Something for Nothing

Hello friends. I didn't plan to blog this week. But my head is filled with random thoughts and my sweet dear girlfriend Kitty D told me its always best to "get it out" in some form. Either write it in my personal journal or share it publicly. So I decided to do it here. Forgive the randomness as I chase the whimsies in my mind this time around.

First of all, some new media talk. I watched the finale of PREACHER. I gotta say, I like where it is going. There's enough there that makes me interested in continuing. There's a lot of things I liked and didn't like about this first season. But the final shot of the finale to me is worth the price of admission alone. I won't spoil it, but for a fan of the comic series like I am, its all I've wanted to see from the beginning. They seem to be making things go on track to follow more of what I am familiar with for season two. So we got some exciting stuff coming. Maybe the trip to NYC and Si, Cassidy's friend. Or perhaps a visit with Grandma, Jodi and the animal loving TC. Its all coming. Very exciting.

I'm going to see Suicide Squad hopefully this weekend sometime. Early reviews say its not very good, but I'm learning to judge for myself. Plus at least I get to look at Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. That's gotta be worth $5, right?

Some new movies I've watched: Martyrs (Eh, interesting concept but too torture porn for me), Return to Class of Nuke Em High (I liked it, but where is part two already?!), We're the Millers (It was okay but I cannot recall laughing much during it), Samurai Cop (EXCELLENT!), Star Trek Beyond (Good. Better than I expected), I am Thor (Excellent Doc), Deathgasm (Fun but kinda blah in parts), He Never Died (It was okay.) Resurrection of Jake the Snake (Good Doc if you are into classic wrestling) and finally watched some episodes of STAR TREK The Animated Series that I either haven't seen or I don't remember that well. Always good. 

On my work, I have not done all that much this week. On Monday I had to take the kids at 6:30 am for a bit and drive bots to Okemos so I came back to catch up on sleep. That jacked me up for sure. Yesterday I wasn't feeling it so I watched PREACHER and did other stuff. Over the weekend I helped my pals Colleen and Caleb move (good exercise!) and then got drunk with Kitty D and her pal Jessica while playing some Cards Against Humanity. Sunday I had the boys all day. James helped me pack some more stuff for the move.

Ah, the move... In 23 days I will be moving into my new place in East Lansing. To say I am anxious for it is an understatement. At this point I just want it over with. I've been living around boxes of things for months now. There is lots of things to do and juggle until I get those keys. And I'm not looking forward to any of it. This will be my 31st move in my life. Yes, you read that right. I'm just over it. What is worse, in a year's time, I have to move again, back to this area so that I can take on the boys via joint custody and be in their same school district.

In some ways I will miss Grand Ledge. Its quiet. The building I'm in is pretty. But I'm anxious to get out and find some space of my own. I moved into this apartment with my ex girlfriend and it didn't turn out so well. So I am moving back to East Lansing, almost the same apartment I had before. Just restarting it over. But this time, I am moving in with my new girlfriend. We're going to try to build a life together. So far, despite all the shit that has been hurled our way though life in the short time we've been together, we've weathered it all and she's the most stable thing in my world right now. Thank the Lords for that.

But anyway, yeah, we are moving over there. Looking for quiet to start our world together. Becoming a well oiled machine and a team. We've got lots coming to tackle together. At least we get this time to make sure its all going to work out. Let's be honest: My track record for relationships hasn't been good over the years for various reasons. And this is my self imposed last shot at it. I hope this one lasts because she is the greatest thing to happen to me in a long while. I don't know what I would do without her at this point. 

Reading the social media news: Two artist pals of mine are doing extremely well. My old college pal Jay Fosgitt is now working for Marvel and doing all sorts of gigs. My old podcast pal Mark Brooks is doing excellent on his Han Solo books and even George Lucas has taken notice! It makes me so happy for them and inspired. I remember Mark telling stories about how he worked as a waiter, eating Ramen for months and poured all his money into art supplies and his time into his work. It has paid off. I've seen him tear up when he got certain honors. No one deserves success at what they do more than he does. And Jay, I know has struggled through various things over the years and has come out always swinging. Always with a rocket in his ass to keep going and doing things he wants to do. He's developing quite the following and getting tables at shows that all want him there. Its great to see!

Both of these dudes and a few others I've known over the years are hitting newer heights with their goals. I'm proud to know them and to see their success. It goes to show you that it never serves you to hold back from your dreams. You work hard, be patient and just keep kicking ass. Keep learning, growing and on to the next piece. As an artist, find your spot. Carve your place out. Maybe someone will notice. But in the end, art is not for other people. It's for YOU. It's your therapy. It's your dream you made come true. No one gave it to you.

I'm struggling folks. I'm trying hard to get fit (went to gym last night and OUCH!). Been off soda and caffeine for over a month now. I'm trying hard to keep my head in the funny books and get things done. I juggle so much in my life. A full time day job, keeping people in my life happy, paying off all bills, kids on the weekends... my time is very limited. Its almost as if the stars have to align in a certain way for me to get things done. All I want to do is work on my art and my writing. I want to finish things and stretch out and get better. I want to deliver my best. Its the struggle all artists go through.

My life has taken many twists and turns. Many ups and downs. I desire to just be at peace. I want to work hard and finish my books. I want to launch new projects and keep people interested in what I'm doing. I want to buy a house and never have to move again. I want to have a savings and be able to tackle anything that could happen, or have money to get or do anything I wanted as it came.

All of this will come... if I put in the work to make it happen. There is no grand secret in getting what you want. In life, everything comes down to one simple manifesto: IF YOU WANT SOMETHING BAD ENOUGH, YOU'LL FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. Everything else is just bullshit reasons you tell yourself why you can't do it. Any success in life, job, dream, relationship, etc comes from hard work. You can't get something for nothing.... take it from RUSH:

"Something For Nothing" RUSH Album: 2112

Waiting for the winds of change
To sweep the clouds away
Waiting for the rainbow's end
To cast its gold your way
Countless ways
You pass the days

Waiting for someone to call
And turn your world around
Looking for an answer
To the question you have found
Looking for
An open door

You don't get something for nothing
You can't have freedom for free
You won't get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be

What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song

All of us here have goals. There are things we want. Things we must do while we are chasing the dream. But what emerges is the fruits of our efforts. Make it happen, folks. Make it happen. I've seen people chase it and come out with victories. So can you.

Have a good week/weekend. Thanks for checking back as always. Onward and upward. 

--T