Tuesday, July 13, 2004

just another manic tuesday, heart swole

I am Happy

that said, i know there is more to life. i've been around long enough to know that happiness isn't ever even supposed to be a constant in our lives. usually we don't feel any way, we are just doing what we are doing. we can be busy, lazy, happy, sad, content, ecstatic, crying, coming, laughing, vomiting, praying, or begging. all of that is part of the human condition, but the underlying feeling about the world, how we feel when we aren't feeling anything specific is, what i think, defines us as happy people, miserable people, etc. I've noticed lately that I've been a lot happier in general than I had been in a long time. It would be easy to pin this all on one change in my life, but that wouldn't be fair or entirely accurate. I have been spending a lot of time with someone lately, and it is absolutely wonderful, but I've also been working a lot, paying off all my debts, preparing to move out, anticipating seeing my sister get married, taking (slightly) better care of my body, meeting and talking to new and interesting people, and truly enjoying the time I spend with my friends and family. I think that all of this, taken as a whole, is what has led me to this place that I've always wanted to be. I am truly happy, in my soul, for the first time since childhood. It is not moments of laughter, or the fluttering of my heart from a kiss, or the swelling in my chest from pride and camaraderie with my friends. It is the constant smile inside me that even occurs when work is slow and boring, or the night drags on with no phone call, or when I realize I left my windows down in the rain. That is the tell-tale sign of my joy.

And I didn't even know it was coming. It is just there, that's the best part. Suddenly I look around, and I have nothing to be upset about. My life is far from perfect, but it is mine, and I wouldn't trade it away.

Time for some shout outs, high school yearbook style:

Frank: Thank you for the 130 proof, the true talks, and the few years that you kept me alive by feeding me. Don't worry about your big move, because we are all always moving.

Joe: The man of will. Thank you for all the shows, all the sounds, for growing up as my friend. I hope all of your days end with nights in her arms since she is what you want. Keep fighting for her.

Lauren: Thank you for coming into my life with quiet little footsteps and sneaking up on my heart.

Matt: Thanks for the pub life, the street fights, the show lights, and never thinking twice. DFL. Whatever you decide, I've got your back. Brothers don't have a breaking point, so you can always count on me. I hope you find what you are looking for.

Mike: Straying then staying, reeling then healing. Maybe I'll christen you the new Manic, it seems to suit you more. We can be the worst guitar players in the world for the rest of our lives, so long as we can still jam. Thanks for the talks, and the songs, and the trust. Not to mention putting up with my shite.


I don't deserve you guys. 

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

LL Cool J ain't got shit on me

manic
7 july 04

I'm the guy who talks a good game
I'm the guy who people don't mess with because they think i can fight, but really I'm just a big pussy
I'm the guy who owns guitars, but doesn't play them

I'm the guy who writes his feelings in a notebook
because they would sound awful said aloud
I'm the guy who wishes he could stand up to the people who
need standing up to, and treat those he loves better
I'm the guy who always has a job but never works

I'm also the guy who loves life so much it sometimes
hurts when I see people suffer
I'm the guy who cries when dogs die
I'm the guy who claims to know

I'm the guy who puts himself down before you can
I'm the guy people assume has a drinking problem
I'm the guy who wants music to be all around me
I'm also the guy who puts x's in sentances to make them more exotic

I'm sometimes the guy who makes you feel good
I'm more frequently the guy who doesn't make you feel
any way at all
I'm the guy you'd feel sorry for, if I wasn't such an asshole

I'm the guy your mother never warned you about
I'm the guy you wish you never met
I'm the guy you almost came close to wanting to kiss, but didn't
I'm the guy who never dreams the same dream twice

I'm the guy who makes it easy
I'm the guy on the sidelines, never trying to play
I'm the guy by the clock winding time in my eyes
and folding nights up to keep in a box in my room

I'm the guy who asked you out once
I'm the guy you turned down
I'm the guy who looks silly on the dance floor
I'm the guy who forgot your birthday after I told you I loved you

I'm the guy who feels he let his family down
I'm the guy who never knew what he was getting into
I'm the guy you smiled at accidentally
I'm the guy who read you that poem he liked

I'm the guy confusing the issue
I'm almost the guy in the coffin
I'm the guy in the passenger seat at the light
singing along without a care in the world
I'm the guy sleeping alone on a Tuesday with a lump in his throat

(expensive taste in souls) 

I could only come up with six


6. Fickle
5. Noncommittal
4. Fastidious
3. Guarded
2. Insecure
1. Vague 

Monday, July 5, 2004

Tell me who my hands were made for
Tell me who my mouth was made for

Saturday, July 3, 2004

crystal clear, right?

...

we're everything brighter than even the sun
(we're everything greater
than books
might mean)
we're everyanything more than believe
(with a spin
leap
alive we're alive)
we're wonderful one times one

-e.e. cummings