Grammy for Year's Best Products

Of course music for the masses and product have entwined with each other from the start. But when did creativity and authenticity lose its say? Why do flashing lights, dance crews, and earned dollar bills factor so highly into judgement of award deserving music nowadays? It's a popularity contest. An image. Nothing more. In a nutshell, that was the Grammys which is parallel to the quality of our music industry.

people can argue which performances were better than others and who deserved what....but i could care less at which model strutted down the runway the best.

Where is Creativity? Where is the Art? Where is Music? The type of music that can make you cry. The type of music that can make you smile. Music you really feel. That the creator's can feel. The passion. Where's the passion? Seems like there's a need for a new awards show that recognizes art, not image.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,

even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter,

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble,

it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,

keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

-Max Ehrmann

Truth???

Truth is data. If everything were a hard drive, everything would have different data. So what, combine all those hard drives together? Discover patterns? Add 2 and 2's to a sum? Make mental spreadsheets? Gain knowledge? Live logically? Know this and that and her and him and what goes where... No, no I'd much rather have chemical reactions exploding in my head making me do irrational things and feeling feeling feeling every moment as though i'm looking up at an amazing fireworks display on the 4th of July with my jaw dropped in awe as the lights flash and spread this way and that and the sounds rumble and whistle and everyone around is smiling and loved ones are holding each other close, kids laughing, memories running, pictures being taken (physically and mentally), feeling feeling feeling the blood rush through every vein in my body.

My lungs filled with air. My eyes filled with tears. My heart filled with Love.

I'm done with data... give me Love.

-ph

Purple Magnolias

Well, I just saw 500 days of Summer for the first time and could it describe both our feelings better?

You were independent. Didn't want a relationship. But enjoyed having me around a little too much.

I never felt happier than being with you. Connected deeply with you. Loved every moment with you.

You let me in to your life. Brought me closer than anyone else.... Only to push me furthest away on a whim of a decision.

Well, funny enough, I just counted the days we've known each other. 487 Days to be exact. I do hope 13 more days ends this sadness. This longing. This yearning for someone who doesn't yearn back.

Will i ever feel this way for anyone again? And if I do will the same thing happen? Am i not a better person because of what happened? Do you ever think about how compatible we were? You became my best friend and I was yours. I miss you. How I miss you. How do i get back there?

maybe it will all end. 13 days. Just 13 more days.

Dormant

Punch me in the gut.
Pinch my arm.
Slap me in the face.

Tell me to wake up,

Cause i could live in a dream without being phased from any alarm (significant or not)

So don't let what's good pass me by. I've let it go before without even waving goodbye.

Yell in my ear.
Kick me in the shin.
Call me out.

Stop me from yawning

this hesitation is just a front.
It's how i am.
extremely blunt.

This delay is not intended
it's how i am
open ended

This silence isn't what i mean
it's how i am
in between

Soon A Memory

Autumn soon a memory
Aged trees with falling leaves
How I’ll miss you when you’re gone from me
Tagged with thoughts tracing back 15 years
Reminding of that which can bring me to tears
A scene of beauty, what an impact it has
To last so long, long after it’s passed
I’ll wait around another 12 months
The feelings will all return at once
But now it’s sad to see them fade
Autumn shows me too much decay.
Still, I’ll wait when gone from me
With Autumn in my reverie

The Dull Blades of Ennui

Empty thoughts in menagerie
This lonely view stabbing me
It's all i seem to see these days
Photos I'd like to throw away.

and what a sad point of view. When your camera only captures images that are unsatisfactory to your eyes. Is it the lens or is it the photographer? Maybe it's all about location. And i can't remember the last time i created a photo album and smiled at the result. There's always something missing. Or perhaps too much of something. There's too much and too much missing all at once. And cameras only have one lens so I know I'm directly accountable for what these pictures come out as and the order they are taken. It's all on me. Is it ennui i detect? Ennui my friend, only because it stops by so often. Is it this dull blade? Dull blades nudging me isn't enough. I can't help it, I like blades that cut. Death in 2 ways. Bleeding too much or never having bled. I'm hungry for wholeness, yet not being fed.

Hang on. Hurry now. A still moment arrives. Is this not good lighting? Take the picture before it slips. But, Oh how my hands are shaking and sweating and no, no i can't take this picture. I'm afraid this will bring the same effect as the rest of the scrapbook. If needed I'll take it but don't let me look. Don't let me look. Whatever you do, don't let me look.

Silence. Teeth clenched. Face tense and my head heavy as stones.

click...

again.

What a sad routine. Modes of melancholy return.
What should i dislike and for what should i yearn?
from picture to picture i never seem to learn.

and there's this clamor of advice in my ear: The deepest sadness is one that no one can see but yourself. One that's inexplicable. Not in words. Not with colors. Not through feel or smell or taste. Telling it's tale won't release it. Nor will hearing it.

Don't let me look. Whatever you do, don't let me look.

Empty thoughts in menagerie
This lonely view stabbing me
It's all i seem to do these days
Throw photos i don't want away.