Life Is ....

[mrdreamjeans]

On the way to work this morning, the first song I listened to was Life Is from Zorba. The first line of the song is, "Life is what you do while you are waiting to die." Not sure that I agree with it, but it's punchy and intriguing at 7:30am. Which reminds me that the first song I heard Monday morning was Raul Esparza singing "Company". Ironic to have watched The Tony Awards on Sunday night, get in the car early the next morning and tune in to his golden voice. Kismet.

Life is ... It begs the question, "What is it?" What isn't it? Or the trite, "What are you doing the rest of your life?" I don't know how to answer it. I'm more comfortable by defining life by what's it's not:) Life is ____________. Fill in the blank.

For me, Life is moving too fast. Life is worth living. Life is what you make it. Life is to be savored, appreciated and lived to the the fullest. As far as I know, I have one shot. I intend to complete the journey with hope, laughter, music and love in my life, no matter how much wear and tear that optimism may cost me:)

I asked septimuswarren a question recently ... I'd like to borrow from guiser1 and offer it paraphrased here as a question of the night:

Have you pursued your childhood dreams? Have you lived the life you've imagined? mrdreamjeans wants to know:)

Comments

[kent4str.livejournal.com]

When I was in second grade, the teacher went around the room asking us what we wanted to be when we grew up. My answer - "Rich." She said, "No, what work do you want to do?" I patiently explained that I didn't want to work, I wanted to be rich.

And, no, I haven't managed that yet. There's still time...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed! There is still time:)

Perhaps, you meant you wanted to meet a Rich, as in Richard:)

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

"Have you lived the life you've imagined?"

During my senior year in college, I thought things were falling nicely into place: I had a solid 3.5 GPA, a career in Speech Therapy ahead of me, even time left over in my last semesters to persue some purely extra-curricular activities...like theatre. During my last summer in college I indulged myself, auditioned and got into a dinner theatre project sponsored by the university. That's where I met my partner, that's when I Came Out to myself, that's where my dreams started to erode.

My life is quite removed from where I imagined it would be. I'm in data processing, not speech therapy; I live with a man, not a woman; I've had a featured role in a freakin' ballet; I'm actually happy being Gay.

I am most definately NOT living the life I imagined; in many ways I'm doing far better.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It sounds like your dreams evolved, not eroded ... perhaps, they gained purpose. After all you met Nap in the theater and are in a relationship that has lasted much longer than most conventional marriages; you still make music and you have a comfortable home. It's nice to hear you say that it's in ways better than you imagined.

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

i'm nowhere near where i thought i'd be...but i'm working on it. and i'm a lot happier than i was even a year ago.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

But it sounds like you are still pursuing your childhood dreams ... and in the most major and competitive of markets. Good for you!

Is your roomy ok? I'm a bit worried not to see posts from him, as he usually composes them at work.

Hugs!

[macduff131.livejournal.com]

he's ok...just taking some time to himself for a bit. i'm sure he'll be back posting soon. =)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I hadn't realized until he took some time off, that I'm somewhat addicted to his breezy posts:)

I do understand the impact of the psychic blow he took over the incident. My mugging, a gay bashing, in 1994 at gun point twisted me up for some time ... Take care!

[bookbear.livejournal.com]

I like what I heard once: Life is what happens while you're waiting for the big things to take place.

Yes, I have lived the life I imagined. But I imagined them as a kid, ignorantly, and it turned out not to be what I wanted, or what made me happy. Well, a lot of it did, and I also did more things I didn't or couldn't imagine, which were awesome. So, yeah. There ya go.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

SO, Your life has better than you imagined as a child. Good!

[bookbear.livejournal.com]

i can't say better. Different, in a surprising way that was more often than not very enjoyable. Or, maybe better, but much less stable than I imagined.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Join the club!!! :)

[mightyrunt.livejournal.com]

I’ve been reading this while having my last morning cup of coffee be4 hitting the shower to get wet and wild then off to work. I am a professional tax accountant who multitasks to the point of being frazzled. I am nothing what I would have expected when I was growing up not to mention what I was thirty years ago.

What I did become was the person I was always meant to be.

Love you Neil.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I like that philosophy ... You've become the person you were always meant to be.... Perfect! I know that person is valued and cherished by many people.

HUGS!

[cincy-dave.livejournal.com]

In college, I was certain that I would be working in theater. I never thought I would be an actor, but I pictured myself as a stage manager at some regional theater.

20 years ago, I thought I was just taking a computer job to make some money.

But I'm very happy. I love having a stable job, house, relationship.
And doing theater on the side works quite well for me.

So, I've not lived life like I imagined. But I don't think I'd have it any other way.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you've found your slice of heaven on earth:) Did you dream of a career in theater as a youngin'? Or did that come about in college?

[cincy-dave.livejournal.com]

When I was 11, my sister was a senior and was cast in her high school production of Carousel. They needed a few kids to play Mr. Snows kids. So they asked me to come do it. I had a ball and fell in love with theater.

I did as much as I could through high school. I enjoyed being on stage, but I quickly learned that I was pretty good at the off stage stuff too. When I was 17, a local community theater was starting a teen theater program in the summer. I was cast as Charlie Brown in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown". I had a ball, but the director made me crazy. I felt he wasn't directing. So after the show was over, I went to the board and asked them if I could direct the summer show the following year. They said yes, and I directed "Once Upon a Mattress" the following year.

I've been directing ever since.
I still enjoy being on stage every so often. (I'll be playing Artie in "The House of Blue Leaves" later this year) But my true love is off stage. Directing and Choreographing.


And that is my E! True Hollywood Story.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I appreciate hearing it! I've thought about transistioning into stage management or company management, because some of my real strengths are organization, work ethic and non-confrontational problem-solving (I've been the union rep on shows many times.) However, I have to ask myself ... If I was stage managing a show where I knew that I was a much stronger performer than the person in the role I was physically right for, could I handle watching it night after night. I suspect not. Course, I could always stage manage shows like "A Chorus Line" or "Dreamgirls" were there is no chance in hell I would be cast ...LOL!

Sounds like you've found a good fit. You're a director who understands and appreciates things from your actors' perspective and enjoy being the one who creates the vision. YAY! Thanks for sharing!

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

No I have not pursued my childhood dreams, and I am happy to say that I didn't. If I did, I'd still be living in small town Louisiana and probably miserable with my life.
Now I'm out there living my life and enjoying it.
Signed,
The bear in the city!!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Well, I doubt you dreamed about being my "bear in the city" correspondent:) I'm still curious ... Did you have a childhood dream? If so, what was it?

HUGS!

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

My dream was to be a dentist along side with my dad. I would have continued the family practice that he started with his father. When I was young, my dad talked me out of it, and I never looked back. Once that dream was gone, I can't say that I really had another dream except to be happy with my life.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It may not be as specific, but it's the ulitmate goal for all of us.

My friend Henry in DC (Arlington) is my dentist and a close friend. His Dad was a dentist before him. I always joke with Henry that he has it all. I've never known him to work more than three days a week since I met him in 1992. Yet, he does very well:) I'm trying to get one of my nephews to study dentistry. His uncle would like a wealthy nephew.

May you always be happy. Make that choice ... HUGS!

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Oh believe me my dad was the same way. He worked maybe 25-30 hours a week and lived a comfortable lifestyle. He now is just working 3 days a month since he retired, but this December he is fully retiring. Watch out Mom! He'll be home more! LOL

Thanks for the sentiment! I hope I am as well, and the same goes for you my friend. HUGS

[wvdaddybear.livejournal.com]

Actually, the first line is "Life is what you do while you're waiting to die. Life is how the time goes by." I did this show about 10 years ago and the song, to me at least, is a look at how life means different things to different people. Life for one person is not necessarily the same thing for another person. Great song from a not so great show with a terrific score.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks so very much!! I knew I had not gotten the line quite right. I tried googling the lyrics and couldn't get them to come up. "Zorba" does have a wonderful score. I have a friend who was the original Black Widow (I think that's what the character's called. Please correct me:) in the National Tour of the show many years ago. How great that you go to do the piece!! I appreciate the clarification!

[wvdaddybear.livejournal.com]

I loved doing Zorba. Just finished a run in Ragtime. Was the most exhausting thing I've ever done.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Ah ...But I envy you (in a good way)! It's my favorite score and an immense show to tackle. Congratulations!