distraction

One early criticism of French opera, and indeed opera in general, came from a man named Charles de Marguetel de Saint-Denis, who was Seigneur de Saint-Evremond back at about the turn of the 18th century. In a letter to the Duke of Buckingham he made quite clear his distaste of opera and its musicality. In light of the very rich history of French theatre, he said that the musicality of opera served only to occupy the senses, drawing attention away from the lack of occupation of the mind, since the poetry was so poorly contrived as to take away from the representation of the plot.

I just realised, while studying Latin American culture while listening to music, that I'm using music for exactly that purpose. I'm listening to music in the hope that at least a small part of me will be even slightly interested in something.

rediscovery

I've been listening to a lot of Coldplay lately. It's been inspired by the need to do a presentation for my Music and Politics course at uni, but it's resulted in me finding again just how much I like this band. I'm particularly getting wrapped up in the latest album, "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends". Weird name, I know, but the band just really seems to have taken up once again the challenge of pushing their own boundaries and not being satisfied with doing the same old stuff. It's a rich album that I've had to grow to like - it's largely different to any of the music from their first three albums, and the songs are pretty much quite different from each other. I would liken it to an art gallery with paintings by different artists in different styles, rather than a gallery of one artist's work. But anyway, I'm enjoying the experience, and of course it's not just the new stuff which I love. I still remember how awed I was when I first heard "Shiver". That is a great song.

Could anyone provide be with the reason so many people dislike Coldplay?

Music is my solace at the moment. The rest of life is hard. I think adulthood is staring me in the face and daring me to stare it back down, and I'm not sure I have the strength yet. I still feel as though I'm a boy playing grown-ups with my friends, and I laugh at myself inwardly for taking everything so seriously. The thing is, food matters. Having a roof overhead every night is no game. Being polite and loving actually affects how life plays out. Sitting around studying the Bible has eternal ramifications. Organising a uni Christian group affects people's lives both now and forever. Part of me feels the weight of these things, but part of me is rejecting this knowledge as though it was a splinter under the skin of my psyche, and so I am feeling more escapist than ever right now. Now, when I need most to have my eyes open and facing forwards.

Speaking of eyes, my right eye is getting weak. First time I've ever not been able to read the bottom line of an eyesight test was yesterday with just my right eye. That's a little disappointing, but I've known something's been up for a while. It explains why my left eye feels tired most nights - it's compensating for the right one. I think I'm going to see an optometrist when things settle down.

humble me

"You humble me, Lord" - the words of a song by Norah Jones. Surprising to me when I first heard them, both because I didn't expect her to sing those words and because I knew instantly that I could relate.

I am so tired. Life isn't easy at the moment, and I'm even finding myself being tired of being stressed about it. I never thought that was possible, but it makes it somewhat easier. To be stressed is the last thing I need right now - I need clarity, diligence, patience and peace. To not worry about not having these things in as great an abundance as I would like... that is helpful. That is why I can sleep at night.

[blank]

[this post left blank because the author has had too many late nights, is over-entertained, and has complexes about both his intellectual capabilities and his physical decline made painfully evident when sitting in a computer chair by his flabby stomach, all of which have negatively influenced his ability to write creatively]

turbulence

These are turbulent times on the 'book...

I've never noticed such a wide gap between those who are happy and those who are not.

"Joe Bloggs is overjoyed", etc...

"John Doe hurts", etc...

these are interesting times indeed

falling

What do you do with inadequacy?

I can't help but feel, at times, that everything we do in life is a game... pointless, trivial, weak, insignificant...

I want to slap the person who wrote the song that says, "It feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe". That is the most idiotic description of faith I have ever heard. No, faith is the knowledge that even though you're hurtling towards the ground, God won't let even one of your limbs break. You have faith that God is in control, but falling is about a complete lack of control rather than the deferral of control to another who is more capable.

That is where I am tonight.

variation

Jesus loves you, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so,
Each of us to Him belong,
We are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves you,
Yes, Jesus loves you,
Yes, Jesus loves you,
The Bible tells me so.