Sunday, November 28, 2004

Mass Destruction

My friend, Captain Eric of the HMS BOATE inspired me with a recent listing of his favorite songs of the moment. I have far too many favorites to put into a list; it all depends on the kind of mood I'm in. But in scanning my iTunes library, I notice 2 important qualities the songs I gravitate towards must have: Longing and Truth.

When I talk about Longing, I don't just mean Romantic longing. I mean the kind of desire that keeps all of us going toward goals in life, work or relationships. It's what keeps us moving and living. And truth, that's pretty self evident, but it's when words coalesce to subvert language and hit you in an emotional place you knew existed but seldom can put your finger on.

This morning I was listening to the new Faithless album, NO ROOTS,
and was struck by the lyrics to MASS DESTRUCTION. I think they speak to what I feel and miss.


My dad came into my room holding his hat
I knew he was leaving,
he sat on my bed told me some facts, son.
I have a duty, calling on me
You and your sister be brave my little soldier
And don't forget all I told ya
Your the mister of the house now remember this
And when you wake up in the morning give ya momma a kiss
Then I had to say goodbye

In the morning woke momma with a kiss on each eyelid,
Even though I'm only a kid
Certain things can't be hid
Momma grabbed me
Held me like I was made of gold
But left her inner stories untold
I said, momma it will be alright
When daddy comes home, tonight

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soar away sun or BBC 1
Disinformation is a weapon of mass destruction
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction
We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction
The skin under my chin is exploding again
I'm getting stress from some other children
I'm holding it in.
We taking sides like a politician
And if I get friction, we get to fighting
I defend my dad, he's the best of all men
And whatever he's doing, he's doing the right thing
It's frightening, but it makes me mad
Why do all these people seem to hate my dad
And if that aint enough now I got these spots
I go to sleep every night with my stomach in knots
And what's more, I can hear momma next door
Explore the radio for reports of war
And all we ever seem to do
Is hide the tears
Seem like daddy been gone for years
But he was right
Now I'm geared up for the fight
And he would be proud of me
If my daddy come home tonight
Listen me calmly

Whether long range weapon or suicide bomber
Wicked mind is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether you're soar away sun or BBC 1
Disinformation is a weapon of mass destruc
You could a Caucasian or a poor Asian
Racism is a weapon of mass destruction
Whether inflation or globalization
Fear is a weapon of mass destruction

Whether Halliburton or Enron or anyone
Greed is a weapon of mass destruction
We need to find courage, overcome
Inaction is a weapon of mass destruction

My story stops here, lets be clear
This scenario is happening everywhere
And you ain't going to nirvana or farvana
You're coming right back here to live out your karma
With even more drama than previously, seriously
Just how many centuries have we been
waiting for someone else to make us free
And we refuse to see
That people overseas suffer just like we
Bad leadership and ego's unfettered and free
Who feed one the people they're supposed to lead
I don't need good people to pray and wait
For the lord to make it all straight
There's only now, do it right.
Cos I don't want your daddy, leaving home tonight

2004 by Maxi Jazz

Tuesday, November 23, 2004

Death By Snood

Alas, I fear I have met my maker, and his name is SNOOD . After years of using the computer for more productive (yet strangely less meaningful) purposes, I happened across mention of my former Lord-of-time-suck on a version feed; and, like an ex-smoker on a Philip Morris cowboy retreat,...well, a struggle is futile, isn't it?

Even now, my wife calls to me from the bedroom, asking when I will come and spend time with her. But I cannot hear her. I need to keep the Snoods from destroying me again. Just one more game. One more day. Now my son is graduating college. Good for him; now back to the little triangle guys. Snood at work, Snood for breakfast, Snood for president, Snood retirement fund. Yes! Yes! More! Must have more....

Is a video game any different than a cigarette?

Friday, November 19, 2004

My Stomach is Messed Up

Leave it to me...I stop drinking 5 months ago and now my stomach is always upset. Acid reflux. I sound like an old man. I guess I should stop eating those Beef Brisket burritos.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

A NEW FAVORITE

When I visit a new place, I usually fall in love with the local public radio station. Perhaps it's something about the thrill of travel or the freedom from the known. Some of my favorites include KKCR in Kauai. Marsha and I discovered it on a trip a few years ago. We would listen to the eclectic mix of traditional and new music on the way back from a rain forest hike and always have a good smile. And KMXT in Kodiak, which would fade in and out as the boat I was working on quietly sliced up the Intercoastal. And then, of course, there's KOTO in Telluride with their Community Carpool and it's strong sense of Consciousness. But I think I have a new favorite and I discovered it without even stepping foot outside my door.

WWOZ in New Orleans just plays the best damn Jazz and World Roots Music I've ever heard. Every song that comes on is better than the last. I don't know where they found their DJ's but I would love to sit down over a bowl of Jambalaya and hear their stories. As they say in the Quarter, "soc au' lait."




Sunday, November 14, 2004

Summer in November

I was listening to Lucinda Williams at 10 this morning on KOTO as the temperature outiside reached 75. The DJ came on a little while later and said it was 39 in town. There are a select few things that remind me why I stay in this endless city -- the mountains, the ocean, Hu's Schezuan Restaurant -- but as I watched Ben bounce to the music in the background and I sipped my double cap in my shorts, I came up with another.

If you think your job is easy, I got a better one for you. When I went to high school, there was a guy there named Anthony Williams. Real White. Well, he grew up, went to Weatherman School and transformed himself into TONY WILLIAMS and now runs on cruise control as he gives the same forecast every day of the week.

I'm all for snow and weather and the mood it brings, but when you have the kind of gorgeous days like we did today, it's hard not to dig living in So. Cal.

Friday, November 12, 2004

The Call of The Sea

Just watched "Master and Commander." A bit on the long side, but a good movie nonetheless. More than anything, it made me yearn for a long, adventurous trip on a large sail boat. I've thought before about sailing to Hawaii, but my mind has always quickly jumped in to remind me that such a trip is not really a reality right now.

Maybe this is a product of the added responsibilities I have as a father and husband, or maybe it's a response to the insanity that is our country. Whyever it is, I know that one day, I'll answer the call.

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Funniest Thing I've Seen In A Long Time

This is hilarious.

Monday, November 08, 2004

Teriyaki Nori

Just discovered this great new snack. Wide slices of seaweed with a hint of salt and a mild, smokey flavor. Yum.

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Paper and Pen

Do me a favor. Find yourself a piece of nice, white, heavy-bond paper. Now get yourself a good pen, preferably a rollerball. Now start writing, I don't care what, just as long as you translate what's in your mind onto the paper. Take your time and pay attention to the letters you're creating. When you're finished, put the pen down. Doesn't that feel great?

I'm getting sick of this typing all the time. There's something so simple, yet so sublime as handwriting.

Just Like His Dad


BGW_sm
Originally uploaded by loomiswatoosi.
I did sleep well last night, but I don't think that will be the case again until November 23. I just don't know how I'm going to entertain 20 one year old babies in my house. Maybe I'll dress up as John Denver and sing old Nell Carter songs. Hhm.

Monday, November 01, 2004

The Real Election

I can't wait for tomorrow. Well, that's not exactly true...I can't wait for tomorrow night, when, hopefully, all of this election mess will be over. I'm quite sick of hearing from supporters of both candidates about why their man is better than the other. To me, they seem to be missing the real point of this election. Our nation is "polarized" as CNN likes to put it, but people gloss over this disturbing fact and treat the issues, and the men who raise them, like feuding neighbors on a reality TV show. It makes for flashy entertainment, but it's not a good way for US to run a country.

We better come up with a new way of doing things or I'm afraid the whole enchilada is going to slide downhill really fast. The one thing America has over most other countries in the world is choice, but, for whatever reason, we're becoming too enthralled with watching the show and not focused enough on what we're actually seeing.

But, come Tuesday night, whether Bush or Kerry, I'm sleeping well.