| Michael Tomlinson | |
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My Personal Life |
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It's been a common thing for many years for me to get questions from people asking about my personal life - if I'm married, in a relationship, have kids. What is my religion, philosophy, etc. If you know my music and have been to my concerts, you know that I reveal a lot about my feelings and beliefs and personality. I am not someone who tries to hide those things, for the most part, and I always feel that my music and work is best when it reflects my honest experience and vision. However, I certainly take artistic license when writing songs and website stories. Songs written ten years apart might be about the same person, or they may both be about composite feelings, yearnings that follow us throughout our lives and not about any person in particular. I'm sometimes so specific that it surprises me how accurate a lyric is, but that is not always the case and not overly important to me. My commitment is that my music and life be filled with the spirit of truth and love, but it need not be literal at all times. In the many years I've been writing and sending out newsletters, and in the six years I've written monologues for my website, I'm well aware that I seldom mention anyone I'm in a relationship with. Or if I do, I do not define it clearly for the reader. There are several reasons for that but mainly, it is because relationships are precious to me - and fragile enough already - without adding the pressures of expectations and scrutiny from people outside the circle. The people I love, friends and love relationships over the years, are my true family. They have made my life rich and loving and fun and fulfilling. Even now, as I work on my book, I sometimes cannot write about some people because they are too dear to me. Sometimes I simply can't describe someone so precious, or some time together so wonderful, in print. I feel about that the same way I feel about photos and especially video cameras; to bring them into some situations is to destroy the very thing you attempt to capture. I must admit, I have enjoyed at times the funny rumors that come around to me concerning my personal life, whether they are that I'm married, or that I'm dating someone, or even that I'm gay. Yes, I've heard that one a few times. The last time I did, my friend Ruth reported that an acquaintance of hers found that she knew me and asked her if I was gay. He thought so because he'd always seen me "running around with this Rick guy." Ruth busted out laughing and said, "Well, if that's true, then me and my kids are in for some big problems, because 'that Rick guy' is my husband!" Not only are the rumors about my personal life, I've had people insist that I've done things I never really have. A fellow in Taos stopped me on the street and, with awe-filled eyes, announced, "Wow! I saw you when you were playing with Miles Davis!" I didn't know how to react to that one and didn't want to disappoint the guy so I just grinned and said, "Well, that's been awhile!" If you read my upcoming book, I will certainly talk more about the women I've been in relationships with and the friends I've held dear. But even there, I keep the sacred parts to myself. I prefer to save those for my own heart. Thanks for listening and checking
in on me. |
