Creative arts and Me...then and now

So, I created my blog site to share life with friends and family, then never actually wrote...not entirely sure why, but have some thoughts, most of which are based in fear.  But here's the deal, without fear, there is no opportunity for courage, and courage my friends, is something I have often lacked in and need to embrace, because when I do, great things happen.

My beautiful and loving Fiancee and I are going on 3 years of dating.  That's a story for another day, and a good one at that.  Her name: Amy.  She loves me thru and thru and fully accepts me for who I am not who she thinks I should or who she wants me to be.  We are alike in many ways and see eye to eye on most things.  The areas we differ on are minute and significantly inconsequential to our relationship.  One of those areas we appreciate completely differently is the Creative Arts...

Since High School, I have been drawn to the creative arts in a few different ways, whether it was straight up acting, writing, or in technical, I have been drawn to the arts for some time.  In high school, I took an acting class and enjoyed it.  I knew I wasnt great and knew there was no hopes (nor really desire) for a career there, but I knew I may have a hobby.  I didnt do much outside the classroom.  In those days, in the Christian circle, "miming" to songs was a big thing (acting out the lyrics to give the song "depth").  I did two songs a few times, but it was a shortlived spectacle to say the least.  I was also involved in my churches skit team, that did "parable style" skits to illustrate points. Problem was, we did them mostly in churches and church coffee houses.  Seems to me they didnt need to hear the message more than they were, but that also is another day. From there I went to college and got involved in a skit group called "Living Illustrations", aptly named as we acted out what the preacher was teaching, sometimes in a surprising, obnoxious way. Ever hear one of those sermons that makes you want to just stand and say "What the H are you saying?"  Well, thats the stuff we did, right in the middle of the sermon sometimes, just stood up (scripted of course) and interacted with the preacher.  Those were some fun days.  From there, coming back home, got involved in technical arts in my church with the youth group and stuck with that for about 20 years (man do I feel old saying I did something for 20 years!).

Over the years I did sound engineering for weekend services, plays, musical, concerts, special events, etc...  I also helped write a few actual weekend services and a musical.  I also scripted, directed and produced three worship concerts (not always all 3 at once).  Some of my favorite times, however, were doing sound for weddings.  Its always a good time being part of something like that.  Ah, good times, for the most part. But, like all good things, they must come to an end.  The "ministry" I was part of in our church was understaffed, mismanaged and underfunded by a significant amount in any category.  This, coupled with a desire to do more for less, caused a substantial quagmire that drew me in so deep that I lost sight of many things and was giving way too mauch of my time and energy to something that just was never to be what we had wanted and needed it to be.  The church as a whole drew me in so deep, I couldnt see my own reflection in the mirror any more...yet another story.  Anywho, just over 2 years ago, I had a mental, emotional and spiritual breakdown that eneded my marriage and my relationship with my church. (insert courage here)  Both needed to be done for me to fully recover and become who I am, not what others thought I should be.

I mention this because if there is something I miss from "the old days", its the serving in the arts and being part of something bigger than myself, religious or not.  I thoroughly enjoy musicals (man card punched here), whether on stage or on screen. I love the art of dance, whether on stage, screen or in competition (no, I do not dance).  I miss running sound for anything. I was good at it and enjoyed it.  But this is an area of my new life that lays in the wings.  Amy is not a huge fan of the arts.  She loves music and movies (mostly horror, action, suspense, drama, some comedy, etc....). But when it comes to musical or dance movies, well, she will tolerate them if I want to watch them, but its not high on her list.  As for getting involved in a church or church type event to run sound or anything of the sort, I continue to pass. I have to until I resolve my issues.  Given the opportunity to run sound for anything else, I would likely not pass that up.

So, though I love the arts in many forms, and do have a desire to be involved again someday, for now Amy encourages me to hold back the reigns (she knows all that had happened and saw what that did to me and does not want that to happen again) until we find ourselves individually and as a couple and have a foundation there.  From there we can reach out into the unkown, together, fully supporting and encouraging the other, setting goals AND limits.

So thats it, me and the arts, then and now. Who knows what the future holds, but I do know, I am content with the present and do not fear the future.  More to come in the life of "The Lucky Irishman"!!  (seriously, I really want to write more, so hang on...) :)

JJ

My First Blog

Well, dont be expecting anything big here.  I have been wanting to find an outlet for some stuff going on in life, and wondered about this Blog stuff.  I am not much of a writer (in my opinion), but get me on somethin I am passionate about, and I can run on.

Yes, "TheLuckyIrishman" is my nickname or blog alter-ego or whatever.  I fully embrace my Irish heritage.  My cousin-in-law, Tom Doolan, inspired this whole ordeal with his latest post, so whatever comes of this from here on, is his fault!  :)

So, anyways, blessins to ya.  I will share more later if I can get at least three people to read this blasted thing....I'm not one much for wasting time writing for nothing.  :)