NEED MORE, WANT MORE? GIVE IT A MINUTE

Why does William Shakespeare need more?

Because, according to him, he’s a fool.

He didn’t call himself a wise man, but I figured it out.

The greatest writer in the English language knows enough to know he’s a fool?

Will wants more, he’s a lifelong learner, and he’s game for it.

But, what if you don’t know you are a fool?

I was in Hyde Park, the Central Park of London, looking forward to Speaker’s Corner.

 

Speakers’ Corner is located in the North East corner of Hyde Park near Marble Arch tube station. It is the oldest living free speech platform in the world.

 

I had a talk planned that ran a little over three minutes. Hop up on the soapbox and let ‘er rip.

But my group of locals knew more about it than me, and made other plans.

I could still go, but I’d go alone.

So I didn’t go. The feeling was that desperate people do their bit there.

Was I desperate enough? What was my motivation?

I was in England. Why would I need more than that?

It felt like a challenge, like speaking for three minutes was a test.

I could sing a three minute song, but three minutes of speaking seemed different.

Too different, as the day turned out.

I don’t remember the talk I’d planned, but if I was there right now I’d hop up and talk about the unrelenting need for more of everything.

 

More, More, More

Sometimes the feeling you need more, want more, grabs you so hard you forget what you’re already got.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Does anyone need nine guitars? Anyone who’s not in a touring band?

I asked a guy in the guitar store how many guitars he had.

 

Me: Do you own more than one guitar?

Guy: I’ve trimmed my collection down to seventy-five.

Me: You’re not married are you?

Guy: No. Why do you ask?

 

Some people need more of something so badly they make poor decisions and latch onto anything they can relate to.

I see my first guitar from fifth grade, my almost-Martin Yamaha, my almost-Martin Vega, my almost-Gibson Epiphone, my almost-Fender Squire Strat, and my 100% most all-American electric guitar in the world Fender Telecaster.

For big-time guitar collectors this is a pile of kindling waiting for a match.

I’m keeping three, maybe four, on this drawdown. Maybe five. Maybe?

What pairs well with a roomful of guitars?

 

 

Obviously I don’t need more of this.

Someone will love these guitars as their first the way I did mine, which is second in from the right, top row.

The steel strings were too high and killed my fingertip, at first.

The finish was rough enough to get a sliver on the starter Kay.

My teacher at Jansen Music left town and I laid it down for the next few years, and a few more.

Love is funny like that, as you know.

 

Need More Love? Who Doesn’t

When you find yourself in times of trouble? Dance with a dog.

Cait got a quick shot just before we broke into a spirited Foxtrot, our favorite doodle dance.

What the world needs now? More dog dances.

And love sweet love.

 

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone

 

Do you know anyone so fulfilled that if they got any more goodwill they might pop?

Yeah, me neither. But you can see the emptiness in others in plain sight.

It might be hiding when you take an inward look.

Look behind the ‘happy days no matter what’ facade.

During my England trips I noticed a common expression: Dour.

I worked to fit in.

 

 

Working. So. Hard.

 

 

 

Then this happened to ruin the dour joy.

 

 

Did Churchill and I do the doodle dance?

Not this time, but doesn’t he look ready to cut a rug?

 

PS: When you need more you’ll find it if you keep looking.

PSS: If you need more, but not sure what, don’t be a fool and grab whatever’s close. But if you do, be wise, learn a song, and play that guitar, son.

You never know who might jump up and dance. Where’s my good girl?