Is life really only about money?

Subject: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 24 May 01 - 06:56 PM

I would like to start a website to help sell my CDs and the CDs of a few local people. Last week, the domain I wanted was available. This week, after I finally scraped up $25 canadian to at least reserve the domain even though I don't have the money to buy hosting - the name was gone.

And I realized that I don't have enough money to do this, and probably never will. Because in this society, you need to have money before you can make money. Or someone who has money already, will get there before you.

Should I just give up on the idea of trying to sell my work? Go back on welfare? Stop making music because I don't count in this society, and I never will, because I don't have enough money to even START counting?

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: gus C
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:01 PM

NO , don't let the assanine world get you down. DON'T.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: TishA
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:28 PM

Sounds trite, maybe, but remember the little train that could. And quit closing the damn door on yourself with that attitude! Peace ............ : )

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: kendall
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:35 PM

You are not licked until you quit.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:42 PM

Thanks, guys!

Actually, I may talk like I'm quitting, but I seldom really give up. Usually I plod on even when I feel hopeless, and it just paid off!

(Though sometimes I feel realy bad and go whimper in the corner for a while...)

So, sorry to inflict my earlier attitude on you phoaks.

I just wrote to a Pagan hosting company, even in the middle of my tantrum there, because they indicated that sometimes they give free domain hosting to Pagan bands. And they are willing to pick up the tab for me. So I've registered, and it's full speed ahead on making the site happen.

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!

Amazing what happens when you ask for what you want and need, eh?

Again, thank you!

~*sirepseh*~

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: CarolC
Date: 24 May 01 - 07:50 PM

Congratulations! Great news!

Amazing what happens when you ask for what you want and need, eh?

I think you're right.

Carol

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: RichM
Date: 24 May 01 - 08:07 PM

Glad to hear you're not willing to be beaten down, hesperis...

Everyone needs a certain amount of money;not necessarily a lot, but some. And we need to spend some of our time in life seeing to the basics of survival and comfort.

But remember, there are precious things in life that don't cost money, that you need and should make time for every day.
Things for the spirit:
like a sunrise;
the sound of birds;
the scent of spring flowers now;
the feel of rain and wind;
the joy you find in your music;
the sound of a friend or loved one's voice!

Rich

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 24 May 01 - 08:07 PM

"Theres another train....there always is...Maybe the next one is yours...get up and climb aboard the other train"

Words from an english song...

Spot

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: GUEST,khandu
Date: 24 May 01 - 08:33 PM

Press on, Hesperis, press on!

It is worth it.

Hell, I have tried to give up a thousand times, but I have never figured out how.

Tis best to be knocked out giving your best shot than to sit in the corner when the bell rings. Someday, you just might throw that "lucky" punch.

As for the question you asked in the thread title; for many it is, but there are far greater riches in a life based on "LIVING" rather than "EARNING".

Enough platitudes...but don't let the bastards get you down.

khandu

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: TishA
Date: 24 May 01 - 08:44 PM

Run like hell when you feel a burst of enthusiasm & lay down under a shade tree when you don't!

Stay in there.

Chip A. & Tish A.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 May 01 - 09:43 PM

Hey hesp........Sadly, in a lot of instances, the world is about money. Don't let that stop you.......Spaw been there, done that, and I'm happier now as we go along broke than I have ever been in my life. Money can solve you a ton of problems and end the frustrations, but if you aren't happy to begin with, it only buys toys.

My life is filled with an enormous amount of regret, but they are only regrets for things I have not accomplshed, not for things I haven't tried. Passion runs the world and I think that times come when everything meets and gives you the highs that are so prized. To be without passion is to be truly poor.

Hang in.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: InOBU
Date: 24 May 01 - 10:34 PM

Dear hesperis:
I came very close to selling my Uilleann pipes and geting a job driving a cab, as close as I get to suiside, yesterday...no joke - totally serriously... but then, the bastards win and shut you up. If you have the music in you ... fuck em if they get in yer way. Keep at it, just to show em you wont say uncle. You'll get it together. Look, 25 buck Canadian? You maybe can make that busking, I've had a few good days busking north of the border. Keep at it, at all costs.
Larry

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Gypsy
Date: 24 May 01 - 11:02 PM

Keep pressing on. What counts in life, is doing what is important to you, and the love of people in your life. Believe me on this. Me mother in law just died, and all the money in the world made no difference to her comfort. Only love and memories.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Mudlark
Date: 25 May 01 - 03:08 AM

Hesperis...

Great that you got backing! Also...

A lot of musicians around here take their CD's to wineries, bookstores, any appropriate place that plays CD's as background music. They play, people shopping listen, ask what's that, etc. Not enuf income there to quit your day job, maybe, but it is surprising how it can not only add up, but open up more sales, other venues....

Good luck!

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 25 May 01 - 03:39 AM

As my late father once said to me, KBI son. I learned later that stands for Keep Buggering In. Not exactly complicated philosophy, but it'll do for me. Good luck from the fB

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 25 May 01 - 07:20 AM

What exactily does one have to do to qualify as a "Pagan" band?!?!? I'd love to get some more info on this, hesser...

;-)

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: WyoWoman
Date: 25 May 01 - 09:09 AM

I don't like money, but it quiets my nerves.

Good for you for persevering. Besides, there are millions o' domain names still in the sea.

ww

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From:
Date: 25 May 01 - 10:28 AM

Life isn't about money, but it is about food, water, medicine etc., which money sure helps with. I say sell your CDs, make your music, and have another way of bringing in your rent money...maybe being a home care person for the elderly, or doing house cleaning, or working temp jobs if you don't want to go the corporate route . mg

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: RichM
Date: 25 May 01 - 12:09 PM

"I don't like money, but it quiets my nerves"

I LIKE that , WyoWoman. I think I'll add it to my list of quotable quotes. With proper attribution, of course.

Rich

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 May 01 - 12:37 PM

Well, at least the Pagan hosting company demonstrates in this instance that it's not all about money....

Hopefully when the artists who got their domain hosting for free make a pile of money, they'll remember that, too.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Kim C
Date: 25 May 01 - 01:57 PM

I have heard it said that money doesn't buy happiness, but it does buy choices. And Spaw is right, there are some things that are just about money, but that's the way it is, and thankfully there are enough things that aren't about money to make up for it.

When someone says they've been blessed to hear me sing, that is worth more than any money on the earth. I figure if I keep blessing people, the music will at least pay for itself. :-)

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 May 01 - 04:24 PM

"...they are only regrets for things I have not accomplshed, not for things I haven't tried."

Great line, Spaw.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 25 May 01 - 04:25 PM

Mudlark - thanks for the ideas. I hadn't considered all those.

Clinton - look for the PM, about to write it.

WW - I love the quote!

Well, I got a domain name close enough to the original idea that it still works, and I just heard back from the person who bought the original one that I wanted. She says that she's had it for eight months, and will sell it for $1000... Yeah, right! It was still available two weeks ago when I searched WHOIS.

mgarvey - I physically can't work right now. That will be an option later, when all the medical treatments begin to pay off, but not right now. It's going to take at least a year, and maybe even four years before I can do any work outside of my home computer. And even then, I can't do a full day's work right now. (Getting better every day though!)

GUEST - 1. I hope that we do make a "pile of money", but it'll be a while. I am new at promoting, and a bit shy about promoting myself, though it's easier promoting others. 2. I hope we all remember this. Right now, I've been down so long that I can't really imagine what I would be like if I had all that I need. I hope that I would be generous, because I've always wanted to be in a position to overflow abundance and share it with others.

I have already offered other independant musicians the use of some of my songs totally free, but so far none have picked them up. (That I know of.)

Kim - "When someone says they've been blessed to hear me sing..." Exactly.

This is reminding me a bit of that old thread "do you do it for love or money" or whatever it was called. Of course, I do it for love. Can you do it at al if not for love? At this stage, I can't do anything that doesn't give me the energy that I would need in order to do it. Loving music is what gives me the energy to do it with.

But some money would be nice, too, and not just for me.

I am working with a couple of other people here, who are all independent musicians, and who all have some disability that would limit a normal career in music. (Basically, who's going to sign someone if they can't tour?)

But their music is still good, and deserves to be promoted and recognized. And hopefully they can get some money to help pay for expenses, or at least to give them some "free money" instead of "money that's gone before you even get it".

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 25 May 01 - 06:00 PM

hesperis -

Be very wary of things that are done for you "for free". There may not be a price attached (a dollar amount) but I would be willing to bet there's a cost. I like to know what the cost is as well as what the price is.

If you except the fact that there is a cost involved in living in society, things actually become a lot easier. Once you know the cost of what you want, all you have to do then is figure out how to meet the cost. If the effort involved in meeting the cost is too great, or unacceptable for other reasons, you adjust your wants.

Life is about whatever you want it to be about. Make a list; what are you willing to give away in exchange for money: Your music? Your time? Your physical strength? Your "favors"? Your truth? Your intellect? Your intuition? The things that you are not willing to trade for money are probably what your life is about.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Mudlark
Date: 25 May 01 - 07:22 PM

Having been a craftsman for the past 30 years I've been at best marginally rewarded financially, but richly rewarded in satisfaction. Living on the edge of poverty for so many years I've come to treasure the philosophy.....It is good to get what you want, but even better to want what you have. And tho I've made virtually no money from my music, I've felt so lucky to have it in my life....

I could not even begin to put a dollar value on music, both my love of it and my ability to make it.

Mudlark

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: GUEST,khandu
Date: 25 May 01 - 10:58 PM

Hesperis,

Great messages from your fellow Catters! Isn't the Cafe a great place!

There is care and concern in each response to you. That shows you some of the riches that have NOTHING to do with money.

Again, dear Hesperis, Keep pressing on! There is a way!

khandu

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Amos
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:28 PM

Money is a token - a scorecard representing a lubricant. Lubricants are very valuable. Your motor seizes up and dies without them. So they can't be neglected,as anyone who has seized a piston head to a cylinder wall by ignoring the oil in an engine will testify. Lubricants are important. But they AREN'T fuel, and they AREN'T a destination, and they sure as hell AREN't driving the mosheen.

A

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: M.Ted
Date: 25 May 01 - 11:43 PM

Hesperis---Give yourself a break--you are healing, and that is a job that pays off in something better than money, and that is health and self-sufficiency. Don't jeopordize something of real value by chasing the buck before you are really ready to do it--

Spend this time making plans for the time you will be better--in my experience, it is easy to get the things you want if you have start out with good plan, hard to get them with a bad plan, and impossible with no plan--

One great thing about being broke is that the things that you get all come cheap or free--when you have money, everything costs a lot of money--Take your free domain--if you had a lot of money, you wouldn't have thought twice about spending a lot of money on it--

When you're broke and unemployed, your time is your own, and time is what you need when you are a musician(practicing, writing, rehearsing, performing, all take time)--the saddest thing I've seen as I have gotten older--old musician friends who make lots of money, and buy expensive instruments that the never have time to play--

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 26 May 01 - 12:35 AM

Bart - Yep, there are always costs. This is going to cost a lot in terms of my time, but that's ok. I've had the idea for a while now, and a lot of the artwork is done already.

Mudlark - Yeah!

Khandu and Amos - Thanks, guys. (Love that money is not what's "driving the mosheen!" Perfect!)

M. Ted - Good thoughts. Yeah, and even though I don't have much in terms of money, there are instruments around here that don't get played as often as I'd like. I hope to be doing more recording as well.

Thanks!!!

~*sirespseh*~

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 May 01 - 12:44 AM

Always remember----Every silver lining has a huge dark cloud in the middle !!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Peg
Date: 26 May 01 - 01:17 AM

Hesperis;

well, if you want I can give it a mention or a review on www.witchvox.com; the website gets virtually millions of hits a day, that might lead to some sales!

We have a set of pages of pagan musicians (moi included).

Do what makes you happy and ask the universe to give you what you need to survive. Works for me. I ain't rich, but I'm alive.

blessings,
Peg

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 May 01 - 10:25 AM

Somebody wanna start that killer bass line please?

MONEY

Money, get away
Get a good job with more pay and you're O. K.
Money it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star daydream
Think I'll buy me a football team

Money get back
I'm all right Jack keep your hands off my stack
Money it's a hit
Don't give me that do goody good bullshit
I'm in the hi-fidelity first class travelling set
And I think I need a Lear jet

Money it's a crime
Share it fairly but don't take a slice of my pie
Money so they say
Is the root of all evil today
But if you ask for a raise it's no surprise that they're
Giving none away

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 26 May 01 - 01:35 PM

lol!

Peg - That would be very much appreciated. The site isn't ready yet, and I do need to find some sponsorship to make the first batch of CDs, as I only have a few blank ones right now. So it will be at least a week. Would you like to review one of the bands now, and the site itself later? Please PM.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 04:41 PM

Awesome! The site is up, and I took a few suggestions for the design. I have also decided to be open about my identity for this. My public magical name, and the name of the site, is Serpent Goddess, for kundalini energy, transformation, wisdom, eternity, and Goddess consciousness. Those are the qualities that I am bringing into myself, and into this site.

It is primarily Pagan, but has music from various spiritually-minded people, including an Eastern Meditation teacher, and a Christian. I am promoting music that has a "magic spark" to it.

If you are Pagan, or have a Pagan member of your band, then please add your link into the resources page.

Made my first sale last night, after going dancing, and then playing one of the CDs for a friend. Bard of Hearts, by Roger Calverley. (Beautiful Celtic Harp and Verse.) She said: "Wow! That is so GORGEOUS!"

There are samples up, and a couple of free mp3 downloads, as my way of giving back.

Thanks to you folks for the emotional support before this even started. It is appreciated. I have made my best song available for 6 days only now, in thanks. Even if your computer doesn't have mp3 playing capability right now, you might want to grab it! or go visit a friend who can play it for you! (Micca said: "JAYSUS!!!!! That you singing? WOW!")

Thank you all for the encouragement to go create my dream.

Love and hugs,
Chagall (She known as hesperis, brassfire, and by many other names...)

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 Jun 01 - 11:50 PM

Wow. Great sight. Got it bookmarked and will check back when i've got some more time.

Rick

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 24 Jun 01 - 10:37 AM

Thanks, Rick! Don't foget to add a link to your radio site into the resources, if you have one? (Put it under "music".)

I will be making a page with links to mudcatter music within the week.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: hesperis
Date: 11 May 02 - 07:07 PM

Well... interesting to see where I was last year...

This year... the health is still not as good as I'd like, and a couple of emergencies came up from years of ill-health and not enough money to fix it. However, I am definitely still getting better every day, the site is finally working properly, I know a LOT more about recording music on the computer, and am really glad I waited to record the CD!

Hmmmm... it's been a *really* interesting year...

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Amergin
Date: 11 May 02 - 09:22 PM

Hey hes...just looked at your site...and wow...love it...will be back when I got more time...

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Troll
Date: 11 May 02 - 11:33 PM

Ma used to say that when things don't work out the way you want 'em to, maybe it's because that's not the God wants 'em to work out.
I'm glad that things are finally working out. Maybe the delays were for the best after all,

troll

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 May 02 - 05:10 AM

The purpose of life is to be happy.

Dali Lama

I could play my part in life better if I had a copy of the script.

LTS

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: 53
Date: 12 May 02 - 10:44 AM

Money makes it easier in life but you don't always need money to survive. I've found this out threw experience.

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 May 02 - 11:49 AM

Money would be nice! Work if I could find it - but then not any sould destroying grind. Give me a challenge & I won't object to money. You can't do much without it, in most places anyway.
I have heard it said (by who first?) "I have been miserable and poor, and I have been miserable and rich. And on balance rich is better!"
BUT no! life is not about money, money is a parameter - an enabler.
I have a friend who is so tied-up in his need to have a pension of a size he deems necessary that he is content to do a well paid job that he hates - (hates only because of ethical considerations that most of us have few qualms about). He is not a happy bunny by and large. But my feeling is he has to like himself "as is" and I suspect his "comfortable" retirement (whenever) will be dogged by insecurity and self doubt. Much as his life is now!

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: RichM
Date: 12 May 02 - 11:52 AM

Liz, the script is one you write yourself :)

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: CapriUni
Date: 12 May 02 - 12:14 PM

"Life's like a movie -- write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending..."

Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Movie (Lyricist Kenny Ascher)

Although that works very well as a rhyme, it just struck me as wrong, logically...

If you really believe in what you're doing and striving for, you are not pretending!!!

(and you don't get a chance to write it all out first, either... this whole thing is one big improv!!)

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 12 May 02 - 03:12 PM

Vachel Lindsey, one of America's most under-rated poets, started by printing his own stuff and selling it on the street. BTW, does anyone know if "What a Proud, Mysterious Cat!" has ever been set to music?

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 May 02 - 03:17 PM

Let me suggest that all of you may benefit from the services offered on THIS THREAD>

Spaw

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 12 May 02 - 10:09 PM

Life is about the Great Silence that lies behind it.

Shhhhh...........

* * * * * * * * * * *

Aside from that, on a more superficial basis, it's about anything whatsoever that a person decides it's about. For far too many people that is money. Too bad. For others it's sex, fame, marriage, family, partying, power, entertainment, possessions, physical beauty, popularity, whatever. People are scared and they cling to straws. Money is the most universally accepted straw of them all at the moment, so it's very good at opening doors, and don't we all know that. A pretty ignoble situation is prevailing out there these days, but the human soul is still as noble as it ever was.

- LH

Subject: RE: Is life really only about money?
From: Robin2
Date: 12 May 02 - 10:23 PM

Hesperis,

Thanks for posting your webpage info...just visited your site, and it was great! Easy to navigate, and easy to find info...good job!

I'm glad things are working for you! You have jumped in, taken the plunge, done what has to be done. It's not easy at first, but your effort will be rewarded, I'm sure!

Robin