A MUSICAL JOURNEY

Even now in 2008, I still occasionally get giddy and excited about heading down to a "record store" (archaic term I know) to pick up a highly anticipated new release. I do go digital for a good chunk of my musical addictions, though every once in a while I still embrace the visceral thrill of actually picking up something tangible and waiting with anticipation to open it up and have a listen when I get back home.

The delayed gratification is part of the experience, harking back to the days many moons ago when as an adolescent I would make my regular sojourn into downtown Toronto to pick up a highly anticipated release from my favourite record shops, usually an import that I was waiting for with bated breath.

Even long after mainstream shops stop selling tangible music (very soon I am afraid) I will still seek out those stubborn little independent shops that will continue to cater to folks like me in this new little niche market, where the experience of an album is more than just about listening.

Today's journey was about the new Portishead album "Third". I took a morning coffee break and went to the mediocre music shop near where I work and picked it up. I then went back to my office, ripped it into my laptop and had a great soundtrack for the rest of my day.

It is a dense, slightly eerie and complex record that seeps into your subconscious gradually, more suited for late night listening than mid-day work soundtrack, though enjoyable nonetheless. I am impressed how the band has tried to defy expectations and have made something bold and unique on their own terms.

A few clicks to get your music instantly is great, though I still think I would like to enjoy the physical adventure of actually seeking out a new or old musical gem once in a while. In the case of the new Portishead album it was definitely worthwhile, as it became a small quest resulting in some great music to elevate my day into something a little out of the ordinary.

GROOVY FUTURISTIC LIVING ROOMS

Taken from a book published in 1979 called "Future Cities: Homes and Living into the 21st Century" the above picture shows a fairly accurate portrayal of what many of us have currently at home now , including access to "electronic newspapers", "electronic mail" and very large television screens on the wall. Also, this guy's living quarters looks like it is all of 200 square feet, which is a pretty accurate portrait of what you can buy in Vancouver for $500,000.

Even the solar panels outside reflect where things are heading, at least if we are smart anyways. With the exception of the drink serving robot, everything in this picture seems pretty spot on. Of course I am OK with the absence of robot servants, as I have watched enough sci-fi to know that servile androids always turn on their masters, though I suppose the most harm this one could probably do is pour hot coffee on your lap. There you have it, the groovy future I dreamt about as a kid is finally here, sans the flying cars and jet packs.

Personally, I don't think these kind of books would be possible now, as the world seems to be changing at such an accelerated pace that our imaginations are likely limited to trying to envision what the next few years will look like, let alone decades from now. Also, my gut tells me that our visions of the future are a little less utopian now, as we are more focused on how we will live with dwindling resources and increasing geopolitical pressures in the future.

Well, that's enough future contemplation for now. Please excuse me while I go and enjoy my electronic newspaper and sip martinis in my hermetically sealed relaxation chamber with my faithful pal ROBO 3000, who assures me he holds no contempt or murderous rage towards his human master.

LEISURE SUIT WHERE ART THOU?

There are a lot of compelling reasons to hide your head in the sand in the early 21st century; global warming, peak oil, volatile economic conditions, tension in the Middle East and the surprising tenacity and proliferation of reality television.

Its all one great big old bummer, and that is why I am proposing something radical to shift our thinking towards the type of collectivism that will increasingly be required in the 21st century if we are going to tackle these issues.

It starts innocently enough with a large swath of polyester customized to your height and to the contours of your body, and ends with a swanky and egalitarian fashion statement where you are adorned in a continuous flow of shoulder to ankle comfort.

If we all wore the leisure suit perhaps class, religious and cultural difference would melt away and our commonalities would become increasingly apparent. We would see each other as holistic entities and not as the objectified "other".

Suddenly aware of our interconnectedness we would band together to overcome the many challenges facing us this century, and as a side benefit we would all look oh so groovy and be super comfy to boot!

SOME LATE NIGHT MEANDERING

It's late night and all is quiet and still. I am listening to Sigur Rós, enjoying the solitude and feeling like I am finally catching my breath, amazed at how quickly the moments in the day whip by with little time for pause or contemplation.

It's been an abnormally cold spring this year in Vancouver, and even some of the usually brilliant cherry blossoms have been reluctant to rear their head and venture out into the world. Only now are they tentatively making their presence known, reminding all who see them of the ancient rhythms of life that persist despite the odds.

So I find myself slowly coming awake as well, emerging from my prolonged slumber and ready to embrace the world around me. I long to walk around again, breath in the air and feel the movement of life around me. I always feel the most alive when I am wandering aimlessly, rather than being out and about with some destination in mind or task to accomplish.

Near where I work there is a wooded marsh area that has wisely been saved from development and it offers a place of refuge for me in the midst of my day where I can wander, explore and take any semblance of purpose out of my day. I have neglected going there recently, though I think it is time to revisit. It is the physical embodiment of small place where my mind can wander free and unfettered.

Those in between moments can be magical, and when I strip away the pretense of having to accomplish anything and take off for a walk that is often the most productive moment for me. For when I open myself to wonder it occasionally makes it's presence known, and even when the cold persists and reluctance holds me back I can still squint and see signs of life emerging.



(The photo at the top is part of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park and sunset as seen from the sea bus going towards the north shore, which is of course another good place to be unproductive and soak in some beauty. The Video is by Sigur Rós, who are often the soundtrack to my meanderings)

BOUND BY THE BEAUTY

I'm bound by the fire

I'm bound by the beauty
I'm bound by desire
I'm bound by the duty

I'm coming back in 500 years
and the first thing I'm gonna do
when I get back here
is to see these things I love
and they'd BETTER be here

-Jane Siberry- (1989)

(for Dave)

MUSIC IS MY DRUG

I was feeling a little blah and down in the dumps the other day and sought refuge in what is almost guaranteed to take me to my happy place; a well crafted and engaging piece of music. It amazes me actually that music still has such a powerful ability to influence my moods in a very immediate, direct and measurable fashion.

Often I can go to really dark places with just the right ominous soundtrack to induce a momentary spell of nihilistic brooding, and other times the right jangly little diddy can elevate my happy mood and make me even more giddy and excitable than usual. It is as if the patterns in a well penned song have the capacity to re-wire my brain momentarily, opening up new pathways of consciousness.

Case in point, I was listening to the newest Goldfrapp album and stumbled on the track "Happiness" (check out their myspace page to hear the song). I played it a few times consecutively and found myself entranced and immediately hooked . I was momentarily addicted to the song and a few thoughts crossed my mind;

1) If I was starting a cult this would be the perfect theme song , 2) Before actually seeing it I had an urge to bounce around like the bloke in the video while listening to the song, though I realized that grabbing my iPod and jumping around my workplace would result in either a strongly encouraged "temporary leave", or an intervention from my colleagues (appropriate since we are all social workers).

The song actually elevated my mood and I had it stuck in my head all day, which I know is a bit ironic in light of the slightly tongue and cheek nature of the song. Regardless, it did have an impact. You owe it to yourself to give it a spin, or at the very least watch the outrageous video. Just remember not to accept the kool-aid from the bouncing man and you will be fine.



What songs give you a buzz?

LIBERATING THE HAPPY FACE FROM SERVITUDE

It always offended me to the core of my being that the ubiquitous and innocent happy face had been over time co-opted by a corporation whose entire business structure could never turn that frown "upside down". I was relieved therefore to learn that Wal-Mart recently lost a McLibel type lawsuit where they tried to lay claim to this symbol in the hope of shutting down someone daring to take them on regarding their rather dubious corporate practices.

Regrettably, the happy face had long been in servitude to the corporation. An image that was once an innocent doodling representing humanities deepest longings had over time become synonymous with minimum wages and the peddling of cheap plastic crap. In a world where everything is branded ad infinitum it is refreshing to see that every once in a while there are voices rising above the glossy din and speaking out against the categories that are imposed as "reality".

Regardless of how one feels about Walmart personally, it is alarming when large corporations hide behind copyright laws as a guise for shutting down increasingly creative and dynamic parodies and criticisms that are surfacing in the blogosphere, such as in this case where a Georgia man posted an anti Walmart campaign with the following logo;


In the digital age where images are manipulated and information transmitted faster than you can say "low prices" it is not terribly surprising that some big corporation like Walmart are gasping to catch their breath and assert control as the media becomes (hopefully) more democratized. This is one of those cases that makes me feel hopeful and proud of that subversive human spirit that still manages to counteract the claims of the dominant paradigm that so many of us are encouraged to embrace blindly.

I know on a personal level I am trying to make better choices for my family around what sort of business practices we support. I have a long way to go with this still, though it may have to change one purchase at a time, or perhaps even with fewer purchases as a matter of principal.
In the meantime, I am beaming with delight at the liberation of the happy face, and perhaps now that he is free we can finally hear his sad story in full.

A FEW BOOKS IN MIND

I have posted a short review of Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" on the Spring Reading Challenge blog, as hosted by that benevolent simian, Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein.

Drop by and check it out and read some other reviews by some great folks who have been contributing as well. It's a great place to get inspired by other people's love of the written word and perhaps get turned on to a few authors you may have looked over.

Presently I am reading "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman. It is an intriguing book that examines how the world would progress and exist if suddenly there were no more pesky humans around to muck it up. He looks at history, evolution and even examines places in the world today where we can see how the absence of humanity leads to the sudden blossoming and reemergence of nature.

It is a humbling and ego stripping exercise to take, and brings to light our inextricable connection and influence on this world. It is a fascinating book and I plan to ruminate on it endlessly when I am done reading, you have been warned!

Here is a great flash piece from Weisman's site that demonstrates how the average North America house would literally decompose once they were no people around to take care of it;



Now excuse me while I go and imagine the world without me!