You need to be strong

Got our hours cut at work.

I'm sorry.

Boy, you're sure saying "I'm sorry" a lot lately.

That's because I am sorry that you're going through tough times lately.

Could be worse. I'm not losing a place to live or my truck. But I don't have any emergency money for if my truck breaks down or the computer needs fixing or whatever, and that worries me. I'm also at the end of my credit, and...well, I'm going to have to be a musician, it looks like.

Could be worse.

Damn right. Being a musician could be the best thing for me. My life could be greatly improved. If I get the gigs, that is. If I'm not rejected all the fuckin' time.

You know what, farmboy? You may need to teach yourself to tell yourself to shut the fuck up when you say things like that.

(Farmboy is shocked and speechless)

I mean it, farmboy. I'm not saying you have to be one of these positive thinking types. I know that's not your style. But, seriously, you're just going to wind up bitter and sad if you think like that all the time. And you're so much smarter than that, farmboy. I don't know why you can't see that. C'mon, farmboy.

Okay. End of lecture.

(looks up at the interviewer) I know that. (hangs head down) I'm sorry.

No, farmboy, I didn't mean...

I really am sorry. I know I'm emotional and self-centered and whiny...

Farmboy, it's your life. You should be self-centered about it.

But I can be a fuckin' drag. I know that.

You're painting yourself into a corner. Just stop. Take a breath. Don't panic.

I don't know...

Just rest. Your mind is on overtime.

Yeah.

You're a good guy, farmboy. I like you.

Are you breathing?

Yeah.

Breathe some more.

Okay.

I want you to take care of yourself, farmboy. Listen to me. Right now it's really important to eat healthy, to get some exercise, to laugh, to learn, to sleep, to do good things for yourself. Because right now you're open emotionally to all sorts of things. You are super-sensitive, especially when it comes to rejection. So you have to treat yourself right. You need to start building a foundation of feeling good about yourself. And that may mean listening less to those voices telling you how wrong and bad you are.

There's another reason. You need to be strong because I think some changes are coming your way.

Good or bad changes?

We'll see.