For some time, I've been at the bottom of the barrell when I've been writing this blog. The posts reflect my mood...somber, pessimistic, and generally down. Today, I'll make an effort to change my mood and, consequently, the mood of my posts.
I listened to an NPR program yesterday that I'm not impressed with...but my wife likes...called, Whad'Ya Know? The host annoys me. But, then, lots of things annoy me. I'm a Geezer. What do you expect? People piss me off.
Anyway, yesterday's program was unusual in that I heard some music and some comments that I particularly liked. So, today's blog will deal with what I heard and the aftermath...
Judith Owen was a guest on the program. She sang. She was brilliant. Lovely voice, lovely ideas, nice person. She spoke of a song that intrigued me..."Christmas with the Devil." I've not heard it, but her comments about it made me laugh. I looked her up online and found that she recorded that song, which was initially recorded by Spinal Tap, on one of her albums. I do not own any of them.
She's a jazz/blues singer. Beautiful voice, wonderful way of drawing me in. She is from Wales. Therefore...therefore, what? No clue. She's just from Wales. I like her music.
Somehow, some way, I managed to go from her website to the website for one of the principals behind the TV show called "The Simpsons." I like that show, too, despite the fact that it is animated and I despite animated shows because I should not like them yet they often make me laugh and I am embarrassed at my own behavior for laughing at stuff designed for 8-year-olds. Of course, they'are not designed for 8-year-olds. They're designed for 11-year-olds. That's better.
Anyway, from Harry Shearer's site (he's the Simpsons dude), I somehow made my way to the website promoting Keb Mo's latest album. It won't be available for sale until September 21, but I bought it already anyway. Go immediately to his website and listen to his music! http://www.kebmo.com/ It's 60s/70s peace music; album title is: PEACE... BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND.
From there, I wandered all over the web...learned alot, read some garbage, listened to music, got angry at right wing nut cases...but ultimately came back and decided that something has happened to me. I have somehow changed from being a completely self-absorbed asshole into something less vile. I care about people, about the future, about the fate of the world. I'm willing to live a less prosperous life if I can have a positive impact on the world. Not sure yet what that means, or whether my wife will see my changed mind and my changed thought process as a reasonable thing. We shall see.
I'll continue arguing against the religious zealots and political killers and economic leaches, but I'd like to focus on something more positive. I'm worn out, in some ways, but feeling exciting and newly alive in others. I just hope I can keep that sense of purpose alive and driving me.
1 comment:
Hey J-man,
This is a lot better direction than could have happened. I remember when Larry McMurtry had his bypass. Made him severely depressed and seemed to make him write badly. His fiction has never recovered. But his criticism got much sharper, as did his personal narratives.
Post a Comment