Dragons of Mediocrity

I used to be one of those people who "Didn't have time to read". As a kid and teen, reading was my escape and my freedom. But as I got older, worked more, made more friends, got cable... I just could not find time to read. Honestly, it wasn't until 2019 I suddenly figured out I needed to make time for what mattered. Without taking the time to read, to see new view points and really ask myself the deep questions, I would not be the person I am today. It is truly amazing how I don't have time for Netflix these days, but a few chapters in a good book goes down like a fat kid on a seesaw. What am I trying to say? Want to change your life? Make time for all that shit you know you should do or need to do and try on a new healthy habit. The TV, video game or other random distraction you want to insert here won't miss you. I am even calling myself out here because well... I need to start walking and working out again. See, this is not just about treading, it is about doing something good for yourself. Not to say TV and video games are evil, just they tend to be an overused escape from reality.

Love Unfucked , the first book I have read in 2023. Started it in January and finished it rather quickly. Gary John Bishop will literally put those little fuck fuck conversations you have with yourself that encourages you to disregard trying something new and different right on the page. Talk about called out. This book reframes relationships and puts you back in the driver seat, even if you have chosen the role of professional victim. We all carry triggers, trauma, PTSD, fear and plenty of other labels you can think of for emotional baggage with us into relationships. Some of us sadly never stop long enough to figure that shit out before we swipe into our next relationship. For those of you who find yourself jumping from relationship to relationship, have you ever stopped long enough to ponder the reason things keep ending badly is because the way you deal with shit is absolutely fucked? Might be time to pause the dating profiles and take this book for a spin. Honestly, healing and owning your shit is the new sexy. The "This is just the way I am" excuse is the new sign to be told to fuck off.

Now that I have my uncensored book report out of the way and my soap box has broken, let's get to the good stuff. Tonight's blog post is being written on my bed with my trusty lap desk, a short glass of Gentleman Jack and Ginger ale, the glass being from Eureka, UT. The Pandora station is based off of The Dead South and has a few other choice bands mixed in. Not that the scene is set, let's light this candle!

John Kim mentions "Seeking nectar" more than I talk about the Tejon Street Corner Thieves, and that is saying something. Seeking nectar can mean lots of things to many different people. But at the core and in the words of John Kim, "Seeking nectar means to find truth in moments. To decipher through all that is manufactured / programmed to find purpose / meaning. ". Sometimes to me, it's trying to squeeze all the juice out of life in a healthy way. That's why I went to a concert on a school night yet only had a single beer.

If you look at that delightful collection of photos from last night, you will see the first photo of Shelby and I together, me grinning like an idiot next to Shawn and two pictures of Folk Hogan on stage and two of Tejon Street Corner Thieves. Folk Hogan, by the way, is a local Utah band, and they fucking rock. The first concert of 2023 is in the books, and honestly it reminded me how much music means to me. Live music is a trip and a motivator. The energy of the crowd was off the charts in Ace's High Saloon last night, and I am happy I was part of it. My voice kept cracking today after all the singing and cheering I did.

Ok, Bishop, you went to a concert, so what? Go live you fools, that's what. You never change until you get sick of your own bullshit, but you also never change until you quit living a same shit, different day life. Yes, I have said this before and I will keep saying it. Some of us, including myself, are dense and only learn through repetition. When we meet the end of the road, I highly doubt any of us will say that we wished we spent more time on the couch or watching the cool new Netflix series.

This weekend, Shelby and I went took care of chores. In this case, it was taking two couches to the dump. Felt amazing however because it was in a way closing a chapter, the couches I was gifted from a coworker allowed me to replace the ones my ex-girlfriend and her family spent so much time on. Never underestimate how nice a change like that can be. Ok, back on track. We went to the Park Cafe and had an amazing brunch, allowing me to share one of my favorite SLC spots. Next we went hunting for a book store that no longer exists at the Gateway Mall. I spotted some rocks through a store window. Next thing you know, we are inside the Urban Arts Gallery, deciding what prints we actually have the money to take home. Discovered a local artist we both enjoy and supported the local art community. We made some amazing smoked London Broil for dinner. Did some reading and passed out. Shelby went to work for a while and I did chores. Later we saw a kick ass live show, got some merch and ate a regrettable amount of McDonald's. It was not a wasted weekend. It was a comfortable weekend with local adventures and amazing memories were made. So if you feel stuck in a rut, my friend, get out and live! New adventures, ideas, therapeutic tools, hell the entire world awaits you. So do not stand in your own way, go slay the dragons of mediocrity and live a life worth having. No money fun is also a true possibility, so I remind you firmly like a kick in the ass with steel toe boots that you are the fucking captain of your own story, and you can make it awesome, or you can let it suck, but that falls on you to decide. Bishop :(: