Time for Something Else

This will most likely be the last post you see in a long time, if not ever.. While I hate to permanently close any doors, burn any bridges or exhaust any cliques. I haven't had the energy or interest in writing about music in a long time. My music blogging batteries are burnt out and after five years of consistently posting to United By Rocket Science. I no longer have the passion to go forward.

The departure of Dave and the fact that I became the only person who seems to contribute to another co-created, co-authored music blog have led me to think that any future endeavors would almost surely be both solo and less time consuming. Something that, at this point seems unlikely.

These five years years have taught me a lot about myself and my obsessive nature. How, whenever I take on any project. I develop this compulsive desire to make it bigger, better and to ultimately involve as many creative people as possible. While not a terribly bad thing. Putting that much passion or energy into anything can more than often result in burn out. One starts to expect too much from themselves and the people he/she chooses to involve.

In recent months and years my health has been a major cause of concern. Nothing I'd like to discuss in a public forum, but bad enough that I've told my doctors that I'm getting tired of fighting. And as much as they admire my resilience. I don't know how much longer I want to fight. Obviously, I needed to change some things in my life.

It all started slowly with a change of diet. My wife and I became vegetarians.  A stricter diet,  an exercise regiment and meditation followed. I began withdrawing from the rat race and rebuilding  my greatest passion, studio photography. I've been happier. And all I really want to be is happy. Over time, I've  learned that happiness often starts when you stop trying to make others happy. That's important, because United By Rocket Science stopped being fun for me and became more about setting deadlines and trying to please others. Something Dave and me never set out to do in the first place.

In the end, I'm very proud of what Dave G. and I created and built. Grateful for the many friends we made and the one's who contributed. Hopefully, the many people who stopped in to read the reviews and interviews, enjoyed the experience. But for now, it's time for something different.

Sincerely,
- James Damion

P.S. I'll be covering two upcoming Jersey City music festivals in the coming weeks and months. Sugarfest August 12th and 13th at The Citizen and The North Jersey Indie Rock Festival Saturday September 12th at Cathedral Hall. I'll be taking lots of pictures at both events and will most likely be posting some of them here.

The Future Forecast for United By Rocket Science

Whether you've noticed or not. United By Rocket Science has, for the most part. been inactive for a few months. With Dave spending most of his spare time hauling vinyl to and from record shows and my side project Document Fanzine. There hasn't been much inspiration or initiative to work on this blog. With jobs, family, travel and just plain other things to do. United By Rocket Science has moved from the forefront to the back burner. The decision to delete our Facebook page earlier this year was mine alone and one I personally felt was a long time coming. Over time, maintaining it became a frustrating time suckage that was as frustrating as it was disappointing.

In conversations as recent as today with friend and co-creator Dave G. It seems that his time with the blog has come to a respectful end. And while I leave the door open to any future inclusion on his part. I honesty doubt there will be.  Expecting otherwise on my part would be both unrealistic and selfish. 

In December I will be heading to Japan to spend time with my extended family and hopefully have the opportunity to mentally detox. (No news, TV, Social Media, Distractions) My hope is that, when I return I will be able to make a decision on whether or not to move forward with U.B.R.S on my own. Until then, I'm not really sure I can or even want to. Until then, thanks to the many people who contributed over the years and those who supported us be reading, following, spreading the word and providing us with material to review. It's been a fun four years. James Damion

Be sure to stop in to check out a little side project I've got going called Document. With it's many features and simple layout Document is in many ways a tribute to the print fanzines many of us older kids grew up with. There are interviews, reviews, photography and lots of fun features.

Available Here