What would you like to do?

[Aggie87]

I just want some people to be able to say that they learned something useful from me.

Perfect statement! My desire is for my two children to be able to say this about me when I'm gone.

Like most parents, I'm hopeful I'm able to get them to a position in life where they can be independent, support themselves, and be happy.

Edited October 26, 2008 by Aggie87

[Joe G]

I've been working on making the move into academics, and simultaneously working on a book. I can't really envision finding the time I need to work on the book while working as a full-time consultant. And as work has gotten more and more rote, I have been drawn (like a moth) back to the university.

I started teaching guitar for the jazz program at MSU at the beginning of the year, and I'm finding it to be a very stimulating experience. It's got me working on/thinking about music on a more involved level of detail than ever before. I've been digging into materials that have been long neglected in an effort to clarify for myself and my (fellow) students a wide variety of musical issues. I really hope I can continue this work for a good long stretch, both to see where it leads, and for the motivation it's providing me.

And FFA, don't discount the effect you've no doubt had on both students and bandmates with whom you've worked. Even just a word of encouragement at the right moment can make a big impact on someone finding their way. I'm sure we can all think of examples of this in our own lives.

The comments about being too much in our own heads rings true. I struggle with this as well, which is why I spend time meditating or getting out in the woods or just reminding myself to be present.

But the big thing is letting go of fear - in all of its manifestations.

[medjuck]

In Last of the Blue Devils someone asks Count Basie what he wants to be remembered for and he replies that he just wants to be remembered as a nice guy. I told this to some people once, all of whom said "easy for him: he's Count fucking Basie and is going to be remembered for lots of things". But as I get older I think I understand what he means.

When I was young I thought it was important to write for publications that would be in libraries forever, teach at a university and have at least some students who remembered me, and more recently have my name on some films that would last. But finally I think none of it matters as much as your friends, all of whom--like oneself-- are far from perfect.

As Chris pointed out, none of us live forever and right now my ambition is to try to find more time to spend with friends while those of us who remain are still around. (I've had 2 close friends die this year-- so far.) This also also requires more time for travel. And, of course, as with most ambitions, I'm putting this off while I deal with more mundane issues like making a living.

I think my kids are terrific but I don't feel I can take much credit for that. Each of them has their own unique personality which they've manifested virtually since birth.

The college at which I used to teach put up plaques for a bunch of former students and teachers and asked each of us for one piece of advice. All I could come up with was: "Be slow to take offense."

[Tom Storer]

My most fervent wish for what I would like to leave behind is, like for some others who have weighed in, family-related. I'd like my son to be able to draw on his relationship with me and his memories of my example to find strength and meaning in his own life. If I were able to look down from my cloud in Heaven (or up from my flame-pit in Hell) and see that happening, it would be enough to have made life worthwhile.

I think much of the desire to leave behind a legacy is simply that we don't want to die. I don't want to die but I'm resigned to it; even if my name were remembered by the whole world, it wouldn't make a difference to me because I'd be dead! My wishes for my son are about him, not about me. Otherwise, I'm more concerned with helping things go well in the here and now, be it at work, among family, among friends, among strangers... the kind of things that won't be remembered because they aren't at all remarkable, they're simply things that might make a document better (I'm an editor), help people get along, clarify an issue in dispute, relieve a little pain or bring a little comfort, or otherwise smooth the rough edges. That we can all do. No one remembers a raindrop, but enough of them will make the crops grow, and that's the real point.

[AllenLowe]

1) musically, hope to have another gig before I die (10 years and counting now without one)

2) hope to be outta here in 2-3 years (see #1, above)

3) hope to record 3 more projects of my own music

4) hope to have the chance to illustrate my current musical performance ideas/theories in front of actual audiences before I die (see #1 and #2, above)

5) hope to get my guitar playing to where, technically, I can express current ideas of retro/hillbilly free-improvisation (see numbers 1,2,3, and 4, above)

6) hope to finish my rock and roll book/cd project (if things go as they should, the book and cds will be out in 2010)

7) hope to finish my last and final CD historical project, a LONG and complicated history of the blues and of blues performance styles across all genres (probably looking at 2011, 2012). Just starting the torturous process of selection and re-mastering. Probably 20 cds of material -

8) would like to record music for a movie soundtrack (I love movies)

9) hope to make sure before I die that my son is self-sufficient and will never be homeless -

Edited October 27, 2008 by AllenLowe

[Jazzmoose]

In Last of the Blue Devils someone asks Count Basie what he wants to be remembered for and he replies that he just wants to be remembered as a nice guy. I told this to some people once, all of whom said "easy for him: he's Count fucking Basie and is going to be remembered for lots of things". But as I get older I think I understand what he means.

Yeah, that's about where I'm at at this point. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm not going to leave any "lasting legacy". That novel I thought I had in me turns out to have just been indigestion. If I can just have a few people who, after I die, can honestly say "I'm glad I knew him", then that would be nice.

[alocispepraluger102]

i hope to leave fond memories and far better fulfilling lives for my daughter and grandchildren, and i hope my lifelong musical collection will find its way into the hands of someone(s) who can appreciate it. fat chance of the latter!

[Free For All]

If I can just have a few people who, after I die, can honestly say "I'm glad I knew him", then that would be nice.

Well, if you're willing to count this board, sign me up, Mark! And I can say that right now, while you're still pre-kack!

[Chuck Nessa]

If I can just have a few people who, after I die, can honestly say "I'm glad I knew him", then that would be nice.

Well, if you're willing to count this board, sign me up, Mark! And I can say that right now, while you're still pre-kack!

me 3.

[AllenLowe]

well, this is starting to sound like the old Sammy Maudlin show, but I'm in, too - I love ya, Moose!*

*sorry, platonic only

[ejp626]

I've been working on making the move into academics, and simultaneously working on a book. I can't really envision finding the time I need to work on the book while working as a full-time consultant. And as work has gotten more and more rote, I have been drawn (like a moth) back to the university.

Where I get into trouble is having a lot of unfinished creative projects on the side. As Art Shay wrote about Nelson Algren - he was a first rate starter of projects and a very mediocre finisher of them. I have been able to finish a number of poems and have sent them around. I also have a couple of chapters of a novel done, and a couple of scenes from a play. All things considered, I will probably try to finish the play first, while I am still in Chicago (if I get this academic job, I will be moving). In fact, I think I'll go off and work on that a bit this afternoon. Ciao.

I'm in pretty much the same position as last year. If anyone here knows anything about academics, it is that the bottom fell out of the academic job market and hiring for 2010 looks even worse. I am moving closer and closer to going to half-time at work and take the rest of the time to work on a non-fiction book and some articles.

However, I did manage to finish a project - a 90 page play. (Now that it is done, I can afford to spend a bit more time here after a long lay-off.) Some actors I know will be giving it a reading soon to help me polish it. Then I don't know. I suppose try to get it produced locally. I have a couple other significant projects, including the proverbial novel in a drawer, that I would like to finish up. I'm hoping the inspiration from actually finishing a project will carry over for a while at any rate.

Eric