Life is Cruel

Music is my lifeline, it is what has helped me get through so much in life. Even when I was four, I remember waking up to my Dad blaring "Call Me" by Blondie, or "(I Wanna Fly Like) Superman" by The Kinks. Jim Croce, Black Sabbath, Carol King and so much more . . . it all started me on the path of rock and roll, and every other kind of music, honestly. From gospel to soul to blues to motown to heavy metal, rock and roll, easy listening, folk . . . I love it all!

In my late teens and early twenties, going to concerts was the biggest rush for me. I pretty much went to them always. Although it's hard to pick favorites, Living Colour and Clutch are my two favorite "pet" bands, especially Clutch. But in my opinion, although most would choose Led Zepellin, the hardest rocking, most incredible rock and roll band in the world is the immortal AC/DC.

I made a pact with myself that no matter what financial place I was in, if AC/DC toured again I would be there. Rain or shine, in financial of physical sickness or in health, you get the idea, ha ha ha. Even though I knew front row, or close to it, would be hundreds and hundreds of dollars, oh well. This show would be worth it. While I knew they would likely be touring at some point, that rumor has been circulating for a long time.....

NOW I find out that they are touring from October to mid-December. Basically, I return December 16th to Oregon. The ONLY show I can possibly see is December 18th in Charlotte, NC. Needless to say, I'm sitting here in Phuket, Thailand, a tropical paradise, "living the dream", and am fairly depressed over this. You should see me over here, researching flights and available seats, trying to figure out if I can somehow make this happen, although I don't have any great hopes. Sniff.

What's phenomenal is that my twin brother, who's a great, great dad, is taking my fourth grade nephew to see them the day after Halloween. We started my neph young on music, because it's so very important. And it worked. My neph, I'm so proud to say, "gets it". He's a good kid, does well in school, is honest, athletic, kind, isn't hyper or bratty, and is a music lover. I'm thrilled to know that HE GETS TO SEE THE GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND ON EARTH, even though I truly wanted to be there for it, if he ever got to go.

I mean, one of my favorite "hobbies" is shopping for children's AC/DC paraphernalia, and I take it very seriously. You know, stocking up his wardrobe with killer AC/DC shirts, or sending him great posters and/or cds for his collection. Don't get me wrong; I use discretion if it's not for children (and some isn't), but let's face it, most rock and roll is universal and for everybody. My first day here at Rawai Gym, "Thunderstruck" came on the overhead stereo and I KNEW I was in the right place! (Unfortunately it wasn't the live version, but it's all good!)

I suppose my only concern is that if AC/DC is the first show you get to see, then every other show after that can only be "so" good, but it's a sacrifice any true rock-n-roller wouldn't hesitate to make if they have half a brain cell. Plus, he's old enough to remember the show. He KNOWS his AC/DC, especially "TNT", so I know he's pumped! For Christmas I sent him the 2-disc set of "Live At Donington" (plus some other cds) in an AC/DC cd wallet that I made just for him, plus a set of headphones so that he could listen without waking up his new baby sister.

I'm here in Thailand doing this as an investment in my health and to push myself out of my comfort zones. As wonderful as it sounds, it really isn't easy. I just don't want to be another American who never leaves the couch, let alone the country, and I'm tired of feeling like shit too often. I want to experience the world, and appreciate other cultures. I truly hope to be able to help give that gift to my nephew one day as well.

A big reason I'm also here is so that my nephew can hopefully be as proud of his aunt as I am of him, which is pretty damned proud. I don't always have a lot to offer when I'm too fatigued to do much because I haven't been taking the best care of myself. Now I can teach him how to fight, kayak or at least have the energy to do other fun things with him when I get to see him, as my health improves. I can likely even treat him to a trip here with me next time I come for a few weeks (if he wants to), so he can "live the dream" (as we call it here at Rawai gym), too. The kids that do come absolutely love it, and Thailand is a very safe place for children.

All of that is far more important to me than seeing any band in the world, so I'm going to choose to just be grateful that my brother and nephew get to see the show and put out the intent that due to the amazing success of this current tour, AC/DC decides to tour at least once more.

UPDATE
I knew they would play AC/DC during training this afternoon, and of course they did. Sigh. They play a ton of Rage Against The Machine and other great music, too. Nice to hear! Of course, "Staying Alive" by the BeeGees or "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc. will come on, too, which are great songs.....but to kickbox to? Hilarious! The worst is the reggae. It's great music, but everything about is CHILL. It's all good, though. I'm happy with the system and selections, for sure.