Shooting Star

So now I'm officially back in my second year of college, and I have

to admit that I'm just as confused this year as I was last year. You'd expect to have gained some insight or knowledge throughout the first year, but I guess I'm still waiting. I keep waiting for that light bulb to go off and realize- oh! that's why I'm here and that's what I want to pursue! Of course I have to recognize that probably every other college student is feeling similarly, but I guess that my main issue is passion. I found that any passions I had experienced in high school, anything I truly liked to do has been squashed with my college career. Now, this isn't the fault of my school, or the institution of college in general; this boils down to my problem, and the problem that so many students are probably facing as well.

Now passion for me used to stem from my music. I loved playing the piano, sitting down and figuring out songs. I even composed some pieces, although I was never able to put together lyrics. My few attempts consisted of vague statements about the people around me, and they usually ended in rhyme which is never good. Maybe my passion for lyrics stems from the fact that I am utterly unable to come up with any for myself? Regardless of all of this, my point is that I absolutely love music. Now in here lies my dilemma: music is about as unrealistic of a career path as one can choose. I can recognize that I obviously have some talents in the musical realm (thanks in no small part to my father, who possesses more musical talent in his pinky than most people do in their entire bodies). But I'm nothing extraordinary, nothing you-tube worthy. Certainly no Annie Lennox or Carly Simon. So either I could go to Hollywood or somewhere equally "dreamy", attempt to make it, and most likely end up going back to school for a teaching degree or waiting tables.

Clearly the most sensible option is to continue on the route that I am currently headed. Four year university, degree, and get a sensible job that I have absolutely no enthusiasm for. This might sound bleak or pessimistic, but I prefer to see it as a realist perspective. I want to make enough money to eventually settle in to the lifestyle that I want. So that one day I can travel and see the world or have children or do whatever it is that I choose. The fact remains that I want the financial comfort to be able to do that.

So where am I going with this? Well the other day while in my room this lovely tune came on my itunes. Oddly enough, I was weirdly comforted by this song. It made me think back to all of these things that have been plaguing my mind, and brought me a serene sense of peace in my decision making. Despite the glory of being famous and being able to do something that I love each and every day, so much negativity can be brought on from that lifestyle. So many pressures, so much uncertainty, such negative social patterns. It is this song that makes me glad that I attend a four year university, that I take classes, and most importantly that I have the possibility for a fulfilling and normal life.

Sorry to ramble and tangent there, but hey, if you gained any insight, then great. If not, thanks for attending this little internal session. So please, enjoy this beautiful song by Bad Company. And please, if you haven't heard it, listen to it (the same goes for all the songs). I love them all.

Johnny was a schoolboy when he heard his first Beatle song,

'Love me do,' I think it was. From there it didn't take him long.

Got himself a guitar, used to play every night,

Now he's in a rock 'n' roll outfit,

And everything's all right, don't you know?

Johnny told his mama, hey, 'Mama, I'm goin' away. I'm gonna hit the big

time, gonna be a big star someday', Yeah.

Mama came to the door with a teardrop in her eye.

Johnny said, 'Don't cry, mama, smile and wave good-bye'.

Don't you know, yeah yeah, Don't you know that you are a shooting star,

Don't you know, don't you know. Don't you know that you are

a shooting star, And all the world will love you just as long,

As long as you are.

Johnny made a record, Went straight up to number one,

Suddenly everyone loved to hear him sing the song.

Watching the world go by, surprising it goes so fast.

Johnny looked around him and said, 'Well, I made the big time at last'.

Don't you know, don't you know, Don't you know that you are

a shooting star,

Don't you know, oh, yeah, Don't you know that you are

a shooting star, yeah,

And all the world will love you just as long,

As long as you are, a shooting star.

Don't you know that you are a shooting star, Don't you know, yeah,

Don't you know that you are a shooting star, now,

And all the world will love you just as long, As long you are you.

Johnny died one night, died in his bed, Bottle of whiskey,

sleeping tablets by his head. Johnny's life passed him by like a

warm summer day, If you listen to the wind you can still hear him play