Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Bob Stannard, a harmonica player, author and lobbyist for Citizens Awareness Network, an anti-Vermont Yankee group.
About this getting old business. There is nothing more exciting, enjoyable, exhilarating, suspenseful, and more terrifying than growing old. Nothing.
Stephen King has never written a scarier book then the fears our own minds can dream up about the aging process. Stephen Spielberg has never made a more suspenseful or exciting movie that can top the wonderment that each and every one of us face with each rising sun.
The genius behind getting older is that after a while it begins to dawn on you that you’re not going to be here forever. Sorry to have broken that news quite so abruptly. That’s right, look around and ponder on the fact that each and every person, and every living thing for that matter, will not be here after a while. Those who are obsessed with getting rid of President Obama, the noisy neighbor, their ex, the mechanic who didn’t really fix the darn car, only need to wait out the clock. Not to worry, they’ll all be gone soon enough.
That’s pretty much the harsh reality that we humans constantly avoid talking about and you can’t blame us, really. Our poor little brains aren’t programmed to contemplate how the world can possibly continue to spin on its axis without us, but sure as the sun will rise tomorrow there will come a day when you won’t get to see it. I can hear all you teenagers out yucking it up. Go right on ahead and snicker, because the joke’s on you. Like a mist that materializes from nowhere time will engulf you and drag you off to wherever it is we go (or don’t go).
So what’s the answer? There isn’t one really other than to accept the reality and get on with living. There’s way too much good, joy, happiness and fun to be had, so you better knuckle down and get busy; time’s a wastin’.
As I write this I have a paltry twelve days left of my fifth decade on the planet. With sixty rapidly approaching it’s a little tough to not obsess over the fact that I have way more sunrises behind than I do in front of me, and that’s pretty scary (or perhaps somewhat exhilarating for my detractors, of which I have plenty).
My way of coping with approach of my inevitable demise is to throw a party, put on a show while attempt to a little good. To celebrate placing my toe in the waters of old age
I thought what better way to get old than to raise a few bucks for the Vermont Arts Exchange. This little, local, non-profit has done so much for the arts that I felt it was about time we all did a little something for VAE.
For my part I am bringing to Bennington David Maxwell. Maxwell is recognized as one of the top Blues piano players in the world. He won a Grammy for his album, “Maximum Blues Piano”, as well as multiple W.C. Handy and Blues Music Awards.
Joining David will be Boston’s own Danny Banks on drums (Danny appeared on David Letterman at the ripe old age of 11); touring bassist, Kenny B on bass, founder of “Left Eye Jump” Blues band, Dennis Willmott on guitar/vocals, Brooklyn’s Charlie Hilbert on guitar/vocals and George Kurtz on sax.
There will be other special guests and there’s a pretty good chance that I might sing a tune or two play some harp. Tracy Galley of the Shaftsbury General Store will be doing a BBQ and my bud, Michelle Hogan will be making sure no one’s thirsty.
So what’s left for you to do? Simply go to www.vtartxchange.org and buy a ticket. You might be able to get one at the door unless the event sells out, which it just might. Heck it’s worth e ticket price just to hear David! Consider everything to be a bonus. Just remember this is a fundraiser, so you’re payin’ for your drinks/food.
Yup, there’s plenty to worry about in this old world and believe me when I tell you that life has already dealt me more than a few bad cards and I fully expect that there are plenty more on the way. I’m hoping they’ve taken the jokers out of the deck, but probably not.
So I know what’s coming and can only hope that it gets better before it gets worse. I don’t have a lot of control over the latter, but I have plenty of control over making things better; just like you. I find I can make things just a bit better for others thanks to the gift of music that life handed me.
We all have a gift. Find a way to make it work for you. It’ll make your time here worth it.
Bob’s 60th B-day Benefit Blues Bash & BBQ will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at the Vermont Arts Exchange on 29 Sage St. in North Bennington.
About this getting old business. There is nothing more exciting, enjoyable, exhilarating, suspenseful, and more terrifying than growing old. Nothing.
Stephen King has never written a scarier book then the fears our own minds can dream up about the aging process. Stephen Spielberg has never made a more suspenseful or exciting movie that can top the wonderment that each and every one of us face with each rising sun.
The genius behind getting older is that after a while it begins to dawn on you that you’re not going to be here forever. Sorry to have broken that news quite so abruptly. That’s right, look around and ponder on the fact that each and every person, and every living thing for that matter, will not be here after a while. Those who are obsessed with getting rid of President Obama, the noisy neighbor, their ex, the mechanic who didn’t really fix the darn car, only need to wait out the clock. Not to worry, they’ll all be gone soon enough.
That’s pretty much the harsh reality that we humans constantly avoid talking about and you can’t blame us, really. Our poor little brains aren’t programmed to contemplate how the world can possibly continue to spin on its axis without us, but sure as the sun will rise tomorrow there will come a day when you won’t get to see it. I can hear all you teenagers out yucking it up. Go right on ahead and snicker, because the joke’s on you. Like a mist that materializes from nowhere time will engulf you and drag you off to wherever it is we go (or don’t go).
So what’s the answer? There isn’t one really other than to accept the reality and get on with living. There’s way too much good, joy, happiness and fun to be had, so you better knuckle down and get busy; time’s a wastin’.
As I write this I have a paltry twelve days left of my fifth decade on the planet. With sixty rapidly approaching it’s a little tough to not obsess over the fact that I have way more sunrises behind than I do in front of me, and that’s pretty scary (or perhaps somewhat exhilarating for my detractors, of which I have plenty).
My way of coping with approach of my inevitable demise is to throw a party, put on a show while attempt to a little good. To celebrate placing my toe in the waters of old age
I thought what better way to get old than to raise a few bucks for the Vermont Arts Exchange. This little, local, non-profit has done so much for the arts that I felt it was about time we all did a little something for VAE.
For my part I am bringing to Bennington David Maxwell. Maxwell is recognized as one of the top Blues piano players in the world. He won a Grammy for his album, “Maximum Blues Piano”, as well as multiple W.C. Handy and Blues Music Awards.
Joining David will be Boston’s own Danny Banks on drums (Danny appeared on David Letterman at the ripe old age of 11); touring bassist, Kenny B on bass, founder of “Left Eye Jump” Blues band, Dennis Willmott on guitar/vocals, Brooklyn’s Charlie Hilbert on guitar/vocals and George Kurtz on sax.
There will be other special guests and there’s a pretty good chance that I might sing a tune or two play some harp. Tracy Galley of the Shaftsbury General Store will be doing a BBQ and my bud, Michelle Hogan will be making sure no one’s thirsty.
So what’s left for you to do? Simply go to www.vtartxchange.org and buy a ticket. You might be able to get one at the door unless the event sells out, which it just might. Heck it’s worth e ticket price just to hear David! Consider everything to be a bonus. Just remember this is a fundraiser, so you’re payin’ for your drinks/food.
Yup, there’s plenty to worry about in this old world and believe me when I tell you that life has already dealt me more than a few bad cards and I fully expect that there are plenty more on the way. I’m hoping they’ve taken the jokers out of the deck, but probably not.
So I know what’s coming and can only hope that it gets better before it gets worse. I don’t have a lot of control over the latter, but I have plenty of control over making things better; just like you. I find I can make things just a bit better for others thanks to the gift of music that life handed me.
We all have a gift. Find a way to make it work for you. It’ll make your time here worth it.
Bob’s 60th B-day Benefit Blues Bash & BBQ will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 18 at the Vermont Arts Exchange on 29 Sage St. in North Bennington.
