Native American poem - The Journey
Current mood: artistic
Category: Blogging

I don't know where this is from - if anyone knows - please clue me in.

The Journey
One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life", each voice cried.

But you didn't stop, you knew what you had to do, though the wind cried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations though their melancholy was terrible.

It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper in to the world, determined to do the only thing you could do...determined to save the only life you could save.

Currently listening : Music for Vacuuming By Don Ross Release date: 10 January, 2006

4:01 PM - 2 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

In love

I'm so in love...with playing guitar. How did I NOT play for all these many, many years? I played as a teenager - then life happened. And now I've found my way back. In one afternoon of psychodrama and music, I found my way back to my guitar. The joy and peace that I experience now when that piece of wood is in my hands is more than I could have imagined. When I played as a kid, it was for everyone else. It was so that people would like me - so that I could try to 'fit in' in some way. It was so that my mother would be proud. Now it's all for me. It's a connection with something greater than myself. It about a connection with the Divine. What an amazing gift.
I've found a great instructor who inspires me so much. I'm having more fun than I could have ever imagined.
I have such a deep sense of thanks in my heart for everyone who is supporting and inspiring me as I become more fully awake in my life - some of these people I know and some I don't (except for their music). Music has always been such an important part of my life - but this is just amazing. Sometimes I don't even have words for it.

Currently listening : Music for Vacuuming By Don Ross Release date: 10 January, 2006

8:36 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

motivating teenage musicians
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Life

I'm working with one of the instructors at the music studio where I take guitar lessons with a recital that some of the kids are going to do at the end of January. Of course - since these are guitar players we're talking about, it is very uncool to be called a 'recital'. So...I guess it's a gig. It's a group of about 15 kids (ages 12 to 15). They're doing '90's Grunge' music - Nirvana, Greenday, Bush, and Metallica among others. It's a really good group of kids and most of them are quite talented. They work well with each other and they've all chosen which songs they want to play on. The music studio has a room in the back with a stage (and stage lights), a drum set, amps, microphones, etc. The kids do great when they're hanging around playing, but they just get so nervous when they get up and play on the stage. They want this gig to be a real rock show - but they feel uncomfortable on stage. This show is going to be just parents. Those parents are going to love and be proud of those kids regardless of how good they are - but they really do want to rock the place. I'm trying to figure out some ways to relax them and reduce the performance anxiety a little. I can think of tons of exercises (experiential sorts of things) that would warm them up - but I hate taking away guitar practice time. I just have to figure out the best way to do it.

7:26 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

my relationship
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Music

Is it strange to write about my relationship with my guitar? I guess if it's not strange to think about it, it's not strange to write about it. For so many years as a teenager, I played...I performed...for others. It made my mom proud. It was something that she seemed to like. I learned and sand the songs that she liked - the ones that she wanted to hear. Now that I've picked up the guitar again after all these years (I guess about 15 years since I've played) - I have such a different relationship with my guitar. The best word I can think of to describe it is 'intimate'. I don't play for anyone else but me. In addition to playing the guitar, I find myself really appreciating the instrument itself...like a fine piece of art. I love the feel of it...the look of the walnut wood. I want to know how others feel about the 'relationship' with their instruments. All I know is that there are a few times when I feel really awake and alive. Those times are when I'm hiking and when I'm playing guitar. What a gift.

Currently listening : Pink Moon By Nick Drake Release date: 06 May, 2003

7:13 PM - 3 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

woe is me
Current mood: aggravated
Category: Sports

Oh Baltimore Ravens...you cause me such pain. Why?  Why do I love you so? Why do I pretend that it will be ok even as a far inferior team kicks your butt?

12:58 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

music is life
Current mood: curious
Category: Music

I am continuously amazed at the importance that music has in my life. I've picked up a guitar after about 15 years of not playing a note. At the time I originally played - I played and sang for others. It's what my mom wanted me to do - it seemed to make her proud. Recently I was in a personal growth workshop that used music extensively. It was at this point that I decided to pick up my guitar again. Within a pretty short period of time I've begun taking lessons again. But it's all very different now. This is completely for me. I'm not singing - I'm just playing. It's not performance - it's for my soul. I feel so good about this. I was home visiting my mother and grandmother during the Thanksgiving holiday and I took my guitar with me. But I didn't play for most of the time I was there. I felt like I didn't want to share it - that I somehow wanted to keep it for me and for me alone. How strange is that? I'm not sure. As it turns out - I think I was right to keep it mostly to myself. After I finally did play (not long before we left), I didn't get any sort of response at all. Nothing. Nil. Not a single word. Very strange. I don't know what I expected, but I expected at least some word or something. I'm still deciding what to make of it all.

Currently listening : The Creek Drank the Cradle By Iron & Wine Release date: 24 September, 2002

12:24 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

hammer on pull off
Current mood: frustrated
Category: Life

I'm soooo frustrated. Been trying to learn the hammer on & pull off techniques. I can do it, but not while changing chords. Stupid, slow fingers. Do what I tell you to!!!

4:34 PM - 1 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

All About the Music
Current mood: happy
Category: Music

I'm all about the music here at myspace. What a great place to find new bands.

Currently listening : The Shepherd’s Dog By Iron & Wine Release date: 25 September, 2007

9:12 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment