benjamin zander.

So J's and my new tradition is to watch TED Talks on Thursday evenings. We scroll through our Netflix and pick one out typically at random. Netflix handily organizes a dozen or so of them into groups on any given subject. Humanity's Future. Faith, Fate Or Fear. The Capitalism Paradox. Environment: Project Makeover. Knowledge Is Power. Just For Kids.



Music Revolution.



Buried in that group of videos was one entitled 'Benjamin Zander on Music and Passion.' Classical music in particular. His point to make was that classical music is not dead. That in fact every single human being has a passion for it. They just may not realize it. And to emphasize this point he uses clever and infectious humour and crazy hair and a Chopin prelude in E minor.



I about died laughing and was in the same moments brought to tears.

still. life.

This song came on shuffle tonight (have not heard it in some time).




I was - umm - vacuuming the rug in the living room in front of the speakers.




I - umm - turned off the vacuum.






Started the song over. Turned off the light. Cranked the volume knob on the hi-fi to earth-shaking (apologies neighbor Kim ... ). Lied down on the floor. Memories in a flood washing over me. And the realization just then how Suede had forged my idea of symphonic rock at least a decade before Muse still-impressive-but-so-less-impressive-than-the-Dog-Man-Star-era-Suede. Still Life. The Asphalt World. The 2 Of Us. This song this one song the epitome of symphonic rock absolute. Brett Anderson's voice and his range and dynamics unbearable. This song this one song ...






... epic.

'Ridiculous ... you’re right. It was a tragedy - a tragedy …

… a ridiculous tragedy.'

~ David Helfgott, Shine

matters of the utmost importance #4.

So ordering a bagel at the airport tonight I was asked one of the three questions that are always under any circumstance no matter answered with a yes.

Q: Do you want that grilled/toasted?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you want coffee?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you want to go to the mountains?
A: Yes.

ready.

I am going to miss this. Sheets drying on the line that is. Sun streaming. Slight breeze.



It's weird I know that I miss the rain. We all do here in Seattle. Even the hygienist at the dentist the other day. It's been months really since it's rained. And we all secretly love the rain.



We ... I ... love the sun too. And sheets drying on a clothesline of course. And summer breezes. And wearing canvas shoes sockless jeans cuffed high. Flip flops. Tossing frisbees at the park a few blocks from home. Leaving the windows open all night. It being light until late. Cassiopeia. Andromeda. But we ... I ... miss wearing wool. And scarves. Layers. And blankets. And seeing my breath hang in the air. And holding mugs of coffee or tea wrapped in both hands sipping slowly cos it is too hot to drink quickly. Crunching leaves. Golden. Yellow. Winding down.

*  *  *

Beginning of October tomorrow. Another week forecast of sun. Upper sixties to low seventies. Have not had to fire up my furnace yet. And got to hang my sheets out again on the line today while helping install a roof the perfect weather for it not too hot not too cold and sun to warm the tar. Past September weekends still spent in the mountains.

So I'll take it and not complain too much. For sure.





I'll be ready though for when it first smells like rain and there are grey clouds looming and then it just drizzles or it pours doesn't matter and I can embrace autumn proper and wear a scarf and a layer of wool and hide under a blanket on my front porch watching it all unfold.

You seem to be

a perfect memory of the future

reminding me how life is meant to be ...

~ P   S   B

winner.

From the just-released album 'Elysium' ... And as only the Pet Shop Boys can do so brilliantly - this can be taken quite sadly or quite optimistically.

I choose optimistically.