Out of Sight

Anyone that has read my blog for any length of time – anyone? Anyone? – will know that I come back to topics from time to time that feel important to get some attention. Somet things, as they say, are worth repeating.

Recognition is great. 

It’s needed. 

It’s necessary. 

We need to know what we do matters and that we matter. 

We all do thankless things, the stuff that makes an impact but which we do out of a feeling of obligation and duty. Not necessarily the day to day stuff, washing laundry, making dinner and all of that, though that is all valuable and needed but I mean, that sort of stuff is in a different category and the folks that handle that stuff are everyday saints. 

I am thinking more of the people who put on the events we attend. The folks that put together art shows, and vendor shows, and local concerts, and show movies. The people who put on community picnics, luncheons, and fairs. I am thinking of the people that create the things that give us pleasure and things to do. The people behind the scenes, pulling it all together. 

Not the big concerts, or big events, but the smaller ones, and the local goings on that get us out of our homes and into the world. 

The food truck rallies. 

The theater in the park. 

The small car shows and motorcycle shows. 

The drag shows. 

The poetry slams. 

The Open Mic events. 

Small comic conventions. 

Record shows. 

On and on and on. 

Think of a time that you went out, alone, or with a special someone, or with friends. 

Think of what you did that wasn’t going to a movie, a bar, or a concert. 

Think about when you went to an EVENT. 

What was it?

How big was it?

Where was it?

Sure, a lot of people putting on events do them for their own reasons – they own a bar and need patrons, same with restaurants, so it behooves them to book entertainment. Bookstores need traffic too so you have some open mics and you get folks in. Artists book shows to promote their art and sell it. On and on. 

I get it. 

You get it. 

There’s SOMETHING in it for them, even if the juice is simply doing something for other people. 

That doesn’t mean they still don’t deserve our appreciation.
That they don’t deserve our thanks. 

There’s work that goes into putting these things on and not every event is successful for any number of reasons, so it gets hard to keep wanting to do them when you can’t see any cause to. 

If no one appreciates you doing them, then why keep at it?

I knew someone who put together large rummage sale style events at a big venue with bands and it was amazing. 

It was a cultural touchstone of that area. 

Sure, they were selling their wares, but we’re talking thirty + vendors and bands and coordinating all of that is no fun, even if you do make a few sales. 

How often do we actually APPRECIATE that this stuff exists?

We take them for granted but then get mad when they disappear. 

So often we want to tout the great young leaders of the moment, or the best dressed, or the most successful, or whatever business award they have out there but what about the folks in the trenches?

The people that give us things to look forward to. 

What about them?

What notice do they get unless it’s from making a mistake?

What adulation do they see?

So let’s take a moment and remember the people on the front lines of fun and raise that proverbial glass to them because really, they’re some of the real MVPs of our sanity, and I am glad we have those crazy kids out there doing what they do. 

…c…

Hey, do me a favor and hit some links, check the site out, buy a book. No public bathrooms though, sorry.