Gratefulness

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I admit that my entry today is going to be similar to Rhonda’s yesterday.  I’m not one who is terribly excited by Thanksgiving and never really have been.  Yes, it is nice to get together with family, but the traditional meal doesn’t thrill me (I’m a vegetarian) and I am not into cooking.  Nonetheless, the one thing about this holiday that is worthwhile, in my opinion, and is acknowledging what you are thankful for.  Rhonda summed up what she is grateful for, including her family, her friends, the Duranie community, DDF, the band and our readers.  I feel the same, but today I specifically want to acknowledge my gratefulness that Duran Duran is still in existence.

There are not many bands who last for five years or ten years and there are very few who last as long as Duran Duran has.  Now, looking at their history, it is even more impressive.  Goodness knows that some of the members have put their lives at risk, at times, through things like yacht races or excessive partying.  Yet, all of the members both past and present are still with us.  They survived these risky moments.  Then, the band as a whole has remained a band through lineup changes, side projects, poor album sales, criticism of both fans and press alike and more.  I remember explaining to people in 1986 that Duran Duran would return as a band after they participated in Power Station and Arcadia.  I know that I still inform people that not only does Duran Duran still exist, but they even make new music and still tour.  The reaction then and now is one of amazement. 

I have to admit that I have experienced amazement myself during this year when it comes to this band.  I witnessed both the celebration of the reunion and Astronaut followed by the utter disappointment of Red Carpet Massacre.  I saw fans leave the community and I observed the poor album sales.  I couldn’t imagine how the band could recover.  Obviously, I wanted them to and would always say, publicly, that I believed that they would return, but doubted it on the inside.  Yes, I saw the brief pieces of news from them in regards to making the new album but those bits of information were few and far between.  I started to prepare myself for what seemed like the inevitable announcement that the band was done.  The only thing that kept me hoping was that they would, at least, do one more show to say goodbye.  I longed to have one more show, one more tour, one more chance to be with my friends in that way.  Then, there appeared a tiny light at the end of the tunnel.  Now, we are moving closer and closer to reaching that light and my fear has ended.  It seems clear that there will be one more album, one more tour, and one more chance to celebrate with my friends.

Will there be more Duran Duran after this cycle?  I do not know.  For now, I’m embracing their current motto of “All You Need Is Now”.  I am living in the present and looking forward to the new music and to touring.  Therefore, this year, at this time, I’m more than happy.  I’m grateful.

-A