The Spin − 3 October, 2007
This, now, is my day:
Up at 5:30. Walking the dogs at 5:50. Driving to work by 6:45; there at 7:15.
School -- man, I enjoy teaching, particularly when I have a great class. The 6th graders this year are amazing. I feel like I just inherited a gazillion dollars every time I walk in the room. The school day runs from 8 am to 2:30 pm here, and I spend most of that time at a dead run.
At 3:30, I can go home, but I instead go to the gym. Then I go home.
Now, in the past few months, I had to guard the next few hours, protect them from -- well, time predators is what I called them. Things I can do for someone else because I'm not at work or otherwise committed to doing something "important".
What if my music were "important"?
Well, it wasn't in a lot of people's game plans. My wife understands. She has to live with me when my schedule won't let me make music. It's not pleasant.
So, yes, it is important. Why don't we recognize that more? Why are the only "important" things those that come from outside ourselves or those that make money in some way? Are we the Adam Smiths of the soul, now?
I've been calling it "The Spin": the eternal cycle of obligation. As in: Well, I couldn't compose that night, I was caught in the Spin. (Biblical reference, there, actually: Luke 12:27 -- evidently the only things worthwhile are 'toiling' or 'spinning'. Toiling is work; spinning, in my metaphor, is other obligations).
When I make music, I seem to gain something back, something intangible, something I've lost during the day. I spend all day encouraging other people, kids, trying to give them what they need to do their best, trying to convince them they can do it, trying to set the world up for them so they can succeed.
Well, somehow, music does that for me. It recharges my batteries. When the Spin carries it away . . . .
You know. You've probably even been there.
Don't get caught in the spin cycle.
Anyway, it's day three of my return to the Internet. As you know, I've got a new album coming out, La vie sous la mer. It's going to be posted to both Jamendo and DMusic. I could use some advice, though. The music will always be available for free download. [Well, until the Internet turns into those computers in The Matrix and sticks us all in jars of goo while we pretend it's the 1990s.] But I want to make actual, physical CDs this time. I need to find a reliable cd press service. Any musicians out there, let me know. You can reply here, or, oddly enough, bmccosar works for email, provided you aim it 'at' yahoo.com or 'at' gmail.com.
Tomorrow I'm going to do some Dandelife time travel and fix a few of those red, blinking lights on my Omni.
Up at 5:30. Walking the dogs at 5:50. Driving to work by 6:45; there at 7:15.
School -- man, I enjoy teaching, particularly when I have a great class. The 6th graders this year are amazing. I feel like I just inherited a gazillion dollars every time I walk in the room. The school day runs from 8 am to 2:30 pm here, and I spend most of that time at a dead run.
At 3:30, I can go home, but I instead go to the gym. Then I go home.
Now, in the past few months, I had to guard the next few hours, protect them from -- well, time predators is what I called them. Things I can do for someone else because I'm not at work or otherwise committed to doing something "important".
What if my music were "important"?
Well, it wasn't in a lot of people's game plans. My wife understands. She has to live with me when my schedule won't let me make music. It's not pleasant.
So, yes, it is important. Why don't we recognize that more? Why are the only "important" things those that come from outside ourselves or those that make money in some way? Are we the Adam Smiths of the soul, now?
I've been calling it "The Spin": the eternal cycle of obligation. As in: Well, I couldn't compose that night, I was caught in the Spin. (Biblical reference, there, actually: Luke 12:27 -- evidently the only things worthwhile are 'toiling' or 'spinning'. Toiling is work; spinning, in my metaphor, is other obligations).
When I make music, I seem to gain something back, something intangible, something I've lost during the day. I spend all day encouraging other people, kids, trying to give them what they need to do their best, trying to convince them they can do it, trying to set the world up for them so they can succeed.
Well, somehow, music does that for me. It recharges my batteries. When the Spin carries it away . . . .
You know. You've probably even been there.
Don't get caught in the spin cycle.
Anyway, it's day three of my return to the Internet. As you know, I've got a new album coming out, La vie sous la mer. It's going to be posted to both Jamendo and DMusic. I could use some advice, though. The music will always be available for free download. [Well, until the Internet turns into those computers in The Matrix and sticks us all in jars of goo while we pretend it's the 1990s.] But I want to make actual, physical CDs this time. I need to find a reliable cd press service. Any musicians out there, let me know. You can reply here, or, oddly enough, bmccosar works for email, provided you aim it 'at' yahoo.com or 'at' gmail.com.
Tomorrow I'm going to do some Dandelife time travel and fix a few of those red, blinking lights on my Omni.
Comments:
edunn (October 4, 2007. 03:40am)
Spin cycle! That is perfect! That is exactly what it is like.
intrepideddie (October 5, 2007. 06:33am)
I'm not a musician (couldn't carry a tune in a bucket), but here's one place you can check out (never used 'em, so I can't vouch for the quality): http://www.lulu.com/en/products/digital_media/
Bazookah 5 (October 5, 2007. 03:51pm)
The comment I receive when I do my important things is : Does it pay ?
Well, no. And that's why it is important. I give my time and my energy to kids who need it or to a committee at work who values my ideas. I choose to do something I like.
The Spin indeed.