A Good Idea?
I signed up for promoting the idea of Homesong gigs. Small original music gigs in people’s homes.
Like anybody with what appears to be a good idea, I thought that the world would welcome it, and give it a home. Without much effort on my part.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that it doesn’t work like that. But I’m slow, like everybody else, to realise that I’m not like everybody else. We can’t avoid the reality that we, in our lives, and with the ideas that we put Out There, are in competition with a multitude of other lives, and an even bigger multitude of ideas.
The idea hasn’t withered though, and in fact it’s out there with or without me. And I’m still here.
But I’m really not the one who gets to decide if it really is A Good Idea.
Ginger: Part Two
So, peeling that piece of Ginger was doing my head in, because I wasn’t really looking. I was somewhere in the future.
But I could have been right there, enjoying what I was supposed to be doing. And I could have followed the trail of the moment in at least some of the directions in which it could take me.
And I might have realised, as I focussed on the job in hand, that Ginger had an ancient relative, who at some point had been “discovered” by an ancient relative of mine. My relative at one time had tasted a piece of it, accidentally or on purpose, for the first time, and found out that it didn’t kill them. And, then, that it tasted better without the skin. Perhaps, later, that it combined well with other foods. And that it could help to relieve an unsettled stomach.
And all that led to it becoming a part of the diet in parts of Asia.
Later it became discovered again by my more immediate ethnic ancestors, who were off seeking far off places, in search of wealth and power, and using their existing wealth and power over the people they met. And Ginger became a part of their lives and their business plans, and found its way to this part of the world, and a part of our diets. And eventually a part of my diet.
Now, somewhere out there, somebody is earning a living, hopefully not a subsistence living, by growing Ginger.
And somebody else is earning a living by transporting it across the seas in huge ships that would have blown the mind of my ancient ancestor. And then further on by a lorry driver. And the warehouse assistant. And the till operator. And so on.
And that’s just one trail, with a multitude of other paths that shot off along the way. I might have been entertained by the stories that piece of ginger could have told.
Or I could have simply enjoyed the sensations and concerns of peeling it. The awkwardness of finding a way round its strange, knobby shape. The unique tangy fragrance reaching the nostrils. Making sure the peel fell in the bin and not on the floor, saving time later. Noticing the furry texture at the ends…not quite flesh, not quite skin. Anticipating its part in the taste of the curry I was preparing.
But I was rushing to the next thing, and I didn’t have time for any of that.
Ginger: Part One
I was rushing. I still often slip back into that tendency.
In this case I was rushing to try and peel a piece of Ginger, so that I could quickly get to the next stage of making the curry, so that I could soon reach the next stage after that, so that I could do whatever was supposed to come next….
….Etcetera, Etcetera.
I was living in an imagined future without getting any pleasure from it - strangely, that piece of ginger didn’t want to get peeled when I didn’t want to be there peeling it - because the only experience was: Hurry.
Of trying to be somewhere else.
As I keep discovering though, when I choose to go slow, life is full of excitement and wonder. Right now.
What a story that piece of ginger could tell me if I was only listening.
And that’s not even the half of it.
Every Corner Of My Mind
I asked T’Internet to search for the best new songs of 2022 and this song, Left And Right, by Charlie Puth, was at the top of the list when I went to the suggestion at the top of the list that I was presented with by Uncle Search Engine. And I carried out that search because of a sequence of thoughts that emerged as I sat here wondering what to write about in today’s blog.
Unlike Charlie, there is a multitude of thoughts and subjects that emerge, moment by moment, in Every Corner Of My Mind.
In fact, I’m sure the same thing is true for him too. But his is a love song, and Love songs are usually expected to express themselves in hyperbole.
We can’t often tell what will happen when we focus on, or follow, one thought rather than another.
But I suspect that that choice is quite an important one anyway.
Sense Of Other
Where do we go if we ain’t got religion but we think the Universe is a wonderful, terrible, awe inspiring place and we are, at least sometimes, so damn grateful to have the privilege of being a part of the whole caboodle.
Truth is we don’t have to go anywhere. We’re already there pal.
On the other hand, it’s great to share that experience with others.
And we do that whenever we laugh or cry together, or share a meal, or play a game, or build a bridge, or do anything that involves that bit more than Only Me.
But my favourite thing for capturing that elusive Sense Of Other is quite simply the sharing of a song. Singing it to others, or with others, or being sung to by others.
The magic of music and words, especially in company, can capture that elusive experience of being human, in this vast but tiny sphere of space and time.
It’s a little bit spiritual.
Meditations
I’ve recently begun meditating with the help of an app produced by neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris (along with a lot of other people too).
I think it’s going to be a game-changer for me. I’ve no idea how exactly that will pan out, but I have to say that it’s blowing my mind in a very good way.
I’m only a short way into the practise, and the thinking that surrounds it, but I’m already recommending the app to friends and family … anybody who is trying to get a handle on life and how to live it better…on our own, and together.
So, no strings attached, here’s a link to a free trial, leading to the introductory course, which I’m still doing. In fact Sam offers the app completely free to anybody who can’t afford it. Otherwise it costs about £86 pound for a year, and I already consider it incredible value for money. There is so much valuable material there, but just for the short daily Meditations it’s worth its weight in gold.
Nothing directly to do with Homesong, or music of course. But still very appropriate as far as I’m concerned.
Sunday Doubting
I’m experiencing a little bit of Sunday Doubting.
And like all doubters who really want to believe the thing they are doubting, I often look for reassurances. Something to bolster my belief.
At this particular moment I’m doubting (not for the first time) that there is path to follow, or a role I am capable of playing, in regards to being a part of more Homesongs happening in homes.
Do I need to tell you this, considering the fact that I’m theoretically talking to people who I’m trying to encourage to be part of making the Homesong idea come to life.
Well, yes I do. I come from a religious background and, in retrospect, the most dangerous part of my experience was the kind of infallible, super-christian status given to the “leader of the flock”, or whatever they might be termed. And in fact the leaders I actually respected the most during those times, were the ones who managed to come out a little from behind that mirage.
So, yes, I would rather this blog came from an honest place.
And I’m not unhappy. Quite the opposite really. But I’m still trying to work out each “next step” as I go.
I’m trying to keep the faith, without hiding from the truth.
Ultimately I don’t believe it is possible to build anything worthwhile without that kind of honesty.
Still On The Path
The bad news is - we’re a long way off the path.
The good news is - we’re Still On The Path.
Because this is the path we’re on.
Where to now?
(nb. This particular blog comes to you courtesy of the fact that I’ve currently become worse than before at something I was trying to get better at.)
Ten Minutes
Just Ten Minutes. That’s all I’ve got before I have to stop. It can make time feel very short.
Happens to us all.
But ten minutes can seem an awful long time when you’re waiting for something.
And both those things occurs because it’s so hard to live without referencing the past or the future. So we get confused about where we are on The Timeline.
Either rushing to get it done, or fidgeting impatiently until it happens.
Anyway, I’m done.
Now I’ve got to wait for the knock on the door I’m expecting, because the ten minutes I had happened to be more than enough.
Weird, ain’t it.
Right Here, Right Now
Writers block is imaginary. It’s almost impossible for words and sentences about SOMETHING to formulate in your head. Try to NOT think about anything.
Those words, or the sounds and pictures that appear, without any effort on our part, are the starting point for creativity.
We take what we find, and we make something from it. That’s the definition of creativity. And it means, happily, that we have all got the ability to be creative.
But more importantly, we have all got the opportunity to be creative Right here, Right Now.
Co-Writing
I still find Co-writing songs quite difficult, even though I’ve done a fair amount of it over the years. There is a comfort zone to writing alone that is, well, comforting, and helpful too, when it comes to developing a personal style.
But it is really worth trying to write with other people, at least sometimes. When you push through the vulnerability, the potentially awkward personality dynamics, the different writing methods, and sometimes even the bad behaviour (your own or that of your fellow writers!) you may well find yourself being involved with a song that you would never have written yourself in a month of lonely Sundays. It’s very rewarding.
So I would undoubtedly recommend, especially if you’re the lonesome troubadour sort like me, that you give it a go.
Troubled Waters
Here’s a tip.
Why not write it down or keep a record whenever somebody says or writes something nice to you. It could be about anything. But I do this with emails or comments that people send me, or say to me, about my songs.
It can be really helpful to look back on them sometimes…
Whenever you’re down in the dumps or feeling that your efforts are a waste of time.
“When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes…”
Let’s Not Fight
I’m travelling home after a lovely week of songwriting, and the wonderful experience of spending time with old friends. No fighting there. But here’s the lyric to one of the songs I wrote last week.
Let’s Not Fight
Across the universe
A photon of light is doing it’s thing like the kind of thing
A photon of light would do
Lighting up the little part of everything that’s making up the universe
That you and I and everybody else pass through
It doesn’t take a genius to realise there’s nothing we can do
And everything is happening on it’s own and we have got the privilege to watch it all, and be a part of everything and everyone
And it’s alright
Coz we’re all light
And there’s part of you in me
So let’s not fight
Across the planet earth
A woman you don’t know, is doing the kind of thing
A woman you don’t know would do
She’s gonna make a new dress for the daughter of her sister when she celebrates her birthday she’ll be seven-teen in a week or two
It doesn’t take a genius to realise there’s nothing we can do
And everything is happening on it’s own and we have got the privilege to watch it all, and be a part of everything and everyone
And it’s alright
Coz we’re all light
And there’s a part of you in me
So let’s not fight
Let’s not fight
Let’s not fight
Across the living room
There’s a friend of yours, he’s doing the kind of thing that
A friend of yours would do
Right now he’s thinking anxiously about something that he just said which might have not come out in quite the way that it had been intended to
It doesn’t take a genius to realise there’s nothing you can do
And everything is happening on it’s own and we have got the privilege to watch it all, and be a part of everything and everyone
And it’s alright
Coz we’re all light
And there’s a part of you in me
So let’s not fight
Yes it’s alright
Coz we’re all light
And there’s a part of you in me
So let’s not fight
Oh it’s alright
And we’re all light
So let’s not fight
Let’s not fight
Let’s not fight
Lucky Me
Songs have been written and need to be worked on. And when I’m in a song writing frame of mind, I don’t want to do very much else.
So some coffee, a chat with my fellow songwriting friends, and then down to work.
Even though it’s not my job, I like to try and approach things professionally. But it is nice to have the choice. And it is nice, as I mentioned yesterday, to be able to be as quirky or as normal as I like, without worrying about commercial demands.
I’ve said it before, but I’ve stopped being sniffy about seeing my songwriting as a hobby, even though I’m passionate about it, and treat it seriously.
Because in truth I’ve got the best of all worlds.
Lucky me.
Being Quirky
You know what you like and what you don’t like.
I get tickled, or moved, or delighted by quirky stuff. Features in a song or a book or a film that stick out a bit, because they pop up in a place where you weren’t expecting them.
That kind of thing often makes me smile, and I like putting them into my own songs sometimes.
BUT...if you’re gonna do that, you better know that, even though you like them, it could have the opposite effect for some people. It might even make them screw their faces up in disgust.
So give yourself a giggle when you create. That’s vital. But realise that when Being Quirky you might also lose some of your audience.
I still think it’s a risk worth taking though….
“Look at that little girl over there. Picking her nose with her thumb”. From The Road To Fun
Begin Again
Well, a song did emerge yesterday. In fact two popped out.
I’m trying to iron out the details this morning. Below is the lyric to the first song from yesterday. This one was born out of my recent adventure into the art and practise of meditation. I’m finding that very helpful, and this lyric is an attempt to put some of the ideas into song form.
Begin Again
When your head hurts
Coz your brain is stuck
In a foggy mire
Full of pity and bad luck
And your lost at sea
In your ocean mind
You could decide to
Begin again
Yesterday
Is History
Sometimes I’ve been a fool
And it’s time to
Begin again
See that little thought
Where did it come from
Where is it going to
And to whom does it belong
Floating out to sea
On your ocean mind
So you decide to
Begin again
Yesterday
Is History
I might have been a fool
But it’s time to
Begin again
Bababada Bababadaba
Bababada Bababadaba
Bababada Bababadaba
Bababada Bababadaba
Maybe it ain’t you
Inside your head
Just a sky of blue
And a song by The Grateful Dead
Floating out to sea
On an ocean mind
So you decide to
Begin Again
Ohohooh Ohohooh etc
Begin Again
Begin Again
Begin Again
What On Earth?
I sit down to write this blog before I attempt to write a song for the first time in a while.
It’s an exciting moment. There’s a craft involved, which is very familiar. But there is always that sense of anticipation. The hoped for X-Factor.
What on earth or in the big Blue Sky is going to come out of the mix at the other end.
Well, I’m just about to find out.
Scheduled
I can schedule blogs. But clearly where I am now, might not be where I am tomorrow. So scheduling a blog, which I occasionally do because of not always knowing if I’ll be able to write or send it on a certain day, is not something to make a habit of.
This blog is Scheduled.
But it doesn’t contain anything I’m expecting to change my mind about.
So I think we’re safe. I think I’ll still be here. Even when I’m there. Which I will be when you read this.
Hope that’s all clear.
The Princess And The Pea
I came to the conclusion, when the fable of The Princess And The Pea randomly came to my mind upon the hill today, that the princess in question was a little bit over protected for her own good.
Apparently her inability to sleep because of the discomfort caused by the presence of a pea under her pile of feather mattresses was a sign of her “Genuine Princess” credentials.
Real Royal or not, she was a prisoner to the avoidance of suffering. Which is an impossible goal.
Just impossible. It sets a person up for the likelihood of much greater suffering further down the line.
Which means, I think, that in matters which we can control it is far better to preempt future suffering by developing as much resilience as possible in the present.
That’s why I take cold showers…. ;-)