No one is asking anyone to forget, but we have to look to the future

I never got the whole reminiscence of the sixties that my parents (okay, my Dad, Mom didn’t seem to be the wild child the old man was, well is) had when I was young. In more recent times, I really get it now. The most obvious and consistant place I relate is on my iTunes list. There’s so much shit on there that just doesn’t get played anymore. Pure. Late 80’s R.E.M. Jane’s Addiction. The Smiths. Doughboys. Barenaked Ladies. Blur. They Might Be Giants. The Cure. Spirit of the West. And for that which still gets played, throw in some Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine and System of a Down. And all of this brings me warm, fuzzy, and very blurry reminders of University and my vast experience at the Centre of the Universe (which sadly is now closed indefinitely).

The frightening thing is that, aside from the severe alcohol induced haze, I remember those fun filled, egotistical, crazy days like they were yesterday. Almost to the point I can touch them. And then the real truth of the matter hits me solid. The last of those days ended 13 years ago. I never thought such a long time would still have such a deep connection. I can only imagine the old folks had the same thoughts of the sixties as I do of the nineties. Funnily enough, I am the age they were then when they hit me with all their sixties remeniscing.

Now, many mistakes and a few good choices later, not much has changed. It is true that the more things change, the more they remain the same. The economics are sure the same. To put it bluntly, I did not choose an easy or stable career path. As such, the day job does one thing. Keeps me and Dawn alive. Period. But even the shitty one I have right now is slowly sinking me in debt. I’d never thought a job would put someone in debt, but alas, it seems to be the economics of the 21^st century. I need a change.

As it stands, the only thing that is currently feasible is the trades. Specifically, the electrical trades. Most importantly, the skills developed will be well put back into use in my true passion, film. Yayayaya!

Except one stumbling block. A $4,800 course just to be allowed to apprentice the trade. Fuck me running, nothing but a fucking cash grab. The thing that really bites is there are government agencies that help cover costs and do give applicants a jump start to getting a career going, but alas, they only help you if you’re unemployed, underemployed, have varied medical or other ’social’ problems, etc, etc, etc. Put simply, if you’re a honest, hardworking sort like me, fuck you, take your kick in the bollocks and do it with a greater financial burden. Ugghhh.

Still, as costs and the current market demand I make changes or becoming the working poor, I have no choice. No choice but to work, take on all comers, do school, get into this apprenticeship, and go to war doing it. But there’s something to be said of my past. Though most of my activities (scholarly or otherwise) do fuck all towards a liveable income in this town, I have to hold on to that ‘never say die’ attitude I had as a drunken, high rolling University student. Nothing else will be acceptable.

Interdum vos ut volvo ferrus six.

P.S. Help my city grow.