Better late than never

by John Curnow on 18 Oct 2016 Some items in this life you need delivered right when they should be. Money into your account strikes a cord immediately. Others you can be a lot more flexible with, say something like your next birthday. The longer in between those the better, and of course, there always seems to be more and more momentum driving the impending celebration on with each and every one you come up against. How and why is that? I can say that we are not amused with this critical mass, however.

So apologies all, as this newsletter is a few days late. Won’t change the course of human history, nor cause a savage realignment of the planets, deliver world peace, stop human genocide, pour food into the mouths of billions, but getting back on track may help to make my life get back on course somewhat.

Perhaps because the late Wayne Dwyer is explaining some theories to me off iTunes as I write that I am getting a touch ethereal. Right oh. I will hit fast forward and we’ll get back to yachting. Hhmmm. Given what keeps coming up as I hit Fast Forward each time, maybe that should be hit pause until this is done…

So 80’s new wave (romantic)/electronica/experimental/post-rock band, Talk Talk, have just finished playing, It’s my life. Now maybe after interviewing Jon Sanders recently, and with all the great material from SV Taipan, SV Crystal Blues and also Ian and Annike from Ocean Crusaders, I have been looking and reviewing my own world.

Presently I’m getting totally lost singing along to, “Today. Today. It’s a dream away”, and before words like moribund, sombre, and existentialist find their way into this editorial, we’ll pause briefly and remember that Talk Talk were often misunderstood and totally defied pigeon holing.

The band consisted of Mark Hollis, Lee Harris, Paul Webb and in the early days, Simon Brenner. Now pausing for reflection is a good way to describe what you did with their lyrics, which were predominantly written by Hollis. The words ‘Belle Mallisima’ are repeated several times in, Today. It roughly means ‘the worst beauty’ in Latin, and that is what I have always chosen to use.

Maybe it is because it fits in nicely with the notion that not tapping into your desires for this life is a waste. The chorus begins with, “Today, today. It's a dream away”, and that urging is what really sort of brought me to this point. It’s not quite a command, but if you’ve ever had to have an earnest chat with the person in mirror, those words may come in handy.

Today also has some other standout gems in its verses. In relation to the grand picture we are talking about here, try these on as new mantras for your world. “Can happiness be someone else's dream? Catch me if you can, but don't delay. Beggars lay among the sheep. Let me take the choice the sermon pleads.” Naturally the latter depends on your upbringing and religion, but I would hope you’re starting to see the tide running here.

Another of Talk Talk’s ‘hits’ (for they were certainly not a pop band) was, Life’s what you make it. True enough without a tune to remind you, but again we find some stirring prose in the verses to use in this life as aide memoirs. Please try these on for size. “Baby, life's what you make it. Can't escape it. Don't backdate it. Don't try to shade it - Beauty is naked.”

Then the final verse pretty much sums up the whole deal from my point of view. “Baby, life's what you make it. Celebrate it. Anticipate it. Yesterday's faded - Nothing can change it!!!!”

So hopefully we have given Talk Talk some more kudos all these years after their efforts to inspire, which would be, better late than never. Argh. Argh. Argh. Now if your intention is to go cruising, then jump to it. Now more than ever it is possible. Boats are more affordable; navigation has never been easier; information never more accessible; and so therefore dreams can be closer – if you’re bold enough to let them.

Are you out there plying the seas and got something to say? We’d love to hear from you via editor@sail-world.com Also, if you would like to receive our newsletter each week, then please go to the 'Newsletter' button at the top of the Sail-World home page and enter your details. Simple...