10 goto 10

Back in the day
My parents said an hour's all the time that I could play
Star Raiders Pac-Man Donkey Kong and Agent USA
But if instead I programmed, well, then I could sit and stay
Eyes locked upon the pixels 'til my retinas burned away

I rocked Atari BASIC with more love with every line
Creative and mathematic skills were finally combined
I learned to count in binary by the time that I was nine
The games I wrote weren't Galaga but dammit they were MINE

And I loved to spend each night
Bathed in the bright blue light
Of the Amdek CRT
And I dreamed one day my skills
Would truly pay the bills
And that I could make a living doing what I loved doing for free

And so flash forward to September 1993
The time had come to make it real and go for my degree
I signed up for my classes in the field of double-E
And took CS electives, got an A++ in C

Snatched up right after college to begin my new career
My parents were so proud of their new software engineer
My first job with no hair net and my future looked so clear
I got four Dilbert calendars at Christmas time that year

And now I spend my days
Bathed in the dullish haze
From my big Dell LCD
And with each morning's light
I close my eyes and fight
To convince myself that this is how I wanted life to be

Wake up and work go home make dinner put the kid to bed

Tim, don’t be sad, I know it’s been a minute
Since VH-1 premiered the Pac-Man clip it’s true, they didn’t
Show the part they said they would where you performed a song
The point is that your art is great, and it does not belong
On the cutting room floor
You agree, I’m guessing
Your family is amazing and your day job is a blessing
And the albums that you make are classics every one
I own a lot of awesome work I found up on the FuMP
But Rochester is freezing and now Water Street is closed
We’re only getting older, Lake Ontario is cold!
You’ve always got your music and you’ve always got your team
Of Ian, Devo Spice, Luke Ski and Dr. D
And lots of hardcore fans and friends who all adore
The way you strike a balance, and when you close the door
To make the songs that tell the truth with humor, pain, and passion
Never quit creating, man, that’s really all I’m asking

Wake up and work go home make dinner put the kid to bed