Whiny Musician Won't Do Manual Labor Because of 'These Hands'

[snyprrr]

Here, I offer myself up to you. This is my sorry tale of why you don't know me as a Famous Dead Musician.

I have always been extremely Creative. When I was in the 12y.o. grade, I was writing spicy Bond-like stories with members of the class in embarrassing situations, and reading them to class (also this is when the lesbian vampire thing was happening!). I was writing fairly reasonable screenplays. Paint and draw and blah blah blah. Super Creative in a family of couldn't-care-less,... looking back, it seems inevitable that I was doomed to failure, or, so it would seem.

Two things happened on my 14th birthday, one of which was getting an electric guitar. I went to Film School (oy veeey!!eyeroll). I ended up in the middle of the boho scene, and, ultimately, succumbed to life-as-we-know-it.

I'm the most Creative person I know, and, trust me, I say that not for myself. Surely most all people I know know me as a Failed Mad Genius to what ever greater or lesser extent. I certainly should have been poised in the '90s boho-mania to make a play, but, between my own slackness and what ever other external forces there were, nothing.

The 'fantasy' of the American Dream, yes, I somehow believed I would 'make it',... but, to cut to the chase, this last decade saw me go from a potential career in Faux Finishing/Distressing (lots of fun... fumes... hell on hands) to jobs in grocery stores. I've now hit 4.5 years without a Full Time job.







So, this whole time, I still 'play' music,... whatever instrument, the point is, I use my hands. So, I'm at a point in my life where I have to ask myself,- Do I get any old job/career choice regardless, or do I look for something that will preserve my hands?

I know there's plenty of people on here who MAKE MONEY MAKING MUSIC. When people ask me, I love saying I'm a 'Musician', but, I most certainly feel like a chump saying it because I know what a Professional Musician is. I'm not really that. But, no one I know can deny that I'm some kind of Creating Machine. I don't want to die of a heart attack working the produce aisle of your local grocery.

Look, I'm the guy who realizes that 'Tequila', 'Andy Griffith', and 'I Dream of Jeannie' are the same song, and then play them simultaneously. In a movie scene with Lesbian Vampires. Hmm, maybe I DO belong in retail, aye aye aye!

Waaah! I'm a whiny spoiled brat. Without the Trust Fund.

I know one guy who plays a 12string guitar and sings, probably nightly. He plays a 12STRING NIGHTLY!!! For decades. Not that I ever wanted to play Bob Seger for my entire life, but, I'm just sayin'.

Anyhow, I guess I was just looking for someone to tell me to shut up. Shut up snyprrr.






OK, do I reeeally want to Post this? If you're reading this, then you're probably as confused as I am, haha!! Ah, looks like he's going for the Post...

[Parsifal]

What are you saying, you're actually "Weird Al" Yankovic? and you're out of work because it the current crop of pop stars are so out there they are beyond parody?

[Karl Henning]

Will work for arugula.

[snyprrr]

What are you saying, you're actually "Weird Al" Yankovic? and you're out of work because it the current crop of pop stars are so out there they are beyond parody?

Wow! Give this guy a banana!! You're good

Will work for arugula.

Tell me the 'Sell Out' Button is for you, Karl. To my eyes, you seem like someone doing what they WANT,... you're true to yourself,... so, have you ever had the 'Crossroads Choice'?,... what would you be doing if you had sold out? As an 'Artist' you must surely have seen the low road that that Artistic Choice could have taken you (I personally think I would have ended up like Kurt Cobain had I actually become successful, so, I thank God I'm a loser?).

I'm just looking at you (and some others here) as people who have 'Made It', so to speak (why you, Karl, don't have someone setting up Chamber Recitals for Recording is beyond me. Surely it's not that hard to get a disc on Amazon or Ebay?). Surely, it takes a certain amount of SOMETHING, some discipline from youth (I was left to my own devices, hence, I seem to have a total lack of personal daily discipline)??,...


I remember when I was about 18, and the folks were gone, and we had band practice in the basement for a party, and I distinctly remember choosing the tequila bottle over the second set of practice songs.

And here's an even better one. I had joined my hometown hero's band, and we were set to play The Big Gig. I was tuning to a electronic tuner in the dark. We went on. Bass and drums began. I went for my Big Opening, and... I had been tuning to a CHROMATIC TUNER, and was PERFECTLY out of tune. Promptly fired.

I spent 3 years and $8000 producing an album of Psalms in Original King James English (maybe I'll try and make it available to you?), that began with me sober and ended in abject relapse (coked out vocals on a Bible cd???haha(now)).

Lately, I worked hard on that Classical Guitar piece, which abruptly ended Jan. 1 as I joined a new project which may have some commercial viability (... ya really make me wanna Shout!, kick my...).

Really, the one area in which God seems to bless me endlessly is in the Scriabinesque, esoteric 'aha!' moments that many here seem to crave. I seem to have sacrificed my life to live in The Now Moment (for which, apparently, there is now future bank account?). Sure, I feel enriched, but I am hungry (stay hungry?). I no longer yearn to be 'Rich & Famous', but I still seem to have an Ultimate Need for Expression (snyprrr is my nephew) that seems elusive?

You'll be sure to let me know what I just wrote, won't you dear!

[Parsifal]

But Karl has a day job, and so did Charles Ives, Albert Einstein...

[Karl Henning]

But Karl has a day job, and so did Charles Ives, Albert Einstein...

That appears to be the key to doing entirely what one pleases, musically.

[snyprrr]

But Karl has a day job, and so did Charles Ives, Albert Einstein...

He WAS the first one I admired like that.

I thought Karl's day job was being a music teacher?


'Trade', 'Vocation',... there are so many words,... Paul was a tent maker!


I was not brought up with this nugget, the two-in-one deal. What are some Famous Composer Day Jobs? Or, were they ALL Composers? I mean, I know they were music teachers, conductors,...


Ugh, I'm feeling constipated again!

[The new erato]

Ugh, I'm feeling constipated again!

Well, you're usually good at getting it all out.

[Octave]

If you have a living situation that permits sleeping during the day/evening, and if your body can tolerate overnights, I wonder if that could be a way to maximize your time.  I have loved that kind of schedule before, as long my home life is suited to it.  If the job is right, that is: if it's low-stress, you might even be able to get all your reading, fiddling-around, learning, internettery out of the way while you're being underpaid for it.  Maybe even some lo-fi music listening.  I imagine this is something you have tried, though....

I think of Wallace Stevens as a guy who did some good work when he had the time (a busy guy in Ordinary Citizen mode).  Lots of poets before MFA programs started absorbing them Human Centipede style.  Didn't Webern have to work as a copyist drudge in dire circumstances, while producing most of his body of work?  I seem to remember stories about him actually writing a tiny amount each day, on average, sometimes just a few notes or so, though that probably had to do with methods.  I like the idea of someone just doggedly chipping away at the mountain of possible material, with the form in view, constant or fleetingly, at all times.  A bit romantic, yeah, but I like it.

[The new erato]

Einstein worked full time as a pharmacist while he produced the material for his first Nobel Price, as well as doeing the basic footwork on the material for his second one. So if you only put a little effort into it, it is possible.   

[Parsifal]

Einstein worked full time as a pharmacist while he produced the material for his first Nobel Price, as well as doeing the basic footwork on the material for his second one. So if you only put a little effort into it, it is possible.   

Was he related to the Einstein who won the Nobel price once after working as a patent clerk?   

[The new erato]

Was he related to the Einstein who won the Nobel price once after working as a patent clerk?   

Yes, two dayjobs makes it even more impresskve!

[Opus106]

Did either of them win the Nobel prize?

Looks like I may have to start a thread about my auto-correct grumbles.

[Ten thumbs]

Surely, you do not refuse to garden? Is it not the mind one should worry about? - that it not be stultified by drudgery.

[ibanezmonster]

But Karl has a day job, and so did Charles Ives, Albert Einstein...

Funny how Ives is always the only one mentioned that had a non-musical job. And then there's Kyle Gann, who mentioned that he couldn't possibly be happy having a non-musical, 40 hour a week job.

Is it not the mind one should worry about? - that it not be stultified by drudgery.

Ha, what a distant dream...

[Parsifal]

Is it not the mind one should worry about? - that it not be stultified by drudgery.

Ha, what a distant dream...

Before there was civilization the life of a human desperate struggle to survive one more day.  To obtain the benefits of civilization (beyond lolling around the your parents' basement playing video games) you need to engage in civilization.

[snyprrr]

Surely, you do not refuse to garden? Is it not the mind one should worry about? - that it not be stultified by drudgery.

Actually a very pertinent point. We inherited some wind driven shit-grass from the neighbor (the kind of grass that's pointy, not fescu), and I went a-pullin', but, yaiy yaiy yaiy that's wasting my grip muscles horrendously.

The time I spend as an artisan,... endless sanding, and gripping, and other non-friendly hand activities,... really took my hands to a place I really didn't want to go. Now I can't really pull those stubborn weeds (grass?,... really??). YES, I AM starting to feel like a wussy,... but, I just CAN'T do these hand things... my hand don't WANT TO. It's like they're saying, "Fuck you, do you want us to play music for you, or do you want us to seize up?"

The Bible says that "(so-and-sos) hands REFUSE to work." It's the HANDS that are literally refusing to work for me. When, at the height of my artisan pain, I could not barely hold a pencil or brush in my hand, it was so pissed at me.

Working in the dairy section and lifting all those 8 lb. milk jugs (that bend you fingers because of the handle),... that was no hand-fun either.

Haha, as I'm looking at the Thread Title,... I don't say 'These Hands' because the are Sacred Art Producers, I say it because 'These Hands' flippin' hurt!!!! Aye!!





Anyhow, as of yesterday, WE HAVE OUR FIRST GIG!!!!!!!!!! SO, YAY!!!

[snyprrr]

Funny how Ives is always the only one mentioned that had a non-musical job. And then there's Kyle Gann, who mentioned that he couldn't possibly be happy having a non-musical, 40 hour a week job.


Ha, what a distant dream...

btw Greg, thanks for asking about 'Tekh'. I haven't looked at it since Jan. 1. I figured the first part was pretty well down, and I just knew I didn't have the juice to start of the Part2, so, I just have to shelve it until some time might arise. I've been working with the band since January, and we just got a first potential gig, which makes me want to go out and look for more. 'Tekh' wasn't going to allow me to play with anyone, and I NEEDED a band situation desperately. We just had our first practice-recording-cd, and, all flubbing aside, it definitely shows our potential. I will certainly endeavor to Post some samples when I'm satisfied (probably a few more recordings down the pike). I am SOOOO going to sneak some Avant-Modern-Classical bits into this band, haha,... Stockhausen-meets-Surf!!!!!!!!

[ibanezmonster]

Before there was civilization the life of a human desperate struggle to survive one more day.  To obtain the benefits of civilization (beyond lolling around the your parents' basement playing video games) you need to engage in civilization.

But lolling around your parents' basement house (basements don't exist down here, so they are a foreign concept to me  ) playing video games is one of the benefits of civilization. I couldn't imagine how awesome it would be to be able to play Final Fantasy 11 all day and not have to go to work and/or school every day. 

btw Greg, thanks for asking about 'Tekh'. I haven't looked at it since Jan. 1. I figured the first part was pretty well down, and I just knew I didn't have the juice to start of the Part2, so, I just have to shelve it until some time might arise. I've been working with the band since January, and we just got a first potential gig, which makes me want to go out and look for more. 'Tekh' wasn't going to allow me to play with anyone, and I NEEDED a band situation desperately. We just had our first practice-recording-cd, and, all flubbing aside, it definitely shows our potential. I will certainly endeavor to Post some samples when I'm satisfied (probably a few more recordings down the pike). I am SOOOO going to sneak some Avant-Modern-Classical bits into this band, haha,... Stockhausen-meets-Surf!!!!!!!!

Good to hear! I will be looking forward to hearing stuff when you're ready.

[Parsifal]

Actually a very pertinent point. We inherited some wind driven shit-grass from the neighbor (the kind of grass that's pointy, not fescu), and I went a-pullin', but, yaiy yaiy yaiy that's wasting my grip muscles horrendously.

The time I spend as an artisan,... endless sanding, and gripping, and other non-friendly hand activities,... really took my hands to a place I really didn't want to go. Now I can't really pull those stubborn weeds (grass?,... really??). YES, I AM starting to feel like a wussy,... but, I just CAN'T do these hand things... my hand don't WANT TO. It's like they're saying, "Fuck you, do you want us to play music for you, or do you want us to seize up?"

The Bible says that "(so-and-sos) hands REFUSE to work." It's the HANDS that are literally refusing to work for me. When, at the height of my artisan pain, I could not barely hold a pencil or brush in my hand, it was so pissed at me.

Working in the dairy section and lifting all those 8 lb. milk jugs (that bend you fingers because of the handle),... that was no hand-fun either.

Haha, as I'm looking at the Thread Title,... I don't say 'These Hands' because the are Sacred Art Producers, I say it because 'These Hands' flippin' hurt!!!! Aye!!





Anyhow, as of yesterday, WE HAVE OUR FIRST GIG!!!!!!!!!! SO, YAY!!!

What about working at Starbucks?  Would that little handle they pull to make the steam come out be traumatic for your hands?