I put this up because I heard a great recording of Big Mama Thornton doing Hound Dog, this live version is nice as well. The second song, Down Home Shakedown, is a wicked blues harp jam with Big Mama, John Lee Hooker, Big Walter Horton & Dr Ross.
Snowy Backyard
View from the back door.
The Parable of the Lute
I have this mini acoustic guitar I bought for $10 at Value Village (which is a second-hand store, for all you non-Canadians). It has a small neck and is easy to play except it’s very hard to keep it in tune.
Last summer I brought it to a friend’s cottage and it’s tunelessness made everyone mad who tried playing it. I’ve played it a lot and grown accustomed to it, so I can make it sound alright – it just takes time to recognize how to make it tuneful.
When I play this guitar I’m often reminded of the Buddhist Parable of the Lute.
“Tell me, Sona, in earlier days were you not skilled in playing string music on a lute?”
“Yes, Lord.”
“And tell me, Sona, when the strings of the lute were too taut, was your lute then tuneful and easily playable?”
“Certainly not, O Lord.”
“And when the strings of your lute were too loose, was then your lute tuneful and easily playable?”
“Certainly not, O Lord.”
But when, Sona, the strings of your lute were neither too taut nor too loose, but adjusted to an even pitch, did your lute have a wonderful sound and was it easily playble?”
“Certainly, O Lord.”
“Similarly, Sona, if energy is applied too strongly it will lead to restlessness, and if energy is too lax it will lead to lassitude. Therefore, Sona, keep your energy in balance and balance the Spiritual Faculties and in this way focus your attention.”
“Yes, O Lord,” replied the venerable Sona in assent.
Afterward the venerable Sona kept his energy balanced, balanced the Spiritual Faculties and in this way focused his attention. And the venerable Sona, living alone and secluded, diligent, ardent, and resolute, soon realized here and now, through his own direct knowledge, that unequaled goal of the holy life.
(Adapted from the Annutara Nikaya, translated by Nyanaponika Thera)
From The Teachings of the Buddha, by Jack Kornfield
Each day I try to live as Sona did, not too taut not too lax, keeping my energy in balance. Living life this way each day can become “tuneful and easily playable”.
Incredible Synchronized Kata
Japanese team perform kata and kumite with mind-blowing precision.
The Only Solution
My latest song, with the help of my good friend Naotaka Hiwatari on bass.
Electric Car Wheels
Browsing the Technology Pioneers section of the World Economic Forum blog I came across a brilliant invention – electric motors in car wheels.
In the words of the developers, “What we did was turn the motor inside out – the outer hub of the motor actually spins so you can bolt the wheel directly to the motor.”
The amazing thing is that this technology can be added to existing vehicles, increasing fuel efficiency and giving greater control and performance. It will also allow manufacturers to design cars without bulky engines and drive trains which constitute the heaviest and most complicated parts of current automobiles.
According to the manufacturer, Protean, prototypes will begin to be manufactured this year with volume production on tap for next year.
This invention has the potential to revolutionize how new cars are built as well as give new life to older cars that might otherwise have just been trashed.
New Year’s Calligraphy
This is my kakizome for the year. Translation: loving kindness & compassion.
Dakishimetai
This is my cover of a song by a Japanese band from the early ’70s called Happy End. It comes from an album called Kazemachi Roman which is just incredible.
Here’s the original version – Dakishimetai.
Shoo Fly
An old recording from my late ’90s band Guitar Army. Written by Mark Shoo AKA Dusty Bible. This song just rocks, ’nuff said.
Something Drill
Occasionally during the school year we would have earthquake drills, the same way most schools in the west have fire drills.
The first time we had one the vice-principal told me after the morning meeting that there would be an earthquake drill during first period, “So be ready”. I was curious about what such a drill would be like but didn’t really know what “be ready” meant.
I began my class with the second graders as usual singing “My Bonnie lies over the ocean” making the kids sit down and stand up alternatively on each “b” sound. We were just getting ready to go through it for the fifth time (they never let me stop) when the alarm went off.
Each child suddenly pulled the thing I thought was a cushion off the back of their chairs, unfolded it into something that looked like a giant, square tin-foil hat and it on his or her head. Next each one pulled out a handkerchief, held it to his or her face and lined up to leave the room.
The teacher suddenly put on a hard-hat, put her handkerchief over her mouth and headed toward the door. I stood there wearing my beat-up guitar covered with duct-tape with no handkerchief and no hard-hat feeling somewhat “un-ready”.
So I put my hand over my mouth and followed the kids out at the back of the line. All the classes were heading out to the playground with silence and precision. Once out onto the field we lined up and the teachers did a head count. The vice-principal then gave a little speech about how well they’d done and finally we went back inside.
These drills happened every few months so I got used to them, but one morning in the meeting they announced a drill who’s name I didn’t understand. I knew the last word was drill but it wasn’t an earthquake or a fire drill. Anyway, I knew what time it was coming, but that was all. I taught my classes as normal and basically forgot about the drill during the whirl of my first two classes.
As the third period got started suddenly from the next classroom I heard a door bang open and screams from the girls. Then Commands were shouted from an intruder who had apparently taken a student hostage. I don’t remember if there was an alarm that went off or not but suddenly the teacher and students were out the door in a silent crouching run toward the auditorium. I followed along behind in great confusion.
I stood behind my class as they all lined up and sat down in their positions on the floor. At the front of the auditorium stood The Principal and the other head teachers with serious expressions and a new man I’d never seen before. This man took the mic and announced himself as a policeman then gave a long speech about what to do if an intruder had really gotten into the school.
Finally remembering the drill I realized this had been an intruder-drill.
I was impressed by how the students had kept it together, stayed completely cool, and followed the teacher’s orders. This is something I noticed over and over was how seamless and effective the teamwork was among everyone in the school, both students and teachers.
The smaller kids still seemed kind of scared and confused though as they didn’t really understand what was going on. This is where I first realized what the principal’s real job was. He ambled over to the mic and gave the kindest words of encouragement to the kids. He told them how proud he was of them that they listened to their teachers so well even though they were scared, he said they should go home and tell their parents how brave they’d been. By the time he’d finished the kids were all laughing and everyone went back to class with smiles on their faces.
