sorry to be a downer...

But I'm in a rotten mood since following the news today about the continuing violence in the middle east...

I know... how deja vu is all of this and why comment on something that has been bouncing around forums all over the world for as long as there have been online forums...?

I don't know, but I suppose that I just get fed up with the fact that after having had a shaky but rather surprising bout of peace between Israel and Palestine, the whole place goes up in flames with another player, Lebannon, mounting attacks causing another retaliation, causing another retaliation. And never mind trying to figure out who started everything, it really amounts to a Chicken and an Egg scenario in the long run.

I say that the UN, the US, the whole world in fact should just forget about trying to help because obviously there is no real desire for peace in the Middle East no matter how much people say there is. If the people in the region wanted peace there would be an outcry in both countries NOT for the blood of one country or the other, but for an end to the violence in general instead of continued stone throwing.

"Ah, but if the peaceful members of each country simply cried out for an end to the violence they would all be killed by soldiers with guns and bombs."

And what about Ghandi? What about the Civil Rights Movement?
"And what about the Sudan, and Somalia, and Rwanda?"
...yeah, it's hopeless.

I'm ready for the rapture now.

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Sort of work...

Although I've so wanted to write new poetry in the last few weeks, and believe me I've tried mightily, I've not been able to come up with anything of substance... so I've been in the process of recording what I already have.

This may sound like a simple process... just record using irecorderdoodad and export to imusicthingy or iplaylistdoohinky. But being the person I am, it is NOT that simple. I have to have a music track to go over top of the poem, something repetative and soothing, or energizing and exciting, or dark and brooding... in otherwords, I have to figure out whether to record something through a guitar or pick and modify loops. Loops are winning out so far because they modify better and cut easier, and fit more tightly with the poem.

That said, I have at the moment about 20 or so minutes of poetry, original music stuff, etc.

Poems I have recorded so far
maybe this time... (the day the robots came to get me)
reverse dexterity
on rumination and/or writing
gone home

Songs I have used so far
Cityscape
Dancing (both as poetry track and stand alone)
Suspended (longer version)
Gregorian Jazz
Undecided
Whatzit

New song I'm working on
The Day the Robots came to get me (oh yes... I'm getting a grammy for this one)

Poems I might be working on soon...
carpe diem
grocery store shopping sucks
all that matters... (the problem with having a sinkhole in the front yard...)
The 'reau
The Relatives

Hmm... perhaps I should be working on actual school stuff instead of this... but maybe not.

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Two in One?

Alright... I'm tossing this out there but I'm thinking of adding to my lulu.com material. The addition would consist of a small quantity of free mp3 downloads of my poetry, perhaps with music, perhaps not, I'd just have to feel it out. Any opinion on it? I've been thinking of it recently because I really like Scott Woods' live poetry and would love to have sort of an archive of my poetry anyway.

let me know?

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where've I been...

Where've... I like that. I might just have to use that in poetry in the near future. Hmm... yes indeed.

Anyway... I've been alternately busy and busier... despite the fact that I don't yet have much work to do at school aside from a brief presentation tomorrow in class. I don't know where it's coming from, but it's more of a help right now than a problem because when I've got lots to do I have a structured day and that means I don't just spend time trying to figure out what I need to do.

ADD anyone?

Amanda has been going to the gym faithfully for over three weeks now and is enjoying every minute of it. She's even got Triceps now. When I used to work out in High School for track season, all I ever got was diplodocus (ba dum ching). I'm glad she's found working out to be such fun, and I'm glad it's helping her further develop all of her relationships within the church. It's a blessing to see her working out both spiritually and physically.

I have been rather feebly trying to write poetry in an attempt to have some material for Writer's Block Poetry nights, but not having much success. I have however written my first song based on one of my poems. It's a take off on my "The Day the Robots came to get me..." poem and I think it's rather catchy. Nevertheless, it's only a first attempt and I don't think I'm going to quit the Ph.D. program to pursue my musical career quite yet.

Speaking of work, I probably should, so I will.

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