Makes me a bit sad.
The rockstar mentality killed off snowboarding for me, nothing personal or righteous in the realm of the self, but wholly from the fact that the faith of such a lifestyle was placed on cred and style and not for the reason you started hiking up the hill in Sorel's with icey fingers to hit a shitty kicker you built with your buddies.
Sure I like to shoot some video and take shots of the hogs I get lucky enough to hold, but it's not the reason I stay up tying flies and get 4 hours of sleep and jump in with the boys early on hung-around as Doc Holliday.
I know that there are guys who've been around this longer than I've been alive, and I'm sure they've got opinions too. I'm not going to say I'm trendy because I'm an alcoholic outdoorsman that enjoys the self-wrought struggle I bring to my table that so many before me that I've admired have done.
I'm not exempt from these claims, nor am I dependent upon them.
There's a fickle pencil stroke between choice and circumstance, and absolution can only come from one of these.
Elevating your passion into an egocentric frame grants the theft of your fire, and nobody is gonna save it except for you and your breath.
Shoot your videos, make your money shots, but remember why you do the things you do.
Hey this is Drew Mitchell, that was beautiful man.... Usually the desire to document and sensationalize everything in our lives is a compensation for the fact that we spend very little time doing what we actually want to do... The "Rockstar" mentality is a sad reminder that there are very few people who do what they want because it makes them happy. These days it is about doing things to enforce an image of yourself, branding yourself with a hobby and letting the hobby and the related merchandise define you as a person. You my friend are a poet and are living an enlightened life, keep on keeping it real.
ReplyDeleteDrew
Drew! Thanks dude, long time no see. Hope all is well with you.
ReplyDeleteGonzo---I second both your and Drew's comments. Believe me, I too like to keep it real and feel the passion...although sometimes, I'm willing to admit, I slip; but I feel I'm entitled after all the years of keeping my persona low-key. Sometimes you got to honor the old timers.
ReplyDeleteI'll see you at da Sheriff's place next week; we'll catch-up about life in general. Bummer about Jr's son....
Uncle Frank
Terrible thing about JR's son. I wanted to attend, but I couldn't make it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, I was wondering your sentiments on the subject.
I won't be at the Rib Off, back to work on Tuesday for 2-3 weeks. Bummed. We'll catch up soon, go fish the LT or the river on Monday?
ReplyDeleteGood stuff Larry, just found the blog. Your sentiments I agree wholeheartedly with. Many folks strive for as much recognition as they can get and push to be known as "the guy." Doing anything to try to up their status in relation to others in the same avenue, be it fishing or otherwise. Like you said, the problem is they often lose sight of what really matters. I think the internet, although a great vehicle has also compounded these issues. Anyways, hit me up when you get back in town from work.
ReplyDelete"The rockstar mentality killed off snowboarding for me, nothing personal or righteous in the realm of the self, but wholly from the fact that the faith of such a lifestyle was placed on cred and style and not for the reason you started hiking up the hill in Sorel's with icey fingers to hit a shitty kicker you built with your buddies."
ReplyDeleteI could't agree more and I hate to see the same thing happening to fly fishing. The exotic-locale-grip-and-grin-fish-porn-video trend makes me sick. However, fly fishing, like snowboarding, is what you make of it and luckily these people can be avoided.