Where the Wind Wills or Will You Fill Me In?
Happy Summer. Life seems busy of late. Been working with Artists most weekends for several weeks now. Going back to Chuppafest this Friday and Saturday. I have been given assurances that I will not need a wall of strong Helpers to protect my gear from Moshers, as I will be tucked next to the Stage in a safer location, while StoneCloud will need, and has some Back to protect the Sound Gear in Front. It was the wildest place I have ever recorded, let alone brought my Mixer, and PA! So much good music too! Black Beast Revival took the Show last time. I liked everybody. I am looking forward to hearing Dead Reckon, Rev. JD and the Blackouts! I am listening to lots of Music; Anais Mitchell’s Young Man in America is coming through my Speakers, being reproduced by Mender, my Computer I built in 2007… I changed CPU ( to a slower 45 watt AMD Dual Core) several years back, 4 Gigs of RAM, Fanless GPU too, still running X64. I use 4 Hard Drives, and they fill up quicker than I think. . It was the best OS Microsoft made prior to 7, of course they never Marketed it worth a darn, think Bill Gates was getting married or something, just before Vista happened. Mender purrs!
I’ve been thinking what an amazing journey, since one year ago. I wrote about it in the Put It All Down In a Letter CD Release Party, which I will try to post. Robert Blake and the Silver Shirts, as well as the Librarians played Boundary Bay, and Mike Cloud (and Jan Peters) invited me to record, this was the fisrt day of Julu 2011. Not only was it an amazing evening Musically, I was (am) very pleased with the recording too, though it is a long story, the getting there.
My friends know I love to record, be near music, and help with Sound. I walked to the Green Frog on the 1st of this month, caught some of the Open Mic, checked in with Misty Flowers. I wanted to catch her hosting the Open Mic, and to thank her for performing at the Solstice gathering at the Lake. Well the Main Stage was rained out on Saturday, I had got the speakers, Board and Mics up, when the rain started to come down, my friend Evan showed up magically, in time to help shuttle gear into the Main House, where we jammed later. Bob Platrow and his friends, jammed in the Living Room, which he has done many times, to our delight. John Neighbor, and Rick Haykin also jammed, drums and keys was a nice mix. Good to hear Tim Holmes on electric guitar and Jeff from Underwater Radar played bass. The next day John, spoke of Music Sessions, “they are never what you think!”
The Potluck was good, though my gear was a bit scattered, though mostly dry. I regrouped the next day, and brought my Board in, and set up to record the Cosmic Sneakers, and later Tim McHugh and the Lost Poets. Chuck Dingee played Sunday Afternoon, which we all enjoyed. Chuck is famous in Bellingham and Environs for the Walrus, an act which was a fixture at the Wild Buffalo for some years. I caught him at the Green Frog a couple of months back. Misty Flowers sang several songs. I really enjoyed her cover of Anais Mitchell’s Young Man in America. Sarah Bird sang with her, I have been fortunate to have worked with her in collaboration with Natural Transitions and the Gifted Music Director Tristan Bach, which is how I came to work with Bob MacDonald, an engineer, guitar teacher, and in the band Three on the Tree! Good to see and hear you’all. My thanks to everyone who made it happen, especially Bill Sterling, Betty, Layne and Evan.
Tim McHugh came out with his Family. I started recording the Lost Poets in 2007 at the famous Equinox Gathering, it was the Patriots of Tomorrow’s World Debut. They are the Band that got me to cross over, from Fan to Sound Man. I had made some efforts to promote the Patriots of Tomorrow in the early 90’s ( in their incarnation as the Clay People, before Bob) and also the Sedro Wooley Jug Band aka the Wing Nuts led by Morgan Dicus. I recorded some good songs with Casey McHugh playing violin with the Lost Poets. Caryn Simmons who has a long history with the Poets, she sang backup, it is always a welcome time to hear her. Layne cooked, and sang and played Harmonica, for several songs with the Poets. I asked Tim if they would play the Narrow Road, which is my favorite. The Band did a hot take of The Edge of Forever. Everybody had fun messing with Wish You were here, which was especially blest by Sarah Bird, who transposed the Solo from Dark Side of the Moon seamlessly, into another song and album! This was the 2nd Gathering at the Lake (this year), last year we only had an Equinox Gathering. The year before we had 5 Gatherings, each full moon. The cooler wetter weather has affected Gatherings, not only at Bill’s, Ranger’s 20 year tradition of a Gathering in early June, hasn’t been practical for a couple of years, or Junurary’s as the tired joke now goes.
I wanted to also mention a couple of Local Heroes, Allegra Ziffle and Matt Novak aka Pretty Little Feet. This Dynamic Duo released a CD and Soundtrack to the Documentary Film the Mountain Runners, it was engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Paul Turpin of Champion Studios, Bellingham. Allegra did the woodcuts for the Album’s Artwork and Printing at Bison Bookbinding and Letterpress. The Pair played the Green Frog Tavern, and I seem to recall actually helping (or attempting too) with Sound during their Set. Thanks also to Devon Champlin and Company for patience. James bought a feedback destroyer since, so no excuses next time! I really like being able to help, and it makes me feel very welcome.
By the way, the Green Frog keeps improving! The outside deck is a great treat; Chad can often be caught out back singing:hint. Thanks always to Nate and Misty for helping me feel welcome. Been nice getting to know Friend again. He did a good job on Bass, playing with the Stone Jones Trio (Chrispy on Keys, guitar and vocals) for the Friday the 13Th Show at the Majestic which StoneCloud and Yours Truly put on. Misty Flowers was the MC, and sang several songs. Louis Ledford and Kevin Nelson (of the Librarians and also Bison Bookbinding) played a Set together. I first heard Louis Ledford at the Stringband Jamboree in 2007. He is from South, and moved from New Orleans to Bellingham several years ago, much to our enrichment. Louis is a Bluesman, wise beyond his years. His latest CD the Century Plant on Espalade Avenue has been on my stack for some months. I took Kathleen to hear him earlier this year at the Blue Horse Gallery, playing with the American Sweat Band, the Gallus Brothers opened.
I read things got too close for a while for Lucas, though I hear he has been out and about Town; we want the best for Lucas, though for selfish reasons, we need him, and we love the Gallus Brothers! Lucas is planning on being the Caller for the Square Dancing at the Jamboree on the 9Th and 11Th. There is Contra Dancing with Marlin Prowell on Saturday the 10Th. Build the Love!
I need to mention Smoke Wagon played after Louis and Kevin. I am partial to these Fellows, and always enjoy hearing them. StoneCloud and I collaborated with SmokeWagon to make their first CD Sampler. I am very proud to be a part. Thanks again to all involved! Do watch for their Act! They are the Bee’s Knees. They are playing at the Jamboree for the 2nd time, which I got to say; I haven’t missed a Stringband Jamboree, since I started going in 2007. Never dreaming that I might go from making bootleg (informal) recordings, to actually helping do Sound for the Festival; I am thankful all the same! We have an amazing team that makes the Jamboree happen, I am thankful to part. I hope to share good news in next month’s Blog, after the Jamboree. Kaplah!
While I rarely seem to struggle with finding words for the Local Scene, I do struggle with words, fond of them as I am. Since last February, through a misunderstanding, I have been confronted with limits of language, for the first time in my adult life, a friend doesn’t want to talk. I have only given up one friend in my life, and I still care, have feelings for them, though after many events, saw that they were not safe. I have tried to be near Logos for 3 decades. Some think I was joking when I posted the word Unshun! Even with all these tools, phones, mail and the InterNet, it seems difficult for people to keep in touch. I find it hard to find time to talk about the things that aren’t working, the breakdown of civil discourse, the lack of meaningful work, let alone the Human Condition. I am trying to do more on my house, be nicer to my Family, find ways to connect with friends. I am not so sure I am gaining on this goal. While it helps to know there are perhaps 50 Billion Galaxies, my heart still gets hurt. There are people I want to connect with in this Life. I am reminded of the song by Bob Marley, Could You be Loved? I figure I ain’t getting any other Trial than this, and guess much likely never get said. Sure I hope to launch more TimeShips, maybe give verse to Precious Spleen.
I mentioned the other day, to my friend Rose, who I enjoy corresponding with, that I consider it something akin to Sin, whenever I pray. Not that I don’t go into the Closet and Pray, I try to not ask very often. It is not like I have any lack of Want in my Life (I am lucky, though perhaps misactualized), I figure I do best to not Trouble the Powers that be; though I do try to say hello now and then, and give thanks often. I borrowed this idea from the Bhagavad Gita, though I lost the spot years ago, I kept it close. Truth is where you find it, been saying that for a while. My Heart still wants to understand, strives to hope. I have met so many special people, and learned of many more. Even though I reckon I am part crazy, I still love my friends, even though I wish we interacted more. Anyone remember the Play and Pilot of the Twilight Zone? Seems like the InterNet and Social Media by no means prevents rumors, doubts and prejudice. I am trying to learn, and love.
I finished Cryptonomicon last night, over 1100 pages! I have been at it since Spring! I loved the History, especially the focus on WWII, and the brilliant, and overlooked Lawrence Waterhouse. The musings on the Spine of the InterNet, and the connections between cryptography and Banking are truly prophetic. After reading this Novel, I will try to include Karma in the Origins of our current World financial Crisis, there were great Hordes of War Booty, hidden, many which became stuck, mostly by blood, and collective greed. It will take a Collective effort to heal this, an Actual InterNational Consensus, to redeem this corrupt Capital, as it was stolen from Millions of people, many who died from the hands of the Nazi’s and Japanese Military. The United States and Britain killed hundreds of thousands of civilians. And Russia! Most of us know about Blood Diamonds, yet think of bars of gold, (to heavy to hold with one hand), many made from stolen fillings from the teeth of those who died in WWII. This Novel goes into detail about some stuck Hordes, and how ($) gold can be transfered via the InterNet. It is still going on.
The book does a good job shifting focus into the Pacific (and to China in the late 30’s) during the War, though doesn’t mention the Eastern Front, let alone the Greatest Battle of the War; Stalingrad which nearly surrendered the Middle East and their Oil to the Nazi’s. The Novel also fails to mention the internment of Japanese Americans (many who were lawful Citizens) during the War. Well, I would have found some pages for these subjects. Bletchly Park in England, gets deserved attention, as does Alan Turring, who helped break the Nazi Encryption called Enigma. I saw one of these machines at the Musuem of Computer History in Mt. View with my Father last May. I thought to look, did they Dovetail the corners of the Enigma’s wood box? Yes. I read in this Novel, that the British actually smeared the ink a little on Special Top Secret Documents to prove they were genuine, as they knew the Germans would do too good a job! How’s that for knowing your enemy! Enough digressions for this Month?
I have been emailing music links to my friends in the last couple months, mostly because I A: Can and B: Have Good Music to share, C: I am allowed too! I still haven’t figured how to store Music on the Net, yet. I am finding a place for some words, sans Facebook. I have puplished a few poems, and this is my 3rd Blog on Backup Experience which is hosted through WordPress. I have been writing P.L. Wilson, the Author who told me I can consider myself a Member of the Society of Ancient Druids of Newburg NY which has connections back to 1717 and souls such as Thomas Paine and William Blake! So I have that going too!
I am so looking forward to the Stringband Jamboree, August 9, 10 and 11. I am recording both Stages, 35 Acts! So excited, though it is a little daunting too! I hope to be happy to let you know next month! Till then, thanks for reading.
And of course, All the Best to you and yours, R. A. Hull Bellingham WA Inshallah!
Backup Experience 
I like your word “unshun” and strive for that in my life too. I too have only one friend who I don’t talk to (ex-friend?), and even him after all this time I’d be friendly to if I ran into him, though I doubt he would be since he wasn’t the last time that happened. (You know the one I mean.) We all have our paths to healing. I strive for peace and wish to embody with people the equivalent of “living lightly on the land”. Lightly but deeply. I listened to Could this be love while I was reading your blog. Make great music this summer. (You are part of the music too.) Namaste
I learned around 40, that the Old English for Love is Loofah, which is recalled in it’s antonym, Aloof. My friend Barbara used to say, “we think we are being courteous, and giving each other space, when really we are ignoring each other”. I wonder what the differience between being “able” to talk with people who don’t want to talk, and not. There can be a difference,(is)and we communicate; seems lot harder than I remember.
Yes, I recall your friend, we ran into each other, so to speak, least once; once in at a Crew Meeting, he and another friend started to argue, loud. I remember getting in his face, and letting them know it was not the place. Proud of that. He had a rage. I learned some from him too, yet I treated him as a sharp blade. His sneaking on the Nevada Test Sight to stop a Nuke, was Epic, and he told me in great detail, though he was not alone. They were in there when it was Detonated a Day early, even though they let the Authorities know they were there. I am proud of him for that. I remember him being a jerk to you, at the LandTrust. Never cared for that. I knew you had acted honorably, cause that is the garden you hoe. Here’s to you, and your example of working with people in conflict, and reaching out to prisoners, and those suffering under the legal system. Unshun!
Bucky Fuller wrote of “Desire and Unintended Consequences”. Though I find words, I would like to talk about much that is forbidden, judged and shunned. It is complicated. And I don’t want to divide people, which I learned years ago KFJC and Zen Friends, Janet and Tim, that that is the Definition of a Provocateur.
I feel that other friends were quick to judge, without talking to me as well, and so a shaddow grows? I hear shame is in… I’m glad and thankful for chances. I am working on love. I keep reading about people who are in charge of their emotions, all I know is I am trying not to be mean, to notice and learn, grow and heal. Sometimes I am slow to acknowledge the Trip, the System, aka Normal. I have searched so long for how, there is critical, and critisism, and we can do something about the latter. Must we ignore, or forebear, lest we shun. I am learning the Ukulele, and Somewhere over the Rainbow, and somehow, “vaguely calling the Tune’. Peace
I think communication is the key to human success and survival. Without it, we are alone in the wilderness – there can be no cooperation without it. Yes, he had a rage, and I learned some from him too. That’s why I would try to communicate if I saw him. There is a lot to him. The things that went down with him are not all there is to him … [coincidentally, this is the same thing I tell myself about the prisoners I teach]
I don’t worry about other friends. Some are quick to heed the words of one with a silver tongue. If that is the case, they weren’t really friends to begin with. The silver tongue is persuasive. This is a lesson I had to learn a second time, also at the farm, but I’ve learned it now and moved on.
What you said touched me. I felt a wave of intense feeling when reading it – to be seen for who I am and how I try to be in the world. Thank you. I too am glad for chances and continual learning. I too am working on love. Continue your search. It is a beautiful, healing direction. I saw this quote earlier and thought of this conversation:
“I had found a kind of serenity, a new maturity… I didn’t feel better or stronger than anyone else, but it seemed no longer important whether everyone Loved me or not – more important now was for me to Love them. Feeling that way turns your whole Life around, living becomes the act of giving.” words by Beverly Sills
Good post Rog. Thanks for the shout out to Evan. Alan Turing is an interesting reference. Spent his whole life in the shadows doing things he couldn’t talk about, whether it was his work in cryptanalysis or his sexual preference in a time when it was considered illegal. Monday would be his 100th birthday.
How far we seem to have come yet we have so far yet to go. We need a kinder world where we all can be accepted for who we are. My country seems to be a little meaner these days, not so tolerant. I worry about the path yours is on as well. This November will decide a lot. I hope you can stay the course. “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” “And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make”. See you in a couple of weeks.
Thanks James. Turing lived a quiet life, and didn’t have a wild love life, or even many friends from what I have gathered. I read a 6oo page bio on him called The Enigma, several years ago. A Lecture at Western from one of his Co-workers I got at the Library, in 2006, He said that Alan didn’t think like other people, and you couldn’t know where he came up with some of his ideas. “No single individual did more to win WWII than Alan Turing”.
And he warned of his persecution, “Don’t let this happen again”.
As for the quote from King James’ Men, essentially I have found no words to be more powerful, than that passage.
Much as I love the song, I dunno, far as I can tell, they are the only one’s who said it was “Easy”, that hasn’t panned out so far.
Methodist Minister John Dobbins (not the Spanker), that I learned from as a teen, I recall his sermon, were he is telling a Rabbi friend that it “was more blessed to give than receive, and he replied, “damn it John, they are the same thing”.