Yes. I threw in a semi-gratuitous rhyme for fun. And, yes, I am in pursuit of excellence in my artistic work with the fury of the Hounds of Hades. I approach something akin to the old-school 'later years' of ones life. That phrase doesn't mean much. Later can be 15 if you are going to be gone at 20. I am 52 and will be 53 in July. Many are gone before 30, 40 , 50. Some live to be 80, 90, 100. Midlife? Did I hear someone say 'midlife'? I don't give credence to that word in this context. The only way to truly measure "midlife" is to examine the whole and divide it into halves. I'm not ready for that quite yet.Three vistas stretch out before me. Each has its beauty and its traps set to snare the unwary. I'll elaborate.
First, I am to wed a woman of uncommon depth and beauty. Door number one, if you will. Through this door I intend to go soon. And into the world beyond I'll walk. More later on this. I await with a smile and both eyes open- and my glasses on to adapt my often myopic vision.
Two, I am a busier artist than I have ever been. I have shows up and my exposure is gratifying if not yet lucrative. My creative process has many sources. Some involve the bringing forth of new work from the nothingness out of which it must come. Also vital to my self-managed career is the management of the 'product' and sales if there be such. My career still has life, or legs as it is often put. My next Door is the door into new Creative work. The risks I take not only with the CREATION but with the PRESENTATION of the creation make all of the difference. My goal is to create and to share in meaningful and monetary fashion. And into this world I also walk.
Three, I am a musical artist. With voice I offer song. My attitude about my singing continues to undergo evolution. Shyness has turned into reluctance, and reluctance moves toward comfort. When comfort reaches urgency, I will be an artist in execution if not also in purpose. May I then still have gifts to offer. I also compose and have enjoyed a continuing relationship with talented artists willing to play my work. The second half of Door three is the birthing of music through the written pages. My foray into what I've called 'Preludes' is near the original goal of 24. This number means much to me. When I have 24 Preludes written, I will have reached a milestone. A very personal milestone. I want to have respect as a composer. Whether I deserve it will be a matter of the listeners and performers. I do know that I have enjoyed bringing the music out of nothing and experience.
There. The hirsute, or hairy, pursuit of excellence: I ramble into these doors one upon the next and welcome the worlds beyond. The option to refuse these beckoning portals lost its allure when I lost my shyness. And now for some of that urgency.
Excuse me, I have some doors to open.
