I just came back from camp. Army is suck. But on the upside, there is music! Back home, that is - nothing feels better than coming back from 2 and a half weeks of silence and (god forbid) army songs to some good music. I guess I've for now put my musical demons behind me.
Anyway, I gave Frank Zappa's 'Hot Rats' another listen. This is one of my all-time favourite albums. I consider it one of the pinnacles of instrumental rock and quite possibly the only time I've ever heard it done convincingly (I'm lookin' at YOU, steve vai.) It is a beautiful album. The opening track, 'Peaches en Regalia' is tightly composed but feels freewheeling and blooms with what I can only call exuberance. There is no hint of faux machismo here. This is rock music that isn't afraid of being happy - and it is very much so, but; like all great works of art, a sublime happiness. Which is why I prefer to say exuberance; a joy at the fact of listening, of life.
On a more technical note, Zappa's playing is free from cliches but strikingly simple, and his ability to improvise long and coherent solos is incredible - listen to the final track, 'The Gumbo Variations' for about 6 straight minutes of improvisation over a single chord, and it never once gets boring. Zappa's ability to be emphatic is one of his best qualities (and one which places him well above many many other guitarists). I appreciate the simplicity.
This is not to say the album is simple - it definitely contains elements of jazz fusion, with the tightly composed melodies and structures that implies. The instrumentation is varied and often bizarre (many many synths.) but it always feels like the structure is in service of a melody - and again, Zappa's gift with melody is seldom surpassed. Tracks like Peaches en Regalia and Son of Mr. Green Genes demonstrate this knack for simple but beautiful melodies.
On 'Little Umbrellas' Zappa displays a more experimental side - with a more jazz-like melody and much more complex chord changes, almost reminding one of Wayne Shorter's writing for the Miles Davis quintet and particularly for Weather Report with all the multi-layered melodies and compositions.
Kudos also go to Zappa's sidemen. Ian Underwood (saxophones) plays masterfully on 'The Gumbo Variations', contributing his own lengthy solo that delves into the shrieking, squeaking realm of free jazz but never deviates from the funky, earthy theme. Listen to the Art Ensemble of Chicago on 'Theme de yoyo' for an interesting comparison. Also, Zappa's violinist whose name I forget puts in a beautiful solo on the same track.
I saved the best for last - 'Willie the Pimp' is arguably the crowning achievement of the album. It is the only track on the disc with lyrics, and it represents Zappa's long fascination with the absurd and scatological, not to mention sexual. Zappa's associate Captain Beefheart supplies hoarse vocals, shouting 'HOT RATS!' over Zappa's slippery guitar playing. Then Zappa launches into a long, greasy solo - probably the most rock influenced in the whole album.
In total, 'Hot Rats' is an easily accessible but extremely well put together album that never fails to put a smile on my face. We miss you, Frank.
adam
Saturday, April 26
Thursday, April 3
First impressions - David Bowie, Earthling.
I don't see why the critics gave this album a hard time. The opening track, Little Wonder, is a brilliant vindication of electronica, replete with Bowie's spacey harmonies and even a little rock guitar. It fills me with happy feelings. Report on the rest of the album to follow.
adam
I don't see why the critics gave this album a hard time. The opening track, Little Wonder, is a brilliant vindication of electronica, replete with Bowie's spacey harmonies and even a little rock guitar. It fills me with happy feelings. Report on the rest of the album to follow.
adam
Wednesday, April 2
Purify my heart.
I've been unconsciously emo-ing myself into a hole these past few days, moping about in taxis and on buses, sulking around with my headphones in sunny KL, stuff like that. I dunno what it is. Maybe it's the quarter life identity crisis. I guess it is. I've been thinking about music. I've gotten quite jaded about jazz. I mean, face it. Jazz is in a rut. There haven't been any convincing acts (at least, none that I've seen) in the last 20 years at least. Fusion is a sad mess. Free jazz can't decide what it wants to do. The post-bop and Wynton's gang could never match coltrane's ideas and are stuck with pale imitations. I won't even get started on smooth jazz... I've just been to a wedding and that means Kenny G during the appetisers and Pachelbel set to a disgusting soft porn soundtrack during the main course. I guess it sucks that I might actually have to move on and do something else just as I was getting good at it. I'm tired of jazz.
adam
adam
Tuesday, April 1
Monday, March 31
Thursday, March 27
Hide and Seek
where are we?
what the hell is going on?
the dust has only just begun to fall
crop circles in the carpet
sinking feeling
spin me round again
and rub my eyes,
this can't be happening
when busy streets a mess with people
would stop to hold their heads heavy
hide and seek
trains and sewing machines
all those years
they were here first
oily marks appear on walls
where pleasure moments hung before the takeover,
the sweeping insensitivity of this still life
hide and seek
trains and sewing machines (oh, you won't catch me around here)
blood and tears (hearts)
they were here first
Mm whatcha say?
Mm that you only meant well?
well of course you did
Mm whatcha say?
Mm that its all for the best?
of course it is
Mm whatcha say?
Mm that it's just what we need,
you decided this?
Mm what did she say?
ransom notes keep falling out your mouth
sick-sweet talk, newspaper word cut outs
speak no feeling no i don't believe you
you don't care a bit,
you don't care a bit
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This song has been guilt tripping me for a whole week. Fuck you, Imogen Heap.
adam
what the hell is going on?
the dust has only just begun to fall
crop circles in the carpet
sinking feeling
spin me round again
and rub my eyes,
this can't be happening
when busy streets a mess with people
would stop to hold their heads heavy
hide and seek
trains and sewing machines
all those years
they were here first
oily marks appear on walls
where pleasure moments hung before the takeover,
the sweeping insensitivity of this still life
hide and seek
trains and sewing machines (oh, you won't catch me around here)
blood and tears (hearts)
they were here first
Mm whatcha say?
Mm that you only meant well?
well of course you did
Mm whatcha say?
Mm that its all for the best?
of course it is
Mm whatcha say?
Mm that it's just what we need,
you decided this?
Mm what did she say?
ransom notes keep falling out your mouth
sick-sweet talk, newspaper word cut outs
speak no feeling no i don't believe you
you don't care a bit,
you don't care a bit
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This song has been guilt tripping me for a whole week. Fuck you, Imogen Heap.
adam
Sunday, March 23
Coltrane plays ballads
Not an album review this time - just some thoughts on balladry.
Coltrane's playing has long been revered for his speed and (more importantly, I think) ability to weld strings of hyper-fast notes into shockingly coherent, thematically layered melodies. This is beyond doubt and still amazes me every time I listen to 'Giant Steps' or his work with Miles.
I think another, less looked at (I shall not say overlooked because every aspect of his playing has been analysed and debated countless times) aspect of Coltrane's playing is his way with ballads. I find his approach to the slower songs one of the most compelling in the history of jazz music. Never letting his tone become mushy or sentimental, he still manages to be terrifically romantic by stating the melody emphatically. His directness is refreshing, and the strength (I use this word advisedly - the only way I can think to describe his approach is 'strong') of his tone reminds us that 'romanticism' contains both sentimentality and power, and cannot do without either - without power, it is wheedling and mushy (as Kenny G proves) and without sentimentality it is callous and rude (i'm looking at you, Mr. Weckl.)
I think Coltrane understood what it means to be romantic. I don't think anyone will be able to play a ballad convincingly without this kind of understanding.
adam
edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjlz3DYmTw
Here's a video of the Coltrane quartet playing 'Everytime We Say Goodbye'.
Coltrane's playing has long been revered for his speed and (more importantly, I think) ability to weld strings of hyper-fast notes into shockingly coherent, thematically layered melodies. This is beyond doubt and still amazes me every time I listen to 'Giant Steps' or his work with Miles.
I think another, less looked at (I shall not say overlooked because every aspect of his playing has been analysed and debated countless times) aspect of Coltrane's playing is his way with ballads. I find his approach to the slower songs one of the most compelling in the history of jazz music. Never letting his tone become mushy or sentimental, he still manages to be terrifically romantic by stating the melody emphatically. His directness is refreshing, and the strength (I use this word advisedly - the only way I can think to describe his approach is 'strong') of his tone reminds us that 'romanticism' contains both sentimentality and power, and cannot do without either - without power, it is wheedling and mushy (as Kenny G proves) and without sentimentality it is callous and rude (i'm looking at you, Mr. Weckl.)
I think Coltrane understood what it means to be romantic. I don't think anyone will be able to play a ballad convincingly without this kind of understanding.
adam
edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjlz3DYmTw
Here's a video of the Coltrane quartet playing 'Everytime We Say Goodbye'.
Friday, March 21
I've finished my 8 week Lindy Hop course. It was immensely fun. I'll probably be signing up for the next one but not just yet - have to get BMT out of the way. That doesn't stop me from going social dancing every thursday though. I just hope I'm not boring the hell out of the poor people I dance with. Ah well - be a swing slut, is what they told me. Dance with everyone regardless of how noob you feel. I shall.
adam
adam
Wednesday, March 19
about life
I tell a lie every time I'm at a family gathering - when concerned uncles and aunties ask me 'so what course are you going to do in uni' I invariably say that I don't know. Well, okay. It's half true. I'm not sure - but then, who is?
The way I see it a uni course should be something you choose based on what you think you might be able to do professionally - an interest. For whatever reasons. I have never felt that way about law, or medicine (my parents desperately want me to do one of those). Maybe it's because I haven't been exposed enough to the profession - no, scratch that. Three medical attachments so far. Unconvinced. As for law, things are still fuzzy which is why i'm open to it, but again it doesn't look promising. If for 6 years immersed in the swath of free information that is the internet I haven't yet developed any kindling of curiosity I doubt any will be forthcoming soon.
So that leaves me in a bind. I DO know what I would like to do in uni. I'm not sure, nor am I convinced that it'll be a lifetime commitment, but I AM curious. I wish I could study literature, or music. I am curious about computer programming, social sciences, and psychology. That stuff fascinates me. Medicine doesn't.
adam
The way I see it a uni course should be something you choose based on what you think you might be able to do professionally - an interest. For whatever reasons. I have never felt that way about law, or medicine (my parents desperately want me to do one of those). Maybe it's because I haven't been exposed enough to the profession - no, scratch that. Three medical attachments so far. Unconvinced. As for law, things are still fuzzy which is why i'm open to it, but again it doesn't look promising. If for 6 years immersed in the swath of free information that is the internet I haven't yet developed any kindling of curiosity I doubt any will be forthcoming soon.
So that leaves me in a bind. I DO know what I would like to do in uni. I'm not sure, nor am I convinced that it'll be a lifetime commitment, but I AM curious. I wish I could study literature, or music. I am curious about computer programming, social sciences, and psychology. That stuff fascinates me. Medicine doesn't.
adam
Sunday, March 16
I'll be enlisting in about 3 weeks. Not exactly apprehensive; I want to get it over and done with. I will miss freedom though. With enough luck it will return when I'm posted to MDC; otherwise it's hell for 2 years. Make it a point, if that happens, to practice the harmonica loudly in the office and drive my colleagues mad.
I find myself wondering about the people who've gone overseas or are now in camp or in uni or working at some odd little job somewhere. I feel so disconnected: I've never been able to talk to people for a long time about life. Teri mentioned that once - when it comes to 'talking cock' I sadly fail. And I miss some people badly who I never thought I'd miss.
At the same time I'm meeting more new people than I've ever met before (probably because I've been in school). I think it's wonderful to meet new people, but I'm also not very good at it. I always choke up at the right moments and make things really really awkward. Still, new friends are as good as old ones in some ways.
It feels strange, this sensation of moving on - both leaving people behind and finding new connections. I feel... transient? Like all of a sudden I'm unstable and if you blinked for too long I might vanish into thin air.
adam
I find myself wondering about the people who've gone overseas or are now in camp or in uni or working at some odd little job somewhere. I feel so disconnected: I've never been able to talk to people for a long time about life. Teri mentioned that once - when it comes to 'talking cock' I sadly fail. And I miss some people badly who I never thought I'd miss.
At the same time I'm meeting more new people than I've ever met before (probably because I've been in school). I think it's wonderful to meet new people, but I'm also not very good at it. I always choke up at the right moments and make things really really awkward. Still, new friends are as good as old ones in some ways.
It feels strange, this sensation of moving on - both leaving people behind and finding new connections. I feel... transient? Like all of a sudden I'm unstable and if you blinked for too long I might vanish into thin air.
adam
Monday, March 3
Bizarro
This turn of events has amused me greatly. In a bizarre twist of fate, my face-shaving apparatus has mutated from a simple disposable two blade affair into an orange-and-grey amorphous monstrosity with not three, not four, but five blades when my mum bought me a new razor. The Onion mentioned this alarming phenomenon a few months ago, but I feel that the issue needs to be brought up by the grassroots blogging membership: is the value of the razor blade inflating?
Back when we were still beating out women over the head and dragging them to our caves a simple sharp rock seemed to suffice; a REAL cavemen wasn't scared of a little razor burn in a morning or a few cuts he could pass off as battle scars from the last pig hunt. Then midway into our current century, humanity having survived for almost a million years with a simple single razor wielded with skill and sheer macho, two men name Schick and Gilette had to go and derail the trend. I know this: I recently spent an afternoon watching a Discovery Channel documentary about shavers and the bitter turf war that resulted from the razor blade arms race, and while my social life lies in sad tatters around me I am also replete with the knowledge that said turf war is the reason that the average razor nowadays has two blades and compensates for the increasing number of metrosexual men by having a little lubricating strip.
MY razor though, is quite the museum piece: something Captain Kirk would be proud to find poking through the ruins of an Earth museum while making out with a hot alien chick and then subsequently bring back to his ship where it would cause an epidemic of shaving cuts and bleed half of the crew to death, seeing as how the federation would probably have outlawed shavers for some joo-joo laser shaving device that works on dodgy physics principles. (I'm looking at YOU, Mr. Replicator)
The point is : does five blades mean we are on the path to dome haircuts and pointy ears? Is civilisation as we know it at an end? Will Jesus save us?
Hell if I know. Every morning however, I pick up my razor and I wonder.
adam
Back when we were still beating out women over the head and dragging them to our caves a simple sharp rock seemed to suffice; a REAL cavemen wasn't scared of a little razor burn in a morning or a few cuts he could pass off as battle scars from the last pig hunt. Then midway into our current century, humanity having survived for almost a million years with a simple single razor wielded with skill and sheer macho, two men name Schick and Gilette had to go and derail the trend. I know this: I recently spent an afternoon watching a Discovery Channel documentary about shavers and the bitter turf war that resulted from the razor blade arms race, and while my social life lies in sad tatters around me I am also replete with the knowledge that said turf war is the reason that the average razor nowadays has two blades and compensates for the increasing number of metrosexual men by having a little lubricating strip.
MY razor though, is quite the museum piece: something Captain Kirk would be proud to find poking through the ruins of an Earth museum while making out with a hot alien chick and then subsequently bring back to his ship where it would cause an epidemic of shaving cuts and bleed half of the crew to death, seeing as how the federation would probably have outlawed shavers for some joo-joo laser shaving device that works on dodgy physics principles. (I'm looking at YOU, Mr. Replicator)
The point is : does five blades mean we are on the path to dome haircuts and pointy ears? Is civilisation as we know it at an end? Will Jesus save us?
Hell if I know. Every morning however, I pick up my razor and I wonder.
adam
I'm going to plan a big party before I leave for army. Probably day before I leave... no, scratch that, TWO days. That leaves one day to recover from the hangover. I feel like Clarissa Dalloway. Everyone will be invited - even people who aren't invited will probably be invited. There will be drinks.
adam
adam
Friday, February 29
I've realised what's different now from the last 18 years of my life - I've never been this alone. Every day of my life was always begun to the promise of going to school and meeting classmates who for all that they annoyed me, were genuinely interesting people (for the most part). We had to spend all our time together, for better or for worse. Now there's no such assurance.
On the MRT today I was struck by how I've navigated my own course for now, and nobody's following me through it - no classmates, CCA mates, church friends. Just me. There are moments of fleeting contact - running into friends on the bus. After hours jam sessions. Going back to RJ to teach the juniors. But it's not the same - I'm aware that my life momentarily occupies the same space as someone else's, and will inevitably lead me back to other places.
Being me, I enjoy the solitude but I'm also a little lonely.
adam
On the MRT today I was struck by how I've navigated my own course for now, and nobody's following me through it - no classmates, CCA mates, church friends. Just me. There are moments of fleeting contact - running into friends on the bus. After hours jam sessions. Going back to RJ to teach the juniors. But it's not the same - I'm aware that my life momentarily occupies the same space as someone else's, and will inevitably lead me back to other places.
Being me, I enjoy the solitude but I'm also a little lonely.
adam
Tuesday, February 26
I guess I should update.
It's been a wild week. It started on thursday with dance classes and social dancing at 9. That was fun, even if I can't exactly dance properly. Friday was SEA jam. I took a beginner's class taught by Frankie Manning himself, which was pretty enlightening. Other than that, my lack of experience kind of prevented me from dancing a hell lot so I got out after that. Shall go next year and murder my legs.
Saturday was Kelly's party. THAT was wild. We all got drunk (except hyqel.) and spent a few hours malingering in a park. People are -very- funny when high.
Sunday was teaching Cathechism class with the LoGgers O.o that was also wild in a different sort of way. P4 kids are no joke. Justin Sim, you are a brave brave man. Later on I went to southbridge in a sort of fatigued haze. I believe I played a total train wrecked 'Milestones' and then I called 'That's All' which went rather well. The mojito definitely contributed to my guitar histrionics.
Yesterday was the Ben n Jerry's audition. That sucked. I think we played pretty alright but evidently they were looking for more of a pop band so I think i'm giving up on that gig.
Today I am unbelievably exhausted and a little emotionally drained. Okay, very emotionally drained. I think I'll stay home.
adam
It's been a wild week. It started on thursday with dance classes and social dancing at 9. That was fun, even if I can't exactly dance properly. Friday was SEA jam. I took a beginner's class taught by Frankie Manning himself, which was pretty enlightening. Other than that, my lack of experience kind of prevented me from dancing a hell lot so I got out after that. Shall go next year and murder my legs.
Saturday was Kelly's party. THAT was wild. We all got drunk (except hyqel.) and spent a few hours malingering in a park. People are -very- funny when high.
Sunday was teaching Cathechism class with the LoGgers O.o that was also wild in a different sort of way. P4 kids are no joke. Justin Sim, you are a brave brave man. Later on I went to southbridge in a sort of fatigued haze. I believe I played a total train wrecked 'Milestones' and then I called 'That's All' which went rather well. The mojito definitely contributed to my guitar histrionics.
Yesterday was the Ben n Jerry's audition. That sucked. I think we played pretty alright but evidently they were looking for more of a pop band so I think i'm giving up on that gig.
Today I am unbelievably exhausted and a little emotionally drained. Okay, very emotionally drained. I think I'll stay home.
adam
Friday, February 8
Wednesday, February 6
All you army boys complain that your brains are rotting in camp. Well guess what it isn't really that different here in Real Life. Since most of my schoolmates are either (you guessed it) in camp or at work for the girls, there really isn't anyone to talk to most of the time. I guess I do get moments here and then when people are free but that is pretty much the extent of it.
I think I'll have to get used to this. Face it, bringing together interesting people was just about the only thing school had going for it and now that it's out I'm floundering a little.
I think I'll have to get used to this. Face it, bringing together interesting people was just about the only thing school had going for it and now that it's out I'm floundering a little.
Wednesday, January 30
Blog games
Grabbed off cher's blog. Sorry cher.
I am the egg-man. They are the egg-men. I am the walrus.
First Day of School : Build God, Then We'll Talk by Panic! at the disco - hmm. no comment.
Falling in Love: Summer Rain by Hiromi - also no comment. I realise around this point that my library doesn't have a lot of vocals.
Fight Song: Another Kind of Green by John Mayer -
I didn't need another kind of green to know I'm on the right side with you.
Breaking Up: Satin Doll by Ella Fitzgerald - not quite.
She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be.
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me
Prom: When We Were Free by Pat Metheny Group - haha.
Life: You Got No Right by Velvet Revolver - one of the few on my playlist that I've never listened to before O.o is that trying to say something about the state of my life?
Mental Breakdown: Telegraph Road by Dire Straits - wonderful song, scores just about nothing for appropriateness. It's about a road.
There's six lanes of traffic
Three lanes moving slow
Flashback: Theme from frasier. Hey baby I hear the blues are calling...
Tossed salads and scrambled eggs.
Wedding: Danse Macabre. Holy Crap.
Birth of Child: Four by Miles Davis. NO. NONONONONONONONONO.
Death Scene: Battle Hymn by Manowar. No comment.
Funeral Song: Headless by Joe Satriani. -.-
Ending Credits: Big Machine by Velvet Revolver. WHY do i keep getting them? I don't even particularly like them or have a huge lot of their music.
adam
1. Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool!
Opening Credits : Fall to Pieces by Velvet Revolver - oddly appropriate.
Every time I'm falling down
All alone I fall to pieces
I am the egg-man. They are the egg-men. I am the walrus.
First Day of School : Build God, Then We'll Talk by Panic! at the disco - hmm. no comment.
Falling in Love: Summer Rain by Hiromi - also no comment. I realise around this point that my library doesn't have a lot of vocals.
Fight Song: Another Kind of Green by John Mayer -
I didn't need another kind of green to know I'm on the right side with you.
Breaking Up: Satin Doll by Ella Fitzgerald - not quite.
She's nobody's fool so I'm playing it cool as can be.
I'll give it a whirl but I ain't for no girl catching me
Prom: When We Were Free by Pat Metheny Group - haha.
Life: You Got No Right by Velvet Revolver - one of the few on my playlist that I've never listened to before O.o is that trying to say something about the state of my life?
Mental Breakdown: Telegraph Road by Dire Straits - wonderful song, scores just about nothing for appropriateness. It's about a road.
There's six lanes of traffic
Three lanes moving slow
Flashback: Theme from frasier. Hey baby I hear the blues are calling...
Tossed salads and scrambled eggs.
Wedding: Danse Macabre. Holy Crap.
Birth of Child: Four by Miles Davis. NO. NONONONONONONONONO.
Death Scene: Battle Hymn by Manowar. No comment.
Funeral Song: Headless by Joe Satriani. -.-
Ending Credits: Big Machine by Velvet Revolver. WHY do i keep getting them? I don't even particularly like them or have a huge lot of their music.
adam
Tuesday, January 22
Blu Jazz
I went to the Blu Jazz restaurant/bar twice in the last two weeks to play with the band. Aya Sekine is an amazing musician. The night I played she had in two guests who she happened to know - Joshua Wan on bass and someone else on drums i can't quite recall. What amazed me was that they didn't gig regularly together, but on stage they were so together it was almost telepathic. This is really creepy territory. I'm not talking about simply playing on time or stuff like that. Interpretation-wise, that band is able to turn on a dime. They can jump from a flying crescendo to pin-drop silence in the space of a bar, and it's entirely improvised. They just communicate somehow. Anyway that put enough of the righteous fear in me that i gave up comping and just quietly took my solo. Aya said she liked it (woot) and asked me to come back (woot.).
Came back the week after and discovered that there was a guest band i.e. Aya wasn't there. So I asked the guest band (michael stenton) whether I could play - well actually i mentioned that I played guitar a bit and Michael invited me on stage. That was scary. Luckily I called familiar stuff - a blues shuffle and then someone called Black Orpheus. Not a terribly difficult tune, I could've handled the changes probably, but Michael told me he'd give me the outtro. 3 minutes of A minor. That is a freaking dream come true for someone who's spent the last two years playing So What (7.5 minutes of D minor and 2.5 minutes of Eb minor) and the rest of the modal jazz standards. So it was good. I'm fairly happy about that.
Then of course got dragged to Xun's place and got smashed. I'm not happy about that, but that's another story for another day. God, I sound like Ringo Starr.
adam
Came back the week after and discovered that there was a guest band i.e. Aya wasn't there. So I asked the guest band (michael stenton) whether I could play - well actually i mentioned that I played guitar a bit and Michael invited me on stage. That was scary. Luckily I called familiar stuff - a blues shuffle and then someone called Black Orpheus. Not a terribly difficult tune, I could've handled the changes probably, but Michael told me he'd give me the outtro. 3 minutes of A minor. That is a freaking dream come true for someone who's spent the last two years playing So What (7.5 minutes of D minor and 2.5 minutes of Eb minor) and the rest of the modal jazz standards. So it was good. I'm fairly happy about that.
Then of course got dragged to Xun's place and got smashed. I'm not happy about that, but that's another story for another day. God, I sound like Ringo Starr.
adam
Tuesday, January 15
There was probably a point sometime around last year where i stopped being a writer and I started being a musician. And then I realised with not a little surprise that it was the same thing. The only thing which keeps me going at all this is that spark of wonder that wakes me up in the morning whispering 'Inexplicably, I am alive. I don't know why. But is it not beautiful?' It is beautiful, oh it is beautiful.
Inexplicably we are alive. Somehow we fumble our way through the recesses of this world, clueless as to where we came from. We cling to each other, quite afraid. The highest faculty we possess is empathy (Phillip K. Dick got this one right) - the ability to recognise that same wonder and fear in another person.
Inexplicably we are alive. Consciousness is a nested existential crisis. I have no reason to exist. If i did not exist, I would not be wondering why I exist. I respond with fear. I respond with wonder. The world has no explanation. It is wild and beautiful.
Inexplicably we are alive. Individuality is the only undisputable fact and the only insoluble mystery. Is a person more than the sum of his parts? I am proud of myself because I exist. I have no reason to exist. I have no reason to be proud except my individuality. I am separate from you, I am sovereign. You are sovereign; you are my brother.
Experience is sacred. Art is the worship of experience.
adam
Inexplicably we are alive. Somehow we fumble our way through the recesses of this world, clueless as to where we came from. We cling to each other, quite afraid. The highest faculty we possess is empathy (Phillip K. Dick got this one right) - the ability to recognise that same wonder and fear in another person.
Inexplicably we are alive. Consciousness is a nested existential crisis. I have no reason to exist. If i did not exist, I would not be wondering why I exist. I respond with fear. I respond with wonder. The world has no explanation. It is wild and beautiful.
Inexplicably we are alive. Individuality is the only undisputable fact and the only insoluble mystery. Is a person more than the sum of his parts? I am proud of myself because I exist. I have no reason to exist. I have no reason to be proud except my individuality. I am separate from you, I am sovereign. You are sovereign; you are my brother.
Experience is sacred. Art is the worship of experience.
adam
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