The First One

The first quote from "Life," that is.  There may be more...

I’ve been saved by chicks more times than by guys. Sometimes just that little hug and kiss and nothing else happens. Just keep me warm for the night, just hold on to each other when times are hard, times are rough. And I’d say, “Fuck, why are you bothering with me when you know I’m an asshole and I’ll be gone tomorrow?” “I don’t know. I guess you’re worth it.” “Well, I’m not going to argue.” The first time I encountered that was with these little English chicks up in the north, on that first tour. You end up, after the show, at a pub or the bar of the hotel, and suddenly you’re in the room with some very sweet chick who’s going to Sheffield University and studying sociology who decides to be really nice to you. “I thought you were a smart chick. I’m a guitar player. I’m just going through town.” “Yeah, but I like you.” Liking is sometimes better than loving.

Substitute "GI" for guitar player and you have the basis for more than a few of my relationships (I use the term loosely.  Sorta.)  in the wayback.  And sometimes liking IS better than loving.  It's a lot less complicated, at any rate.  This quote appeals to my inner slut.... and you KNOW we all have one.

As for the book?  The first two chapters were a slog, seeing as how they were solely about Richards' childhood.  Everyone's childhood is pretty much the same unless you're on the extreme edges of the bell curve, be it right or left.  But the pace is picking up and things are starting to get good.  I've been tempted to post some stuff about how Keef learned the guitar and I've sent extended passages to Grandson Sean, who's in the midst of a raging love affair with the instrument.  I think there's very useful stuff in there for serious guitar players... but what do I know?  My expertise is limited to the listening.

That said, I AM enjoying Life.  Heh.