Wednesday, August 31, 2005

GAS!

Unbelieveable!
Playing into the hands of the greedy again! Where are the alternative energy sources? Bought out or squelched by the corporate oil giants. The same ones who you can blame for the demise of the red electric streetcars that once graced Los angeles. Assholes! I realize the situation in the gulf, but gimme a break! Now I suppose we have a great excuse to steal some oil from Iraq. Yep. As if W really needed an excuse. He's only profiting from this mess anyway, at our expense.
Tirade over.

Friday, August 26, 2005

De-Junking

I'm going through some old vinyl records and having a wonderful time. I'm going through the old collection with a mind to archiving them on cd. Betsy and Katie are out doing a bit of back to school wardrobe shopping for Katie and I'm listening to the Brandenburg Concertos by J.S. Bach. Right this minute I'm into Concerto #1. I'm loving it and almost caught up in a reverie. I could swear even the cats are into it. I have tons of old vinyl and cassettes and have only begun doing some format conversion with an eye to further de-cluttering of my life. There was a time when I wouldn't even consider getting rid of the precious old outmoded mediums, but I guess you could say I am a changed man. I just don't want stuff to tie me down. I am evaluating just about everything of a material nature and questioning its worth or the purpose it serves in my life. Is it a weight or is it a joy? Is it a burden or is it a tool for increasing the quality of life? Sure, I love music, but I also value organization up to a point, and getting rid of stuff and simplifying life has become a bit of an obsession for me, not only on the material plane, but on the spiritual and mental as well. Boy is this fun! Let the games begin!

Sunday, August 14, 2005

The End Of Myself

Sometimes the darkness overtakes me
Like a long lost lover or a friend
Unlike the daylight that forsakes me
At the journey’s end

I am seeking transparency
I delight in the truth
And I want it to motivate me
To higher pursuits

Idealism vs Reality

I get so sick of myself. I am amazed by my inability to turn ideal into reality, the sound in my head to the sound on record; the ideals of my life into reality. I am constantly disappointed with reality but maybe I’m being too subjective.

I’m listening to “Devils and Dust”, Bruce’s new record. It’s good. He has a way of totally inspiring me to write and record. He usually restores my faith in the power of Rock n Roll. He is a huge influence on me. He always has been, even before I could stand on my own as a writer. That was a long time ago, but I am still grateful for the lessons learned.

The record came on a dual disc. It has CD on one side and DVD on the other. Now I need to think about getting with the program and actually buying a DVD player. Yes, I’m still in the dark ages with a VHS machine that’s twenty years old. Oh, and 5.1 surround would be cool to get familiar with as well. It’s high time!

I saw Alejandro Escovedo on Austin City Limits last night. It was very cool to see him playing and writing so very well. I’m glad he’s feeling better.

I have my ups and downs, but I’d rather have these then the in-betweens.

Monday, August 08, 2005

Martin

I got my Martin back from the repair shop today. Eight new frets and it feels and plays like a brand new guitar, only better, because it's got some years on it and it's aging well and sounding great. It's amazing to me how an instrument that is in great playable condition inspires one to pick it up and spend a whole lot of time wearing down the frets again! Put me in, coach!

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Sunday Hangin'

I woke up at 8:00, which is odd for me on a Sunday or any day for that matter. Had a wonderful quiet time with the Lord. Betsy brought us some McDonalds breakfast sandwiches in lieu of going to Hot Stacks today. I threw out a lot of crap in our bedroom. I’m talking about tons of stuff. It’s amazing what you can cram into a room. I must have thrown out ten big bags of trash. We have tons more to go as we are in de-cluttering mode.

My Martin has finally been re-fretted and it’s ready to be picked up from Chestnut Mandolins in Conway, the local factory authorized Martin repair facility. I am giddy about having my “baby” back and I’m looking forward to fondling and cradling her once again! I have been out of sorts lately and haven’t played much music at all. Then again, when your axe aint right it’s hard to get motivated.

I must be so high strung. I’ve been anxious about so many things. I do cast my cares on the Lord, but I need to learn how to leave my cares with him. I always seem to take them back and work myself up into a lather. I don’t know why…things have a way of working out in spite of myself, and I thank God for that daily.

We’re having Mom and Wes and Taylor over for our weekly dinner. Off we go…

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Unchained


Certain things don’t apply anymore. I am different somehow; not so much evolved, but no longer poured into the world’s mold. Not so much transformed but transforming. I am no longer a people pleaser. I am no longer hungry for approval from anyone. This feels good to me. Breathing the air of freedom gives me even more clarity to lose more shackles. Unchained and free to be me.