Buffett is an interesting character. You know, he and Hemingway are the only people to ever have a book on the NYTimes Best Seller list for both fiction and non-fiction. That tells you something.
Sure, there's a money-machine there, raking in the bucks. However, there's also a lot of real person there, to a greater degree than you get with other entertainers. The thing is, Buffett managed to make millions of bucks by drinking and partying, writing songs and telling stories about it. He made enough to buy his dream planes, and boats, and undoubtedly has a few nice homes here and there as well.
Well holy ****, who wouldn't want that lifestyle? The man gets to live a life that most folks can only dream about... and its refreshing because, for him, it's not really about sex, drugs, and rock and roll. It's actually deeper than that, encouraging people to do what they feel and do what makes them happy. It's rather Bacchanalian, but it's not just about the booze and drugs. It promotes as much of a high through living an exciting and personally-satisfying life as it is about using any particular substance.
I dig his music. Now that he's older, you hear very different "stories" in his songs, ones about his children, ones about fantastic fairy tales (with, it seems, a touch of truth), etc. Of course, I also like his early stuff that has more of a party aim.
My point is just that of all the philosophies and perspectives a man can subscribe to, Buffett's is one I can respect. In a way, he's the reason I finally bought a motorcycle and went long-distance touring on it. He's the reason the weather channel says to expect thunderstorms and I suit up for a 200 mile ride straight into the heart of the storm. You listen to enough songs about doing what you want, and having adventures, and you hear others talk about adventures. Then you look around at your bland and boring life, you look at how your life is and you suddenly say, "What the hell! I'm having an adventure!"
I think it's a pretty free-ing thing. And at the end of the day, the guy can sing about family and relationships and not sound too weak or soft because of it. You can tell he's had the wild times, but he's not a reckless person. That's what differentiates him from many others who I don
not admire. Sure, you have to *****ebags who think it's all about the $14 hamburgers and $12 Corona-clone sixers, But you also have the folks that take something very different, and far more valuable, away from his music and stories.
Men in coconut bras? These are accountants, lawyers, doctors. And they wear coconut bras and sing ridiculous songs at concerts. And there are the women who think it's awesome and "freeing" and follow along in their own types of freeing behavior
These are the people who can hang out at any bar, anywhere, and have a good time. These are the people who don't get freaked out by weirdness or randomness, and can just chill out and have a good time. I get very tired of up-tight people and, I've gotta say, Buffett is as far away from "up-tight" as you can get. I freaking love it.
As for his beer and $14 hamburgers, no thanks. I'll just read the stories and listen to the music, thanks.
