Life is good
Back in 2003 when I lived in Arlington and was working for the Schmidt’s and hanging out with Joe, I’d pull up to their house around 5am and he and his wife would pour me coffee and we’d eat breakfast. When Joe’s son Chaney would arrive I’d pile into Joe’s little S-10 and we’d set off to the job. In traffic we’d sing, “Ti-iiii-iiii-ime is on my side, Yes it is!” and we’d sit there on 360 and maybe eat one of our lunch sandwiches early.
Little did I know back then how much time was on my side, even more than on Joe’s. I was 20 years old singing that. I’m 38 now. Life has mostly been good all throughout that time. The only down side was not having enough money to take good care of myself or to be a ‘productive’ member of society. So I lacked quite a bit of respect and usefulness that I so desperately wanted, and still seek. Today life couldn’t be better and when people asked me if I think I’ll make it in music, I have to acknowledge I have made it.
I’m sitting now in my Sportsman Camper out in Granbury. Last September I put my last 2k down on a tot-the-note lot out in Indian Harbor. It was a drastic last minute move my gut told me was the right one. My lot is about 2500 square foot and really is plenty big. In a few years time I will own everything and just have to pay taxes and update tags. That’ll be the day. A total cost of around $500 a year to live, before water and electricity, of course. My rent had soared to $1100/mo for a two bedroom apartment off Rigmar. I’m not sure how so many turn a blind eye to the money spend on renting. It took a total world shut down for me to acknowledge that I couldn’t sustain such a high cost of living. That 13K a year could pay off my property I bought in 3 years. Then no more rent. No more worry at the first of every month, scraping together the final dollars, sometimes in change, and getting the money order ready. Another months time bought.
It seems to me though after a day of spending like I could really afford to, buy a couple drinks for my friends, splurging on a pack of good smokes and a bag of weed, maybe some nice groceries and even a new shirt or pants, I was basically broke again and thinking about the rent being due 30 days away. Also the car payment coming up and the insurance that goes along with that. I don’t how I made it 20 years living like this. I’d say, on average over the 20 years I spent around $700/month in rent. That’s $8,400 a year and a total of $168,000.
I never knew I was so fucking rich. That over these years, without even noticing, I had spent that much money. I’d kill to own a property of that value, or a house or anything. But alas, I have nothing to show for it, not one thing. That’s just the rent as well. So with the pandemic, I didn’t care if this opportunity to own land was a little bit sketch, I jumped at the chance.
It’s changed everything. When I spend my rent check each month, all but the interest go toward the principal. I can see the number going down and know in my heart the day of now rent is fast approaching. If I hit a mediocre song or even a sub par record deal, I could easily pay off the mortgage in one go.
So I enjoy my fall days out here. The air is cool, the sun is bright. I leave the door to the camper open and pull up all the blinds. Dexter sits outside extending his face toward the breeze. The wind chimes play a little tune and my passion vine grows a little. The butterflies it attracts are a welcomed sight. I roll a spliff, sit in my chair, think about my shed and all I still have to do in there. I look over the year, wish it looked better, but am content to see so much beauty.
On Tuesdays I play in Saginaw, where I used to go to high school. It restores some sort of dignity for me to play in my home town, where I once caused so much trouble and drank so much liquor. I take any and all request from the crowd. They enjoy me playing there. It’s a great feeling. I drive the nicest car I’ve owned, with my superiors sound system around and listen to any music or book my mind can think of. All at my finger tips. I don’t have to think when I drive because I have GPS, I don’t have to worry about running out of gas because there is money in the bank. Everything is perfect.