Music, Art, Family, Lent...

This is a catch-all post of stuff that I should probably write more carefully, but if I worry about that, then I will write nothing. The order of the title is wrong, but I like the ring it has, so it stays.

The reason that I do not have time for more thoughtful, conversation-provoking posts is primarily family. Melanie is preparing for surgery on Thursday, and we have to get everything in order. While it does, as I mentioned earlier, seem to be routine surgery for something that has a 95+% chance of being benign, it is major surgery requiring general anesthesia, a significant hospital stay, and an abominably long recovery. Prayers are still appreciated.

Also, I have to put my priority on time in the studio. I am working on two paintings simultaneously, photographing art, writing material for the up and coming website, etc. So, while I still would really like to get some works on paper posted this week, if I don't get them up on Tuesday, they will probably have to wait for a week. We'll see.

And then there is Lent. Part of my Lenten penance is giving up naps, which is a way of reducing late nights, which have a way of destroying time (oh - I can do that late at night, so I can fritter away more time on this or that less-than-productive thing, which I really cannot afford to do). While I love working late at night, it will not do right now.

I alternate between hating and appreciating Lent and really liking Lent. There is something good about recognizing the goodness of things in their absence. Naps for instance. I know, one should probably keep the exact nature of their penances closely guarded, but I owe my readers an explanation of why I not providing the content that they have come to expect. So, there you have it: dealing with my own spiritual wreck is more important than providing you with good content. I know, it is not fair. You want fair? Carnival was last week.

So, music. For some reason I have been mostly interested in listening to electronic music these days: all sorts of stuff from avant-garde mid-20th century explorations to dub reggae to Italia Novo Techno-Folk. No matter what it is, I want lush synthesized atmospheres, odd electronic percussion, blips and beeps and sweeping oscillators.

I always like this stuff, but it has been at the top of my playlists at a more than usually high rate. Is it the weather? I don't think so, since I like to listen to this stuff in the languid summer nights, too, unless it is some sort of denial (I am wearing a Hawaiian shirt as I type). I am also much more interested in high modernist art and architecture right now: glass and steel and even stain paintings. And lights. I keep thinking about lighting, both functional and atmospheric.

If you see me walking around in a jumpsuit humming Kraftwerk, well, it will pass. It always does.

So, here is where I am letting you down. I should ruminate on electronic music, its peculiar structures and evolution, its history and direction, etc. You know, get the ball rolling. But no. I am going to leave this as a provocation and let you do all the work.