Here Comes Summer

At this moment, Summer 2012 has officially begun. What will it be like? From the perspective of June 20, it's a big question mark for me.

Being between jobs adds to the uncertainty. While I aggressively prospect for my next opportunity, and the mercury rises and the sun shines for 14 hours a day, I take some comfort in remembering how I've solved this dilemma effectively before.

The secret: Treat your job search like a job. Up at 5:20 a.m. At "work" before 7 a.m. Then, don't knock off until dinner time.

I remember this feeling every year as a kid. School was over and it was hot coming home with an armload of books. Then, in early June, it was suddenly over. I had long days to do whatever I wanted to do. But I squandered it--being a kid. If I knew then what I know now I would have appreciated that open time much more--and worked harder to become a better musician.

Hoping for success as the Summer Solstice begins.

Summer Begins - Now

Ah, those lazy crazy days of summer. Well, they were during my school years, when I put aside those pencils and books and had almost three months to sit in trees, ride my bike all day, or eat ice cream while reading comic books. Of course, that's not the case today.

Now, summer means longer days (more daylight is a mood lifter for me) and warmer temperatures--leave the jacket at home, but don't forget the hat. I haven't had a summer vacation since I was 17--at least one that went for months.

Now that I think of it, by mid August I was getting a little bored and it felt like it was time to settle back into the school year. A touch of cool breeze in the evening after a hot day. Then, September, a fresh start, with just a hint of melancholy--the party was over.

Favorite summer themed songs: A Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy (pictured); Summer in the City by the Lovin' Spoonful. How about In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry? One song that feels like summer, without the word in the title, is Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones. I was 12 and that song was playing night and day.

Summer begins in California at 10:16 a.m. today. That's when this blog was posted.