music appreciation

The kids share a bedroom, and among other things, this necessitates the alternation from night to night of who gets to pick the music. This is a VERY IMPORTANT part of the kids' day, and for each of them, the night they don't get to pick the music can truly be a traumatic night. Most nights it goes pretty smoothly though, and they both enjoy having something to listen to as the float off to la-la land.

Tonight was Ezra's pick, which he promptly pointed out to me as we walked into the bedroom and heard Adriel's naptime music still playing on repeat. It was a plaintive piece for the harp, and as I turned it off he said "that music sounds kind of... sad. Kinda like for somebody who died." We talked about that a little bit and all agreed that Mel's description of it as 'like remembering' fit best.

Ezra's choice for the evening was a flute compilation that starts with a very upbeat piece. As it began I said that I thought it sounded like bunnies and butterflies playing in the forest, and that description made Ezra grin from ear to ear. "It's funny how music can sound -- feel -- like... things that aren't music. Like butterflies and bunnies, just up and down and around. Even though those things aren't sounds -- or music. It's just... amazing."

And to that I say, it's funny how kids can grasp cultural musical associations so clearly. I wonder how many of those same associations would be made by a kid (or an adult) who had a non-western musical background. It sure is fun to see Ezra making those connections though and experiencing music with his imagination fully engaged. Makes me look forward to many more musical connections and experiences to come.

The Mix-Up

Although I like to consider myself an 'early adopter' type person, there are some wagons I have just not boarded. Purchasing music online has been one of those things for me. I have done lots of music downloading online (check out Havalina Rail Co's site for some free music, I've got it downloading in the background right now) and I have done other online purchases, just never music.

Today all that changed. My (pre-ordered) copy of the Beastie Boys' new all-instrumental album, The Mix-Up arrived today from Amazon. I've only listened to a couple of tracks so far so the jury's still out. If it's half as good as The In Sound From Way Out it'll be a keeper.

"Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land."

Today's Writers' Almanac informed me that Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is 70 years old today. Like so much of his work, Mice and Men has so much depth in so much simplicity. If you haven't read it, you owe it to yourself. Not a happy book, but a very worthwhile one.

While checking things out online today I ran into this quote from the book -- a line I have liked from Model Engine but had forgotten was Steinbeck's originally:

As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment.

2006 in review

I can think of no better way to summarize my 2006 than Stavesacre's song Freefall (Hand to Hand) from their excellent album, Speakeasy. There is not a line in this song that isn't apropos to my journey through last year.

sleepless eyes open wide
before heaven I stand again
if there's no winning this war tonight I was wondering
if you could steady my spinning head

and trusting gets harder now
I wish you were here beside me
my failures my fears and doubts have been haunting me
I'm just not who I thought I'd be

freefall
weightless and terrified
on I go crossing over from living to so alive
and purified I know weeping is cast for the night
and joy...

thought I was a good man
and fell short of my standards
now what am I left with -- all or nothing
and my first taste of freedom

freefall
weightless and terrified
on I go crossing over from living to so alive
and purified I know weeping is cast for the night
and joy...

if I fall down
if I fail you
when I fall down
when I fail you
I hope to find you there
I hope to find you there
I know I'll find you there
I've always found you there

when I fall down, down

freefall
weightless and terrified
on I go crossing over from living to so alive
and purified I know weeping is cast for the night
but joy comes in the morning