a film rec!

My friends!

I wonder sometimes what we all work so hard for. Especially after watching the film “Perfect Days” by Wim Wenders. Its about a Japanese toilet cleaner who lives a life that many would look down on, and yet he seems to have found a level of contentment that many haven’t felt since childhood. Oh seeing him live life makes me ask myself, what do I lose for wanting so much? I was surprised when I told my mom this and she said “yea.. its called opportunity cost!” Bahahahahhaaha I died laughing cause I didn’t think she would know what that is. Never underestimate mothers!

This man seems to touch the people around him in a way that leaves them unable to pay him back in any way outside of being grateful for the encounter. I admire that, and I hope to become more like that overtime. But I think art is another way to do that.. to touch people. I mean the film is what touched me and allowed me to see the perspective of a humble toilet cleaner. I guess I hope my music can do the same. I hope everyone reading this is also able to find meaning and contentment in what they do, even if its cleaning toilets.

Actually, I used to change toilets as a job. I’ve changed hundreds of them. Its a time I don’t really get nostalgic about hahhaa, but here we are thanks to this film. This character (Hirayama) reminds me of my old friend Kyle who I used to work with. Sadly he’s no longer with us, but even when he was doing this hard and dirty job, he was able to find pockets of joy and satisfaction. He always thought it was so cool that he could see inside the homes of so many strangers. God I miss him!

Friends, I hope you’re able to find joy in the strangeness of a subway stranger, in the terrible soccer game that seems so easy from the sidelines, in the trans barista’s strange comment because all they wanted was to be apart of the conversation you’re having with your friends, and even in the bloody toilets we all gotta clean! Protect your peace and cherish your loved ones. Godspeed!

-lion

ps. here’s a little lyrical portion of a song I wrote.. this verse was inspired by the wonderful toilet cleaner Hirayama!

the janitor smiles

the children run wild

and it seems to me that we’re not so different

a perfect day flies

into the sunrise

and the birds still sing, like nothings missing

and still we rush into a dream that seems to block a distant memory

<3

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