Go Get 'Em, Smiley!

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 15:03:31 -0500

I’ve been trying to limit my beer consumption - I don’t recover like I used to, and it surely doesn’t align with my fitness goals. Being the oldest guy at jiu jitsu is already hard enough without a hangover and/or a beer gut.

That said - I was bored as hell yesterday and for lack of any better options, went and posted up at our local brewery. It was pretty busy - someone was having a 50th birthday party and had the place packed. I found the one open spot at the bar and ended up talking to a young kid named Smiley. He came up from Texas for a short term gig but is staying a few weeks because he’s enjoying Massachusetts so much. He produces music and showed me the booking app he’s trying to develop. It’s actually pretty great, which is not usually my reaction when someone shows me their app, you know?

Anyway, his youth and enthusiasm impressed me, and I bought his beers. Walking home I pondered the circle of life. It feels like just yesterday when I was a young doofus, travelling around the country with no prospects but big dreams and showing up in strange bars. Old dudes took care of me then, and it felt pretty good to be the old dude taking care of my man Smiley now. I fully expect him to take up the mantle in 30 years’ time.

People mostly just want to help each other. It’s good to be reminded of that every now and again.

life on Accidentally Old School

Go Get 'Em, Smiley!