I guess you could say that I'm more of an artist now, but forever in my heart, I will always be a junkman. Eight days from now I will be turning 50. The Perfect TV hair is thinning a little. It's also turned much grayer. I've got some artificial replacement parts now in my right knee and my heart. Somedays I feel old.
I went back and read a blog post on here about turning 40. My goal then was, "Ain't much happiness left in the world, and I got to do something about it!!!" I know that I've tried to help fix that. Forty seems like a long time ago. I actually went to my 40th Birthday Party, even though I showed up 2 1/2 hours late. It's one of the rare ones that I showed up for. We had talked about a big 50th Birthday Party with a bunch of friends at The Clermont Lounge. I told my friends that with the Covid restrictions, if I couldn't get a lap dance from a 70 year old stripper, I didn't even want to go. My plans are much more subtle now, but will still be fun. Hopefully I will get to meet an artist that I admire.
Anyways, it's time to start the reminiscing I suppose. I've made changes in the past ten years, I left my hometown of Pike County Georgia for the Northeast Georgia Mountains. My first house here was in Reggie Meaders old home. I enjoyed my time there. It was really cool getting to see history as it was happening. I became friends with David Meaders, who passed away earlier this year. I always looked forward to kiln firings, those were fun times. Those years in the old Meaders place were hard on me financially though. I remember telling people that I'd leave and go back home, if I wasn't too broke to. I had some good times in that old house though too.
I lived in Dahlonega for a while too, I really grew fond of the "Steak 'n Shake." Then I moved to Hollywood, GA into what is now referred to as "World Famous SamG Land." Lorri and I had been dating a while and I had lived here briefly before moving to Dahlonega. I told her that I needed my own space here, so I purchased a studio building. She told me that I could do whatever I wanted to here. I don't think she thought I'd do this.
One of the favorite things about the last 10 years has been the people that I've met. There are so many that I won't try to name them all. Just know that I love you.
A lot changed on March 13, 2017 when I damn near died on the shitter. That's documented in one of the past blog posts, if you aren't familiar with that story. I had to give up smoking, drinking, fried foods, and collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage. With all the things I had to give up, I gained a few things too. The foremost being appreciation. I've learned to appreciate every day and every one (unless they piss me off). I see other artists talking about setting goals and planning for the future. I tried doing that at one time. Now my daily goal is to have as much fun as I can. That's all I hope to accomplish, having fun. I recently told someone, "I see all these artists talking about working, if art is work, then you're doing something wrong." Art to me has always been "happy fun time!"
Now looking back at the past year. It's been amazing. I'd planned on doing more shows this year and had actually signed up for a couple. I miss seeing everyone and can't wait to hug people and hunch on some legs. But then Covid hit and everything was cancelled. But that was ok, things kept happening for me. I feel like I've been on this magic ride since October of last year. It didn't slow down thru the winter and when Covid hit, it seems like it picked up even more. 2020 has been a tough year on a lot of people, but I can honestly say that even without doing one single show, it's been the best year that I've ever had as an artist, by far! I wanted to make people come to me, and damn if it didn't work! I got a couple of breaks that really helped me too. For those I am very grateful.
As for the future, I will be here in SamG Land making my own world, trying to spread as much love as I can, and being as oblivious to the outside world as possible. I'm just going to try to be happy and have fun until the world explodes.
To anyone who wants to throw me a 50th Birthday Party, go ahead and do it. Cut the cake and have a good time. Play some music and dance. Break out the karaoke machine!!! I probably wouldn't have shown up anyway. I just have this thing about hating birthdays.
SamG
