Self Expression: Believe in Yourself; Never Give up

[rlogan 2,036]

I'm so retarded I just figured out how to do this:

I don't have much of any formal music training. Some piano lessons when I was young. I have less than half-a-dozen CD's, and I don't listen to them. I don't know much about names of bands or styles of music. I don't even have a stereo or a radio in the cabin.

But this was something I was determined to do: to express myself. I wrote the music and lyrics. I sang it and played the lead electric guitar and the acoustic rythm. I produced it. Every aspect from the wind and chimes in the beginning through the strings and unresolved hanging note at the end was something I had a very clear idea about. The piano, the flute - every little thing.

Beyond the most rudimentary, I've never even known the names of the chords I was playing. I played what my heart felt, and the band would tell me what the names of the chords were.

Yes of course I am proud of it and all of us want to show off. But I hope that the message I have is conveyed:

Believe in yourself. Never let other people's expectations or opinions of you get you down or limit what you can accomplish. Don't think that because you lack experience or training that you can't overcome those handicaps.

The thing that binds us at this forum is the immigration journey. Mine was full of disappointments, anguish, and people that were determined to make me feel bad about myself for doing it.

There isn't anybody but you who establishes what determines success or failure in your life. Anyone can accomplish what they set their minds to. Never give up on your dreams. Don't let other people's bad attitudes influence you.

I've always had a stupid little dream of living off in the woods in solitude. All the pictures here were taken by me, and almost all of them deep in the wilderness where the only way in is by bushplane with Alaska modifications. There's no crowds cheering you on to land on a gravel bar or ridgetop. No money. No fame. But the stakes are high - and when things go wrong it can be really, really bad.

I wish for all of you to accomplish the things you set out for yourself. They are different from mine of course but I respect them. I hope that when it is darkest you find the strength from within yourself and the determination to carry on. Because nobody else is going to do it for you.

There is no greater self-expression than the life partner you choose. Be proud of your mate and the dreams you build together because it is you, and not others, who are in charge of judging for yourselves what is right for your lives.

[Besame Mucho 1]

We doff our hats to you, rlogan, for throwing caution to the wind in your outdoor endeavors and in bagging a Filipino trophy. And also, for publishing your cantata (which is not at all bad) here on VJ. Reckon there ain’t too many souls who can duplicate your bravado.

But, are the fish fasting these days? I guess being on VJ or composing a ditty preempt the net dipping of chinooks or shooting or trapping game to fill up the icebox for the winter months. The cold air is on the way and you might want to start hoarding food by now. But then, perhaps there’s an embarrassment of riches in your neck of the woods that might prompt you to toss a coin to determine which activity to pursue at any given time.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Hi Robert...I enjoyed your photos and music. Thanks for sharing a slice of your life.

I hope you are mending OK...are you out of the hospital yet?

[Pinay Wife 47]

Hey, you're good. I like it.

Post it on youtube. Some big time record producer might hear it and like it!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Nice.

[rlogan 2,036]

Thank you for the very kind comments.

Out of the hospital, Tahoma but Besame Mucho I will not be walking for at least a couple of months with this leg so badly crushed.

Yes, Lira and I cut a new trail to the north into an area that we anticipated was a lock on her first moose - and then I broke my leg so badly all that work was for naught. No way can she handle a moose on her own. I am bed-ridden but sadly not for nookie.

Pinay Wife the odd thing is after I produced an album and heard one of my songs on the radio I just walked away from the whole thing. I had sacrificed my life out here in the woods for getting home from the bars at 5 am, managing a band, hauling equipment all over the place, etc.

I asked myself if I really wanted to go further with it, and it was a resounding "no".

With the broken leg and my brain dysfunctional from these pills I did this little video to fill the time. Maybe I'll do more, but what I remember about the professional music performance scene was that it negated what I came up here to do in the first place.

The only thing missing was a Filipina Unit, and she's here now so life could not be better.

Thanks again and good luck to everyone. We are all capable of accomplishing whatever we set our minds to.

[jrmejia 31]

Very nice.

[maui23 3]

very like!!!