Time marches on – nothing new about that. I am always struck by the quote in 24hr Party People:
It’s my belief that history is a wheel. “Inconstancy is my very essence,” says the wheel. “Rise up on my spokes if you like, but don’t complain when you’re cast back down into the depths. Good times pass away, but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy, but it’s also our hope. The worst of times, like the best, are always passing away.”
I am not sure I agree with the idea that the wheel is all that relative to all of us. I think about it a lot, but it never really seems to take shape as I imagine it will. I wouldn’t say I have risen up or fallen down – more of a consistent trend. But as I look beyond the day in front of me and the years that have passed, I can definitely see that things have advanced. People from my past are older, their hair filled with grey, their eyes sunken, joy dissolved from their faces, and the humorous moments that we shared are last to the addles of adolescence and youthful adulthood. I don’t really revel in the idea that this is lost, as much as I study how this time has come to be and if I am happy with the decisions I made to get here. I wonder the same thing for those who shared their time with me… I can’t help but do so. Generally, it’s not a conversation we ever have, but I don’t think many of them are bothered about the life they lead or wish for much more than the typical trappings of a bigger job and larger paycheck (not to say that is wrong). It just makes me wonder how we ALL made the same goal when we took different routes.
2024 – 20+ years in a single profession, I don’t feel much different. I certainly dont think I am different… just a progression. Anyways here we are – today’s song isn’t particularly off the beaten path. But what does strike me is the people. This song first came on my radar in 1996 (the Hackers soundtrack, Dade Murphy was moving to New York for his 18th birthday…) Nearly 30 years in my life and it still rings consistently as a favorite. Its nice to see the people in the grounds come together re-engage in something that clearly has meant the same to them.