I've got a bird that whistles, I've got a bird that sings

Maybe through repetition I've unwittingly trained my brain to look for it, but it seems I've been spotting, with greater frequency, people texting while driving. Yesterday on the highway the guy in front of me was going terribly slow and was having trouble staying in his lane. When I passed him, I discovered he was texting away, oblivious to the fact that he was operating heavy machinery and putting lives at risk. I've been toying with the idea of beeping at people engaging in this behavior. Beeping followed by two fingers pointed at my eyes and mouthing "Pay attention to the road, you brain-dead fuck!". I say toying with the idea because I'm not convinced the tactic won't startle them to the extent that they cause an accident. Maybe people should stop typing and focus on driving so I don't have to contemplate such matters.

Today, on the same highway, a young woman in the lane to my right was mirroring the same pattern as the guy (ape) from yesterday. Driving too slow and weaving. After watching Herzog's cautionary documentary about texting and driving, I'm convinced it should be mandatory viewing for everyone who drives. Anyway, I'm thinking of moving to the wilderness of British Columbia. Why? Oh, I don't know.

I'm taking a break from reading Peter Levenda's Unholy Alliance: A History of Nazi Involvement With The Occult. When I'm done here, I'll get back to it. I've read the book before but it was years ago. It's pretty dense and I don't think I retained much. Fascinating subject, though. And creepy. Knowing that our government recruited Nazi war criminals via Project Paper Clip to hold key positions at institutions like NASA is a disturbing on a few levels.

I'm about halfway through Beloved. I don't think I've ever read anything like it. The tone is equally comforting and unsettling. I'm enjoying it.

And what the hell? The strange sounds from the sky or deep underground or who the fuck knows where are popping up again. You may recall from a year or two ago a flap of these sounds that were reported from all over the world. Some of the recordings turned out to be hoaxes, but many seem legit. Spooky.



Oh, I don't know. Life is buzzing, always, in mystery. 

You who wish to conquer pain, you must learn to serve me well

Man, I'm tired. Listening to King Sunny Ade; hopefully it will prove to be a stimulant. However it goes, I'm here with you now, my children. And I'm back home after house sitting for Spira. The transition has been bittersweet. Here are some highlights from my stay.

1. I caught up on Boardwalk Empire by watching several episodes I missed from last season. My grade: A. Fucking love this show.

2. Speaking of watching, I took advantage of Spira's Netflix account and watched The Descendents (not as good as I expected it to be. That's the problem with expectations: they disappoint), Herzog's Happy People (fur trappers living waaaay off the grid in Siberia - my grade: A, of course), Samsara (beautiful and trippy imagery) and Upstream Color, which I can only describe as the bastard son of Terence Malick and David Lynch (yes, two men can sire a bastard son. I wish I could tell you how, but I'm not allowed to).

3. And since we're on the topic, I also watched season three of Game of Thrones (Damn,son!), episodes of The Office (comfort food), The Sopranos, Veep (I feel like it tries too hard), Vice Guide, and 30 Rock.

4. Golly, I watched a lot of TV. However, I did other things, too. For instance, I practiced yoga virtually every day. I was feeling loose, son! Spira's new mat was such a pleasure to use, it was a bit of a bummer returning to my own. Looks like I might be shelling out some cash for a new mat. It will be a worthwhile purchase.

5. I also managed to work on music, not as much as I intended ( I had grand ambitions), but I got a couple  of new songs out of it. Both were written on piano, an instrument I've had an intermittent relationship with over the years. The first song I worked on managed to stick with me; I was sure I was going to lose interest in it, particularly because it was something born from lazy, begrudging noodling. Since I was so transfixed with chilling out, motivation was scarce and the song was the best I could muster. It stuck with me, this fairly simple piano piece, and before I knew it, I was enamored. It happens like that sometimes. Can't wait to finish it.

6. Missy D. I love that pup! We had a blast. We cuddled, we played, she made me laugh. Our ritual of running down the hall to the elevator at the beginning of every walk makes me smile every time I think of it. Bounding down the hall we went, looking at each other, smiling.

I'm home. And feeling restless. Last week, hell the last several months, have been challenging. There have been times I've been startled by the vigor of some of my negative traits. It's been educational, though. I'm getting through. Other things have been taking seed within. And, recently, I've been presented with a possibility that would change my life significantly. My week has been spent pondering a big decision.

 I may need another week.

Peace, toddlers.

Well, it may just be a lunatic you're looking for

I'm house sitting for Spira and typing away on a keyboard that had juice spilled on it not long ago. This means each word is a bitch to get out. Consequently, this will be a short post. 

I've got the next few days off and I hope to get some music written and recorded. Also, there will be some quality time with Missy D. And since Spira has Netflix and HBO On The Go, I'll be watching stuff like The Sopranos, Girls, Game of Thrones, The Descendants, and probably more. All potentially distracting me from music; I'll need to be focused. Spira has the Cadillac of yoga mats - it weighs about five pounds, is roomy, and offers terrific traction. I've used it a couple of times already. When I can afford one like it, I'll dish out the cash. It's a great ride.

Ok, this keyboard is too much. I'm out of here, bitches.

Lazy flies all hovering above

Mad Men marathon. Hasn't yet begun, not in earnest.. Earlier yesterday, I purchased the first three seasons at Newbury Comics for under forty dollars. It was the right thing to do and not just because it was a great deal; I haven't bought anything for myself in a while and the show is one of the best I've seen. So Don Draper, get ready to charm me.

Listening to Miles Davis's Bitches Brew. Ever since high school, when I was first exposed to it, the album has never been a truly enjoyable thing for me to listen to. It's a druggy trip, but not with the mellow vibes of say a Grateful Dead or Jimmy Hendrix. No, this is druggy in the downing a whole bottle of Robitussin kind of way. It can get creepy, man. Still, here I sit listening to it. Art serves a multitude of purposes, including discomfort. Ya dig?

Launch date for the Ignore Emporium FB page approaches. I'm eager to begin sharing music and collaborating with people in various, as of now secret, ways. Ideas have been brewing; I predict this will be a fruitful venture. Concurrently, I've been cracking away at a new song that's just about complete structurally. I'll  begin focusing on lyrics today. It's nice having a reason not to jump off a bridge.

I'll be heading over to Spira's in a bit. We're going to meet up with Bart's wife, Tuere (total misspelling, but whatevs) and head over to Beverly for an early dinner. I forget the name of the place, but I thinks it's a raw food joint. I'm probably wrong, so stay tuned to find out the truth.

Alright, children, I will now make my escape.

I want more

First of all, there's a new Midlake song I've been listening to and it's so good in so many ways I'm just going to leave it at that. The album will be released in early November; too long to wait. Too long. Anyway, the song embodies, and subtly so, progressive elements (Yes and Pink Floyd are brought to mind) but with modern sensibilities and....look, the song, Antiphon it's called, is just great. No more trying to describe it.

I've been away from this blog, longer than I realized. Well, these things happen.

The weekend approaches. I'm looking forward to it. Will probably be low key, which is fine. The last couple of weekends found me at parties and shit. Not complaining, just saying.

I seem to mention it quite frequently in my posts, but I have gone deeper into my yoga practice. The first sign was when I woke in the middle of the night in the middle of positioning myself into yoga poses. It felt great. First time I've ever, at least that I'm aware of, done this kind of thing in my sleep. Listening to that soft, still voice for word about whether I should move forward with yoga teacher training. Stay tuned.

Getting my Ignore Emporium FB site in gear. I'm enlisting some people to help out with it. It's about time.

I've been finding that some of my old patterns of behavior, particularly the negative ones, have lost their potency. Sometimes when I get pissed at something or someone, it just feels like I'm going through the motions. I don't really feel pissed, or if I do, it lasts only a short time. Saying that, well, I've still got plenty that is just as potent as ever. It's a process, my children. It's a process.

I really feel like watching a ton of Mad Men right now, but alas I don't have the capability. Worth owning on DVD, but I haven't done anything about it yet. What I'm trying to say is that I think you should consider buying me an early Christmas present. Think about it.

Alright, it's time to go read from The Dark Tower. I just started reading Toni Morrisson's Beloved today. It will be my lunch book. So far so good.

Here's the deal: I'll see you on the flippety-flip. Maybe tomorrow, perhaps in a few days. We'll see. The important thing to remember is that I'll never ever leave you.


Namaste, you damned dirty apes!