May 5th 2016 // Day 126 of 366 Subject: Thomas Donald Ghiorso Age: 21 Years Old Born: Redding CA (Raised in Burney CA) Currently Resides: Chico Ca Occupation: Student // Door Person at Duffy’s Tavern
“I don’t really care with what people do, it’s just how you interact with other people. Like If they make excuses and they’re acting like a shitty person that’s not exclusive to people who drink. And some of the most interesting conversations I’ve ever had have been with people who are totally blasted. If you’re the kind of person you are I feel like most people are going to be that person no matter what. If they’re drunk or not, they’re going to be that person and there a lot of good people and some bad people. But I get to kick them out.”
“Being twenty-one but just coming in contact with so many kids that are fifteen and younger; and the big ones right now are feminism, and gender equality, and stuff like that. When I was their age I was not even close to thinking about that stuff and now there are kids that are totally more in tune with themselves then I certainly was at that age and was even until recently; like the last three or four years or so. It’s really incredible that there is a lot consciousness especially social consciousness with stuff like that. I remember when I was their age I was doing and saying shitty stuff and they’re totally knowledgable about that stuff. Is it good or bad? I think it’s good but that’s because I like certain political bends on things. I think it’s awesome that those issues are being talked about and I think the world is becoming a better place because of it. So absolutely I think I have a lot to learn from those kids; like musically and attitude wise.”
“I think standing up for myself and being kind to myself; being proud of who I am and accepting who I am because I spent so much time when I was younger being like,’I’m too fat or I’m to weird or awkward.’ or being down on myself and I think really in the last year I’ve really been proud of myself. And I know that’s not necessarily the most skillful thing, coming from the liberation of the mind aspect, but I really feel like being kind to myself, and knowing who I am, and being more strong with that, and standing up for myself more. But on top of that also recognizing my faults; not hating on myself and having a passion for my faults but recognizing it and trying to fix them. And if I screw up, apologizing and really being accountable for my own actions.”
“Because you’re here. Why are you here? Try because you’re here. Try because you exist and other humans exist. And you could think that you are one hundred percent right and you may have completely wrong; we don’t know what happens after we die and we may have an idea or something but the fact of the matter is that we’re all here and we’re all experiencing this human experience. I think,’Why try?’ Because the world is full of so much suffering and to be able to ease that in other people even if it’s for a super righteous reason or if it’s for a chemical reason like empathy makes you feel good. Whatever it is, that’s what separates humans from just fucking animals eating each other even though we do that to a certain extent. But to be able to recognize that and not do that and to be able to rise about the suffering of the world, I think that’s the reason to try.”
“I would say work ethic. it’s so cliche to say,’Do it yourself.’ But everything in my life is like; if you want it fucking done, do it. Get up and fucking do it. You don’t wait for somebody else to do it. Me and Miles will talk about this a lot, talking about living your life. So many people just don’t try and just lay there and accept it. Life is gonna to happen to you regardless whether you’re proactive in it or not. Life will tie you to a chair and beat your ass and if you don’t get up and live it then you’re going to waste your time. You’re going to wake up one day and be like,’What the hell did I do?’. And I think that punk has given me that; that ethic of if you want something done, go do it. Just be proactive. Just Get up and go, to go and do it. I think that’s what punk gave me. And also energy and the ability to sort things out in my mind which is pretty cool.”
“Thank you. This is cool. This is really rad. It’s phenomenal to me how much cool shit is going on in this town and how lucky I am to know people who are doing stuff like that. Like you man. This is so sic. Thank you dude.”
My fellow CAP member and all around great dude Tommy was such a pleasure to be around today. I ventured, for the first time, into the skate park to meet him there and although it started to rain on us, we continued to speak over a later lunch about all kinds of wonderfully existential and philosophical things that gave me goosebumps to think about and hear. If you haven’t met Tommy or seen one of his bands then you’re missing out. He’s a force of nature and ultimately one the people around town I admire and hold in high regard the most.
Thanks Tommy!
S
