Inspiration comes in myriad forms.  The many facets of life during one’s personal pursuit of happiness have more than enough fuel for the inner fire.  That makes for a medley of possibilities that may spur a guy like me to write a song or play a guitar part.  Besides the strictly musical, here are a few things that spark my flame.

Amplifier volume knobs
Speaking in volumes, when done in a manner not detrimental to your ears’ physical health, can be like straight visceral moonshine.  Guitar tones gain nuance, transparency and immediacy with each ascending number of the volume knob.  My guitar becomes the tool, my amp the channel, as whatever is inside me at that moment gets spewed forth unceremoniously from the speaker cone and into the ears and, hopefully, hearts of the listener.  If all goes well, I can pass on my inspiration (and maybe a little attitude) to you.  I don’t care if the neighbors complain.

Extended road trips
Despite their tendency to expel greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, I often feel one with the universe in my car with the windows down, music blaring, sunshine warming my face, barreling through the wilderness at speeds I can’t reach with my body alone.  Prolong this experience, add some ever-changing scenery for a constantly fresh perspective, maybe include a few riding mates, and soak in the pleasures of life.  This is the inspiration of the road trip, often exemplified by a rock band’s shoestring tour.

Dented bottle caps
It may not be the caps themselves so much.  But the image of a delicately bent bottle cap so often accompanies a conversation to challenge the mind’s exploratory capacities.  The gentle hum of a jukebox tune hovering over the warm scent of Irish pub food.  Inquisitive minds scattered in a circular pattern as one smile gives way to another, camaraderie uniting them if only for a moment’s time.  The cool, crisp flavor of hops and malted barley lubricating both the taste buds and the social curiosity.  Maybe a half-empty bottle of Jameson showing that nobody is concerned with how sharply this memory will be retained.  This is inspiration in the truth of the now.

What inspires you?

Remember those “25 Things You Might Not Know About Me” things on Facebook awhile back?

Well, I missed the boat on those.  So…No time like the present.

25 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT CAM

1.  I have seen the movie Scream 40+ times.

2.  Flip flops are quite possibly my favorite thing ever.  I would be happy wearing them every day for the rest of my life.

3.  I played trumpet for 5 years before switching to drums.  Oh lord, was I terrible.

4.  What music I listen to is in direct correlation to the weather.  For example, I listen to country music, but only between the sunny months of April and September.

5.  No one makes me laugh like Charlie from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

6.  I have an abnormally long torso and surprisingly short legs.  Therefore, the bottoms of my jeans will always be ripped and my belly button will forever be exposed.

7.  I eat chicken at least 2 meals a day and sometimes even that’s not enough.

8.  I am able to completely compartmentalize my levels of criticism when it comes to movies and music.  I can get just as much enjoyment out of a crappy horror movie as I can from an oscar winning film, both for completely different reasons.

9.  Every time the Medic dies in Saving Private Ryan, I cry uncontrollably.  It’s a problem, really.

10.  I wore glasses for exactly 1 year when I was a kid, but apparently every single picture of me as a child was taken within that particular year.

11.  I have an ongoing fascination with boats and water, even though I’m borderline terrified of swimming in anything other than a pool.

12.  I played soccer my entire life up until I was a junior in high school when I quit to focus on music.  I was a goalie and I miss it.

13.  In college, I played so much Tetris, I considered competing professionally.

14.  I have based a large part of my personality off of what Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles taught me, which probably explains a lot.

15.  My hands are small, yet I use enormous drum sticks.

16.  I have an unhealthy obsession with Jason Voorhees.  Hanging on the walls of my room are framed posters of every Friday the 13th film.

17.  I learned how to tie a tie 3 weeks ago.

18.  I make really stupid faces when I’m drumming.  If you’ve ever been to a show, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

19.  My two most feminine tendencies are my affinity for scented candles and Cyndi Lauper.

20.  Mexican food is the best food.  This is not opinion.  It is fact.

21.  At night I sleep with a mouthguard, a wrist brace, and sometimes a sleeping mask.  Yes, a sleeping mask.

22.  Sometimes I miss my hometown of Seattle.  Though I’m pretty sure I miss the idea of Seattle more than the actual city.  Kinda like Ferngully.

23.   Once I’ve heard a song 2-3 times, I will remember the song form forever.

24.  I am very close to my Mother.  This does not make me a sissy.  And that was an over share.

25.  I remember the weekend I feel in love with music.  When I was in 6th grade, I went to Costco with my parents and bought the Star Wars Soundtrack, No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom, and The Wallflowers Bringing Down The Horse.  Somehow that magical concoction made all of this possible.

K, thanks.