Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Joy of Building

I just got done with a few projects. It was(and always is) satisfying to see the fruits of your labor. To stand back and look at something you made. I do believe God has given me a desire to create, to dream, to craft something from nothing. Music. Woodworking. Drawing. It's all the same principle. You start with nothing except tools, materials, and imagination. You reference other peoples work, but you always get to put your own spin on it. Sometimes your mistakes end up being the best, most unique part of whatever you're doing. And though our works are nothing compared to His, I believe He delights in seeing us at work. I've always had a notion that heaven will be a place that we can work and create without a concept of value. Wouldn't it be wonderful to build a table and give it to a friend for no other reason but to fulfill a need. And if somebody builds better tables than you, you could find joy in learning from him or looking at his work without envy or greed. Your only incentive would be to better yourself for the sake of getting better. And if somebody doesn't build as well as you, you could find joy in passing on knowledge without any need of being paid or worry about competition. Ah well, til then we're all stuck down here in the mud trying to keep our lives stable. Let's try and find as much joy as we can and leave the money thing up to God.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Being your own boss

Being your own boss is great! I get to take breaks when I want to. I can go home when I want to. I can wake up late if I want to. I can take an 1 1/2 lunch if I want to...

Except I can't. Because when you are your own boss, you are so worried about getting paid, getting the next job, finishing the current job, keeping customers happy, paying for insurance, having enough money for materials, and making the whole mess work, that even when you honestly don't have anything to do you're stressing out over having nothing to do.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Beatle Mania

Hey Folks! This Friday at 12 and porter I'm playing with a Beatle's cover band called 64. I'm inviting everybody to come out, grab a drink, and have a sing-a-long. I've been going to see 64 for awhile now. I love this show. It's so easy to go to, so easy to have fun at. It's just a group of guys who like playing Beatle's music getting together and doing exactly that. No wigs, no suits, no act, nothing you have to feel cool to do, or "in the know" to be a part of, just plain fun. If you're thinking, "I'm not really a huge Beatles fan", well.... Neither am I! But just listening to 64 has shown me how great of a band the Beatles were and how well I know their stuff. So I'll see everybody there. I'll be the guy playing the tamborine in the back.