Sunday, December 17, 2006

Kindness

It has been a long while since I actually sat down and wrote a song, in fact it's been a very long time since I even felt motivated and creatively inspired to do so.

Fortunately, I recently had the opportunity to put some motivation and creative inspiration to good use and write some music for a very specific and worthwhile purpose. 

I will add very little more about it, aside from saying that it was very enjoyable and inspiring to contribute music and animation to Pam's words. I wish to thank Pam for inviting me to do so.

Without further ado, here is a link to what Pam has called The Kindness Movement.  Please visit, listen, read and hopefully think about the message behind this project:

The Kindness Movement

Thank you.

Posted by Jon at 11:02:56 PM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

Monday, December 11, 2006

To err is human...

It's part of the human condition that we know we make mistakes - our fallibility is around us and within us all the time as we go through life, joining up with its cousin mortality to make us truly human.  As Alexander Pope's quote suggests, making errors is very much human, but it seems that in some senses to me that we do not deal with this very well. 

On the one hand the notion of fallibility (technically the idea that absolute knowledge is impossible) is very rarely encountered in public life. 

Politicians, sports stars, celebrities etc seldom acknowledge in any direct way that they made a mistake, and yet it happens all the time.   A mistake can take many forms, of course, and doesn't necessarily indicate anything other than perhaps a poor judgment in the face of available information or perhaps a misjudgment based on prioritising the importance of an end  result.   It's not often that we hear an acknowledgment of this, even when it is blatant to all concerned.  So much so that it appears that when we do hear it, it stands out precisely because it is not the norm.   Perhaps we should ask why that is?  Is there something in our culture or society that makes it difficult for people to stand up and say "I made an error" and feel comfortable doing so?

On the other hand, how we deal with our own misjudgments is crucial.  Do we acknowledge them, do we move on from them clearly and with learning, do we hang onto them as mistakes we return to?   How we interact within ourselves on these matters is part of how we then reflect back to the outside world and deal with other people's flaws and fallibility.

Admitting "I was wrong" is still a big hurdle for many people.  If you unhook that expression from associated feelings of regret and guilt though, I think there is potential to forgive oneself, and then freely and openly admit to one's misjudgments.  Whether other people can unhook their own feelings in reaction to a mistake, of their hurt or their disappointment,  is another matter.   But, that is outside of one's control and should not undercut the value of admitting one's fallibility, which is ultimately to acknowledge that we are not perfect, but that in recognising imperfection we are more aware.

So, forgive yourself, and own up to a mistake today.  You know it really truly is the most human of things to do.

Posted by Jon at 10:02:04 AM in Musing (23) | Comments (2)

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Like Lazarus...

Yes, rather like Lazarus, I return to life from my absence.  Of course, my story is not quite as dramatic as our revived colleague from the New Testament and it could hardly be said to be miraculous. The connection with Lazarus becomes even further tenuous when one considers that Lazarus probably did not have to deal with hundreds of spam comments for online poker, drugs and porn when he came back to life.

"Sorry, I'll be with you in a sec, Jesus, I just need to deal with this damned graffiti first .."

Whatever happened to Lazarus?  You'd think he'd have gone onto big things after such a feat, after gaining such notoriety - but as far as I can tell he's not mentioned again. 

One might think he'd feel so indebted to Jesus that he would hang around, you know, as a sort of show of gratitude for the person who gave him life. Or at least you might think he would go off and do great things on his own account, inspired by his miraculous experience.  But no, alas, it seems not.  He lived. He died.  He lived again. He descended into obscurity, perhaps a late-night slot on Satellite.  Or perhaps he just settled down and decided that was enough excitement for a lifetime.  Or two.

More such meanderings to come... in the meantime let me know your ideas for what happened to Lazarus.

 

Posted by Jon at 1:03:43 AM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Some random links to some nice people

I do keep some very varied company which is something I celebrate - further, please visit the following people who I would like to consider friends and colleagues:

Nerve Filter - this is the side project of Assemblage23's Tom Shear and the first CD "Linear" is mightily good too. Tremendous production, captivating  textures and sound palette. Highly recommended for fans of A23 and anyone who likes thoughtful electronic music.

Maha's Blog - the interesting linguistic and spiritual thoughts of a very kind and creative soul called Mahalene Louis who I recently had the pleasure to meet and work with.

SubZeros - the website for the band SubZeros, featuring long-time friend and all-round "geezer" Paul Miles.

Chrysalid Katrina Relief CD - a compilation CD in aid of Katrina Relief, contributed by the good, the bad and the insane of KVR

Posted by Jon at 12:45:52 AM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Another doodle

Another Project Dogwaffle doodle

Posted by Jon at 1:56:50 AM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

A doodle...

Just a quick doodle using Project DogWaffle...click for larger version:

Posted by Jon at 11:55:06 AM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Doru RIP

 Doru, thank you so much for all you did and all you were.   It was so typical of you to try to give something to me when I wanted to give something back to you!

Wherever you are... peace and much music. 

Posted by Jon at 1:19:09 AM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Is it time for me...

...to give up on the notion and practice of making music as a "serious" pursuit?

I can't remember the last time I really sat down and was productive with my music.  I still enjoy dabbling with synths and sounds, and have particularly enjoyed my guitar again lately (especially with the Line6 TonePort I recently got), but it's struck me in recent days that perhaps I need to give up on the notion that it's something I can (should?) devote serious amounts of time, energy and money to.  Time is something I don't have much of.  Energy levels often fluctuate in the short-term into lows and have been low in the general sense for a long while now. It's been a rough couple of years, what with one thing or another.  Money is always an issue, but it is even more so now, in what is probably the toughest time I've had since going self-employed more than 7 years ago.

It's a big decision and one I won't take lightly.  If I do take the path which removes music-making as a significant part of my environment, I am sure it won't disappear completely.  I will hold on to a skeleton array of equipment.  Some of that will be forced on me as there are items which are not re-saleable, but I will keep a core set-up just so I have something in case I need that avenue or outlet in the future or if I find some creative sparks igniting in the future.

I need to do some thinking about this question....or at least find some space to assess what all this means.

Posted by Jon at 9:26:25 PM in Musing (23) | Comments (2)

Thursday, February 09, 2006

In other news...

Well, I have been literally inundated with requests that I update my blog.  So, thanks to both of you for your interest ;)

If you missed the last thrilling episode, here's a quick catch-up:

Mike's on-off affair with Lisa has become complicated since her ex-husband returned after being presumed dead following the aircraft accident in which the entire stock of "Marshmallow Bites" was destroyed.  Tim is still in a coma despite the best attention of nurse Sylvia -  who co-incidentally rescued him from the burning wreckage of the Foreman Grill, performed CPR on him in situ, did the brain surgery and is his lost twin sister.  Meanwhile, surely it's only a matter of time before the panto season starts and several of the cast go on holidays - probably to Queensland - or find themselves sent to a prison resembling a strange cross between a Travel Lodge and a PortaKabin (hey, wait, isn't that the same room with just a few things moved around?  Of course, their time in the clink will not be very long, and ultimately it was for something they didn't do, which they will later prove - probably with the help of a small child or an animal - with much relief all around..

In other news, I'm still here.

Posted by Jon at 9:40:55 PM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

A picture masquerading as an update

Posted by Jon at 11:40:53 PM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)