"Tick Tick Boom" and the Past

I think it is such an interesting thing to know that we only really know our own reality. We sometimes have glimpses into other people's lives, worlds, beliefs, but mostly, we have our own experiences and we think they are pretty normal. At least that has been true for me. I never stopped to think about the fact that I spent my younger life in some pretty unconventional ways with some pretty unconventional people. Sometimes, there was danger and luckily, I was too naive to know the reality of those dangers.

As I have been rehearsing for the touring production of "Kinky Boots" and as I went to see Triangle Production's "Tick Tick Boom" (written by Jonathan Larson of "Rent" fame), I have been looking back at some of my youthful life experiences and sort of realizing, not only is my life really, really different now, but I have finally come to understand that my early twenties were fairly a-typical. I'm fine with that as it made me the person I am today. I miss some of the spontaneity of those times as well as some of the wildness. I wasn't really wild, but I was in wild circumstances, at times, and I was able to go with it.  These days, I feel very married to my rules and conventions, my routines, my predictable paths.

"Tick Tick Boom" was a really good reminder of those days. I could especially relate to this song, "Louder than Words":






Why do we play with fire?
Why do we run our finger through the flame?
Why do we leave our hand on the stove
Although we know we're in for some pain?

Oh, why do we refuse to hang a light
When the streets are dangerous?
Why does it take an accident
Before the truth gets through to us?

Cages or wings
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words

Why should we try to be our best
When we can just get by and still gain?
Why do we nod our heads
Although we know
The boss is wrong as rain?

Why should we blaze a trail
When the well worn path
Seems safe and so inviting?
How as we travel, can we
See the dismay
And keep from fighting?

Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words

What does it take
To wake up a generation?
How can you make someone
Take off and fly?

If we don't wake up
And shake up the nation
We'll eat the dust of the world
Wondering why, why

Why do we stay with lovers
Who we know, down deep
Just aren't right?
Why would we rather
Put ourselves through Hell
Than sleep alone at night?

Why do we follow leaders who never lead?
Why does it take catastrophe to start a revolution?
If we're so free, tell me why?
Someone tell me why
So many people bleed?

Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than
Louder than, louder than
Louder than, louder than

Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds
Fear or love baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder
Louder than, louder than, ooh

They speak louder
Louder than, louder than, ooh
Actions speak louder than