This is the last day of February. It’s been a mild month, even for Arizona. It’s been in the 50’s almost every night. It’s not too bad unless it is wet. Then the chill seeps to the bone. I moved my tent over the weekend because I am changing my landscaping. I don’t know when I’ll get the work done, but it’s rewarding to wake up each morning, and the first thing I see is my handiwork.
Last night I met Candyce at a restaurant on Mill Avenue. I walked Candyce to her car, then walked back to my car. I passed by fumbling drunk college girls, bohemian homeless kids, Latino thugs, and herds of average people looking for fun. The street was roaring with choppers, fast imports, and rumbling Escalades. It was such a show!
I passed by the hotel I stayed at on my first trip to Phoenix. The whole Real World cast was hired to come and give a talk for Arizona State University. I spent most of the night hanging out with my Real World friends, exploring the town and meeting new people. I slept for two hours, then hopped in a limo to the airport. That was four years ago.
Those memories spun through my head as I walked passed rowdy bars full of college students fighting for attention. A girl stumbled out of the alley, tossed her hair around her should and slid her phone against her ear. She yelled, “I told you you stupid bitch, I’m not drunk. I’ve had three drinks. I’m okay.” She snapped her phone shut and dropped it into her purse.
A group of strangers waited at the corner until we could cross the street. There was a thug trying to impress his girl, and next to them were two rowdy drunk hippie kids. The thug popped a cigar between his lips, then turned and asked the rest of us for a lighter. I ignored him as if I assumed he was talking to the other couple. The hippie sifted through his patchwork pants and pulled out a lighter. The hippie held the lighter and the thug cupped his hands around the flame. He puffed smoke and said thanks.
The crosswalk sign flicked and we all marched across the street. Before we made it to the other side, the two couples had become friends. They talked about partying, cursing every other word. They walked ahead of me, and carried this mindless conversation for three blocks. I was embarrassed for them.
I settled into my car and paused before I turned the key, and listened to the throbbing bass in the distance. I am not like those people. They’re behavior is mindless and destructive. They are young and have so much energy and enthusiasm, and they’re spending it on trying to look cool. And they look like fools.
You have fifteen waking hours in a day. How will you spend your time? Your life? A night around town with friends can be amusing, but the nightlife always leave you empty. A night of pleasure-seeking can never satisfy the deep hunger in your heart.
I get more pleasure out of getting up early and going to the studio than I ever got spending a night looking cool.
It’s hardly nine in the morning, and I’ve already accomplished so much this morning. I’ve been thinking a lot about the nightlife verses the morninglife. You don’t hear that phrase “the morninglife”; I think I just coined a phrase. Anyway, it’s the exploits of the night that are so popular and glamorized. But you get tired of that life. I’ve partied in cities all over the country: New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc. It’s fun to go out with friends and have a good time, but that lifestyle is not life-giving. But once you get up early and create a magnificent day, you realize that this is the only way to truly live.
This is what I’ve accomplished today:
Last week, Blink 182 announced that the band was on permanent hiatus. I went to their concert when I was a freshman in college back 1997. (Wow…that’s almost eight years ago.) A couple years after that Blink became super-popular as pop music took hold. Since then they’ve been touring, recording, and touring more. When you have the spotlight, you have to work to keep it.
The press release explained that the guys in the band wanted to spend time with their families and enjoy the fruits of their hard work. I can understand how they feel.
After five years of being on the road almost every weekend, just sitting in my home is the greatest treat in the world. I can enjoy my friends, my girlfriend, my house, my cars, my church, and my backyard. I love it!
I am so happy to be home this weekend. Normally I am off traveling, but that’s fulfilling in a different way. There’s nothing like being at your home with the people you love. Candyce is at a Catholic Women’s Conference this weekend here in Phoenix. A lot of my female friends have flown in from around the country to be a part of the conference. I know she’s going to have a wonder-filled day, but I do miss her. I guess this will be the day that I get a lot done in my personal life. I’m just happy that I will be home when she gets done this evening. I love her.
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