There's a snarky meme floating around the sewer of Facebook that has the Charles Bukowski quote, "Find what you love and let it kill you."

Ah Facebook, you never fail to disappoint.

Tonight, I looked up the exact quote and realized the meme was criminally incomplete.  The full text of the quote is inspiring, profound and something I needed to share with you.

Here's the full Bukowski text:

“My dear,
Find what you love and let it kill you.
Let it drain you of your all.
Let it cling onto your back and weigh you down into eventual nothingness.
Let it kill you and let it devour your remains.
For all things will kill you, both slowly and fastly, but it’s much better to be killed by a lover.”

Today, I had the guys from Cigar Advisor Magazine over at my house.  Part of the time was spent discussing the actual cigars that come inside the boxes I use for building my guitars.   I'm learning that cigars are just as fascinating as wine, food or any other connoisseur rabbit hole.  (Yep, videos were filmed.  Yes, you'll be the first to know about 'em.) 

At this point, Bukowski stumbles back in.  "Let it drain you of your all."  "Let it devour your remains."   

The cigar box guitar continues to envelop my life.  The more I play it, the more it demands greater mastery.  The more I research the history, the more untold stories are uncovered.  The more guitars I build, the more I want to drive the Renaissance of Craft further. 

And now I'm even falling in love with the world of cigars, themselves.  (A good cigar in the woodshop while I build at night is total zen.  Seriously...)

I'll die someday, and when I do, I'll leave a world that's littered with cigar box guitars.  It's certainly more of an adventure than when I was selling radio advertising or being marketing director of an auto auction.  

If you haven't already, I encourage you all to find your "lover."  Discover your calling.  Search for something bigger than you.  Go do something awesome.

And then get rid of Facebook*.

Stay primal
Shane

*Would you believe my personal Facebook account has over 4000 "friends," yet I don't see ANY of them when I log in?  I have successfully unfollowed everybody except for my wife. IT'S WONDERFUL NOW!  I only use the wretched site as a way to promote gigs or message with a few people.  The only stories I see are guitars and woodworking pages that I subscribed to over the years.    

I just don't care about peoples politics or opinions anymore.  Give me music, history... and cigars.

There's four of these Marlboro white Smokey Amps left...and yes, they're still on sale for $29.95.  Sale ends when the white ones in this batch are gone.    Shop now.

SEE SHANE SPEAL IN CONCERT!!! Upcoming shows: Wed., March 28, 7pm:  Opening for Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band!!!  - McGarvey's Bar & Grill, Altoona PA  >>Buy Tickets Now!