Filed under: Growth
Change. The word brings much to my mind and my heart. It is a word that I have lived with, lived by, and struggled with my entire life. You may have been through the same. Now, understand that this is not an empathetic call for help, nor is it any sort of advice. It is a story. It is a story that has been plaguing me for awhile.
Seeing that November 4th was a historic day for many of us, it was a day that we can look upon, as a moment in time, where we as humans look further than what lies in front of us. It was a point in history that we could look at and expect something better. The expectation of something better is what drives us to live and to live for each other and for our Lord.
I don’t feel that I have been a good communicator, nor a person who was able to convince anyone of anything. I merely had to share my experiences and my beliefs, because that is all I know.
I’m not here to talk about the President elect Barack Obama, the status of our economy, or the situation of the United States amongst the world. That is simply because there is a lot I do not know and would share the humility I have, so that I do not boast of things.
So what is this change? What is the change necessary for ourselves as human beings, to move past our indifferences and our failures, to solidify a better reality and life for our future, our childern? That is the true change we need.
One thing that many may have not touched upon, is where and why this change occurs. It is out of Love. Love is the greatest change we can make, because it can conquer all. Hatred, racisim, bigotry, and other negatives have long gone way of the past. Instead of trying to erase this from memory, lets show that Love can rebuild and redefine who we are as humans. We must learn to let go of the things that make life easy, and realize that we are all human, under one sun, under one God. Once we learn to live with our differences, it is easier to embrace those differences and learn to become better loving humans for one another.
Change is only good, when it comes from the heart and mouth of Love.
Filed under: Uncategorized
I remember reading a book called ‘the twits’ by Roald Dahl. It reminds me that things were easier when things were new.
As such, I have decided to stop blogging, seeing as I do not much anyway. No one reads this probably, so it doesn’t really matter. But, I may come back some day and refresh the use of WordPress.
less = more
…worst OS ever.
If you are using it, please uninstall and reinstall Windows XP….please!!!
Is this the most important speech from a presidential candidate ever?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU&eurl
Junior Brown – random
Kim Bum Soo – Bogoshipda
Loveline – Shoutcast streams (reruns)
Sparta – Threes
Minus the Bear – Planet of Ice
Devendra Barnhardt – random
Smile Ease – self-titled
Daft Punk – Alive
i stumbled upon this song. the song is amazing as is the singer~! i am so ashamed that i don’t know more popular korean music. 
You can view it here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pLivHi4hy8E
Filed under: Coffee Break
2008 will be great. Have a good retirement Bill Gates.
Filed under: I Love Technology
It has been a whirlwind week for technology, including music. With the release of In Rainbows, from Radiohead, it stands to question, “What is music really worth?”
I was reading an article earlier today about a website who purchased the download and boxed versions of the album for $1000.00 dollars. That is one thousand USD dollar bills = 66 CD’s @ 15 dollars each = one desktop computer from Dell.
I have been reflecting much today about music and how it is so important. Technology is a weird, beautiful, useful, frustrating part of most peoples lives these days. I say most, because if you think of the leavers of this world, who share their songs in spirit and storytelling, where the songs are used to portray stories, lessons, and ideas of life. The thought of charging someone money to hear this song would be unheard of. The purpose of writing and sharing songs are used so that future generations will have oral traditions and that the elders of the leavers of our world will have something to pass on.
Imagine that you heard a traditional Native American song about the importance of our land (Earth). They unknowingly are recorded, the song is made into a CD and then sold to the takers of our world. What do you charge? How do you determine the price? How do you market something like this? It makes you question, “Who does the song belong to?” It seems that all music, in a sense, pre-exists. Some people choose to be a communicator and decide to perform and write music for a living. What service are they charging for? Are they charging a fee to be able to listen to a song? to be able to see someone perform? or to purchase a device where the song can be listened to at any time without the communicator present?
I am not saying that every song imaginable is already out there, but what I am asking is, “what is the importance of a musician/performing artist in our society and day and age?”
It seems that Radiohead has it the nail on the head and is asking the ‘silent’ question, “What is our music worth to you?”
We would not be able to get along our daily lives without that driving in traffic listening to your favorite song, working out at our gyms with our favorite music to get pumped to, or trying to spend some relaxation time listening to a classic album.
I believe that every artist has the right to charge what they feel they think the music is worth, or better yet, let the audience decide what it is worth to them. What value do we place on something that is of eccentric importance in life. It has been shown that music labels horde money from the artists who creatively produce material for them. They see small percentages and sometimes never get to handle their own money.
I believe it is a time in our lives that we change how we experience music, and how it is of necessity to us. As a musician myself, I will make effort to deliver my music at the most affordable option possible. If this means free, all the better. If this means a small price to pay for time and materials, good. But getting the music out there is the most important thing, and you cannot put a price on that.
In closing, it has been shown that most bands make the majority of their profits from live appearances and some being spokespersons. Touring is what makes bands money, when the fans are their to listen the originators of these musical stories. CDs should be free is possible, because music is meant to be shared and experienced. A touring band should definitely charge to perform, as most actors, models, athletes do. They entertain us, and that is the price of entertainment. That is how these people make their lively hoods.
For this reason, I have paid $0.00 dollars for In Rainbows. The album is amazing and has great songs on it. I believe it needs to be shared extensively so that many people can experience it themselves. I applaud Radiohead for making such a revolutionary statement and choice. If you read this Thom Yorke, I’d like you to know the price I’d pay to see Radiohead in Austin would be at least $200 for one concert. That is about 13 CDs at $15 dollars.
john
Filed under: I Love Technology
These look pretty cool, may have to get one soon. I’d much rather have another guitar amp though, I will probably look into getting that first. Need to save money!!
Filed under: Coffee Break
If you are ever in Austin, or if you ever get a chance to have coffee from Ruta Maya coffeehouse here, I strongly recommend it. It is one of the best tasting (organic too) coffees i have ever tasted.
