What follows is a prime example of the phrase, “to bury the lede”:
Today is a good day.
I attained a life goal.
From birth, there are plateaus that we all reach, and surpass.
When we are younger, they come by fast and furious – it has to do with family...
(pause)
Your mother's is the face you see when you open your eyes for the first time.
You smile when your dad, or crazy uncle makes raspberry sounds in your face.
You will likely take your first steps from one parent to the other.
You learn how to speak (often repeating expletives blurted out by one mother when she drops her favourite glass)
You learn how to dress yourself with the worst fashion sense imparted to you by your father.
I learned how to read from watching Sesame Street, and trying to solve the puzzles and games on the backs of cereal boxes.
My dad once helped me build a racing car when I was 8, after I would be constantly helping him fix his car. (That apparently is the point in my life with my knowledge of all things “car related” arrested.) I do enjoy listening to my father-in-law talk about cars – his eyes light up when he does – I cannot contribute anything to a conversation about ANYTHING involving the technical aspects of a car, so I just nod and smile – and appreciate the interaction.)
My mom taught me how to dance – (see previous sentence about my skill level hitting a peak). I have another story about how my LACK of dancing led me to meeting and marrying Caroline. Another time, another tangent...
My dad taught me how to drive. Fortunately, there were HUGE parking lots around York Steel, in the Keele and Eglinton/Lawrence area.
I discovered a love of music and singing – from all of the records that my parents had around the house. It took a couple of years in high school, but I eventually got into the drama department and secured some roles in a couple of musicals (I reiterate, for my SINGING skills, not dancing...)
Note: tomorrow is my annual viewing of the movie musical, based on the stage play that I performed in, when I was in Grade 11 – Godspell.
Forty-five years ago, I learned how to program in Fortran, using computer cards and running the lot through the city mainframe computer (which was conveniently connected to my high school) Four years later, I taught myself how to use a personal computer, sitting cross-legged on the floor, while an Apple ][+ clone was connected to the only TV we had, by a pair of RCA cables. Even 8 years ago, I took up working on a Mac Pro computer, close-captioning, and editing videos and commercials...which broke a 30+ year boycott of all things Apple, after the original Macintosh made my first computer obsolete. It had been IBM PCs for the next three decades.
I learned how to record/edit both radio and TV recordings at a school that was just around the corner from a building that my father built pianos in, 50 years earlier.
The achievement curve flattens out as we age, as we all begin to experience the “been there, done that” phase. While we don't get to celebrate the achievements as often, the ones we do get to experience are that much sweeter.
I seemed to always have a knack for writing, even back in high school – I have boxes of journals, and essays, that I do occasionally revisit. I rediscovered that love a few years ago when we all found ourselves working from home. And five months ago, I started vocalizing some of those writings in the form of my podcast, “Canada, as I see it” - now in it's 5th month!) - https://firesidechatd.podbean.com
And, it is partly because of that podcast, which a colleague at work told a client of his about, that I achieved my latest life goal.
Here's the buried lede:
Yesterday, for the first time ever, I got paid for a piece of vocal work.
There are some out there (especially those I went to school with), who might find that hard to believe. After all, I went into the Radio and TV course 38 years ago to kickstart this dream.
I sometimes find it hard to believe myself. I was going to set the radio-drama world aflame. I was going to be that evening DJ that had all the ladies (and okay, guys) swooning. I was going to be your story-teller.
But...the world had other plans.
I was naïve. I had blinders on. I thought that my voice alone would have people knocking at my door. Sure, I sent out tapes (the world used physical tape back then) and resumés...hundreds of them...
I followed up...sent out more...followed up again...all across the country.
Nothing.
This isn't a sympathy fishing trip. It's facts. I have dealt with, and made my peace with it.
For me, this is a celebration. It is validation. Someone decided that my voice is the one that they wanted for their production. Once I find out where this will be posted, I will give you the details.
For the time being, it will be status quo – Every Sunday, I will continue to give you a look at Canada, as I see it. All I ask is that you let me know what you think. Did I get it right? Did I get it wrong? Do you love it, or do you hate it? Is there something you want me to talk about?
This isn't going to be my retirement fund. This is something I do, because I want to. But of course, if some more work comes my way, or if my listener count goes through the roof (10x what it currently is), and I can begin to monetize the podcast, then hell ya, I will take that step.
Today though, I am happy.
Thank you for reading this. And thank you for listening to the podcast.
Take care everyone.
If Good Friday is something that you observe, have a blessed day.
If it is just a day off for you, may you achieve whatever it is that you want, whether it be sleep, food or whatever brings you peace.
We'll talk to you soon.
James