. That's not a title. That's a condition. It even looks ridiculous with capital letters. It connotes someone who is skinny, tattooed, and spends more money on hair product than food. Not a married guy with gray hair and a garden. I’m just not cool enough to be a musician. You want to know how cool I am? I stayed up til 2 a.m. last night watching a documentary on David McCullough. Not cool. You want more proof? I just yanked out an ear hair and I can’t deny that I got a little rush from it. That’s the kind of cool we’re dealing with here. Negative cool. Yet, when I was growing up, that’s all I wanted out of life—for someone to think I was cool. Like, Barry Gibb cool, but even that's not cool anymore. These days I'd settle for Jimmy-Fallon-imitating-Barry-Gibb cool.
So, what do I do? For the first time in my life, I want to be younger. In my mind I’m still mid-twenties and feel like I’m acting hypocritical if I behave differently. Is this what happens to guys in their 40s who get a younger wife and Corvette? I started out on the right foot by marrying the girl of my dreams, who just happens to be younger, so that’s a non-issue. Does that mean I need to buy a Corvette? I would, but remember the kind of cool we’re talking about…
My dream car is a BMW station wagon.
(rw)
I still think you're cool.
Posted by: Thom | July 07, 2008 at 05:30 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! The big 4-0! blake hit it in jan. he says he feels better now than he did at 30! must be his "younger wife". ha! hope you had a great one!
that skit is hilarious! i laugh harder at them trying not to laugh at each other! :)
Posted by: carrie | June 29, 2008 at 01:15 PM
i've seen you play. i've even heard you lead the ladies in song with you beautiful *ahem* singing voice. you're cool. trust me-- you're cool.
have a most wonderful birthday!
Posted by: Myrna B | June 28, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Happy Birthday! And by the way, 40 is the new 20! It is a blessing to reach this milestone in life... the number "40" has such great significance in the Bible. Enjoy, reflect, and be C-O-O-L!
Posted by: Nichelle | June 27, 2008 at 09:31 PM
I hope you have a great birthday tomorrow, Randy!
Posted by: AmandaT | June 27, 2008 at 08:22 PM
I freakin love that skit! Haha good one. Randy I think you're cool, don't I count?
Posted by: Leif | June 27, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Happy Early birthday Randy!
Posted by: Nicole H | June 27, 2008 at 02:39 PM