I recently reconnected with an old friend; on Facebook would you believe, of all places! He is actually not old, I simply knew him twenty something years ago when we were both young twenty somethings. He wrote on my Facebook page:
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
when translated means
the more things change, the more they stay the same
He wrote this in response to the fact that I was heading out for a long lunch and long lunches were one of the things we used to do all those years ago. In fact, we aptly named him sir lunch-a-lot because he did lunch so well. His comment got me thinking. What else am I doing today that I was doing back then? And surprise, surprise, there are many similarities.
Back then, there was a group of us that would meet after work on a Friday, hang out, party and have fun. I am now collecting a bunch of friends that will often meet after work on a Friday, hang out, party and have fun.
Back then, I would always get up with the band (whatever band, at whatever venue) and have a sing. Often now, I will ask the band (whatever band, at whatever venue) can I have a sing. This is why, when people comment on my ability to get up and sing with a band I respond with ‘well, you know, I have been rehearsing for twenty-five years.’
Back then, I was single and searching for love. Today, same.
Back then when I celebrated my big 3 – 0 birthday and back then, turning 30 was a big deal, I threw a huge party and had the band, so I could sing my little heart out. It was after all my party, and I will sing if I want to! Back then I knew the members of the band and sang with them often.
Recently, when I celebrated my big 5 – 0 birthday and it too I got to tell you was a big, if not bigger deal, I threw a huge party and had the band, so I could sing my little heart out. Yep, because it’s my party and I will sing if I want to… And again, I knew the members of the band as I sang with them also.
Back then, I wanted to focus more on the creative stuff, like song and song writing but the need to earn money far outweighed and over-ruled this. Back then, I would work all day and then sing all night, and back then I could. Today, I find myself with the same yearning to focus on the creative stuff, like song and writing. Only this time I have given myself permission to pursue this side of me as maturity has provided the insight to know I can pursue the creative as well as earn money.
Back then I wrote some really good songs. Back then I even recorded my songs but sadly over time and moving house these are now lost. What I do have however are the words to one of the songs I wrote and I gotta tell you, back then I knew stuff because today the words still ring true. I remember singing this song with my piano player at a bar in the city, receiving a standing ovation and a $20 tip! I also remember us having an excellent guitarist (a friend at the time) who played the most magical guitar riff, that I am sure contributed toward the tip and ovation also. Damn! I wish I still had the recording. I remember the guitar bit being really lilting and beautiful.
Today, I can still hum the tune and hear the guitar and piano, however it is when I look at the words that I shake my head almost in disbelief because today, this song (perhaps now a poem) is not only reminiscent of days gone by but so appropriate for where I am at today.
So you see, a truism - “the more things change, the more they stay the same!” Or as the kids today would say ”same, same but different.”
Enjoy my poem… and let me what you think?
