During our foray into Clarksdale, Mississippi, my mom questioned where or not we should eat at the Ground Zero Blues Club. It looked a little rough around the edges, and she was not sure about it. I must admit that it looked different from what I thought it would.
However, my dad did not have such qualms. He wanted to go. Not because he thought the food would be awesome. Not because he thought we might see Morgan Freeman. As he said, it was because we could always say that we did it.
My dad has never said that he has a life’s motto, but I think that would be it. He has spent his life wanting to do as much as possible and wanting to see as much as possible. I have been lucky because he has had the means to do so and because he took me along. He also passed that motto down to me.
I can always say that I did it.
I waited a long time to get married and have a family. While my friends and acquaintances did the usual thing of settling down and making memories, I filled my life with experiences. Those experiences have included traveling to various places; listening to different kinds of music; immersing myself in art; and learning as much about the world as I possibly could.
I have differing tastes, and I am pretty sure a lot of people think I am strange because of it. There have been several posts written about the music of my iPod. Sometimes, I even think it is crazy with the variety of stuff that is on there. Some of it is well-known, and some of it is obscure. I do not even like all of it. It is there because I think it is interesting.
I feel the same thing about the world. It is a very interesting place filled with interesting people and interesting things. Something can be learned from all of it. Driving to Clarksdale, my dad and I were just as interested in the crop dusting planes and the fields they were spraying as we were the destination ahead. It is flat land and seemingly endless, but there is a lot interesting about it. The history. The people. The cemeteries we passed.
It was a new road for me, and I was glad that I drove it because I can always say that I did it.
That is why I saw Dave Brubeck perform. I wanted to always say that I saw him play “Take Five“.
That is why I drank wine at the Inglenook Vineyards. I wanted to always say that I was there.
That is why I saw Ray Price in concert. I wanted to always say that I heard him sing “For the Good Times“.
That is why I went to Clarksdale, Mississippi. I wanted to always say that I was there.
That is why I saw Luciano Pavarotti and AC/DC in the same venue during the same week. I wanted to always say that I saw both shows.
That is why I went into the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. I wanted to always say that I walked in.
Throughout most of my life people have considered my tastes a little strange. I like music that you cannot find on the radio. I like to travel to places that many people would not even consider. The same can be said for my choice in books, movies and other forms of entertainment. I like those things for the experiences because life should be filled with experiences.
I am not trying to make myself out to be some kind of great thinker who has figured out the secret meaning of life. I am trying to say that I learned something in Clarksdale that had nothing to do with its history.
I never realized what my motto was until my dad spoke it out loud. He stated it perfectly.
I can always say that I did it.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 
I always say I never regret what I did. I only regret what I didn’t do. I just everything while married. And while toting the kid with me.
Don’t stop consuming life. You only get one shot at it, so do it all. Here’s to you AND your dad!
Thank you. Like you said, we only get one life. We need to fill it up.
Love the motto.
Though I try to restrict it (for going to see shows at least) to stuff I’m actually interested in. I’ll try somethings just to try them. But here’s stuff I don’t actually enjoy, so I pass on most of those.
Most of the shows I have seen are performers who I find interesting. However, I have seen a few just because they are legendary, and I think I should see them.
That is quite a collection of things you can say you did!
Thank you, and thank you for commenting.
I know exactly what you mean. That is why I was in Times Square once on New Year’s Eve.
Pam
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I still need to do that.