Some of the most profound
friendships I have forged in my lifetime have always been because we’ve shared
a common interest or passion. In many
cases it has been either music or writing or a healthy combination of
both. I’ve been scribbling things down my
whole life and have always had a deep affinity for music.
I have been a Duran Duran fan
since I was eight years old. I was one
of those 80s babies who peppered the bedroom walls with their faces torn out of
Bop and Tiger Beat and Star Hits magazines.
I devoured every note of their discography (and to a point still do but
as a mature music-loving adult and not a hormone filled pre-teen) and in
addition to the wide-range musical education I received from having a father
who played in a country band and five siblings who all had specific and diverse
musical tastes (ranging from Shawn Cassidy to Black Sabbath) and one sibling who
grew into one of the most talented and passionate musicians I know, getting to
know Duran Duran – the things they listened to, the books they read and the
visual artists they admired, opened up a whole new world to me. Painters, pop artists, writers and other
musical artists, I studied them all.
They helped shape the things I love now.
Interesting how inspiration can work and can mold young, hungry
minds. Additionally, discovering the internet
did the same thing but on a much more personal level.
The first time I found my way
on the internet, I felt like a kid in a candy store. All of this fascinating information and
thousands upon thousands of photographs and video clips came up with one simple
search. Not only that, the entire world
burst open and I found a group of people, like-minded, who loved my favorite
band just as much and sometimes even more than I did.
It’s certain I had to weed
through a lot of rotten eggs and unnecessary drama (you are all aware of how
the internet can be) but I managed to whittle down the insanity to a group of
people who have become comrades, friends and in some ways, family. They have resilient natures, strong opinions,
excellent taste and beautiful hearts to go with their lovely families and their
ability to make me smile every single day, even when I don’t want to. Some of them I’ve met, some of them I haven’t
but I struggle to remember a time when they weren’t in my life. It is amazing how just loving a band’s music
can create a community of people and friendships that surpass the common
interest and become connections that make you rich of heart. It has also had a domino effect. From that group of people others have come
and so on and so forth. There are pieces
of my heart resting in every corner of the globe, from my sweet friend Melly
way down under to, to the smashing UK gals, Isa in Spain, kindred creative
Elspeth in Vancouver, my home-slice Darci in Oregon and all of the charming
faces across the US. You all know who
you are and it’s such a pleasure making your acquaintance.
These people are fantastic
human beings. They are mothers and
fathers, musicians and writers, homemakers, students, professionals, straight,
gay, married, divorced, religious or non, political …. you get the idea … and
really just all around stellar folks. I
am fortunate to know them all, even if it is just bantering on Facebook about
punny photos, shared life experiences or offering prayers when they are needed
for their loved ones. In a way, we’ve all
sort of grown up together; on message boards, chat-rooms, at concerts and
gatherings. What began as an exciting
meet cute between fans of music turned into friendships that have endured
through good times and in some not so shiny ones. At any rate, I am grateful for them. They make life beautiful with their collective
wit, humor, insights and their impeccable taste. I count my lucky stars.
If I could, I would name them
all, one by one and rhyme off all the things I love about them
individually. I do my best to
reciprocate their steadfast support and friendship because they are all so
special to me. I hope they know so.
One such person has been a
driving force in keeping me writing, keeping me creative, sane and in her
heart. She’s someone I have hurt deeply over
the course of our friendship and I hope in some small way she knows she’s loved
and appreciated for all of the music, laughter, written words and sisterhood we’ve
shared and continue to. Those I love
most inspire verse and this one was for her, inspired by our mutual love for each
other, music, Thunder Road and its map.
It was written on October 9th, 2007 and still holds true now:
Radio
Everywhere
(for
Kiersten)
‘The highway’s jammed with broken
heroes.’ – Bruce Springsteen
I
want to create a table of sunlight
for
you to place your radio on
for
you to sit in sturdy wooden chairs
with
your friends and dissect their songs
radio
is everywhere
capitalizing
on the bound set of blank pages
you
are longing to fill
radio
is everywhere
transmitting
heartbreakingly beautiful poems
to
outline your intentions
close
your eyes
listen
there
is nothing
you’re
missing
radio
is everywhere
everywhere
is radio
I
want to build you a mountain made of music
for
you to base your secrets on
for
you to stand on and sing at the top of your lungs
with
your friends and celebrate their musings
close
your eyes
hear
the heroes
sing
radio
is everywhere
you
are radio
write
the frequency
**
In a way, those of you of whom
I speak, you are the radio to me too.
Your frequency comes through loud and clear. Dear-hearts aplenty. I love love love you guys. Mucho. Thanks for letting me run with the cool kids.
In propinquity,
Nic
