Drink Green, Never Decay Your Color

The image that you’re seeing is the underside canopy of a tree in my grandmother’s front yard—the house where I grew up. As a child and into my early twenties, I watched this tree grow into the beauty that it is today. This image is one that has stayed with me since I first took this picture back in the early two thousands while I was still in high school. What you see today was taken only a few months ago however, but the image has existed many a time before. A flood of emotions and experiences roll through my head as I gaze upon the branches that twist & turn, outline & underline, and support the viridian, almost spherical leaf canopy that casts a shadow to the ground below.
Towards the end of my junior year—I believe—was when I first noticed this spectacle in my own front yard. I never realized that something so beautiful could be in place so close to home. I grew up in Acadiana where a true representation of a patriarchal society is brought forth, and played out through the inhabitants of the land. That means that anything that is artistic, magical, and supernatural—that is, short of what’s going on at the local Pentecostal church—is not recognized as sacred, or worth investing time, money, or passion in.
The image remained a constant in my portfolio, and in my mind; it was a testament to my new found drive to create art through music, light, and word. However, as I said previously, these concepts were not something that could easily survive in the heartlands of Acadiana.
With a pressure being built up around me, I longed to escape the place that contradicted everything that I believed in as a yet to be self recognized artist; With that—after I graduated—I left the small town I’d lived in my whole life, and moved to the northern lands of Acadiana where I settled among seemingly more like minded folks in search of a pedigree.
While in those northern lands, I learned of many things: drugs, parties, the homosexual life style, and black magic. All the while leaving behind my now treasured indoctrination of my youth, and the oppression of the arts.
Spiraling downward, I crashed into the ground, and to my dismay the only option I had from that point on was to head back south: leaving behind my dreams, and unfulfilled destiny to become something more than another product of the South Louisiana lifestyle. I thought this was where I would place my roots, but the all oats that I’d sewn never made through the winter’s first frost.
And so, I found myself under the same canopy that I progressively saw as beautiful, then disdainful, and in my return: regretful. I was broken worse than I was before I left, and I had no effort left to find my place, or begin any repair.
Under the sphere of the canopy, the pressure was back on. I had to resort to a plane B, but there was none. With my new drug rituals, broken relationships, and unthoughtful behavior, I bode my time. I was more alone now that the caravan I originally left with was still north of me. I dove into the spiritual realm, and embraced it through my art. I found myself in a cosmic, super-terrestrial existence where I met the creator of the universe, and the savior of my soul, Christ Jesus.
It was through Him, and his guided tour that the pressure that surrounded me began to cluster around my feet. As the once weakening force prepared me to launch, I turned my eyes to the canopy above. Not sure if this time I would have enough fire and thrust below me to propel me far enough away from Acadiana that there would be no turning back, I became swallowed by the fear that I would fail.
Gripping to my Savior—that he would ensure my lift off—the engines ignited. Pushing through layers of branches, regrets, wasp’s nest, and finally leaves, I punctured the top layer, and I found myself relieved of the gravity that once held me to the ground as viridian leaves, sparks, and glittering dust softly trailed behind me. I safely landed in the northern suburbs of a densely populated metropolitan area, and my roots took to the topsoil.
 In my last voyage to my native land of Acadian, I walked back to the tree that was once an expression of my pain and difference. I peered under the canopy in the bright spring sun, and took this image with my H.A.L. 2010 device. To the naked eye the image is still as astounding as it once was, and even so with two million pixels less than when it was first recorded.
 It’s not about the context in which the photograph was taken, but what is represented by the image itself. What once was a barrier in which had to be broken through, has now finally become what it was originally intended to be: part of my portfolio. Only this time, I know why.

Plateau

Tomorrow I have a pretty long bike ride; it's going to be pretty exciting--like a long road trip. I'll be the guy with who is illegally listening to his head phones, riding with no hands, all the while thinking I'm to coolest kid on my candy apple red Giant hybrid.
I've found myself on this plateau. I've heard it called the pink cloud. I've heard it said that I should ride it as long as possible; I don't know what that means, or if that's a good idea or not. Either way, this is a new place.
This is a place where there is an ledge in every direction. It's a flat island in the sky with no ropes, latters, or vines, but the only direction I long to move is up; my only option is over the ledge.

Late Night Cafe: Yellow Bricks

I'm sitting here on an early Tuesday morning hours before I'm off to work; I've been sharing words with a gentleman from my past, and listening to songs that I love & some that I've never heard. You're welcome to join me in this rut of sorts. "Where have I been?", I ask, "Where is this place?" Let's let everything crash down around me, and when the Earth below me stops shaking, then I'll gather what's left worth salvaging. It could be said that I'm giving up on some things; It could be said that I'm just redirecting my focus. It all seems to be according to the season that I'm in. 
"Your love never fail, and never gives up; It never runs out on me."
I'm thankful for such words that were giving to me from my dearest of friends. They are words about a god: a god that we have both clung to. She's a different kind of woman. We've been through many Summers without each other, but I long to see the world from the eyes of those Summers so long ago.
"Can I come home for the Summer?"
An eternal Summer in each others company: A life of magic, searching for Christ, and love. What is it to return to that place? What is it to rediscover that long lost masculinity, so that it could embrace her femininity? I can only wait and see.
I've closed my boarders, and have retreated from those territories that I have only found to be lands of wasted efforts.

Hands on the Wheel

“At a time when the world seems to be spinning hopelessly out of control,There’s deceivers and believers and old in-betweeners,That seem to have no place to go.Well, it’s the same old song, it’s right and it’s wrong,And living is just something that I do.And I found myself in you.I look to the stars, tried all of the bars,And I’ve nearly gone up in smoke.Now my hand is on the wheel, I’ve something that’s real,And I feel like I’m going home.” -Willie Nelson 

The last stanza in these words by Willie Nelson is something that I love to talk about: “Now my hand is on the wheel, I’ve got something real.” The writer shares an experience of solace, but what I find most curious is the connection that is made towards the concept of driving, and the human experience. For me, there is nothing better than a long drive on a summer’s day in my Honda Civic with the windows down, the sun roof open, my latest mix CD blasting, a pack of cigarettes, and a vente’ latte’ with four sugars in the raw & a honey from Starbucks; Pop it into 5th gear, hit 70mph, and set the cruise control.
Bliss
The truth is that almost everyone can relate with me—give or take a few details. As I build on this, I ask that you come back in time with me to whenever you first started driving. Either we started at 15 or 16 years old like the typical American, or you were like me: sneaking out of my window at two o’clock in the morning to take my grandmother’s Ford Tempo on a joy ride before I was licensed. We all longed to drive, to be in the driver’s seat, with our hands on the wheel.
Since the turn of the century, vehicles have become an expansion of the human condition: a step in our evolution as a society. They are tightly woven into the very fabric of our being, especially for an American, and even further more as a Texan. This extension of one’s self can be seen in us as we survey though the various makes & models, body styles, and colors. We need vehicles to meet our needs, and want them to represent us:
The Masculinity of an F350
The Off-Road adventure of a Cherokee
The Vogue of a Civic
The Quirkiness of a Cube
The Family-Minded of a Sienna
Or the Simplicity of an Elantra
We choose our beast wisely because we have to like them, but more importantly because we have to trust them. So, every morning when we get in and start our vehicle to go wherever it is that our day calls for, we are securing who we are as motorist in an almost completely vehicular driven society. But what happens when paradise has been interrupted? What happens when on that morning you get in, and the vehicle doesn’t start? What happens when the very thing that you’ve come to put your complete trust in becomes untrustworthy?
“I need my car to go to work tomorrow”
“I have three kids; I have to have my vehicle”
“I use this truck for my work!”
These familiar words have been our own in the past, and will inevitably enter our vocabulary again in the future. What is unfortunate is that with the rise of computer technologies in vehicles, it has become almost impossible for someone to do any repairs on their own without thousands upon thousands of dollars in training, equipment, and time to take care of the problem themselves? Our only option now is to bring our vehicle to a technician, but who can be trusted in an industry that is known for foul play.
I come into contact with situations like these almost every day at the shop, and one thing that we’ve come to know is most important to people is: “Can I trust the person I’m leaving my car with?” After all when you’re vehicle is down, it can put your whole life on hold, so when in this position you should always consider the following: 
  • That your situation is being handled by a professional that would treat your vehicle like it was their own financially and mechanically. They should be completely prepared to guide you in the best route that you should take whenever it comes to repair, so that the money you’re investing into your vehicle is appropriately used.
  • The skill level of the technicians that will be working your vehicle is also extremely important. An L1 technician is the highest certification that one could receive in the industry. Ideally you want one of these technicians working on your vehicle, or supervising the job being done by another ASE certified technician.
  • Lastly, and most importantly, a big part of any shops credibility is that they are willing to stand behind their work, and warranty a job for at least three years or 36 thousand miles. 
Three years ago whenever Ms. Lynn asked me to join the Beckwith’s team, I thought that I was being hired on to just another random shop. Never being exposed to the industry, I soon found that I had been given the opportunity to be part of a company that had been recognized locally & nationally multiple times prior to my incoming. Year after year Beckwith’s Car Care has been rewarded for its excellence because we have followed the model that I’d previously mentioned.
Excellence and Outstanding performance is not something that we do just for your vehicle. We are constantly looking for ways to stay active in the community. Through the years we have worked closely with the Humble Noon Lion’s Club, Go Red for Women, and has given out many copies of the U.S. Constitution to say the least. Not to mention our recent political involvement with the City of Houston to better protect you as the consumer from a potential threat.
I do have to say that I’m pretty proud of the grand scheme of things, but what has been most honorable for me was to see the shop achieve the status as one of the TOP TEN SHOPS IN THE NATION chosen by Motorage magazine. For the first time in my career at Beckwith’s I saw our hard work and dedication come to fruition.
I like to believe that customer service is something that comes natural to me, and I think it’s clear why I have made a nest at our shop. We believe that automotive repair should be as painless as Susan Curling could make before you were to go to surgery; that’s why we offer a shuttle to just about anywhere, drop of and delivery, and a rewards program. We believe that your vehicle’s maintenance schedule should be adapted to your personal schedule and driving habits, and—like Celese Pauley—we only use the best products formulated to keeping your vehicle healthy. Lastly, we also believe that you should be given the same peace of mind when you leave our shop as when you leave the office Ed Dormer; that’s why we offer a Lifetime Protection Plan for all of your vehicles that can assist you financially in the event you have a break down in the future.
So, with all of that said I would like to close with some words of encouragement that I personally believe in. At Beckwith’s Car Care we are your blue collar doctor for your extended vehicular self, and as the evolution of vehicles continue towards the future you can count on the fact that Beckwith’s will continue to know and understand YOU and your vehicle regardless of make & model. Our customer’s drive happy cars because the driver is confident, and in that confidence of driving a vehicle that you can trust, I am satisfied that on that long summer’s day road trip that I hope you’ll take in the ensuing months that you can experience the same joy that I have come to know as absolute BLISS.

Christian Denomenations & Theological Warfare

Like most religions of the world, the Christian faith is divided into many different denominations and sects that are based off of their own interpretations of the sacred text that they follow. Because of the inconsistent interpretations of the text, the Church of today is left with no one true understanding of what it means to “go by the book”. This leads individual Christians to question their faith: its traditions, its declared moral character, and its perception of how one sees the god that they worship. Even though understanding the path set by the examples within the sacred text should be the foremost important thing in a faith that promotes love and unity through Christ Jesus, the Christian majority does not address these differences appropriately outside the walls of their own denominations, thus leaving the church in a theological war.
The Bible—the ancient and sacred text of the Christians—is full of many different and controversial grey areas, topics, and themes that are not completely understood by the Church. These include ideas such as: civil rights (oppression of woman & the nature of homosexuality), traditional anomalies (the relevance of baptism & communion), ways of practice (charismatic vs. conservatism & moral behavior), and the concept of who Jehovah God and Jesus Christ are. These hot topics within the faith can be interpreted in many different ways depending on how you look at the context that surrounds them.
One thing that is clear in the Bible is the unity that is to be had between the parishioners of the Church. The Bible describes the Church as a whole as a the body of Christ; some are the feet and some are the hands, but more often than not the body does not communicate very well on who is the head—or better said as who is right in there interpretations and practice. This has left the divided Church in a theological war that is rarely spoken about in a public and sensible debate.
 For example, one might hear from the pulpit of a Southern Baptist pastor that the Catholics are wrong because of their practice of the Eucharist and the baptism of newborn babies; while in reverse, a Catholic priest would stress the importance of these rituals as vital to a secure walk with Christ. Though each authority figure from both denominations have the scholarly wisdom to back their claim, it is rarely addressed between the two of them that there is an inconsistency within the faith that subscribes to the same deity.
 Another look at this denial of disagreement is seen between that of the charismatic denominations that practice the Gifts of the Spirit and the conservative denominations that do not. These gifts are associated with such phenomenon as: glossolalia and the interpreting of it; prophetic visions and dreams; and other forms of being filled with the Holy Spirit that are not limited to things like dancing, shouting, running around, and unprovoked laughter. In part these gifts are found in the book of Acts from the Bible, when on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came down, and was finally made accessible to all humanity. The conservative view of this major event in Christian history is presented in a seemingly more practical view that accepts it as a miracle that happened once, while the charismatic sects of the faith see it as more supernatural moment that continues to take place today confirming the status of salvation. However, to find authorities between the two sects that agree on what exactly happened on that Holy day is rare.
This leads parishioners to have skewed view of who Jehovah God and his son Jesus of Nazareth are. Questions of the confused ring out asking: “What does the Lord expect of me?” and “How should I practice my faith correctly?” “Why would God leave me with no concrete answers?” And who wouldn’t ask questions about a matter that would determine where they spend the rest of their eternal existence, and how they stand in the eyes of their creator?
Each denominational view shows Jehovah God and Christ Jesus in an array of perceptions from the angry god set out to destroy humanity; the counting god, who keeps a register of all deeds; or the ultimate hippie god, who sits in campfire circles speaking of peace and love. With each different understanding of what kind of god it is that one worships, the behavior and moral character of said individual will vary; this leaves an inconsistency with how it is that Christians are to interact with each other and behave within society.
The final question that remains is: What is a Christian to do with their faith, and the overt disagreement between each denomination? Sadly, the answer is not easily found, and it could be said that the effect of these inconsistencies will not be resolved until the day that the Lord returns—as prophesied in the book of Revelations. One of the great leaders of the Christian faith, Paul, once said that parishioners are to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, so until the day of Christ Jesus’ return to establish his ownership over all creation, Christians should be more conscious of that fact that the disagreement amongst themselves could ironically keep them from the very thing that they are striving for.
 In conclusion, the theological inconsistencies amongst Christian denominations and how they interpreted the Bible are keeping them divided; by this they are not able to be complete as the Body of Christ, and are not able to fully understand how it is Christians are to live for and perceive Jehovah God and Christ Jesus. Until these issues are laid to rest, and the war that wages between denominations subsides, Christians will continue to question how their faith is to be walked in.

The Spirit and the Body

As humans we are subject to our basic experiences as such. This involves the concepts of the Sprit and the Body. Since the dawn of our history, humans have constantly tried to find the balance between the two. We work to preserve our bodies that house the intangible existence of our spirit. Like the egg and the yolk, the Body and the Spirit are one in the same, but the methods of which they are preserved, handled, and experienced are two very different concepts.

We first understand ourselves through the Body. As babies our basic instincts are to find a way to preserve the Body that we are.  Eating and sleeping are the only basic requirement that we are to fulfill for ourselves at this point—it’s the only thing that we are able to do on our own. We are dependent on our parent or care takers to provide a place for these activities to be facilitated. 
It’s not quite understood when the Spirit becomes activated within the Body. It is speculated that this occurs after the developmental phase of the Spirits housing is congealed. Some have referred to this as awareness: we become aware of ourselves as I, self, and me. Humans have organized institutions that are directly related to the existence of the Spirit i.e. churches, synagogues, and mosques.
Despite the Body and Spirit’s unity they are very different. This is seen in the motives of the two.
In reference to the Body, it is an animal. Like when we were babies, it is prone to acting on its basic instincts and experiences. If the body is hungry it will drive the human to find food. If the body is tired, it will drive the human to a place of rest. The body only knows to preserve & comfort itself, and at times will seek these things at whatever cost is necessary. Because of this, the body is prone to developing routines, habits, and addictions. Ultimately, like all animals, the body will die.
The Body is a limited creature. It can only comply with the laws of the universe in which it is a resident of. It is frail, and non adjustable in the fact that it cannot leave its environment without the proper suiting. The Sprit, on the other hand, is much more efficient in itself.
The Spirit has been called many things in the time that we have been aware of  its existence; the mind, the inner self, the soul, essence of self, and consciousness are just a few of the terms used to identify what is being addressed as the Spirit. Though the very concept of the human spirit is at times a very controversial subject, for the sake of this writing we will—simply—define it as such: the part of the human identity that is intangible.   
According to Christian theology the Spirit is not able to exist without a body to inhabit. Its existence has never been fully proved, nor has it been disproven by modern day science. Most people would say that it exists in a place called the Spiritual realm. It is not agreed upon on any exact way that one is to maintain the spirit. It is said that each human is to learn that for them selves. In the past many humans have gone on spiritual quests to fully know & understand what it is to connect with their spirit & the realm in which it resides.
From my own personal experience I have found that the Spirit is the very essence of self. The spirit is the driving energy that allows for the heart to beat, and upon the Spirits exit from the Body, the body no longer lives. If one was to recall whenever they have seen the dead body of a loved one at a funeral, they can account—either saying it to themselves or hearing someone else say—that it is as if the loved one weren’t there even though their body is.
The Spirit and the Body have both affected the world & human culture; they both seek to understand and create. It is known to me that the Body—a creature of this tangible world—is responsible for the architecture, the sciences, medicine that we have, while the Spirit—a creature of the intangible realm—has made way for cultural movements, the essences that provoke art, and the harness for our deepest emotions. 
Though they are very different creatures, the Spirit and Body are one in the same. Every human has both, for without one or the other, a human one is not. To find the balance between the two one must learn to handle with the care each of the two by sustaining them in the separate ways that are required.

Co-dependency by Stasiowski

Co-dependency is easier to fall into than some might think. If you play your cards straight from the beginning it's fairly easy to have a healthy relationship. I think of unhealthy relationships as a cascading effect that expounds on itself. It starts with disharmony between two people. It really could be anything.

Let's say boy meets girl. They have differing personalities and he can't exhibit his strong points ([because] she overlooks them or is not interested in those particular traits) and thusly he spins off into a negative state. He takes on a purely beta state and this exponentially emasculates him. He can't climb out of it, he internalizes this and becomes bitter. Resentful towards his partner he attributes his misery to her. Any outward action from her outside of the relationship is detrimental and perceived by him as betrayal and disloyalty. He has lost his alpha and cant keep her at bay, so he grows increasingly worried and upset, constantly fussing at her. The love is lost, it's more of a desperate melody, just a desperate attempt and maintaining his masculinity through the partner by commanding her presence.

Now, I've only outlined the catalyst for the males side of co-dependency. People's perspective of who should be alpha and beta whether male or female in a relationship differs with opinion but I believe there need be one subservient and one leader. Either can work, but I don't think 2 betas will last. But still, subject to differing opinions.

Co-dependency and remedying this; hm, let's just say when you go skydiving, it looks and seems like a great idea, but jumping out is terrifying. What happens if the shoot doesn't work, what if something goes wrong, what if you don't make it back to the ground, what if you die?!

These are all very real thoughts a co-dependent individual may encounter when speculating a breakup. Intellectualizing the severance from a codependent relationship will deliver you no further into liberation than sitting in a plane and refusing to jump out will put you back on the ground. Don't think about it, bc the rationalization will talk you out of it, you'll bargain with yourself for more time, or a lesser penalty by making a different decision. Just jump, plus, it's fun on the way down, and when the adrenaline settles, you'll have a fantastic story to tell that is sure to grab the attention of many people.

Co-dependency cultivates within itself, as does independence.

-Wise Words by Stephen Stasiowski.

Why I Love or Hate Religion

One of the latest viral videos to hit the scene is called "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." It seems like this is the first time in a long time that Christian has found some pretty significant play in the mainstream of YouTube. The video itself--in my opinion--could have been done better as far as aesthetics are concerned, but I believe that this guys message is pretty dead on with the same census as the typical modern day non-denominational church: Religion is bad; Jesus is good. Check out the video below.
Sine the rising popularity of this video plenty of responses from many YouTube(rs) have risen up, but one in particular has struck my fancy. It's a video performed by a man named Fr. Pontifex entitled "Why I love Religion, And Love Jesus." Fr. Pontifex bring a contradiction toward the words of the previous video. He talks about the importance of the church, and why religion is what Jesus brought. See the video below
I believe that this argument is one that is a very valid one in the church today. Quite often the issue is only recognized from a one sided argument, and never heard in a true debate. I think that both of these men make awesome points.
Religion has created the standards that have cause the world to hate the church.
Religion has made a way for the church to grow in the way that it has.
Those are both two very big aspects about the church that we just cannot ignore. However, the argument--like most debates--can go on for days, so I will leave you with a video that I first saw a few months ago that really set the stage for me with all of this Christian spoke word. This is the original spoke word video.

Houston Half Marathon

Tomorrow is the Houston marathon, and I will be running half of it. A lot of the past year has been hanging on this moment; I'm nervous and excited--happy and sad.
There is much more at hand here--you see.
He's going to be there. I'm going to see him for the first time in a long time. Part of me misses my friend, and the other part doesn't want to see him ever again.

I've made an excellent playlist of last years greatest hits; I have four hours to hear them.

I have four hours to see what my body is capable of.

Another Earth

Not too often do I see movies that absolutely blows me away. However, this past weekend I saw a movie that was unforgettably amazing. It’s called Another Earth by director Mike Cahill. It’s a story about a girl named Rhoda—played by Brit Marling—who, after an unforgivable accident while driving drunk, is released from four years in prison; She wins a ticket to a curious new planet that is seen in the sky throughout the movie that is appropriately titled Earth 2.
I highly recommend that this movie be seen, especially if you’re the kind of person who likes thing that are a little out of the ordinary: five bright and shiny stars!
To learn more check out the movies web page here.

Oh Mysterious Woman Lurking Around Atascocita

Since I've been living in Texas, I have met many people. A lot like when I lived in Patterson, Louisiana, I often see people that I know that I know. During this past summer I ran into an encounter with a girl. She works at Best Buy. The night went like this:
I was in Best Buy with my brother, Raymond. From a few isles away I could see her, and our eyes met. We carried on with a non verbal conversation for about three to five minutes saying,
--I know you--
--from where?--
--I don't know--
--Wow that's weird--
--I know--
Once the exchange took place across some fifty feet, we closed in on each other, and had a verbal conversation. We exchange names, and tried to figure out how we new each other; we came to no conclusion. 
The moral of this story is that I saw this woman tonight as I was lurking around Atascocita buying cigarettes. As I walked up to the store front to buy smoke she was walking out. I smiled, and waved at her; she excitedly walked to me with her arms open for a hug. We embraced like old friends do, but we're not old friends. 
It was a very interesting experience, and I look forward to the next time that I see her. What love can come from strangers. The most exciting part about the whole thing is that I may never see her again; tonight could have been the last time. The mystery is the bond between our friendship; what a blessing.

The Flat Earth Society

I absolutely love to hear about what people believe. I've come to know about a group of people with quite the peculiar worldview on the reality around us: The Flat Earth Society.

The name of the group speaks for itself. These people reject the common spherical model of the earth that was first speculated in the 6th century. The gist of what they promote is that the earth is flat; what is commonly known as Antarctica is actually a wall of ice that holds in the water of the oceans; the north pole is the center of the world; and the Sun, Moon, and heavenly bodies circle above us in the firmament.

I don't know exactly how I feel about what these people are saying, but I love the idea. For me is paints a picture of the world that would exist in the writings of Tolkien or perhaps an ancient tale passed down through the tribes of the Native Americans. I very much admire their courage to go against modern day world view.

Check out their website, and stay tuned to a follow up article for more details.

V838 Monocerotis & Nibiru

Back in 2007, while horribly high, I was one of the many who fell into the 2012 end times craze. I bathed my brain in the ideas presented by the conspiracy theorists. Since then I have become a little bit more discerning, but the entertainment value that I find in 2012 junk is still pretty overwhelming--so much that I can get pretty wrapped up in it as if it were the Spice Girls and 1998.
Anyhow, one element of the whole 2012 story is the collision between Earth and Nibiru. Back in 2007, I first saw this image of outer space that was alleged to be an image of the planet Nibiru on it's way to us.
Recently I have run across this same image, but more up to date. I have learned that this beautiful thing is called to NASA as V838 Monocerotis. While searching around the internet I found an awesome time lapsed progression video--that I would like to share--of the anomaly that is quite stunning.

When the Winter Came

When I write songs my mind works in two different ways: music & word.

We build our own constellations here.
In shapes of fawn & man;

All have their own meaning--
All have their own shape.

They tell their own stories,
And follow the light of the highest magnitude.

What kind of story am I telling?
Where is my brightest star
 ~-~
I've learned these two languages over my years of being a human: These two forms of communication

Music is a Circle. Words are a Circle. They can role together on the same axle; They can run holding each other close as they twist together in the fabric of space & time; One can be bigger while the smaller one sits in the center, or rolls along the inside.

The two are separate creatures, and their marriage is a sacred thing among the humans.

Fitting together pieces of the word & pieces of the music is one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced as human. Oh the things that could be said in our sacred art of communication.
~-~
When the winter came this year It seems as though I wasn't as prepared as I should have been.

I've never seen the forest be quite like this before; It's all part of these lessons we learn I would suppose.  "I feel as though I'm lost at sea within myself again--", I say as I watch me drift away.

Lynn Beckwith & The Break Down Syndrome

 Lynn Beckwith--the owner of Beckwith's Car Care--approached me a few days ago to prepare a handout for a seminar she was to give at the local college. The following is a transcript is what I derived from her notes.

    Vehicles have become one of the biggest parts of the American experience—especially living in Texas—and one of our most significant investments. Because we rely on them so much the last thing that we need is to be broke down on the side of the road. That is why it very important for us to make sure that we are properly maintaining our cars, trucks, and SUVs with regularly scheduled maintenance and service to avoid the break down syndrome.

Reason that cause us to break down most often:
•    Tires – One of the most familiar reasons we’re left on the side of the road is because of the part of the vehicle that sees that road the most: the tires. Making sure that all the tires are inflated with appropriate amount of air pressure is your number one way of taking care of them. It is also important to keep an eye out for any unusual and uneven tire wear. Keep in mind that your spare tire can be just as important as the one on the car at the time of a blow out, so make sure to monitor its pressure as well.
•    No Start – A no start can be a quick start to a bad day. There are many reasons why this happens; it can be anything from a fuel issue—to an electronic failure. However, more often than not one of the top reasons we see a no start is because the battery has died.
•    Cooling System Failure – During the hotter months, your vehicle’s cooling system has to work harder than normal to prevent the engine from overheating. Because of the strain that is put on the system it is possible for the rubber components to deteriorate leading to a leak of coolant, and engine overheating.
•    Engine Running Badly – There are a myriad of complicated reasons that an engine can run bad, and sometimes there is nothing that you can do to prevent them. However, sometimes keeping an engine running smoothly is as simple as keeping a clean air filter in your vehicle.  Like your lungs, your vehicle always needs to have an appropriate amount of clean air going into it in order to keep it from working harder than it should.
•    Fuel Related Issues – Fuel related issues that cause a vehicle to break down are at times cannot be prevented through maintenance, but in order to do what you can it is important to always make sure that the fuel injectors and the throttle body are kept clean from carbon build up. By doing this you can also regulate the vehicle’s fuel economy to that of the manufacture’s standards.

What Can You Do?

    The reality is that no vehicle—regardless of make & model—is indestructible. There will always be brake jobs that will need to be done, and failed starters that need to be replaced. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to make any vehicle out last its life expectancy.
“THE BIG THREE”
•    Fluids – Though it is not realized by every consumer, there are many different fluids in your vehicle that, like your engine oil, should be replaced regularly. These different fluids keep the “hard” parts lubricated to avoid wear; the unfortunate thing is that over time the additive packages within the fluids begin to break down, and can cause damage to their corresponding system as they become corrosive and lose their ability to clean, cool, and lubricate.
It is always important to recognize what type of fluid is to be used in each of the individual systems of your vehicle. By referring to the owner’s manual, you can properly discern the exact specifications that are required.
The trick to keeping up the health of your fluids is to change them while they’re still healthy, and before they begin to degrade. Once fluid has a burned odor or is dirty, damage may have already begun to take place.
That is why is recommended to keep your fluids changed on a regular basis. Standard engine oil should be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while other fluids like transmission, brake, coolant, power steering, and differential should be replaced every 30,000 miles.
•    Rubber – In the days of the less complicated vehicle, it was not uncommon to carry around a spare drive belt with you at all times. Though rubber components do not fail as often as they used to, it is very wise to have all of these rubber parts inspected regularly.
o    Belts – It is not uncommon find at least two to three belts on a standard vehicle. The most easily recognized belt is the one that is referred to as your drive belt. As the belt ages it can develop cracks and fraying that can lead it to breaking.
        Another very important belt is the one that is out of sight behind the timing cover. This belt that controls the timing between the top and bottom of the motor, and is appropriately called the “timing belt”. Consequently in the event of this belt braking more significant damage can be done to the motor. It is standard that this belt is changed every 100,000 mile.
o    Hoses – The hoses that carry the coolant throughout your engine can often be the culprit involved with overheating issues. As these simple parts begin to fail it is not always visible through observation. Hoses tend to break down from the inside out. When a technician is inspecting your vehicle he may also find that an aged hose is swollen or is crunchy whenever it is squeezed. It is best to always have fresh hoses; if your vehicle is older than six years and still has the original hoses from the manufacturer it is suggested to have them replaced.
o    Tires – Tires tend to be a big investment to put into a vehicle. It is inevitable that they will wear out, but by making sure that they maintain the proper air pressure, are rotated every other oil change, and balanced every other rotation you will be sure to get the most out of your tires.
o    Wipers – This is one of the few components on a vehicle that upon failure will not leave you stranded on the side of the road. However like all the rubber on your vehicle it is important to keep a good set of wiper blades. You will thank yourself on that rainy day.
•    Batteries – Most batteries can be rated to last you as long as five year, but when you live in states like Texas that have hotter than average Summers that rating is reduced rather to about three year. Batteries tend to last 60% longer in colder climates; unfortunately that is not the case for the south!
Driving short distances do not do any justice to your battery because the alternator is not able to completely recharge it. Though long distance driving is not always possible while living in the suburbs, one way to avoid this is to by an automatic battery charger that shuts off when charging is finished. Be careful not to over charge because this could do further damage.
Keeping the terminals clean is another ways to insure the battery’s life. If they are corroded it could lead the battery to running hot, shortening its life.
So there you have it!
By putting into practice these simple steps towards better maintaining you vehicle you can be sure that you will have a more reliable means of transportation, and a better return on your investment.
Happy Driving – That Car Lady!

For more information on Lynn Beckwith and her shop, Beckwith's Car Care, check out her blog That Car Lady.

In the Studio: ODE to Mars

It's one of the first few days of cold weather in Texas. A year ago I was in a pretty inebriated state; It's pretty awesome to be awake during this exciting moment of my life.
Richard and I have just wrapped up a long couple months working on "ODE to Mars"; This song has been pretty difficult to deal with. At the end of "Flamingo Fandango", we were both pretty confident in each others ability to understand what we needed to do next, but that would soon be challenged.
First we started looking into "Out of Aquarius"--decided to wait. Then we went into the direction of "Behind These Eyes", and had awesome success in the developmental phase, but not so much in the recording. Somehow or another we ended up landing on "Mars", and it was there that we began to set up camp all over again. 
"ODE to Mars" was the first song that me and Richard ever met musically over, so it comes by no surprise that--by the grace of the Father--the end product was extremely successful.
We spent the first few weeks of the song playing together live: me on the piano and he on the drums. There we spoke our native languages to each other in the Martian accent. I can't express enough of how well Richard and I are able to communicate to each other via melody and rhythm. I think our connection acoustically in the beginning of the recording was where we really learned about the path that we needed to take with the song. After all, this song has been through many evolutionary changes since it's first incarnation that was presented to me my sophomore year in high school.
I was very new to song writing then, but do to my influences of the time I new that the direction of a concept album was where I wanted to go; I developed a theme called Prayer of the Planets. It was based off of our own solar system--a track for each planet, and the mythical gods that represented them. Needless to say, a few months into the work I killed it. ODE to Mars was one of the few songs that survived my self scrutiny. 
It was a tiny few bar "ditty" that was to be a short interlude into the following track. There wasn't much of a story behind it, but it did have the inflections of war laced into it's ribbons. I recorded the piece on a few occasions, but somewhere along the way it was lost under new phases of writing that needed tending to.
After I returned from Baton Rouge, my music took a swift turn for the better, and I found my way into Constellation BluePrint. It was here that I was approached by an enigmatic-three quarter note-low octave E theme that began to haunt me. Then one night--while strangely inebriated--I met the beast in person: He told me his name was DreamCast & SolarFlare. We fell in love as he sang the narrative that was taking place between me and Jehovah God. 
As our affair took off I gave him a home on Constellation BluePrint where he held some of my most painful emotion in a cradle, but he would not stay; he followed me into The Piscean Transcendence Through the Martian Battle Front. There I learned that it was "ODE to Mars" in disguise all along. The lyrics came forward, and a few of the melodies that I had been working aligned with each other. The song was born.
At that point it was very similar to what me and Richard made it to be today, but in between those times it turned into a vessel of the strong emotions of where I stood with the Lord. A soft blemish of war and pain.  
Richard had big plans for the song, and I was anxious to helping him fulfill them. Richard is a Rock 'n' Roll drummer musically before he is an awesome guitarist; during the development of the track he really showed energy in ways that I saw in our first encounter.
We were soon in the studio laying down the piano. One Sunday before church he asked me if I wanted to hear what he had done on the percussive side of things. I WAS BLOWN AWAY; what he had done was so much more than what we had done in practice. I was pumped. 
After a little synthetics were added, I was to go to Louisiana for the weekend. I wanted to bring it home with me to let everyone hear what I had been doing in the studio. We added a vocal check to the song, but something wasn't right. 
Returning to the studio I learned that the song was on its way to another evolutionary leap, and we felt that rhythmically the lyrics needed to change with a slight variance in melody. I kept an instrumental version of the song in my car with me, so that I could work on changing things up. This was probably the most difficult part of he whole gig, but like I've mentioned Richard is an excellent director & secondary ear. His guidance for me vocally has been one of the things that I'm most thankful for in making this record. 
We finished laying everything down last Tuesday, and I can't believe what the song has grown into. We're two down, and there are seven more songs to go. I can't wait to share all of this with everyone because you see,
my God;
he gave me this gun...
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