The Electric View -

I finally followed another dream of mine and jumped into the electric world. The latest addition to my guitar collection is a 2014 American Standard Fender 60th Anniversary Stratocaster. While I am not into hard rock, the folk-rock sound has always been an attraction, and Stephen Stills, Paul Simon and the Beatles did some beautiful electric work that just sounds better on an electric. I am currently running it through my Fishman acoustic amplifier and it sounds really good. Eventually I will get a true electric amp to go with it. 

Making Progress - 

I am thoroughly enjoying my guitar "lessons." They are definitely not formal in the sense of a structured session, but rather Butch and I will play together and I pick up tips and riffs as we go. I am working on Stephen Stills' song "For What it's Worth" one that I long liked, and if I had a guitar hero, it would have to be Stephen Stills. I love the way he plays in Drop, Double Drop and Open D tunings, amazing stuff. Once I get it down, I will post a version on You Tube.

Unlearning What I think I Know

I started playing guitar during the folk era in the 60s. I have always enjoyed music in most forms and actually took Piano and Clarinet as a child. But, as many my age, couldn't make the discipline to practice enough. Guitar on the other hand, was much easier in terms of picking it up and making noises. I have had a guitar near me ever since and over the years have taught myself to play for my own enjoyment.

Recently I have reached a point where I am able to collect instruments that I always wanted (see https://sites.google.com/site/kaweaver/the-other-side/the-sound) and finally have undertaken the challenge of learning to play correctly. I enjoy playing and singing (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC87DiBURzNARCP0-vD7zJvA), and always felt that I did neither very well, but who cares? Right?

Well, it turns out I do.

So...I have undertaken to seek help from those who know more than I do and have apprenticed myself to Butch Hicks a teacher at the Anderson School of Music (http://www.draisenedwardsmusic.com/). We spent my first lesson going over what I thought I knew and was gratified to be complemented on how my playing went. The downside is that I am pretty good, as long as I play in 4/4 time. And, I have the tendency to play everything in 4/4 regardless of the notation.

My second lesson concentrated on introducing me to what ¾ time sounded like, and what I must do to actually play it. It will be a week of intense practice, I do tend to be a klutz and my fingers don't always (actually rarely) do what I think they are doing, we'll see how hard it will be to learn something new.

November 29, 2012.

Dealing with the "Drift"

I have just finished reading/listening to Rachel Maddow's book "Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power." I know some will immediately want to dismiss it because of Ms. Maddow's public liberal leanings. However, this book is a thoughtful must read for every American. As a historian Ms. Maddow brings a powerful view of the history or our growing ability to wage war without "bothering" the American people. In short, she argues that it has become far too easy for America to wage war without fully vetting the process our founding patriots envisioned. 

As reviewer Catherin Lutz noted: "Maddow sounds an alarm this country needs to hear more than almost any other. It is a warning about the deep erosion of perhaps the central aim and claim of the country's founding document: A standing army is a threat to freedom, and a government of free people must place the responsibility for deciding to use force in the hands of multiple actors if we are to prevent the rash recourse to violence. Until we reverse that loss, we will continue to have a government of, by and for war."

And from Chris Barsanti: "In a time of crushing deficits, political cowardice and demagoguery, near-permanent ground war in Central Asia, and an expanding worldwide ghost war of drones and special forces kill teams, Drift bears a lot of weight on its narrow shoulders, more than a work this short and occasionally unfocused can bear. When Maddow writes about how the metastasis of the “the national security state” caused decisions to go to war to “become painless and slick, almost automatic,” it’s a smart prescription for change that requires no snarky asides to make it go down easier."

Scott Shane of the NYT summarizes: "Yet as the United States extracts itself from two wars of uncertain achievement — and with politicians, not generals, threatening military action against Iran — “Drift” is a thought-provoking and timely book. And many readers, conservative and liberal alike, will embrace one of Maddow’s practical prescriptions: that taxes should be raised or war bonds sold to pay for any conflict, since “going to war, being at war, should be painful for the entire country, from the start.”"

Regardless of your political views, this book is well worth the read or listen. As citizens, we need to know.

KAW

November 7, 2012

A few observations and musings….

1) The money spent by all participants in this election cycle is obscene. Over $6 Billion is inexcusable. What desease could we have cured with that?

2) The amount of unaccounted money flowing into our election system is frightening. Citizen's United is a pox upon our Democracy.

3) We should find the courage to re-evaluate our election process to make it neutral and fair to all. Election Commissions should be apolitical and appointed by the Supreme Court of each state, not the Governor or Legislature.

3) Gerrymandering should be really outlawed, census redistricting should be a function of an Independent National Commission, not political hacks preserving their seats.

4) One wonders if grown-ups on both side of the aisle will show up for the re-convening of Congress.

5) As a Citizen I expect my Legislative Delegation to find the common ground, I pledge my continued observation of the their behavior and I expect them talk to each other before they blow off to the press.

6) I pledge to make my voice heard to my elected representatives, they will have my support even when we disagree.

7) I pledge to be civil in my discourse no matter where I may be, I expect the same from other grown-ups. Children should be seen, not heard.

Who will join me?