Sir Thomas More really was a man for all seasons. A figure one could admire and respect for standing up to the vile King Henry VIII. He paid for his integrity with his life. Do we have any people like this today? Through the years, I can think of men and women who were deserving of respect for their principled stands on various issues. Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King to name a few. So who in this era could be a man or woman for all seasons? I truly can't think of anyone at this time. Nelson Mandela, Mother Theresa, Mahatmas Ghandi are several more but they are gone.
Amongst today's world leaders we seem to have a vacuum of true leadership. I believe President Obama has done a decent job in a very difficult time. I worked in his election campaign because we needed a change. His election was a truly historic event, our first black president. He has faced unprecedented opposition from a party that doesn't care about the USA. The republicans only care about their wealthy masters, who have bought and paid for them plus the ugly racist wing of their party. The President has done a decent job but I believe he could and can do better. Maybe he is too cautious, I'm not sure. I do respect him but admiration? I will have to consider that. What of the other world leaders? Putin, Merkel, Cameron, Hollande, etc. None of them seem to be in position to make this world a better place. So maybe in the end World Peace is really none of our business.
My friends and I were talking at the Bar the other night (after 20 beers) about who we admired. Fortunately, no one said they "idolized" someone, so that at least says something. Several mentioned sports stars, to which I said, I can't admire someone who puts a puck in the net or a ball through a hoop but I respect their talents. There was no mention of current politicians but a few past ones. One guy said he admired his Dad, which I respect. When It came to my turn I said the only person I admire is Morrissey. This of course prompted some odd looks and the comment he's only a singer. I had the floor so I explained Morrissey is much more than just a singer. As lead singer of The Smiths, he was the voice of a generation in the UK under the horrid Margaret Thatcher. Here was an extremely shy, backward teen who very seldom left his bedroom at times. He overcame all of that to become a music icon. His lyrics are genius. People's lives have been changed by the words he has written. His music offers comfort in times of pain and loneliness. The lyrics are full of humor, satire, sarcasm and irony.
He has had a brilliant solo career after The Smiths, continuing to write amazing songs and perform wonderful concerts. He also speaks truth to power. How many people in the music business are truly unafraid and intelligent enough to speak their minds. I don't always necessarily agree with him but I am so glad he says what he feels. He won't go back and reunite The Smiths, even with offers of huge money. In this age of so many older bands getting back together to cash in, Morrissey says no thank you. That's what I call integrity. That is part of why I admire Morrissey, the other part is extremely personal and what effect he has had on my life. The rough times I got through because I could listen to his music and felt at least there was someone out there who understood.
Morrissey - The man I respect and admire
Is Morrissey a man for all seasons? I believe so. He has integrity as a musical artist. The genius of his writing ability is unmatched. He fights for those with no power, animals. He is unafraid to speak his mind, even if what he says may not be popular. He lives for his art. How many people can truly say that? He fought against major shyness in his youth to be able to perform on stage. He has influenced countless lives and a generation in the UK.
Morrissey's latest tour has been cancelled due to him being ill. I have heard recently he is still in the hospital. I hope this is not true, as he has had some recent past health issues. If it is true, I sincerely hope and pray for a speedy recovery. You know there is more to life than Morrissey, but not much more. Please don't let this man for all seasons be lost behind the sun.
A Man for All Seasons by Al Stewart
Lastly, my quest or maybe quixotic adventure is a sincere hope to someday come close to being a man for all seasons. I have reached the age of reason and am not sure if there is a reprieve. So far the sojourn has been wrought with potholes and diversions. I'm certainly not pleased with my progress. I seem to some days gaze long into an abyss and the abyss gazes into me.
Many times I have fallen into the crevasse. I need to find my way out. The walls are slippery and smooth too many times to easily climb out. I must find something to grab onto or I need something to grab for.
Yesterday I lost a friend. I'm starting to feel a little less depressed and disappointed but the sadness is still there. I don't have that many friends, which makes it worse. This person did something inconceivable to me related to tennis. Obviously, it didn't bother him but was quite upsetting to me.
So now the ties are severed and each goes separate ways.
I have never been able to easily make friends. I am shy, uneasy and unsettled around unfamiliar people. I don't trust people I don't know. Possibly from past experiences, getting used by people with an agenda. So now I feel most people have some type of hidden agenda so its not worth getting too close or I will get used and abused again. I prefer my own company most of the time. I am not lonely though. Unfortunately, I find many humans to be uninteresting, unintelligent and dull. Sounds elitist right? I am the furthest thing from an elitist. I am not very smart, good looking or interesting and I know it. I just find most people to be not worth my time. So hence, I have very few friends.
The friends I do have, I treasure and am very loyal. Still, we aren't that close that they know my innermost thoughts and desires. Maybe if they did, they would desert me also.
This situation reminds me of an episode I saw of the old show "Spenser for Hire". There was a police lieutenant who was close to Spenser that the Mob tried to murder. At the end of the show the lieutenant retires and moves far away with his wife. As he drives away, Spenser talks about how people come into your life and then they go, never to be seen again. It made me sad but it is so true. Think through your life of the people who were part of it and then for some reason they leave, then they are "Only a Memory".
Only a Memory
I stared up at the dark grey sky today, thinking. I thought I saw a Crack in the Clouds and a small ray of sunshine but it quickly went away as did any hope of a wonderful day. I wish I could be the quiet village boy who takes leave of his life and walks off into the mountains.
This time of year is magic to me. The trees are all green and full with leaves. The flowers are blooming. The birds are playfully singing their lovely songs for all to hear. The bees are buzzing around on their never ending missions. I looked out the window today and saw 2 magnificent deer feeding on some bushes. Nature is so awe inspiring, I need to take time every once and awhile to appreciate it. Late spring and summer are here and gone so quickly. I want to slow this time of year down and make it last as long as possible.
Magic
It won't last. It never does. I don't care for the four seasons. It should just be warm year round and I would be quite content. Some people like winter, not me. Cooped up inside like a trapped animal is not the way I care to live. When I think of My Back Pages, it's funny I feel this way because I play Ice Hockey. Actually, Ice Hockey is the only thing that keeps me sane in the winter. No point in talking about it now, as I know is coming but not for awhile. You know after last winter, I can honestly say "I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now."
