What we need

Good post. I think you'd find few around here who would disagree with the bulk of it.

I, however, do have one minor bone to pick. You say “I also left behind … my many years as a punk rocker, and a lot of other stupidities.”

Now how on earth could anyone contend that years spent as a punk rocker could be stupid! I still look back on those days fondly.

OK. I have fond memories of seeing the Circle Jerks and Gangrene at the Loft (well, almost -- I ended up sitting outside, drinking Wild Irish Rose and listening through the door, watching skins get in fights with the locals, waiting for the second show -- alcohol prevents me from recalling if I saw the second show or not)*. And The Cramps and Butthole Surfers on New Years' eve. And a few local bands I knew were great guys (I just found one guitarist I knew went on to do backup for Lisa Loeb, how's that for a strange end for a punk guitarist?).

But, in general, most of the time I spent as a punk was spent in pretty silly ways.

I wouldn't trade any of it. All my stupidities, just like all my brilliant choices, led me to this place, and I am quite happy, so I wouldn't change a thing. But I have to admit, looking back, that I made some pretty stupid choices, even if I didn't know they were at the time.

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* I notice most of my punk stories are about great shows I ALMOST saw, and the strange circumstances that kept me from seeing this or that band.

As an aside, I remember Murphy's Law playing Baltimore AT LEAST as early as 84. When I was in New Orleans in November 2004 I saw a flier on a dive bar for a Murphy's Law performance. If it is the same band, I am impressed at their tenacity, still playing hole in the wall clubs after 20 years or more. Then again, the Motor Morons I saw in 1995 (I think) had only one member in common with the Motor Morons I knew in 1985, so I guess the name could stay while members change.

OK. I have fond memories of seeing the Circle Jerks and Gangrene at the Loft (well, almost -- I ended up sitting outside, drinking Wild Irish Rose and listening through the door, watching skins get in fights with the locals, waiting for the second show -- alcohol prevents me from recalling if I saw the second show or not)*. And The Cramps and Butthole Surfers on New Years' eve. And a few local bands I knew were great guys (I just found one guitarist I knew went on to do backup for Lisa Loeb, how's that for a strange end for a punk guitarist?).

But, in general, most of the time I spent as a punk was spent in pretty silly ways.

I wouldn't trade any of it. All my stupidities, just like all my brilliant choices, led me to this place, and I am quite happy, so I wouldn't change a thing. But I have to admit, looking back, that I made some pretty stupid choices, even if I didn't know they were at the time.

---------------------------------

* I notice most of my punk stories are about great shows I ALMOST saw, and the strange circumstances that kept me from seeing this or that band.

As an aside, I remember Murphy's Law playing Baltimore AT LEAST as early as 84. When I was in New Orleans in November 2004 I saw a flier on a dive bar for a Murphy's Law performance. If it is the same band, I am impressed at their tenacity, still playing hole in the wall clubs after 20 years or more. Then again, the Motor Morons I saw in 1995 (I think) had only one member in common with the Motor Morons I knew in 1985, so I guess the name could stay while members change.

OK. I ave fond memories of seeing the Circle Jerks and Gangrene at the Loft (well, almost -- I ended up sitting outside, drinking Wild Irish Rose and listening through the door, watching skins get in fights with the locals, waiting for the second show -- alcohol prevents me from recalling if I saw the second show or not)*. And The Cramps and Butthole Surfers on New Years' eve. And a few local bands I knew were great guys (I just found one guitarist I knew went on to do backup for Lisa Loeb, how's that for a strange end for a punk guitarist?).

But, in general, most of the time I spent as a punk was spent in pretty silly ways.

I wouldn't trade any of it. All my stupidities, just like all my brilliant choices, led me to this place, and I am quite happy, so I wouldn't change a thing. But I have to admit, looking back, that I made some pretty stupid choices, even if I didn't know they were at the time.

---------------------------------

* I notice most of my punk stories are about great shows I ALMOST saw, and the strange circumstances that kept me from seeing this or that band.

As an aside, I remember Murphy's Law playing Baltimore AT LEAST as early as 84. When I was in New Orleans in November 2004 I saw a flier on a dive bar for a Murphy's Law performance. If it is the same band, I am impressed at their tenacity, still playing hole in the wall clubs after 20 years or more. Then again, the Motor Morons I saw in 1995 (I think) had only one member in common with the Motor Morons I knew in 1985, so I guess the name could stay while members change.

OK. I have fond memories of seeing the Circle Jerks and Gangrene at the Loft (well, almost -- I ended up sitting outside, drinking Wild Irish Rose and listening through the door, watching skins get in fights with the locals, waiting for the second show -- alcohol prevents me from recalling if I saw the second show or not)*. And The Cramps and Butthole Surfers on New Years' eve. And a few local bands I knew were great guys (I just found one guitarist I knew went on to do backup for Lisa Loeb, how's that for a strange end for a punk guitarist?).

But, in general, most of the time I spent as a punk was spent in pretty silly ways.

I wouldn't trade any of it. All my stupidities, just like all my brilliant choices, led me to this place, and I am quite happy, so I wouldn't change a thing. But I have to admit, looking back, that I made some pretty stupid choices, even if I didn't know they were at the time.

---------------------------------

* I notice most of my punk stories are about great shows I ALMOST saw, and the strange circumstances that kept me from seeing this or that band.

As an aside, I remember Murphy's Law playing Baltimore AT LEAST as early as 84. When I was in New Orleans in November 2004 I saw a flier on a dive bar for a Murphy's Law performance. If it is the same band, I am impressed at their tenacity, still playing hole in the wall clubs after 20 years or more. Then again, the Motor Morons I saw in 1995 (I think) had only one member in common with the Motor Morons I knew in 1985, so I guess the name could stay while members change.

Kept getting that "No node available" message and assumed the application had bottomed out on me. No such luck. It crashed, but posted as well. So I get, how many?, four? yes, four copies of my post.

Sorry about that to the readers (assuming I have enough readers to care).