The Last General

Friends,

Another month has come round, and here I am again, practicing my Blog. Learning to outsmart one’s self is a trick I have yet to master, in many areas of life. However, I have learned that if I give myself time, I am likely to fill it. I have found writing once a month, to be a useful limit. I think about ideas during the month, yet do not write it down, as I already get embarrassed, by my lack of writer’s block!
How lucky we are to be here!
I try and read history, and mythology, to learn about life. I don’t worry too much about what it all means, I used too. I do have some faith, that there is always a story, and if it involves people, well, yah might want to hear the story, more than once.
If I am spared, which is a thought I cultivate, I hope to publish, several more ‘incidents’, from the Gospels. I try to get the tough things out of the way first, well, after several decades of procrastination, sloth, and cowadice. I have more courage now! My dad always ate his vegitables first, to get them out of the way, BTW.
Let her Be and Don’t Give Her Any Trouble is the first attempt, to make a poetic translation, using the Greek Texts, as a source of inspiration. Believe me; I feel a more than a little crazy often enough! I started translating verses, mostly in John, before my son was born. Mostly to understand, and John is a Poet’s Gospel. It has a very different, feel, meter, and sound than Matt, Mark and Luke, which are called the Synoptic Gospels, as they are so similar.
Most scholars think that Mark is the oldest of the Gospels. However, many feel it was based on another ‘Lost’ Gospel, called Q. Some traditions, I was raised with, teach that the Gospel was a collection of stories, and sayings, prior to being published. There are additional “Gospels” a word I am fond of that word for some reason, though, not original. I have read translations of a number of alternitive texts. The Gospel of Thomas, sounds the most authentic of the lot, to my ears. Thomas includes, a glimps of Jesus kissing Mary (“often… on the lips”, and the disciples upset), and then sacred words,”How am I not loving you?”
My brother earned a Masters Degree in Divinity from Boston University, nearly 20 years ago. I learned a great deal from him in my life. I was fortunate to encounter teachers who connected me with tools to continue learning, my whole life.
I met a retired Educator, at a Music Gathering last summer. I mentioned my feeling that 4 years isn’t long enough for some subjects. I mention the Cruthin as example. It took 3 trips to Britain and Ireland (guns pointed at me each time at least once!) to learn the Cruthin exist today or at least their descendants. It took me another decade of research to propose their identity as the Barley People. I did notice the eyes of the teacher, became wet, after the phrase, “another 10 years of learning”. That is not hubris. Although I am rather proud of getting banned for 3 years on Wiki, for words I wrote in the Discussion Page regarding the Cruthin.
Last month, I closed my Blog- [Perhaps I am in want/need of an Editorial Staff, that could separate the abundance of Chaff, I generate, from the occasional Grain- [Sometimes I think I could separate my Blogs into several parts, and fool everybody into thinking I was a Full Time Writer, rather than a Part Time Blogger: End of Literary Introspection.] I digress. I am thinking of several ideas, for short incidents from the Gospels. Maybe someday, years from now, I will attempt the Sermon of the Mount. There are parts of the Epistle of Acts, which I find interesting. Even though I don’t like some of Paul’s writings, I admire his wherewithal, and his courage. I find his visit in Athens, to be especially Modern, and an example of Pluralism, the idea that there is more than one way of thinking, a rare concept, even today!
Paul was a tent maker, which were made of leather, back in the day. I mentioned recently, feeling a need to be more appreciative, of the great deal of technology, which protect us today, compared to the hope of Jesus, expressed at the Last Supper (in John) for tents that last forever, and don’t wear out! “The Great Table is Set, and ladden with abundance, though people, don’t recognize the Feast is ready!” That is from memory, also from Thomas. I am looking for these oldies in Greek. I am finding some great resources online.
When St. Paul goes to Athens he seeks out the Philosophers, who gathered, as Stoics and Epicureans, and he was invite to speak. He was a great talker, he mentions seeing a Shrine, dedicated to Agnosto Theo- the Unknown Deity! I felt chills, that it had even been said, 2000 years ago, admitted, written in stone (lithos) that we might, not know!
I needed to say all that, so that I could say this! We are worth more than $! I was raised with the wacky ethic, that one person’s life is more valuable than all the gold in the world. Well, the idea is rather dated, gold has increased in value considerably since those days, and it has become more useful, especially in computers. As an aside, within An Aside… I wonder if gold is the most malleable element, because of its great symmetry of its valence shells. I have even wondered if the elements have different consciousness, though this is a difficult concept to test. And I have more pressing interests!
Music Season has begun in earnest again, with the return of summer, of course, the “Music, never stopped’ was a song, and slogan of the Grateful Dead. Congratulations are in order, for Hot Damn Scandal (and Strangely) for their successful Kickstarter Campaign to fund their forthcoming CD, and Genuine Vinyl Album via the InterNet. Kickstarter is an organization, which creates fundraising forums for various causes, including charitable causes. I am sure some members of HDS have at times qualified as such! I know I have. Seriously, I have been very lucky, to have assisted Hot Damn Scandal with several shows. The Band made a witty video, and set a target, along with many creative enticements; sadly, no one took Pete up on his offer (or was it Harper’s idea?) to tattoo a Donor’s Face, on his knee, for $ 5000. I decided not too, even though I have the $; I would like to replace my truck; I hope Pete will forgive my materialism.
My friends Mike and Rob of StoneCloud, along with our allies of the Blackout Alliance, put on 2 shows, June 21, and 22nd. We have done several shows at Chupa’s in the past, with many excellent artists, including in years past, Black Beast Revival, Antique Scream, Human Infest, Curse of the Black Tongue, and Reverend J.D. and the Blackouts, to name a few, from years past. Rob had the inspiration, to change things up for the Friday show, with mellower music. As David Lanz jokes, he is way past smooth, he’s Heavy Mellow”! While I understand the gist of the idea, Solstice wasn’t mellow! The JP Falcon Trio did get us grooving, and even feeling Ire, they still rocked. The Shady Tones continue to work as a band. They added Gage from Old Mutt, who did a great job headlining the next night! The ShadyTones also added Phil Carter to the line up, which included Chrispy, Stone Jones and Friend, who many know as the chief grill master at the Green Frog. Phil is an amazing drummer, who works with many bands. He got Mike and me a good gig, recording Problem Child at the Mt. Baker Theatre, last year. My favorite song they covered was Nick Cave’s Mercy Seat, which was made famous by Johnny Cash. Chivalry Timbers played next, sans drummer Jesse, who had a paid gig. Chivalry is not dead! And I really like these mostly instrumental World Surf Eclectics; and I am not saying this only because Mickey makes great cheeseburgers at Boundary. I guess it is no accident, that this band is perfect for opening for their good friends, Hot Damn Scandal! Now these folks play instruments that are often used by mellow groups. And although they can play a weepy ballad with the best of them, these folk ROCK!!!
I am really enjoying, learning their music, understanding what they are weaving together. I enjoy working with Artists, more than words can describe, and yet, every once and awhile, people we work with, become trusted friends. Speaking of which, I found Misty Flowers a gig, doing Sound for HDS, when I was helping at Chupafest. She did great, and I knew she would. It was a relief, when we were able to problem solve over the phone, and the show was well enjoyed. I want to support music.
Last Saturday at Chupa’s, was opened by Odd One’s Out, most of who do not yet have Driver’s Licenses, not because they have been revoked, but because they are not of age! Vincent Black Shadow, fronts the band, he has been recognized by the local music community since he was 11. I spoke with a few of the parents in the band (a habit), and met a man who grew up in Richmond, Australia, were my trusted Legal Advisor and I worked in 1982, building a Community Retreat. I also may have landed a gig for the Band, providing Sound; I got a call from another Dad from the band, this last week.
Briar was the next band to play Chupa’s. They have a hard to describe sound, a little loud and rough, though with talent. I enjoyed hearing them again, they played the 4/20/ 13 show at Chupa’s last time I heard them. I hope to again. The next band was Show Pony Kick! These folk do a fair number of covers, yet they have an original sound. Chris Komac, the Gentleman Giant, is known for playing with Amish Warfare. Alaysha Mae, Rob Hubbard and John Saathoof, complete Show Pony Kick has joined the band. John, another Gentleman Giant, sings a good cover of John Lennon’s watching the Wheels. I also am fond of the bands cover of Feeling like a Criminal, which Alaysha really nails. The Night was concluded with the rising young rockers Old Mutt. How to describe this Trio? I am guessing they are all around 20. They make me think about meeting the band Rush, prior to the release of their first album, Fly By Night! Old Mutt have released an album; Animals, thanks to the efforts of the Wizards at StoneCloud. The Band did their song Rats, as an encore! Thanks to everyone for playing. Thanks Mike and Rob. And a special shout out for Hot Damn Scandal!
I have been in communication, with the secret cabal, that nurtures the String Band Jamboree, the best Gathering on the West Coast of North America. This year will be my 3rd as Archivists, last year I recorded over 30 Artists! I do enjoy helping as a Stage Tech, though I work all year with the recordings. I really enjoy it, though it takes effort. I found being a General Contractor, harder than I expected, and in different ways than I guessed. I made the 30Th of June, the end of the Fiscal Year, to be the termination date of my own business, Whole Approach Construction and Repair. I started my business in 1996. I am very glad I made the effort. It was much harder than I hoped, though I did make a difference, in a number of people’s lives. And I learned a ton!
I chose the title, as a bittersweet joke, about being the last General Contractor in Bellingham that was a sole proprietor rather than a Corporation. More needs to be said about this, though, I don’t want to overlook the second part of the joke, being among the last General Studies Majors in America. That too, needs some explanation. And I have already been talking far too much about myself already. I am weird like that. Thanks for listening. Till next time! Oh and don’t forget the Sunnyland Stomp, hosted by Yours Truly, July 13Th, our house, 2323 Grant Street!Music from 4PM until 9PM! Till next time!
Roger Anderson Hull