Hello, just thought I would write and tell you where I am at both with the site and mentally. \u00a0I think I am going to start and try to\u00a0blog regularly. \u00a0For myself, as far as expressing thoughts and ideas. \u00a0Plus it might be a good place to let people know what I’m working on.<\/p>\n
As some of you who have followed me for years may know, I have struggled mentally a bit in the last few years. \u00a0Who am I kidding, a long time really. \u00a0I just didn’t really know. \u00a0Or maybe I knew but wouldn’t admit it or take the steps to get help. \u00a0Then it became too much and I called a hotline, and I began to get help. \u00a0Started with a 4 week CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) class and then to a more intense 12 week class. \u00a0It was the beginning of help for me. \u00a0Those classes have been over for more then a year and I now see an individual therapist somewhat regularly. \u00a0Not as often as I would like but it does cost money that I really don’t have. \u00a0Kinda crazy that it is hard to spend money on mental health however we spend money in all kinds of other ways.<\/p>\n
So that brings us to now and why I am sharing this. \u00a0Partly for myself and partly because I know a lot of people have many of the same problems and talking about it or reading about it can hopefully help others.<\/p>\n
This week marks the end of 6 years for me and also the end of a job. \u00a0I have been earning my living by playing 3-4 nights a week at the Roxy in downtown Vancouver. \u00a0A very popular live music venue in the city that has been opened for almost 30 years. \u00a0Prior to the Roxy I was teaching a lot and just starting to get active again with tripfuse (my original band). \u00a0However through the years I let my teaching fall by the way side and although I continued to write music I didn’t do anything with tripfuse. \u00a0I had just finished an EP and started rehearsing to play live again when I got the Roxy gig. \u00a0All stopped. \u00a0Can’t really explain why. \u00a0I guess being on the stage 3-4 nights a week was enough for me.<\/p>\n
So now what? \u00a0Well I have been back working on the site like never before. \u00a0I would love to see it turn into something that let me do it full time. \u00a0Well that and I want to get playing my music again.<\/p>\n
It has been a very challenging time mentally since we found out our time was coming to an end at the Roxy. \u00a0With it has come a wide range of emotions but overall I have been excited about the future and quite ok with leaving the craziness that came with playing at the Roxy every week.<\/p>\n
Fear. \u00a0That brings us to fear. \u00a0Funny thing fear and what it does to us mentally. \u00a0Can stop us in our tracks with just a few thoughts. \u00a0The most challenging thing for me through this process is overcoming fear. \u00a0I don’t have time to stop and take a break. \u00a0I don’t know how I will pay my bills in another month. \u00a0I am a single dad with two boys. \u00a0Fear.<\/p>\n
So fear is pushed aside and I work to believe in myself and what I do and so many people in the last few weeks have helped with that so much. \u00a0People I have never met from all over the world. \u00a0People who have followed me online for years, happy to see me back and creating. \u00a0I want to say thank you to all and yourself because if you are reading this and have read this far down the page then you are included \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
I think I will stop now but I want to do more of this. \u00a0More then likely it will be about what’s happening on the site and in my musical life but I like the idea of opening up in other areas. \u00a0Specially if it might help others.<\/p>\n
So thanks for reading and if you have been following along the last month and a bit you can see many changes happening and many many more to come. \u00a0Very excited to share everything I know about guitar with everyone who wants to know.<\/p>\n
Check out the new material:<\/p>\n