Wednesday, July 16, 2008


University of Life here::

Feel a bit sad tonight.
Don't feel good about my gig today.
Instead of my usual exhilaration,
I have a twinge of sadness.
I want to be in touch with those feelings too.

I have other things rolling through my soul too.
Sometimes the feelings are familiar.
Sometimes they take me by surprise.
I like to feel them.
I write them down so I can capture them -
feel them - understand ..........

"The most precious of human gifts
are rooted in weakness"
Jean Vanier.

I don't want to be perfect
I cannot dream, even, of how that may feel.
But I know fragility.
I know hurt
failure
.......... I have been educated in the
University of Poverty.

Commuted five hours today.
On one train -
Sitting face to face
three feet between a man
fully robed
beard
special cap
reading, lips moving,
a zip up version of the Koran.

Some 34 years ago I was given my first Koran.
English version.
A young Trainee Engineer from an Arabian country
gave it to me.
He was intrigued by my faith
and me of his.
We had a great relationship.
I was working in St Helens YMCA.
We used to accommodate Apprentices and Students
as well as those with special needs.
A mixed community, all learning from one another.

I see humans on the tube
reading the Daily Mail.
I feel things
because I believe it is a newspaper
with harsh views which influence minds.
Terrible terrible material.

I feel it is my frame of mind,
but, I have been dissatisfied with my music of late.
I have bought several c.d.'s recently.
I like the new Sigur Ros but only on the earplugs.
I like the Lil Wayne LP but it is foul language.
NERD is not at their best.
Plantlife is good but not exciting.
Quiet Village is good but at selective times.
Flying Lotus has good beats but not gripping.
Paul Weller I cannot get into.
Dwele, I like the genre but not the songs.
ALSO I have been disappointed with much of my
captured music - I capture about 20 hours a week,
from the radio,
all for my iPod and indoor players.
Only Gilles Peterson
and
BenjiB has satisfied.

Maybe it is my beats?
Maybe my grooves?
Maybe I am in the 'change'
..... hope so .....
..... I like change.