I haven't written a blog in a while..but this is going to be my realest blog I have ever made public... til now.
I have awoken. I am here. I love and therefore I live.
Ok..let's get back to the basics..oh no actually those are the basics..let me at least try to explain a little bit..
Music has been a blessing in my life. I am not saying I had a hard life..in comparison to most I know I have had it quite easy..but by a blessing I mean I believe it was given to me for a purpose. Along the way I have surrounded myself by some very good people. Kind, generous, open-minded and experienced in life are some words I can think of now to describe these people. My family has always been there in a huge way too. Let me not get into how much these people have meant to me and why because that would take long. But basically, they have all meant and will continue to mean a lot to me.
The funny thing is the more I write about this revelation I am experiencing...the more I realize words do it no justice. It's like trying to describe love. I love trying though..especially in song-form...and I will continue to do so as long as I am able.
I am almost thirty..well 3 weeks away actually..and just two nights ago I celebrated it in the "Buiten" on Scheveningen beach. It is the coolest bar on the beach if you are into the 'beach life'..well, as i feel it at least. It was the last day of the year I could use a beach bar so even though my actual birthday is on October 21st I thought hey why not. I only hoped it would be good weather...and it was!
There was a GREAT crowd of loving people and the party was simply a huge success.
The entertainment was special too. First 'Offshore' kicked off the live music in great fashion! They got the crowd pumped and it was very exceptional and inspiring to see how Vincent (their lead singer and guitarist), who had seriously injured his back two days prior when falling from his skate-board, could perform like he did.
When I greeted him while he walked into the venue earlier, he was carrying a snare drum and a tom, walking very carefully, and on his face you could see the pain he was trying to hide. He told me about his back and that he felt bad that he couldn't carry anything heavier. He told me after the show that he was amazed at how he could perform through the pain on stage. I can't remember what I said to him..something like 'wow yeah man that's incredible!'..but what I should have said was 'yeah get used to it bro! real artists can feel love through any pain! and see in you a true artist. you should have seen Danny's ankle when he took the stage at the sxm regatta about 3 years ago. before the show, he couldn't walk on it let alone jump up and down and press down all his pedals with it! but yeah..just WAIT til you wake up tomorrow!!'ok then it was Intwine's turn. but their drummer was not around so big Greg Pantophlet joined them. (I had called to see where he was when he was needed, but he was on his way home after the Offshore show because he wanted to be with his wife Monique who is 7 months pregnant. Greg thought Benny Bakker was there because he was supposed to be but he had fallen asleep at home and he wouldn't make it on time anymore. If I would have known why Greg left I would never have called him. he told me he couldn't, he had to be with Monique. I said ok bro you be where you have to be. He then called me back and said Monique told him to go back and just don't make it too late. Monique, you are special. Greg, you are the man.) ..well before it gets TOO long here..Intwine rocked it steady!.. with Robert Pronk on bass..thanks BBR you the man!! At this point of the night I was free of most of the responsibility of setting up some things in the party..and I was able to completely let loose. Ok..with drink in hand at all times..but I felt great is the point. I joined them for a bit on stage and then it became one big jam session til the end of the night.
Musicians from Offshore, OG, Intwine and Sabrina Starke..and many of them good friends of mine to boot!...switching places on instruments. It was fantastic!
The party continued into the early AM and all I can say is that I wouldn't have wanted it any other way! Thank you all for that.
Back to what I was saying earlier..I feel re-born..almost ashamed that I feel like this only now almost 30 years old..but everything is meant to be. I realize I have been holding back in life and it's time to change that. connection breeds art. I feel connected. That's to kind of sum it up because I could write a book on this. It all just seems so much easier when you choose to just 'flow with the go.' (horace gracie said that)
I hope you are safe and sound and happy. Have a good one,
almost 30, Mike
