happy new ear

i read this blog title on a greeting card once

We've all heard this sad story. Vincent van Gogh lived a short, deeply tormented life, throughout which he sought (in vain) his place in the world. He died, by his own hand, feeling his life was a miserable failure. Unbeknownst to Vincent, the work he did pioneered the Expressionistic style and, 150 years after his birth, his name would be world famous.... more here

there is something compelling for me about vincent van gogh. his infamous brush strokes are captivating because they read as so driven and deliberate. his colors were muted, but still powerful and strong and his subject matter was usually of a very simple nature.

but his inner-haunting must be imprinted on his canvasses as well. i think that many times when we drink in a  vangogh we respond to the emotion behind his work as much as the images themselves. and i think that his perpetual self torture that has now become infamous, creates as much a stir as his determination to express himself.

if you have read my blog at all over the last 3 years, you can certainly understand how easily i can relate to his most defnite chemical imbalance, and how i could naturally admire his tenacity at working with what he had. i have only to hear his story and a door in my heart opens and lets light in.

even if the story of van gogh slicing his own ear is not true, i have no doubt whatsoever that his turmoil was. there is no other line of thinking for me than it is noble to battle through frustration, hardship, discomfort, and pain by processing it through one's talents somehow. if this is pursued throughout a lifetime, one will have less regrets. i intend to see the next decade in such a manner. could it be a promise, or a pledge, or a threat? that's for you to decide

I remember when, I remember

I remember when I lost my mind

There was something so pleasant about that place

Even your emotions have an echo in so much space

And when you're out there without care

Yeah, I was out of touch

But it wasn't because I didn't know enough

I just knew too much

today's sound choice is a bit fanciful.i heard that rolling stone magazine nominated this for best crossover record of the decade. i know that when it was getting airplay, it got it across the board. anyway, here is gnarls barkley with "crazy"



Share

the next adventure

i showed the film "pay it forward" to my dui class the night before last and there is a quote from the film that i heard again and love:

The most important thing I can add from my own observations is this: Knowing it started from unremarkable circumstances should be a comfort to us all. Because it proves that you don’t need much to change the entire world for the better. You can start with the most ordinary ingredients. You can start with the world you’ve got.

that's pretty damn good gear to take on this next year's adventure.

Life goes on day after day
Hearts torn in every way

So ferry 'cross the Mersey
'cause this land's the place I love
and here I'll stay

People they rush everywhere
Each with their own secret care

So ferry 'cross the Mersey
and always take me there
The place I love

today's sound choice is very vintage- ferry across the mersey by gerry and the pacemakers. (kudos to ministry of sound chillout mix)