Ok - seems like a radical life change is in my future!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

Some background:

I am a visual artist trained at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. After graduating I moved back to CT with my girlfriend at the time (Mistake!) and got a lame job at a graphic design company. I since got a better paying corporate gig doing more boring "design". I began to artisticly stagnate and my chops have just fallen off the face of the planet.

Meanwhile I have become engaged to a beautiful, vibrant, political, woman who just finnished her undergrad in acting at UCONN. Her experiences have rekindled the radical political, artistic fire in me. We want to tear up our roots and go back to the city and say "fuck you" to the rules of this society (the 9-5 slavery) and live, love and create -EXPLORE LIFE!!!

So that's it. I've awakened from this "American Dream" slumber and the artist in me (who wasn't really ready to come alive in my school days) is ready to grow.

I have some debt and shit to get rid of which will take some time. As I do this and put food on the table my love will be finding work, staying in touch with the crazy people from school who are going to the city and generally keeping the torch lit. Meanwhile the motto is: draw draw draw - get those chops up (woodshedding as the jazz people say) After the wedding next October we're off! We only have this life so I refuse to put myself on hold for the expectations others have for me. Plus I miss my beloved city!

Wish me luck folks, I'm definately going to need it!

[Mikimouse]

1. You certainly have my very best wishes...

At some point, most intelligent people start to realize the falsity of the "American Dream". Some sooner than others, but when it does come, it brings with it a liberation and a renewed enthusiasm for things that we have perhaps put 'on-hold' for the sake of pursuing the "American Dream'. Don't put things on hold for the sake of an ideal that is only promoted for the sake of the corporate economic interests and the social control that it includes. As you said, live everyday to the fullest, love what you do, and admire what you have accomplished. The rest doesn't matter and will take care of itself.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

3. Thank you- that's almost wod for word what I was saying this AM

My girl was giving me a ride to the salt mines here and I was waxing rebellious! I had convinced myself that I crave what everybody else in this cubicled wasteland wants - A nice house, a good car, a home theater system, and 1.57 kids. FUCK THAT. What I want is life - freedom. If it means we eat sardines for a while thats ok. If we approach our crafts with passiona nd dedication the rest will fall into place.

Thanks for your encouragement!

:toast:

[Mikimouse]

7. Salutations to you and to future partner...

I wish you all the happiness. If your future life partner is of the same mind, then you will very happy. Never say, "I don't have time" when you have the chance to smell the roses. When you do that, you shortchange yourself, and all of the things that make you what Marx defined as 'Natural Man'. Compassion arises from internal satisfaction. I am like you, obviously, and though I came late to the game (40 at the time, now 50), I have enjoyed the last 10 years more than the previous 40, by a long shot. Don't have much, but I do have myself and of course, the cats, and they kinda like their home.:thumbsup: :hi:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. Hey Paul Gaugin was a 35 year old stockbroker when he dropped it all

and sailed to Tahiti to be a painter. He returned to France only once in his life. He followed his heart (and some would say other parts of his anatomy amongst the "free spirited" tahitian women) and was a major factor in modern art. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE!!!!

[madrchsod]

2. take it from me

follow your dream. along time ago i dropped out of school and never finished what i wanted to do-teach school. can`t say how my life would have changed but....good luck ,i`m sure if you stick with it you`ll be succeed

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

4. Thanks!

:toast:

[seventhson]

5. No Kids Yet?

What are you waiting for? Go for your dreams. When the kids come you need to be on a roll with what YOU want. Otherwise it is just living to pay off the man.

Peace and glad to see another Coltrane lover

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

8. That's what I'm saying!!!

The more Coltrane love the better!!!

:)

[Whitacre D_WI]

6. Way to say "fuck you" to The Man!

I wish I had your courage, CStheT. Then again, your powerlifter physique must inspire courage aplenty....

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

9. My regimen of 750 raw eggs a siiting and rhinocerous steroids

have me feeling bold enough to buck the corporate shackles and strike out like George the Animal steel upon the turnbuckle of life!