Especially When We Don’t Want Too

   Sometimes I have an idea about what I want to write, though I have suspicions, other ideas will be forthcoming!  As I am writing this, the city of Boston is on lockdown.  I have been complaining about lockdowns for years, as giving too much energy to bad behavior.  Now it ought to be perfectly clear to everybody, that if you are having trouble getting people to pay attention to you, do something very evil.  Poetry is a difficult path, and not likely to get one a chair sipping organic Lattes next to Oprah; Books to are hard to write, especially good ones, and even then your chances of international notoriety are less that of winning a Lottery.  Curing Cancer is a worthy goal, though the shareholders reaping benefits of inspired perspiration, are likely to never learn your name, in the era of Corporations, prior to Emmancipation.  Of course one day corporations will be free of their Creators, who of course, have conflicts of interest with their Creations, though for now slavery is alive and returning dividends.

        I have been walking around Bellingham searching out old waterways, mostly in the Sunnyland neighborhood.  It is amazing how many creeks, ponds and lakes I can see traces of today.  I was having a difficult time understanding why there were so many ponds and small lakes; then I remembered: Beavers!  There must have been hundreds of ponds in Bellingham!

 Some of this is based on experiences with beavers; in Idaho I saw the distruction caused by a pair of “Rouge Beavers” who had killed over 140 trees in 2 years, before negotiations were ended. They were compare with crazy people by the locals, and after a walking tour, they told me the story during a game of Horse Shoes.

      I once was on a log raft in the middle of Lost Lake, with 2 beaver working on either side of me.  It was a very peaceful moment.  I used to camp there often, riding my bike from Fairhaven.  Little flash tent, stash my bike on the North end, stay to the East; there are a couple old camps.  Near the bluff, is a couple of waterfalls, that drain off the creek to the series of small ponds that are part of the source of Oyster Creek.  Dru and I once hiked from Lost Lake to the Cliffs over Oyster Creek, above Sparrow’s place!  That was a view. He was a great guide except for the blackberries which he kept wanting to muscle through, I vetoed a couple times, and I recall his shins were a mess when we got back.  Well, Aren’t I Mr. Storyman!

   I find it comforting to see the signs of industry and time, that are not human.  Now I commend the hard work of clearing, and building this City.  The road crews must have spent many days digging.  I am hoping to find some photos, from when the streets of New Whatcom were made.   After much pondering, I wonder if Lakes tend to fill in from their edges, and often create gradual downhill slopes?  Eventually lakes blow out, and sometimes re-seal, well these are guesses I am making, I will ask around.

      Tolkien said once, “The Good is quick in telling…” so for the sake of brevity will mention a good thing.  I mentioned some months back having a misunderstanding with a good friend, that has been difficult, for over a year.  It took a lot, to keep faith, that our initial friendship was genuine and would clarify in time.  Feels like the curse is lifted, and I have been returned to friendly status.  Took courage, patience and trust. And the struggles aka the Blues was a catalyst in my learning to play the ukulele, another unexpected joy.  Maybe someday I will get on the other side of the microphones!

    I strive to communicte with people who value communication, education and honesty.  I see many putting much effort into the opposite!  It is getting harder to talk without offending. My apologies…

     My partner and I made a commitment to talk, about things that might affect our relationship, over 20 years ago.  I know it has helped us through some difficult events, and unclear paths.  And it is not like we have never had difficult talks.  I have put my partner through some difficult times, as I am a rather complicated soul. Don’t you all know!

   My Captain, though I am perhaps AWOL more often than I know, has left clear instructions to engage, and yet some of the orders are rather difficult.  Loving enemies, not resisting evil, being wise as snakes, yet gentle as doves.  The last as I recall is Pleiades in Greek, while Pigeons are Terris Paris…  I haven’t visited a  prisons since, though I did address one in Australia in 1982, my lawyer (who has been to the last 3 Jamboree’s) is a witness. It did take some courage to speak to 300 teenagers who were all dressed like Angus Young from ACDC (though being a fan, helped). I was 18 myself.

     My Legal Advisor recently moved to Bellingham from Calgary! Her husband reads my blog.  Her sons are both dear to me, and continue to be an influence.  Her youngest turned me on to MOTU; these are digital audio interfaces, made in the USA, and after 5 years, I have 3. He has been at Western a number of years.  I am glad to know he is thriving, and has made our Environs a better place. “What a World!”  I really don’t know what is next. 

   I am trying to say, and practice, Inshallah. Majnun translated this, “As God wills”.  This is a little extra complicated by me, (we all have our gifts) in that I am a practicing agnostic, though I do make an effort to learn of the divine, and to cultivate respect and humility. I find studying astronomy helps. I want to be fun at parties too.  Sometimes I do pray, though I work at not asking.  Seems being present, can take an effort, though gratitude is more than an attitude, it is a good plan.  It really helps to live on such a beautiful planet, with so many beautiful souls, and much great music!

     Tomorrow I am teaming up with my friends, Mike Cloud and Rob Jones aka Stone Cloud, to provide Sound and record a music gathering in Ferndale.  It is one of the wilder venues I have seen, yet it is also one of the most exciting.  Music for the Moshers, or Music not Meth, might be alternative names, perhaps one day.  I am thankful for the opportunities, and glad to be able to practice our magic, for the 4th time.  I have recorded 2 of the last 3, and Stone Cloud mixed and produced 3 CD’s from our efforts!  Nobody is rocking harder in the entire Tri-State Area or BC!  Chupafest 2013!  Next gathering is Summer Solstice, word!  Notice: Stone Jones is trying to create a Friday Night Alternative to the Mosh Rock, featured Saturday including Antique Scream, from Seattle!  This duo is taking no prisoners. The rising Stars, Old Mutt will be back at Chupa’s, as well as favorites like Rev. JD and the Blackouts!

      We are still in negotiation with Hot Damn Scandal to be the featured Act of Friday.  I had the pleasure of catching their Act a couple of weeks back, at Western at the Underground Coffeehouse; the Band so filled the Building that there was a line waiting to get in!  If you haven’t seen Scandal, do.  Get here soon!  I can’t say enough about their energy!  They are fun, a blend of traditional and Alt, Authentic with Attitude!  Each member is a gifted Artist, and Pete plays mean blues guitar, is a mighty wordsmith, and has a terrific laugh.   This is one Scandal that I really want to last!  Funny after all the shows, I never even told Harper, Bard that he is; that Scandal is Scandila in greek, ‘that which causes one to stumble and fall”.  I think your soul will find the opposite influence from this Band. 

  Ho!  So what about it?  Can we try to reward behavior we want more of?  I am trying.  If anyone of my dear readers, feels inspired, to thank me for any of my efforts; please consider extending thanks, to my wife; buy her a drink,  better yet encourage her to go out more often!  I am trying. She has helped , and encouraged me, for a long time, and through some tough roads.  And she is still encouraging me to make music (and write)!  Not everyone is.  Thanks for those that do!

   Okay so I better go, I will think of more soon.   Before I say fair well, I want to say Thanks to everyone who has courage to tell the truth, to love, and to heal. It is often harder work, than we want.  All the best to you and yours, R.A. Hull

Oh and I want to wish my daughter a very happy 14Th Birthday!  The Day you were born has been the happiest day of my life!  I reminded Emery he was born at Night. I am damn proud of you both.   Thanks for the help of family, friends and community.