Nurtured

snowmit is in Toronto! I took him out for Korean food last night and told him all my dilemmas around trying to build a life as an artist. In a nutshell, it comes down to overcoming self-defeating fear. He spent the next 30 minutes telling me why I should totally be going for all my goals because I can accomplish them or at least have fun trying. He also said amazing things to me about why I have distinct advantage over others in that I've already accomplished things in my life. I've finished projects.

It's true: I've recorded three CDs, written and mounted musicals, finished a basement. I now take this for granted but he reminds me that young guys like him (he's 24) might suspect that they can accomplish wonderful things, but have yet to do that much. Knowing that you can finish a project relieves a lot of mental angst that can derail a project before it's done.

So, this morning I knocked off the four-page comic book script I've been turning over in my head and sent it off to redrunner who had expressed interest in working on something with me.

I also got off the final round of changes on the book contract me and my sister are signing with a publisher and we're all on the same page now. So! I'm designing, illustrating and laying out a school book this summer as well as recording tracks for the accompanying CD.

Next, I'm going to work up a 20 minute guitar/voice set and perform it, as a first step, over a lunch hour to my office.

This sudden wind in my sails comes on the heels of a lot of depression around these issues -- a depression I will no doubt visit again. But, damn! it sure helps to get some nurturing from a good friend.