An unprecedented performance

It was exactly 9 years ago on this very day that I first played in front of a live audience. At an open mic night in Grand Bend (which, incidentally, still exists), I made my debut. After incessant prodding from friends and far too many drinks, I finally got up the nerve to play and sing "I Don't Wanna Fall in Love." Yay me.

I wasn't really nervous at all. I'm probably more nervous before our shows now. No one expected me to be good that night, so it was relatively easy to pleasantly surprise them. As long as you want nothing from me, I can give you something. But now, Hat fans EXPECT a good show when they come to see us, which makes it infinitely more difficult to deliver the proverbial goods.

My best performances have probably taken place when no one else was paying attention. So it goes.

Can't Fight this Feeling

While driving tonight, I sang along to REO Speedwagon. Loudly. Without irony. Good thing it was dark outside.

Faceless, cookie-cutter arena rock bands like REO used to pump out formulaic power ballads with such regularity that it was difficult for a listener to differentiate between them. These tunes weren't even hip at the time. No amount of historical revisionism will make them cool kitsch. And yet there I was, singing along at top volume.

While I'm coming clean, I may as well also admit my affinity for "The Search is Over" by Survivor. Don't laugh. It could be worse. At least I don't like Air Supply (Mike, I'm looking in YOUR direction).

Soooo...yeah. It's not even the first time this has happened. I rocked out to the very same song back in March. Twice.

I think perhaps the song reminds me of something, but I'm not sure what. For whatever reason, I can suspend cynicism (which is infinitely more difficult than suspending disbelief) and just croon along with every cheesy line. As someone who is offended and almost physically angered by the rote sentimentality of most pop music, I have to wonder what the hell I was thinking. Is there anything real to these songs? I always thought it was just bland, unmemorable Stepford Wives rock. "Can't Fight this Feeling" is about as deep and meaningful as a grade school crush. Maybe that's the appeal? I always did like my music to be relatively devoid of substance.

I don't know. I ask too many questions. Whatever it is, I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might...

Yup. I went there.

We really do become what we hate.

lest we forget...

You're only young once, but you can be immature forever. If you can't thumb your nose at life once in a while and just be silly, goofy, and ridiculous for its own sake, then you're missing out. Sometimes, it's good to embrace sketchiness instead of decrying it. Just smile and enjoy the ride.

Life is one big fucking joke...and the moment you take it too seriously you cease to be in on it.

little to say

I wanted to update my blog.

I wanted to say something meaningful, something profound, something downright brilliant.

But I'm just typing here because I can't sleep. I thought the milkshake might help, but now I'm even more awake. Stupid metabolism.