You KNOW that Bubba's on here...

[VincentUlyssis]

I watched the documentary on 2112 and Moving pictures last night; very similar to "Beyond the Lighted Stage" but focused on these two monumental works (OPUS 2112/OPUS MP). Once again my admiration, inspiration and awe of their achievements was renewed. Yes, in some strange way I feel like I know him through his poetry and prose. I wish that I could express my gratitude and respect in person, but that would be about ten seconds. Once The Macallan is poured, I'd probably talk about birds, gardening, farming (I was a farmer for a year), The Who, Lond Island, St. Catherines, good food, baby girls (my baby is turning 16 this year!), drumming, marriage (we all struggle with the same things), childhood, being bullied (I was bullied more than you Bubba!), Rand, ancient texts, sailing (I have some stories too!), blah blah blah. I can talk to a stone...or just shut up and listen. I'm good at that too, especially when my wife says "just listen, don't talk."

The doc made me reflect. I had just turned 14 in September 1980. My step brother introduced me to 2112. I didn't like it at first. I didn't get it....but I was drawn to the text. In time I began to understand the music. When I bought Moving Pictures, I can certainly say that it became the soundtrack to my life throughout grades 9 and 10. Profoundly inspiring. That, along with the other works that I discovered one by one cvaused me to move my electives from visual art to music which led to majoring in music at Stony Brook University along with my other major in Italian (not inspired by Bubba). Music has been a part ofmy life since and now I do what I do as a direct result of Neil's "intervention."

Simply put:

I would not be who I am today without that influence. I'm not a fan. I'm a friend, whether I meet him or not.

Still, I think it would be appropriate for a "Bubba's Bar and Grill" gathering in a fine eating establishment with all of us. Why should he? Because we are not the "typical" "fans(I hate that word); I think we are cooler than that. Just sayin'.