January 31, 2008
Your Position In The Boat
Last night while chatting about some musicians we know and their desire to be the 'star of the show', Mack concluded, "Everyone's fighting for their position in the boat". Whether it's ego, greed or jealousy it's silly to struggle when we are all in the same boat, heading toward the same destination.
Speaking of simple truths and boats, many years ago I realized that the lyrics to a song, which most people consider a nursery rhyme, is actually a blueprint or a principle to live your life by.
Row, row, row your boat...
I remember when it dawned on me that this is not just a children's song but it is an inspiring spiritual guide based on the idea that there is a divine flow in life that is continually guiding you toward fulfillment. The trick is learning how to row with that flow.
Monotheistic faiths generally support some version of divine providence, which acknowledges that the Divinity of the faith has a profound but unknowable plan always unfolding in the world. Unforeseeable, overwhelming, or seemingly unjust events are often thrown on 'the will of the Divine,' in deferences like the Muslim inshallah ('as Allah wills it') and Christian 'God works in mysterious ways.' Often such faiths hold out the possibility of divine retribution as well, where the Divinity will unexpectedly bring evil-doers to justice through the conventional workings of the world; from the subtle redressing of minor personal wrongs, to such large-scale havoc as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah or the biblical Great Flood. Other faiths are even more subtle: the doctrine of karma shared by Buddhism and Hinduism is a divine law similar to divine retribution but without the connotation of punishment: our acts, good or bad, intentional or unintentional, reflect back on us as part of the natural working of the universe. Philosophical Taoism also proposes a transcendent operant principle — transliterated in English as tao or dao, meaning 'the way' — which is neither an entity or a being per se, but reflects the natural ongoing process of the world. Modern western mysticism and new age philosophy often use the term 'the Divine' as a noun in this latter sense: a non-specific principle and/or being that gives rise to the world, and acts as the source or wellspring of life. In these latter cases the faiths do not promote deference, as happens in monotheisms; rather each suggests a path of action that will bring the practitioner into conformance with the divine law: ahimsa — 'no harm' — for Buddhist and Hindu faiths; de or te — 'virtuous action' — in daoism; and any of numerous practices of peace and love in new age thinking.
January 27, 2008
Macabre 1/27
A bit cool and windy but strong group and fun ride.
L-R: Brian, Brendan, Theron, Dan, Bob, Will, Jeff, Marshall (photo: Marshall)
January 25, 2008
Godfather of Guitar
The Godfather has a passion for gypsy jazz guitar music.
I happened upon this picture from the Godfather movie and his hands looked like he was holding a guitar, so I couldn't resist and photoshoped this gypsy jazz guitar into the picture. Apologies to Godfather fans everywhere.
January 21, 2008
Fairbanks City Bus 142
The Fairbanks city bus 142 was intended as a refuge for hunters and is situated about 25 miles (40 kilometers)—which roughly translates to a 12-hour hike—from the trailhead of Stampede Trail, an abandoned mining road in the pristine Denali National Park. Today it is becoming a tourist attraction and a growing problem for the locals.
Alaskans tired of rescuing 'pilgrims' in the wild - The Toronto Star
Out of the Wild? Alaskan Town Considers Removing McCandless Bus
The residences of Healy are joking about making the bus into a cappuccino stand now. There's even been people selling parts of the bus on eBay recently.
Not 'Into The Wild'
Some time last week Rachel and I planned an overnight hiking adventure along the AT for this Sunday and Monday. However we didn't expect to see snow, frozen tundra and negative digit wind chill in the North Georgia mountains. In my youth that would not have stopped me, but as the years progress things like prudence, discretion, foresight, forethought, circumspection come into play. Maybe we'll try again next weekend.
One of my Christmas gifts this year was a book called "Into The Wild", this story is fresh in my mind. It's a good book - I have no idea what the movie is like though.
January 20, 2008
Frozen Blackjack Loop
We opted for the Blackjack loop and motored around nice and steady. Shawn was a little tired from racing (running) up and down Hogpen yesterday so Diesel and myself spent most of the time on the front. Wrapped it up just in time because the water bottles were beginning to freeze.
32.5 @ 1:45 = 18.5
Frozen Blackjack Loop : Shawn, Dan, Marshall
January 19, 2008
Harbins Ride
Mac, Ben, Mike, Dan, Cathy, Jay, Marshall (not pictured Tim S.) photo:Marshall Millard
Post ride: Mike, Cathy, Jay
A Little Accumulation
The bike ride this morning went from rain, to sleet, to snow but it was just barely cold enough for the frozen precipitation and not too cold to enjoy riding in this unique GA weather.
January 17, 2008
January 14, 2008
Segovia
Driving around, doing some errands and listening to "Afternoon Classics" on WABE last Friday, I practically had a epiphany listening to Andres Segovia. I have a fairly extensive collection of his recordings, but it was a rediscovery of sorts.
Modern classical guitarist consider Segovia's style of playing outdated and overly romantic, I guess that makes me old-fashioned and hopelessly sentimental... OK maybe it was partially the venti latté I was drinking, but there is no denying this legendary innovator of the guitar.
January 13, 2008
01/13 Dans Macabre
The new road season begins...
Marshall, Greg, Jeff, Bob, Doug, Brendan, Dan
January 12, 2008
Lawrenceville Sunset
I took this photo while coming home from a 50th wedding anniversary party - I like those early gigs.
January 10, 2008
January 06, 2008
Gonzo Jounalism
It's an old quote I first heard as applied to the music business, however the original quote is as follows and comes from "Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame and Degradation in the '80s," published by Summit Books in 1988.
"The TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason." - Hunter S. Thompson
Somewhere along the way this quote has also had this tag line added to it, "There is also a negative side." Admittedly, funny but not written by Hunter Thompson.
January 05, 2008
Verboten Veldrijden
EVENT: Cyclocross Championship of the Known Universe (part 1)
DATE: Sundays, January 6,13,20, 2008
TIME: 10:00 am - 12:00 noon (probable start time 10:45-ish)
DURATION: 45 minutes
LOCATION: STL (Secret Training Location) *see address below
REQUIREMENTS: bicycle and helmet
CATEGORIES: Only two; those competing and those not competing
AWARDS: hahah!
Bramlett Elementary School
622 Freeman Brock Road
Auburn, Georgia 30011
Single Speed Mountain Bike
Addictive Cycles is building a new SS 29er for me. Let me translate for those who don't speak mountain bike; SS = Single Speed (no gears, shifters or derailleurs). 29er = 29-inch wheels as opposed to traditional 26-inch MTB wheels.
Also trying to get several guys for a mountain bike relay team and do the Dirty Spokes 12/6 hour race series. www.dirtyspokes.com
* Mar 15th - Heritage Park, Oconee
* May 3rd - Fort Yargo State Park, Winder
* Oct 11th - GIHP Conyers
Vassago JabberWocky in Black Magic, SS w/squishy fork.
January 01, 2008
Felliniesque NYE
Playing music with Mike and Penelope was mostly cool, but the scene at this Italian restaurant was almost bizarre. The menu and food was excellent, the place was decorated and included a huge balloon drop. The staff was in full force and in formal attire. The band was top-notch. The place was set for a classic New Years Eve event.. but hardly anyone showed up!
We played to the employees and they had a lot of fun with much dancing and loud Italian style family behavior. The owner grabbed the mic at one point and sang along with "New York, New York", the wait staff had a kick line going, one waiter put on his dancing shoes and tap danced along with the band. Several customers had a conga line going around the room.
Penelope was singing and playing keyboards and commented that she felt like she was in a Fellini movie, I agreed.
Made it home safe and sound at 2:30 am, so Happy New Year.