When I grew up, I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to write
books and comics and plays and TV shows, and I spent many years of my life
trying to crack my way into the magic circle of professional writers, but while
they occasionally held the door open and beckoned me in, it was only to slam
that door in my face as soon as I tried to set foot over the threshold.
I also wanted to be a radio DJ, back when DJs chose their
own records and championed variety, mixing the underdogs with the mega stars
and always seeking out that next great tune. I did become a DJ, of sorts, just
as freedom of choice was taken away from most radio presenters and market-tested playlists
were enforced on the majority of the industry.
Over the years, I found ways to merge my interests with my
career. Compromise, to pay the bills. I wrote advertising copy,
and when that door was slammed on me (and the room behind the door became so irksome
and malodorous that I was glad to see it slam, and had no desire to seek out
any similar doors), I became an English teacher. I never wanted to be a
teacher, and don’t consider myself a particularly good one, but I’ve been lucky
enough in recent years to find a niche, a safe cave in which I can (hopefully) weather
out my remaining years of employment.
Some people, when they hit a milestone birthday, create a
bucket list of aspirations. Goals, adventures and missions to tick off before
they bite the big one. But there is no bucket list for me. My main ambition now
is just to keep going as long as I can and help Sam become the man he needs to
be to survive the insanity of this world. It was never my ambition to become a
father, but Sam is my greatest achievement, the one thing I’m proud of, so I’ll
live vicariously through him. That’s my bucket list right there.
As to the other things… Writer? DJ? I’ve got this blog. Set
the bar low and you can achieve anything.
Friend of the Stars!
ReplyDeleteI misread the title and thought you were regretting never playing Widow Twankey. I have, and its not as glamorous as you think.
ReplyDeleteI've never played the Dave either.
DeleteMisreading things seems to be a running theme here, as I too read something completely wrongly and thought you'd said "Goats" instead of "Goals" in para 4. Gives it a very different meaning...
ReplyDeleteI cannot think of a more admirable ambition than the one you describe in wanting the best for Sam. And, I'd say, don't give up on the rest either... Strange but good things can happen when you least expect them.
I'll leave the Goats to George.
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