Today is another day. I have decided to try typing again. My laptop’s R key has not been working for about 6 months, and I have been doing a lot of voice-to-text in that time. But I have an external keyboard, so I’m giving that a try.
For the last 2 days, I’ve been participating in the Songwriter Soiree’s Songs in the City event. It’s a very rich experience. Songwriters from Portland and beyond. I got to take classes with Laura Viers and Beth Woods – 2 fantastic songwriters and teachers. I often think that this type of event is not for me, but this time I left my guitar behind and also my ego. I ended up really taking in a bit more of the educational aspect of the event.
Part of the evening activity at Songwriter Soiree events is the nightly concert, which is a long open mic. Everyone who attends gets to get up and sing/perform an original song. Over the years, I’ve interpreted that as a chance to get up and ad lib a song. I usually make up the lyrics and play some chords behind that, and after many years of doing this, what I put forth is usually entertaining. My song this year had to do with the increasing blinding light we are all facing at night.
I sang about my efforts to effect change in this area. And that got me thinking that one of the many ways to get ideas across is through song. Since I make my songs up on the spot, well, it’s time to do that with the issues I’m addressing. Recently, I sang my testimony at a City Council hearing. This harkens back to a time I did this in Seattle in the late 90s. Since most people speak their testimony, it really kicks up some dust when you do something different.
Another aspect of my song had to do with my feeling lately of being done. Being through with my work in the world. Having just turned 65 recently, I am now on Medicare. This feels like an indication that it’s time to slow down and finish what I can. Sometimes I just feel like resting on my laurels – but in the song I found some new energy and burst out with – I’m not done! We’re not done! So, whether it’s blinding lights, getting more gas-powered tools banned, helping people figure out the benefit of ripping out their lawns, or the various other issues I work on – I guess I am not quite done yet!
I often feel like I’m doing this work for me. But I’m really doing it for us. Everyone benefits from a darker night sky. We all benefit from a quieter and less polluted environment. So, I’ll keep going till I decide to stop. Thanks for reading!
And now it’s Sunday. I’ve had a nice morning – bike ride to the Red Square Cafe and now listening to KMHD while I type these words to you.
