Folding Chairs

[Schuyler]

Ung, the test came and I think that I failed it. I'm back at a real job all of a sudden, my self confidence gone, and it's sort of very depressing. P.Net seems dead, but then maybe it's always been that way and I just never noticed. Lord knows all but a couple of people have discouraged me (other performers included) but goddamn, I've never believed them before.

The problem with being an artist, something I really hope that I'm not and will never be, is that if for whatever reason you can't enjoy your work anymore suddenly life just seems hollow. P.Net, do you ever feel so down you just can't get back up? I'm starting to think that maybe I'm not cut out for performing to begin with.

[/emo]

[Peter Voice]

You're not alone and, if you want to, you will survive. P.net is not dead but nothing stays the same.

[Stretch]

depression

Try getting more exercise and sunlight. Set some attainable goals, then reach them. Your depression should diminish.
Good luck!

[Steven Ragatz]

Whatever happened at your show last night, you didn't suck as much as I did.

I fell old, fat, tired, loosing hair where I need it, gaining it where I don't, still in dept, living in a country where I hit my head on everything 'cause everyone else is so damn short, can't speak the language, and have my entire daily existence and self-worth determined by the success or failure of a five minute act.

I don't know if it gets any better, but of course other people get really depressed about 'art', whether it be static or live.

Sucks to be me. Sucks to be you.

Steven Ragatz

[gav]

My chair folded so many times when I was starting out, but some how I kept going because ultimately it's what I wanted to do even though I knew I wasn't a natural for the job.
The chair will unfold again.

[Evan Young]

latley performing is the biggest mood elevator I have; the shows are going really well, and the feedback I get makes it seem like the two shows I perform are the best products on the market.....

However, at least twice a year I get frustrated with performing. The shows feel flat, and boring to me, any positive feedback I get I dismiss as being uninformed, and I have a hard time dealing with easy stuff like hecklers. It passes every time.... sometimes it takes longer to pass than others.

[Lee Nelson]

have you been inspired lately???

if not, start looking for it. Its always around although sometimes not where you expect it to be.

That should cure you

[Daniel Craig]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

It takes time. Set real, attainable goals. Watch other shows you love. Get out, travel if you can to somewhere new and exciting. Relish in every second knowing that if you keep at it, the payoff will go beyond anything you can measure in money.

No matter how long you've been doing this, some days, the chairs will fold. But some days, you stack a dozen of 'em up and balance them on your chin.

Good luck.

[Schuyler]

Sweet jiggly jesus that was a fast response. I didn't wake up nearly quick enough to delete my little emo rant.

Thanks all, I realize this isn't really the place to be posting what I did, but I had a pretty bad night last night. The advice helps, and I really do just need to get out more. Anyways, thanks, hopefully I might be able to drop by and see some shows to thank you all in person someday.

[Peter Voice]

Schuyler, this is exactly the right place to air such thoughts because they are common to most of us. I mean, who else can you talk about it with?

I don't know how old you are, how long you've been trying or even what you've been trying to do but I know there is nothing wrong with taking some time out and enjoying the security of your old regular job. It can be a time to rest and regroup. Budget some of your wages to go and see all the shows you can. When or if you decide to have another go, you'll be wiser and stronger.

I daresay the are a few here who have not suffered loss of confidence or depression at some stage but not many and all of us have been touched by it one way or another.

Enjoy your job while you have it. Make some bucks, study something and relax. All 3 activities have been known to be very productive esp. the last. Time will tell the rest of this story.

P.net ain't dead yet.

[GlassHarper]

Help is but a pill bottle away

All good advice to which I would add: a daily dose of Hypericum (St. John's Wort) helps keep me sane. I went thru about a year of deep depression and iritability and lack of motivation to get my butt out to work. Then I realized, in the midst of all the other medications I take (mostly Rx), I had forgotten about St. John's Wort. I checked with my medical provider and she said none of my current meds would interact with the herbal so I started taking it again. It helped. I would urge anyone considering it, though, to check with a medical practitioner first since St. John's Wort does interact badly with some meds.

I read a recent study by brain researcher Rhwan Joseph that indicates combining St. John's Wort with Ginko Bilboa is more effective yet. Again, don't try it until you check with your medical provider.

[jeep caillouet]

to bad!

Hey Schuler,to bad you failed the test! But their are many great imitations of great entertainers. For some of us,it is our duty in life to get up and get out there and entertain the people,so if you give you will receive.So get up and get out their and entertain some folks.It'll make you feel better,you'll get what you need, but not a day job! ... Hey glass blower, Haven't seen you in a few years,did you ever teach your dog That trick? You know, the in the ole bucket one.

[Daniel Craig]

"Schuyler, this is exactly the right place to air such thoughts because they are common to most of us. I mean, who else can you talk about it with?"

Peter is entirely correct. Schuyler. He is completely correct.

Out of curiosity, where are you based and what do you do? One of us may run into you some time in the future.

Did you go out again this weekend? If so, how did it go?

[Schuyler]

Originally posted by Peter Voice
Schuyler, this is exactly the right place to air such thoughts because they are common to most of us. I mean, who else can you talk about it with?

Oi, did you ever say it. I think that's what was really bugging me, there aren't a lot of people around here that understand the attitude.

Originally posted by Daniel Craig
Out of curiosity, where are you based and what do you do? One of us may run into you some time in the future.

I'm in Alberta, just by Red Deer. I get the feeling that I'm just hanging out in the wrong places to find anybody interested in the same things I am.

I haven't really gone out and done anything for a crowd in a long, long time. Pretty much since I got back to Alberta, a few months ago, and I've been feeling worse and worse about it. It's a self-confidence issue, I think, which shouldn't be any trouble to overcome, except that it seems to be. That's more or less the root of the problem.

[Peter Voice]

Yo Schuyler,

I went to Red Deer in '91 with Pieter Post. We didn't even try to work there but it's very cool that some-one or something might come out of there. I'm sure it's not very sympathetic or inspiring.

Hang, relax and maybe see if you can use your regular job as a ticket to a more interesting environment.