Rachmaninoff -Piano Concerto No. 2

May 7th, 2009; 6:10 PM
I am feeling stressed today. I want to get through this time. I need decompression. Events have been challenging. But I am determined to rise and get through this. I think about the opening of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto Number 2...It's dark and tumultuous, like a small ship being tossed about in an ever expansive sea, with deep and dark waters below, and heavy rolling waves on the surface. And though the ship may be rolled by the waves, or even taken down to it's watery grave, some small part of it will survive. It will break off from the hull, and float ever so gently and determinedly to the top. Something will defeat the odds and survive. Some small vestige will live on, and stand as evidence, that the ship was once there. That it existed. And it will be beautiful, and free, and hard to destroy.

Momavarious And Dylan

April 27th, 2009; 4:16 PM
I'm listening to Bob Dylan with my Momavarious. She sat up to hear it. At one point, she started singing "Blowing in the Wind". I remember this song from my childhood. My mom has always loved Dylan. I used to hate him with a passion as a kid. But I've grown into it. I love his lyrics, his simple and beautiful acoustic style...and the echoing message of peace. When I was a kid, my mom would play his records for me. At one point, in third grade she had me learn how to play "Blowing in the Wind" on my flute. Hahaha. I'm glad that she cared so much about teaching me about peace, even if I was not an eager student sometimes. (Dylan had a hard time contending with Rambo and the cold war, in the 80's...what can I say? I had older brothers who had more influence then.)
My mom used to say that "Some people mistake kindness for weakness." It was a common phrase for her. What she meant by it, was that in the world, the truly strong people are those who can live with a stand-alone-spirit, and kindness. That it takes more strenght to be open, kind, and loving; than it does to crush, mock, and destroy. She always placed more value on those who were loving and kind, than those who were cynical, or wielded power without compassion for others.

Masters Of War

April 23rd, 2009; 8:40 PM
New musical discovery time! I love Dylan, but I've never heard this song before today. I LOVE IT! Pearl Jam did a version...and it's ok. But no comparison to Dylan's IMO.

Masters Of War

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead