'There's a time in your life...'

[Moston]

Whilst I fully admit that I’m making sweeping generalisations here – I suspect that the majority of us Fish-Heads are of ‘a certain age’ – or at a landmark ‘stage of life’…eg 30’s to 50’s and in mid-life crisis.

Reading the Forum & Fish’s Facebook it’s interesting to note just how many individuals stories I can buy into.

As a group of people – we’ve experienced between us:-

Serious health issues when we’ve realised we and those we love are no longer immortal.
Relationship earthquakes.
Reality checks.
New caring responsibilities for parents – the roles become reversed
Children growing up into adults – letting go, but STILL wanting to hold on.
Job issues – unemployment/awful jobs/insecurity/redundancy
Nostalgic glimpses back to our earlier years when life was so much more simple
Staring into the mirror moments when it dawns on us this was our one shot of life and what have we done with it
Etc etc etc etc etc etc…..

All sounding a tad mopey – but I’m not meaning it to be –

BUT…do you think that it’s our shared experiences that makes ‘us lot’ …er…dare I say…’close’?

When we hear of stories like the break-up of marriages, family illness, parenting issues etc – we naturally rally to the flag to the beat of the drum?

Furthermore…do you think this makes us predisposed to losing ourselves in the kindred spirit of Fish’s lyrics?

Hard to pin down – but there MUST be a reason why when I go to Fish gigs I feel part of the ‘family’ – when I go to other gigs I feel just part of the crowd.

Ramble ramble ramble ramble….

Discuss…

[Rich1]

Great post

In a word ......yes

I feel comfortable being myself on here and can post my troubles and feelings without being judged. Going to a gig is a great experience - not just "a voice in the crowd"

predisposed to losing ourselves in the kindred spirit of Fish’s lyrics?
…

And I think that's it in a nutshell - the music is great but it's the lyrics that pull me in and always seem so personal. Again, reading between the lines, I think a lot of us are fairly emotional and wear our hearts on our sleeves - I certainly do - and perhaps it's this combination that pulls us into the Fish family

[Marina]

Great post.

I feel like it may be that we have a deeper connection to the band, and to other fans, because we "know" them more, because of all the sharing that goes on here, and also in real life for many of you.

I in particular, feel a stronger connection if I am sharing the experience with someone else. I have gone to many concerts on my own, although they might be great, they would be even better if I could suddenly turn to the side, look into a friends face and say Wow, and see/feel the same thing going on with them. And of course, some songs and song themes you relate to more than others, and those will always affect you in a greater way.

[chocolatefrog]

Couldn't agree more, every thing you listed there Moston, i like many others have been through most of it in the last few years. But there has always been two things that have helped me through it, Fish's exceptional music and you guys on the forum, and all i can say is Thanks guys, and thank you Onkel.

[Lisbon Freak]

Very nice post, with real people inside.

Yes, getting old is a aging experience.

I'm 43, and a more and more a melancolic guy. I miss the old days, i miss my youthness, i have what, in portuguese is called "saudade". It's a word that is specific of the portuguese language, and a state of mind very peculiar to portuguese people. It's directly intranslatable, but represents that specific state of mind that you get into, when reminiscing about good memories, times, places and people that went away to never return.

Yes, i admit, when i turned 40, i was it very bad with nostalgia, and i'm having a hard time getting over it.

[Moston]

Don't get over it mate - relish it and enjoy it. It'll put your feet back on solid ground for you to appreciate being alive and well in 2010 +

In England we have 'mid-life crisis' - the wealthy buy flash cars to cheer themselves up - the less wealthy buy 1980's music and play it LOUD

[Teddynonose]

Simon, thanks for a very thoughtful post.

Although a lifelong Marillion/Fish admirer it was only a year or so ago that I came onto the forum.
Partly lead by current experiences in my life which had meant that I had been listening alot to Fish and Marillion again particularly 13th Star and Fugazi. Fish has an uncanny way with his lyrics where he just manages to capture our feelings and thoughts exactly.

He wrote the lyrics to Fugazi before he was ever married and yet his understanding of the unhappiness in long term relatioships is just incredible. How did he know ?

And on this forum I seem to have found people who empathise and sympathise,. People with similar life experiences, people willing to listen and offer positive advice. People with a similar sense of humour. We all come from very different locations and environments and yet we somehow share similar views of the world.

Its a bit of a haven. The forum is a great place to come to when you are feeling down and need some unconditional friendship !

Whoops - I may need to think of something else to write when I reach the hallowed halls of the 5000 club

[docbob]

a bunch of sentimental mercenaries!.....


(said in a loving, warm, friendly , group hug tone of voice!)...

[Rich1]

a bunch of sentimental mercenaries!.....


(said in a loving, warm, friendly , group hug tone of voice!)...

....as always....

[arcademannequin]

Can't really add to what's already been said, except to say i agree with everyone here. - I've not quite entered the mid-life crisis stage of my existence, although being 37, i probably am mathematically speaking! - I've thought about the Company and really can't put my finger on why there is such a strong feeling of kinship. All i know is that, having spent a while here, it absolutely exists and isn't feigned in any way. - I can only assume that it filters down from the big man himself and his brilliant music.