Yes? Well that's about to change as soon as I tell you that music is responsible for my lack of writing in the past few months. Welcome, newly converted music haters.
For my birthday, in February, I was given the most wonderful present from my loving parents and wife; Apple Logic music production software. However, with every blessing there is a hidden downside. In my case, the down side is that I find it difficult to allocate time to both music production and writing while in the same sitting. When confronted with the decision between the two, unfortunately, as of late, Apple Logic has remained victorious in the battle for my attention. Which will win over the long term remains to be seen. Perhaps both will remain in equal parity to allow me to become the first to achieve greatness in both hemispheres...well, other than Jim Carroll, of course, if you're into that sort of thing.
Being a philosopher, I am forced (literally) to ponder the significance of music and other art forms, which seemingly have no practical application in the endeavor of humankind survival. In ancient times, music production software would serve only to scare away the woolly mammoths which may have otherwise served as a month worth of meals for the tribe. Canvas paintings would only slow one down in migration from one camp site to another in a quest for the most fertile land. Sculptures would just be a waste of resources which could serve as something useful such as flatware. Not to mention the time it takes to create art, which could have been better spent gathering berries and nuts. It just doesn't make good business sense on paper.
It is important for the artist to remember, though, that art is not the end product of their labors. When you strip these things down to their fundamental construction, the Mona Lisa is nothing but color on a canvas, Beethoven's ninth is but vibrations compressing the air, Michelangelo's David is just intricately carved marble...OK, I admit, that may something in and of itself. However, the true essence of art is not the physical creation, but actually the inspiration it invokes in the beholder. And in the grand scheme, it is something that doesn't just last one generation and fizzle in to obscurity and uselessness. These art symbols are responsible for countless generations of creativity. Whether it be Weiniawski's Violin Concerto No.1 inspiring Stephen Hawking's black hole theories, Wagner inspiring Ludwig II to built the Schloss Neuschwanstein, or Kansas's Carry on My Wayward Son inspiring countless carpenters and roofers not to cut corners, the true value of these compositions can be measured not in what they are, but by what they inspire in others.
Oh yeah, while I was gone, the family de Sr. Steve went to Florida for Elijah's b-day. In six days, we were able to go to Orlando, New Smyrna Beach, Gainesville, Tampa, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, 2 beaches, 2 sets of Great grandparents, grandparents, aunts uncles, and parents of both mine and Nadine's, eat at our favorite sushi restaurant, visit the best man of my wedding, see the new addition to his family, buy Elijah some sunglasses and a new pair of jeans for me.
We could have easily spent two weeks there and still felt a little rushed by our ambitious agenda. All in all it was a great trip and if we didn't get to see you this past visit, I promise we'll see you the next time.
You snuck this one in on me. I checked in PA but you probably wrote this the next day. We will forgive your transgressions of not keeping up with your blog especially since you may be composing what may become a world class overture. It's always gratifying to hear from you in whatever way! Hugs, Mom aka Grammie
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