Thursday, April 29, 2010

Bad Reputation

I've been trying to deal with the self-inflicted humiliation that has become occupationally-specific agoraphobia of moving around my former professional world, particularly now that I am actively seeking help and attending meetings through the OurState Lawyers Assistance Program and AA--which requires me to leave my little office high up on the 9th floor of the Public Square of OurTown and walk among the living into venues where I practiced law for 28 years.   I'm trying to get at the root of my fear and dread, and it's all ego--fuck my ego, dammit.

So this morning I turned on my car stereo and the familiar crashing guitars and drums of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts sent me an inspirational message:

I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation

You're living in the past it's a new generation
A girl can do what she wants to do and that's
What I'm gonna do

An' I don't give a damn ' bout my bad reputation
Oh no not me
An' I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation

Never said I wanted to improve my station
An' I'm only doin' good
When I'm havin' fun
An' I don't have to please no one

An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

I don't give a damn
'Bout my reputation
I've never been afraid of any deviation
An' I don't really care
If ya think I'm strange
I ain't gonna change An' I'm never gonna care 'Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me
Pedal boys!

An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my reputation

The world's in trouble
There's no communication
An' everyone can say
What they want to say
It never gets better anyway
So why should I care

'Bout a bad reputation anyway
Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation
You're living in the past
It's a new generation
An' I only feel good
When I got no pain
An' that's how I'm gonna stay

An' I don't give a damn
'Bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me
_____________________________

Thanks, light!  Thanks, Joan!

1 comment:

  1. 24 years ago I was one of the "founding members" of the AA Big Book group that meets in a lounge at the OurCounty Justice Center. I haven't attended for years, but I went today, I wnet out in the bright light, walked through the plaza in front of the building and over to the Justice Center and up the escalators and attended this meeting.

    OK, it's a start.

    I also received the draft "information" and "plea" on my "attempted tax evasion" count that I agreed to enter.

    What an interesting time in my life!
    BL

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