How do we survive some things?

I just finished watching a movie that I have watched before, "LATTER-DAYS". It is about a gay mormon missionary.

For many years I have been far away and over come so much of my past, but there are times when I sit in amazement to think I actually survived my own mormon mission from 1966 to 1968. I survived a relationship with a mormon bishop's wife who was beautiful but 25 years older than me. To think I survived 7 USO tours during the 70's and regardless of close encounters with near death accidents from South East Asia to Iceland, I survived!

Two times in my life I tried and sincerely meant to kill myself. One time with a bottle of Valium and a fifth of Vodka. Another time refusing to take the antibiotic I needed for a staff infection.

When I think about it for even a few moments I am humbled to think that every human being's existence in a physical body is a miracle. The odds against a person living past the first few months of their birth is quite astounding. All the INVISIBLE DEMONS one cannot see create such near death possibilities.

Invisible VIRUSES, unstable genetic codes, unknown accidents and risks that are in our pathway every step of the way. Dysfunctional families to abusive teachers, evil religious leaders and politicians. It is a miracle and enlightening to think I have survived all 60 years of my life.

Are there guardian angels? Some refer to karmic justice? Is the life we live pre-destine and we really have no say in the outcome? Does the law of attraction begin at birth or after we mature? I've watched some of my friends die in agony, some die peacefully and others die so quickly I'm not sure they knew just how fast it happened... I guess the main thing is we that survive years after the separation with certain people we love or that have loved us.

I once had a person tell me they had been in love with me for years. I DID NOT KNOW IT! NOT A CLUE! I know other people I have often cared for that I know have no inkling that I even care about them. WHY? Roy Oberson said it all in his song: "You Don't Know Me."

"To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour..." Wm Blake

"Come forth into the light of things. Let Nature be your GUIDE!" Wordsworth...

Every person is struggling to survive in his or her own way and live the script they were handed.
Remember Shakespeare's famous line:
The world's a stage, or was it Life is a stage and we are the actors that strut? I'm sure someone has figured it out!

Maybe the answer is INVISIBLE! or so obvious we can't see it. Or is it that someone that prays for us showers us with a protective film. Something so cosmic and celestial it is beyong our knowing or understanding?

Vinita

When I travel I often take along a member of my crystal family. I have a collection in the States and one here in New Zealand.

The other day I drove friends to Glenorchy so they could experience a Jet River Boat trip on the Dart River. I took VINITA with me. I have had this jewel for about 5 years. She stands 1 & 3/4 of an inch tall. She is a 'perfect' crystal. I sat her on a table near the river. The sun and the rock were having a dance of amazing light refraction's and other things were going on!

I grabbed the camera and captured four amazing photos. You can see the blue sky filtering through and the rainbows of radiant color. Vinita has been cleansed, played in the sun and is sitting my my window very peaceful and content.

Stones are very sacred to me. They hold energy and memory. They are created from stardust and eons of time give them form and place them through out the universe...

I recall that wonderful line at the end of the movie: A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT when Norman says something to the effect of
"water's haunt me and on the rocks under the waters are written the names of those that have gone before me and before them... all eternity"

There is magic in rocks as well they are full of minerals, data, lets not deny the magic of crystals in computers, watches and probably some salt and dirt! I LOVE UM!

Celestine Prophecy

On September 14, 1995 I purchased a copy of the book, "The Celestine Prophecy" at the Valley Book Store in Jackson Hole WY.
I have that very book with me in my Studio here in Queenstown, New Zealand. The book changed the way I interpreted events, meeting of people and relationships in my life.

A lifetime of situations had occurred in my life's journey before 1995, but for me, the book brought everything to a glistening point of light.

A week ago I discovered that Amazon.com had the DVD
"The Celestine Prophecy",for sale! I purchased it. I have watched it three times.

The older I get the more I believe that NOTHING just happens. That we are guided, informed and guarded by energy that vibrates on a level that is invisible to our eyes, but we feel, sense and on a deep cellular level, KNOW exists.

I spent Valentine's Day and night at one of my sacred shrines on planet earth. Mount Cook. I had a wonderful time but could not sleep. I kept having dreams, thoughts of my dyeing kept swimming through my thoughts. Finally at 5:00 AM I drifted off
into a fitful slumber. All the next day I was emotionally very ill at ease. I suffered horrific head and body aches. I am fine
now. In fact excellent.

Something, be it heavy baggage I was carrying sub consciously or possibly a virus, but I was not
100% of what I normally am. I sat up and watched the DVD last night. I figured some very interesting bits and pieces out about why I felt ill at ease and realized HOW and WHEN I chose to give up some of this baggage. I honestly thought that years ago I had overcome so many fears, anger and depression. All I had done was give some of the fears/anger NEW LABELS and put lipstick and new costumes on their old faces! Even used medication to put band-aids on my broken heart.

I am working on getting them far far far away from my present soul, mind and body! Funny how we are so CO-DEPENDENT ON OUR OWN FEARS! How we cannot and will not LET GO of thoughts, which are very real. Thoughts create concepts and concepts are "possibilities". What the mind can conceive, if the heart can believe you will achieve.... That means good or bad thoughts become real IF you believe in them.

We have to always be "AWARE", eyes OPEN WIDE and not simply pass off simple coincidences, people we encounter, sounds, color, darkness and scents that occur from moment to moment.

Do rent the DVD or go see the movie. God, I'm trying to burn some old luggage once again! Damned stuff stinks.

The Gift Was Ours to borrow...

Equilibrium, balance, center... Very difficult to do when one's brain chemicals are in limbo! The past few days have been strange for many people including myself. Friends have e mailed asking what in hell is going on? Well, I do have balls but
they are not made of crystal! So best thing I can say is: The entire planet is in a process of change and mankind is also!

Notice the honey bees in my lavender. I sat in the garden having my coffee and toast this morning and captured a shot of this deliciously chubby little 'maker of honey'
as he was having a delirious climax on the blossoms...
The bees were making music, literally singing along with the birds that were gossiping like crazy old women in the bird bath! It was humid and warm and a feeling of peace and calm came over me that I have not sensed in days.

It was as if out of no where I began to sing softly in my head: LOOK! my eyes are drrrry, THE GIFT WAS OURS TO BARROW, It's as IF we ALWAYS KNEW! and I won't forget what I did for love......Gone, LOVE is NEVER gone! as we travel on LOVE'S WHAT WE'LL REMEMBER! Kiss today good by, and point me 'toward tomorrow, we did what we had to do, won't forget, can't regret what I did for love...

An enormous sense of "release" came over me... I've always loved A CHORUS LINE and used to make drunken jokes about my funeral. When they (who ever they will be at that time?) lift my coffin up and march out of my funeral, I want the last BIG CHORUS of "ONE" PLAYED LOUD ENOUGH TO BLAST THE RAFTERS OFF THE BUILDING. "ONE! SINGULAR SENSATION, EVERY LITTLE STEP HE TAKES! ONE! MOMENT IN HIS PRESENCE EVERY MOVE THAT HE MAKES... LA la la la...." but, I never dreamed the words of" What I Did For Love" would be so comforting to me!

I think, for myself anyway, I have moved into a different light! Being 60 is not bad for me! I am gradually giving up labels, titles, the need to PROVE, ACHIEVE, be something, somebody... I am not trying to be a great body builder anymore. Just want to maintain what I have. Do not need to perform great concerts and make recordings, Just want to be able to make my kind of music! The world? Hell, war has been a major part of my life! Well, it is pretty difficult for some one to attack you when you REFUSE to cooperate with them! I lay down my weapons. Shoot me, whatever.

The GIFT of LOVE and ART in all expressions were mine and still are! I'll kiss today goodbye and I'm pointed 'toward tomorrow...

I remember a Master Teacher in the art of SHOLIN telling me once to always seek three things: balance, equilibrium and CENTER. He did say as an after thought: "If that fails, go sit beside a tree and eat a peach!"

HAPPENINGS beyond my explanations...

IF NO ONE ASKS ME ABOUT IT, THEN I KNOW WHAT IT IS; BUT IF SOMEONE ASKS ME ABOUT IT AND I TRY TO EXPLAIN IT TO HIM, THEN I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS... ST. AUGUSTINE, (Confessions)

The words of St. Augustine explain why I have not written a new blog all this week. Too many unexplainable, yet wonderful things have been happening. I may not be the "Spiritual Person" the american religious right would approve of, however in my own mind, body and soul I have and always will be "in touch" with my "higher self". I am guided, informed and guarded.

I cannot explain some of the things that have occurred this week but they have all been blessings and gifts.

I made contact with a woman I met 25 years ago who was once a secretary for Shirley MacLane. We are back in touch via the blessing of the inter-net. She is and always will hold a special place in my heart.

I dialed a number I have had in storage on my mobile vodafone for more than a year just to see WHO it could be? A person answered the phone. it is a person I NEED to be in contact with and hope to see in the near future!

I go to the Dorothy Brown Arts Movie Theatre in Arrowtown Sunday to view the movie, THE QUEEN. (no pun intended.) I dream of owning one of these places one day maybe in another lifetime. There is a coffee-wine bar and arty bookstore in the lobby. Tables to sit and visit while sipping fine wine, cheeses or teas and coffees. Deep soft chairs, fresh cut flowers, paintings on the walls and books for sale new and used line the walls. I find a book by Patrick Suskind "On Love and Death". A very short essay. I buy it. EVERY WORD OF THIS BOOK I NEED RIGHT NOW!

Today I had my first Reflexology session with Anna. She is so booked that I have not been able to get in with her until now.
She has moved her practice to Sunshine Baby on Hayes Paddock Road. This woman is one of the most beautiful, loving humans on this planet. She literally helped me to forgive and release so much baggage last year. I was suffering with the arthritis, prostate, sciatica, shoulder pain, acid reflux, God it goes on and on. She hit trigger points that sent me threw the roof last year.
We searched for the deeper reasons and meanings of the problems and learned how to FORGIVE and RELEASE the CAUSE and accept the LESSON. Today was magic. My right foot is much more balanced and hardly a problem area. The Left foot. Well, it is the FEMININE side of the body. I have always had one hell of a time accepting and allowing my feminine side to live freely. In the 60's and 70's I OVER COMPENSATED for being gay and lived in such denial and fear I all but cut the tits of my girlie man self! I HAVE KNOWN STRAIGHT MEN that are more in touch with the female of their minds and body!
Crap was going on with this foot. We are working it through with some amazing work. Here is the stunning part. I am cutting rib steak for dinner this evening, DRUM ROLL!!! I CUT DEEPLY INTO MY THUMB ON MY LEFT HAND! LEFT SIDE!!! I dropped the knife and yelled "holy shit!" I am realizing something very very deep here. I injured my left elbow a month ago at the gym. GO F---ING FIGURE!

Then, I performed a mini concert for the first time in years of Bach, Chopin, Beethoven. This is a very complicated story and I will tell it at another time, but I honestly "channeled the music". I have never played so beautifully and with such confidence.

I watched all of the first season of Tales of The City the past two nights. When Anna Madrigal is explaining to Edgar Halcyon about Atlantis, I stopped breathing! I now know something about a woman that was so important in my past and died in 1980. I nearly fainted. I stopped the DVD and backtracked to the scene and watched it over and over. This particular woman I am speaking about lived in San Francisco most of her life. It was not an accident how I found her in my searching for an apartment on a raining night and my life was changed for ever. Only thing different than Anna Madrigal is: I MOVED TO 620 - 28th Street Ogden Utah and the tales of city story takes place at 28-Barbarry Lane, San Francisco.

This is not the end of the tiny bits of gold that kept showing up between events all the past week. My dreams were OUT OF THIS WORLD and mind you, I have NOT been smoking weed or drinking vodka! I wonder if the comet that is slowly dissipating from the western sky has anything to do with my "keen awareness"... I took this self portrait this week of what a happy 60 year old man looks like! Sweet dreams...

A view of the NEW PAINT on the outside walls of my studio! Forgive the damned glare of the shinny thing on my shirt. The camera seems to go crazy over it. The steak sandwich I had at Glenorchy Restaurant. $16.00 NZD. Such a great deal and it was excellent. I love Glenhorchy. Some people find it all to boring. I have another snap shot of the mountains in snow looking out of the window of the restaurant in Glenorchy. I should invest in some land in that end of road place. Hummmmm?

The state of the world...

For the first time in many many days I sat at this computer and searched through news just to see if the world was still existing and to see and learn just what the situations with war, famine, weather, human encounters were as compared to a few days ago. I read through such resources as: CNN, MSNBC, BBC including my own JH WY news.
I spend some time every few days in FACTNET.COM a site about cults and situations with religious groups. I always enjoy PIANOWORLD.COM and other music sites as well as YOU TUBE. I was depressed after the hour I wasted rambling through the news.

I thank what ever the source may be that allows me to still be humbled by the magnitude and magnificence of nature, art, and music. I love poetry because it seems to be a cousin or sibling to the language of music. After giving some thought to the state of the world I recalled a poem written by one of my favorite poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay.

APOSTROPHE TO MAN
(ON REFLECTING THAT THE WORLD IS READY TO GO TO WAR AGAIN)

Detestable race, continue to expunge yourself, die
out.
Breed faster, crowd, encroach, sing hymns, build bomb-
ing airplanes;
Make speeches, unveil statues, issue bonds, parade;
Convert again into explosives the bewildered ammonia
and the distracted cellulose;
Convert again into putrescent matter drawing flies
The hopeful bodies of the young; exhort,
Pray, pull long faces, be earnest, be all but overcome,
be photographed;
Confer, perfect your formulae, commercialize
Bacteria harmful to human tissue,
Put death on the market;
Breed, crowd, encroach, expand, expunge yourself, die
out,
HOMO called SAPIENS.

It says it all. God, that woman was wise even if she drank a bit too much and smoked way far too much. She lived through some strange times politically and artistically. Thank God she lived period. At least for my sake.

I find I always feel better when I stay far away from the television or radio news. I am not afraid of news, I just hate propaganda and lies! I lived many lies for far too many years. Some call it it denial, I call it survival of the human soul.

Objects Choose me, I do not always choose them...

I miss my K.Kawi baby grand piano in WY. I often reflect of how I purchased that instrument. We were looking for a particular car wash in Idaho Falls. Could not find it! Been there over the years a hundred times. Finally out of desperation stopped at a piano store that I have driven by many times but never been inside. It sits along the highway that the car wash is located, but damn we could not find the car wash so we parked the car and entered the shop called,
"PIANO GALLERY". Yes, the young man inside the store knew where I wanted to go. I glanced around the show room full of some amazing grand pianos. I did not tell the young man I could play or knew anything about pianos. My eyes fell upon a Yamaha Grand Piano. I touched it's satin finish, reached out to softly touch the keys. Moved on to another fine instrument, a Shimmel Grand. stunning cabinet. I turned from the grands and noticed a small baby grand in the line up of so many pianos, walked up to it, sat down and begin to play the Prelude in C major by Bach, then the Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin, then Clair de Lune by Debussy. By this time quite a audience had congregated around the instrument. This piano reached out to me. It simply breathed under my hands. The salesman complimented me and wanted me to please play a certain concert grand that had just arrived on the floor. I happily followed him to the monsterous black whale. It played wonderfully, but I COULD NOT GET THE LITTLE K. KAWI out of my mind and ears! Even as I was performing on the Concert grand my eyes would wonder over to the Kawai baby grand! After playing what seemed 20 pianos I went back to the K. Kawai. It simply reached out to me like an orphan begging to be adopted. "take me! I'm the best!". Before the hour was over, I had written a check for the K. Kawai baby grand and it was to be delivered in WY the next evening! WHAT IN HELL HAD I DONE? Found a BRAND NEW, NEVER BEFORE PLAYED PIANO THAT WAS MADE FOR ME and the piano KNEW MY TOUCH!

I wanted the piano upstairs beside my bed. I always dreamed of one day, awakening in the morning or after a nap to behold a piano I loved right beside me! The two guys that drove the piano over in a storm did not appear to be able to lift or manipulate this monster up the stair case, through a narrow door into a rather large bedroom. THEY DID IT!

Finally I was alone with this incredible instrument that had mysteriously reached out to my musical heart and mind. What a remarkable instrument! The black sensuously shaped hulk standing on three very delicate, narrow legs. I lifted the top and propped it's enormous weight and size on the slender stick that supports is mass. Inside was like a jewel box. Gold, brass, steel, red felt, iron and the emblem stamped on the gleaming spruce pine sounding board. The fall board over the keys was like revealing the most sexually covered parts of a person's body. Because here is where my hands would translate energy into the guts of this Pandora's box and release all of my passions that I could never put into words. These 88 keys with their pattern of 3 then 2 black keys and the rest white held all the mathematical equations that would allow me to express my emotions through the invisible illusion of sound. Silver sounds that would disappear on sound waves into infinity.

Many times I walk into a book store not really searching for a book and I walk right to the area, shelve and book that needs me! I have experienced this always with rocks and crystals. I have some amazing crystals and they have always found me.
I believe the same attraction works with the people we encounter in acting out the drama of our lifetimes. The actors appear. As the old Zen saying: "When you are ready the teacher will appear."

Roses...

This year the roses have been breath taking. Every two or three days I fill my studio with bouquets of roses! I know
some people do not like roses because the petals fall on the ground. (Messy little buggers). They have thorns and
drive some people crazy when they cut them or hold a stem in their hands!
I love to touch rose petals. They feel like the most beautiful, sensuous flesh I could ever dream of touching. I love to bury my
nose in the center of a rose and inhale beauty. Years ago, I received a gorgeous bouquet of yellow roses and sweet
peas! Simply amazing. I never wanted them to wither and die.
(Notice, I have a very bad habit of leaving my keys in the door.)

Yesterday we attended the A&P Show at Lake Hayes. A&P IS NOT A GROCERY STORE IN NZ. It is Animals and Produce. Kind
of like a very dated, small county fair at home in WY. The sun was a scorcher. I had to wear my cap at all times because
I have fried the "HOLE IN THE OZONE OF MY HEAD" to a crisp RED. Meaning the bald spot is a hot spot. I cannot afford
to have anymore sun damage on my skin! I'm carrying on about the direct sun and now it is a down pour. Never stopped
raining since last night! One nice thing: THE ROSE BUSHES LOVE THIS WEATHER! HOT then wet and cool. So, regardless of the
rain I will fill my room with roses!

We have become our grandparents...

We have truly become our grandparents! OMG, every Sunday we dress up, get in the car and drive through the country. We usually stop at a favorite winery for lunch. Every year I take great photos at the Cerrick Winery in Bannockburn Wine Country outside of Cromwell. Then we drive home via the grocery store where we purchase supplies for the coming week.

I drove the entire day Sunday. First time I have really driven in years in New Zealand. You know, the BRAIN FLIP THINK WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD...Turn About that TURN ME TOTALLY ABOUT, SIDE WAYS AND UP SIDE DOWN... But, I did it and today I did more driving.

Have been busy with many projects. Main thing and the one thing I am determined to get in my head requires the inspiration of the musical muses. Creating arrangements that I can live with for the recording of my original music. I think, I have a concept nailed down and then out of the blue I invent a new idea. Alas! The joy of creativity.
Have lots to say, but can't seem to put it in a sensible fashion. Time is on my side THIS TIME! If all else fails, I will just get in the car and drive....... When driving I shall leave the gorgeous pinot noir wines ALONE! God forbid, I'll be living like Miss Daisy in desperate need of a driver, and in more ways than one! I'm outta here! Till Saturday.

15 years later...

This picture of me standing at the entrance to Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall NYC was taken in November of 1995 by a dear friend. WHY? Because I walked through those door 15 years earlier to perform what would be "THE PERFORMANCE OF MY LIFE", My NYC Debut Recital. I was 43 years old at the time, April 28, 1990. 1990 was the 100th birthday of Carnegie Hall.

In my teens I studied with some excellent teachers, one being Frederic Dixon. I heard him say time and time again: "You will never really play the piano until you are in your 40's." Well, to a 14 year old the age 40 sounded ANCIENT! I thought oh, my god, I have a long long long time of blood, sweat and tears before I will really play piano? I must say that he was right (at least in my case!) Of course I could play piano very well as a boy and past my 40th birthday! Possibly playing piano has something in common with fine wines, delicate cheeses...they taste better with age!

In December of 1998 when I met with Beatrice Fetal, the booking agent for NY RECITAL AGENCY the only available date was April 28,1990. I grabbed the date with glee. The number 28 is often a part of meaningful events in my life. I fly out of New Zealand every year on April 28!!!!!!!!!! I did not choose that departure date for the past 17 years, it chose me!
My zip code in the states is: 83128. Notice the ending two digits, 28. In numerology I am a 10. 28/10! I will stop, but oh my, oh my, I could write a small book about the numbers 2 8 1 0. I must go figure!

Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall NYC 2005

Sex and the Artisti

Preludes & Fugues

The artist's experiences lie so unbelievably close to the sexual, to it's pain and it's pleasure that the two phenomena are really just different transforms of one and the same longing and bliss. The artist, poetic musical power is great and strong as a primal instinct. It has it's own relentless rhythms in itself and explodes from him like a volcano, living and expressing in a white hot passionate heat.

Develop your own Individual Sexuality. One that IS NOT INFLUENCED BY CONVENTION or CUSTOM...then you will no longer have to be afraid of loosing yourself and becoming unworthy of your dearest possession. Bodily delight is a sensory experience, not any different from pure looking or the pure feeling with which a beautiful fruit fills the tongue...It is a knowledge of the world, the fullness and splendor of all knowledge.

It is not our acceptance of it that is bad! What is bad is: most people misuse this learning and squander it and apply it as a stimulant on the tired places of their lives, as a distraction rather than as a way of gathering themselves for their highest moments.

In one sexual fantasy of thought a thousand forgotten nights of LOVE come to life again and fill it with majesty and exhalation. Those who cum together in the night and are entwined in rocking delight perform a solemn task and gather sweetness, depth and strength for the song of some future poet, who will appear in order to say ecstasies that are unsay-able! And they call forth the future - even if they made a mistake - the future comes away because EVERYTHING IS GESTATION AND THEN BIRTHING - RYTHEM GOVERNS THE UNIVERSE...
(words from Letters to A Young Poet, by Renier Rilke...
Sex and Art always seem to go hand and hand for me!

New Years Resolution #1...Get this mess cleaned up and cut the body fat. Hard process, but I'm determined.
New Years Resolution #2...Arrange original musical pieces into format for recording.
New Years Resolution #3...Practice, Practice, Practice makes PERFECT?!

Happy New Year 2007

Preludes & Fugues

It is about 1:15 AM here in Queenstown, New Zealand. Enjoyed the fire works show the town performed at midnight from the rugby field, been watching the ROYAL PERFORMANCE of BRITISH ENTERTAINMENT from LONDON on the telly. I have celebrated New Years in NZ 16 times.

RESOLUTIONS are good. I believe in them. I have always made a list of things I want to accomplish within a new year and often times I have achieved my goals. I do not make resolutions that are beyond my grasp! I often list books I want to read during the year. Certain pieces of music I hope to 'nail down' by the end of 365 days. To goodness and wisdom we only make promises; we obey pain! I find it's better to prepare for an opportunity that may never come than to have an opportunity but find myself UNPREPARED!

If anyone reading these ramblings of mine, need a goal for 2007 here is one. IF YOU DON'T READ ANOTHER BOOK THIS YEAR READ: "LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION" by Sam Harris. I need not say more. READ IT!

Tomorrow is a lazy, hazy, crazy kind of day...no plans, but to laze around and do little if nothing at all. Come Tues. appointments, work outs, practice times and so many things I enjoy will be on my plate.

DO have a fantastic NEW YEAR! I look forward to meeting and making new acquaintance and friends during 2007 and I treasure the friendships I have made all of my lifetime. Much love, from BJ

There's a feeling of Christmas

Preludes & Fugues
A photo of our Xmas Tree here in the house in Queenstown. There is a feeling of
Christmas in the air as shoppers are out and about and everyone seems to be talking about family dinners and socials. We are staying home. I am baking a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, real cranberry sauce and mince pie. A bottle of good wine, great coffee and chocolates. NO GIFTS! We promised NO GIFTS this year. The gift of all of us being together is a gift that no money can buy. I spent Thanksgiving with my family in Utah before coming to New Zealand this year and that was a first in many many years.
I suppose everyday should be a HOLIDAY, but Christmas is a BIG HOLIDAY and very stressful for many people. NOT ME. I promised myself I would have a wonderful UN STRESSFUL Christmas and I am. Big stress for me is getting up in the morning and hitting the gym! Merry Ho Ho.

There's a feeling of Christmas

Serendipity or Coincidence...

Preludes & Fugues

Last Thursday we drove to the city of Dunedin. Dunedin reminds me of San Francisco Calif. when I was a kid. Same weather, same steep hills, old Victorian houses, coffee houses that still have wild art work and poetry readings, street musicians and buskers. I could very easily live in Dunedin. We went over to see some movies, shop and enjoy the beauty of the four hour drive. For some reason I INSISTED that I take my Power Book with me. I always travel with my ipod, vodafone, journal and one change of clothing, but this trip I wanted the computer.
I had called around Dunedin last year looking for a recording studio. Not much luck but was told to call Radio House. There had been a storm and the roof had caved in on the studio section of the building. NO recording sessions last year.
Here I am a year later and I decided to find Radio House and inquire about recording some of my original pieces. This is a building where the main national radio station and other radio shows are produced. Lots of interesting personalities work inside this huge office. I asked at the front desk and yes, they did have a recording engineer. Out comes a 30 to 40 age man, ear rings in both ears, tattoos and great hair.
"Sorry mate, but we don't do commercial recordings anymore, however, there is an American Bloke that owns a guitar shop in town on the Octagon called "TWANG", his name is Hyrum and he might know of someone or a place where you can do studio recordings."
(Mind you, I have walked by TWANG well over a hundred times in all the years I have been coming to Dunedin. Off I go to meet Hyrum.
This shop is old. Lead cut glass windows, old tiles and hard wood floors, instruments hanging from the rafters, instrument cases stacked on the dusty floor, every-kind of thing you can imagine for a guitar. I LOVE THESE KIND OF SACRED HAUNTS! The place has young 'wanna be' long haired musicians, and punk style kids looking around. A man probably 50ish approaches me with a smile,
"How can I help? oh, I am Hyrum."
Hyrum has been living in New Zealand for 23 years. He is from California. Long graying hair in a pony tail, glasses, very thin and so kind! I explained my situation and he says,
"Not a problem. Do you have a computer with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
(just so happens I DO and it is a MAC) He explained that he could down load a great little system for me to record from my piano to the computer, the program is called Garageband. He told me to be at the shop by 10 AM Saturday morning. I was on cloud nine!
THe next morning is pouring rain, but I walk to TWANG and Hyrum is a half hour late, but I do not care, there is a great coffee house across the street and a used book store. I peruse these places as I keep glancing across the street. AH! finally Hyrum walks up to open his door. This man spent two hours down loading the program and showing me things about my computer. GOD he has two note book Macs on stands and he literally went into my BLACK SCREEN WITH WHITE WORDS ON IT, what I used to call DOS and repaired a couple of things that were going on with my machine. Amazing guy. He wrote down things I would need when I got back in order to jack the piano to the computer. I asked what I owed him, he laughed and said,
"You owe me NOTHING! Learn how to use the program and let me hear your music someday..."
I was overwhelmed by this man's kindness and willingness to help musicians. A young man came in the shop and needed guitar strings. The kid looked starved, but happy, he told Hyrum that he only had $14.00 in his bank account. Hyrum found the package of strings and they came to nearly sixteen dollars. The young man's face dropped and he walked towards the door. Hyrum said,
"Look it's Christmas time. You have $14.00 give it to me and we'll call it even, besides a man has to be able to make music regardless of money."
The young man's face broke into a smile wide enough to catch flies. He thanked Hyrum over and over and dashed out of the door into the pouring rain. I complemented Hyrum on his kindness and promised him that the kindness and generosity he gave to help others would be returned to him double fold. (thing is, HE KNEW IT!)
If I had not followed my instinct to take the computer I would not have Garageband in my computer and I would not have met a beautiful soul like Hyrum and I now have my hands and mind full of challenges and new learning curves. I will figure out how to use this magical tool for creating music!
What's the old saying? FOLLOW YOUR HEART! My heart led my soul to a blessing last week end. Could it be a type of serendipity or just stupidity!

Lake Wikatipu

Preludes & Fugues
I took this photo last year. This one of New Zealand's largest bodies of inland water. EXTREMELY COLD WATER! If you fall into the lake without wearing a wet suit it can mean freezing to death! There has always been a story about a giant that lives at the bottom of the lake. This giant breathes thus causing the water to raise and fall many inches from hour to hour. Other tales claim that the lake is bottomless, meaning that the ocean is the force pulling the water levels up and down.
The lake is a powerful source of beauty and strength. I can gaze upon it for hours watching changes of light and shadow on the water. During storms the water is wretched. I see this body of water before I go to bed at night and when I awake in the morning. Water is SACRED.