“Here’s Your Future” by The Thermals

posted 23rd July 2009    Written by: Marisa    CATEGORY: All Posts, Marisa, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 1

I’m not quite sure how other people get motivated, but music does it for me.  My favs to wake up to and greet the world are a combination of The Thermals (local Portland favorites and overall some of the nicest people you will ever meet) and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.  They can kick your butt into gear with melodies, lyrics and general AWESOMENESS.

After visiting SXSW, I chose to have music as a priority in my life. This meant more shows and more time listening and appreciating all music, which let’s face it, I have all the time in the world now to accomplish.  But the definitive influence, the instrument that attracts me the most after listening to my favorites and newbies, is the drums.

I had a drum lesson today; probably one of my hardest to date, but it was amazing and enlightening to say the least.  I’ve been learning to reduce the regular eighth notes to quarter notes and it’s ridiculously hard.  It’s difficult to simplify a beat for me and remember and ingrain it in my brain with the measures and exact timing.

And I’ve been having another realization.  I don’t know if it’s the rhythm, the timing, the beats or even the sound of the hickory stick against my snare, but I’ve taken to and fallen in love with the drums and I can’t fathom stopping.

So my next step is to find/buy a drum kit.

Hmmm, wait, first I must find a space to practice since I don’t think my NW Portland neighbors would appreciate my raucous noise, and THEN I’ll find/buy a drum kit.  This is of course providing that I can afford the time and energy spent on this search while trying to find a job.  I’ve found jobs, many in fact, I just can’t seem to get one.  It’s the one with the hiring manager who looks at my resume, chuckles while reading my witty cover letter and decides to let me into his or her work family.

I go through waves of hope and doubt.  I get encouraged by seeing and reading so many postings.  I become excited over the details and fantasize about working for this or that company and daydream to my heart’s content.  But then I get the “Thank you for applying” email.  Or the “We’re sorry” phone call.  And worst of all, most of the time I don’t get any response.  This is when I go through the low wave, the sad depressing wave of recognizing a future that includes me moving back home to Reno and living with my mother.  Yeah…

What can I do… Okay, I just need to simplify.  Take my current eighth note measure life to a quarter beat.  I’ll get a studio.  I’ll sell my car.  I’ll have a fantastic garage sale.  I can do it.

…low wave slowly receding…

I’m not going to give up Portland without a fight.  This is where I want to be when I finally fall in love, or where I start my first indie rock band (BTW, it’ll be called Baby Chimp Hug Fest, oh yeah!), or to even hear that long awaited “Yes, you’re hired.”  Portland is where I want live a happy, beautiful life.

And it’s only been here where I can honestly say that yes, I’m finally marching to the beat of my own drum.

Bookmark and Share
Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

name*


email* (will not be published)


website


comments