tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-120300522024-03-13T12:41:09.539-07:00life experiences & findingsMy journey as a "student of life" and an artist, with room for the
playful or downright silly, in my world, locally or globally.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.comBlogger1334125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-88382309459362376462010-09-23T01:54:00.000-07:002010-09-23T02:15:55.581-07:00Wishing Buskers Of The World Well<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TJsWUswlxXI/AAAAAAAABVI/K7CTAE0ZTGk/s1600/P1040877.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TJsWUswlxXI/AAAAAAAABVI/K7CTAE0ZTGk/s320/P1040877.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520030313140831602" /></a><br />No...the busker in the picture is not me. I've never busked in my life...although I<br />rsspect and salute those who do. I've never done it...because especially in my early<br />years of singing in bars and bistros...I got to experience first hand...what seems to be widely accepted in our world...but to me...is nothing less than artist abuse. By that I mean...how it is to be offering something to the world that comes from deep inside you...while people are chattering constantly...walking in front of you...and waiters or waitresses...are calling out orders. When...early on...I was at the receiving end of that...one way I would describe it is...it was like many little hands were slapping me in the face. I shudder as I think of it now...and wonder how back then...I endured any of it. What baffles me when this happens in performance venues...is that I marvel at the insensitivity of the people who let it happen in their venues...and those who engage in it. When it came to busking...I wasn't going to ask for...the indifference and obliviousness...that often thrives around buskers...or<br />having coins tossed at me...not to mention the loud traffic going by. No thanks...I<br />wasn't going to expose myself to that. Despite that...I do respect the fortitude and<br />endurance of those who engage in it. I wish the buskers of the world well............<br />....................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-53602638831322104402010-09-17T11:42:00.001-07:002010-09-17T12:05:22.602-07:00Stories To Tell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TJO3NTuiZvI/AAAAAAAABVA/-FJG83wH95U/s1600/P1040668.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TJO3NTuiZvI/AAAAAAAABVA/-FJG83wH95U/s400/P1040668.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517955407720638194" /></a><br />After I had posted a recent entry..."Why do I blog"...it hit me...that i"d left out<br />something important. I remember when...giving a workshop...or just because I wanted<br />to "pass it on"...telling people..."Remember...wherever you find yourself...it is<br />possible to create a song...i.e. you don't have to go to somewhere exotic to feel...<br />at last I have something I can write a song about". For one thing...the imagination can soar to distant places any time...but what is as important is that wherever there are human beings present...not to mention in all of Creation...there. are "stories to tell"...in song...or by just focusing in on them...and writing them down. A blog is<br />actually a wonderful medium...for the mini-stories...that happen in your life...<br />probably...every day of your life. The thing is...to know that they are there...and<br />it's up to you to develop your knack of telling them. I am thankful also...for the<br />way a blog allows you to redeem yourself...by simply making another entry...about<br />something you forgot to say...in a previous one............Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-8035062120213178752010-09-12T17:40:00.000-07:002010-09-12T18:16:56.184-07:00A Sudden Reminder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TI1zoaqhT5I/AAAAAAAABU4/Bb6CjtvEbI0/s1600/P1030890.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TI1zoaqhT5I/AAAAAAAABU4/Bb6CjtvEbI0/s320/P1030890.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516192256788352914" /></a><br />This morning...getting ready to make my first drink of the day...no not that...<br />actually a cup of coffee with the caffeine removed...one of the first things I did...was put out a large cup with a Pisces design on it. These days...I find myself sometimes recoiling at the thought of the number of steps I have to take to get myself in gear...from the first moment of rising up to greet another day. Perhaps that's what too much repetition of the "same old same old" does to you over time. Perhaps there are invisible forces nearby...observing our little "oh no...not again" thought rebellions...that sometimes like to throw in some variety...to help make things a bit more interesting. After starting the boiling of the water and having placed the cup at ready...I turned around to get a spoon...an action otherwise known as step 3 in this morning ritual. As I did so...my right hand brushed my Pisces cup. I've always prided myself on my lightening reflexes that have rescued many a falling object. Not this time...faster than you can say Humpty Dumpty...the cup went crashing to the floor. Forget what swear word came flying out...but whatever it was...it fulfilled it's function of taking me quickly to acceptance of what had happened...and the sweeping up of the debris...that "same old same old" thoughts...can bring down on you. Here's to the peacefulness of routines!...<br />..........................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-2712244154153193772010-09-08T15:34:00.000-07:002010-09-08T20:57:19.265-07:00Innate Malice Of Inanimate Objects<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TIgQE_f422I/AAAAAAAABUo/8u80VKtbTAc/s1600/P1040335.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TIgQE_f422I/AAAAAAAABUo/8u80VKtbTAc/s320/P1040335.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514675421665876834" /></a><br />In long gone days...I remember sitting around with other young wags...who had gotten<br />to know each other,,,moving around in folk song circles...trying to see if we could<br />"out wag" each other. One of us present had stepped on a rake left carelessly in<br />his yard...and as a result...had been whacked in the shin,,,by the abandoned rake.<br />A bearded friend,,,who always seemed to have a "far out" explanation for things...<br />contributed to the person with the bruised shin..."i guess what you experienced there<br />was the "innate malice of inanimate objects". I've always remembered that penetrating<br />observation. There have been many occasions since that day...when I have experienced<br />evidence of that "principle" at work...like the time in a hurry to go out...I pulled<br />on the string controlling the shutters on my window...and the shutters came down...<br />bopping me in the head. That was one of several examples of the said "malice"<br />manifesting...and sending you the message..."not so fast". As for the two heads in<br />today's picture...one whispering to the other...that triggered this piece...<br />all they were doing was planning a malicious action for later that day. I am glad I was not around when it came to pass..................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-35153878783067043612010-09-06T09:38:00.000-07:002010-09-06T10:04:51.536-07:00Reasons For Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TIUZmDcIf1I/AAAAAAAABUg/zwjWoc03PmI/s1600/P1040551_2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TIUZmDcIf1I/AAAAAAAABUg/zwjWoc03PmI/s320/P1040551_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513841460334067538" /></a><br />Just a day or two ago...I took a walk through my forest of videos on YouTube. I came<br />upon a video that I'd almost forgotten I had in there..."September Rain". I felt that<br />given the time of year...I should bring it on to my main channel page. I love far<br />fetched reasons for doing things...but this time round...I was being as predictable<br />as you can get...September?...so up goes September Rain. Up to yesterday...the sun<br />kept September shining...and I was wondering about my choice. Today...I need wonder no<br />more...as the sky is overcast and it looks like overnight there has been quite a bit of<br />rain...must have been like this when I wrote this song. Reasons why you do things vary...<br />from the impulsive...to the whimsical...to the well thought out. So...why today's apple<br />picture...given we did "Fruit On The Vine"...only a few days ago?. How is this for a<br />reason...I happen to like this picture a lot...and on a grey day...I think I need a<br />splash of colour to keep me keepin' on.....................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-58976671064618106982010-09-04T18:19:00.000-07:002010-09-04T18:53:27.420-07:00The Carver And The Log<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TILxJ1pSM4I/AAAAAAAABUY/_Kx4lGWv2ps/s1600/P1030920.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TILxJ1pSM4I/AAAAAAAABUY/_Kx4lGWv2ps/s400/P1030920.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513234045176263554" /></a><br />My song "The Carver" says..."like a carver at the cedar of your soul...you chip the<br />surface wood with your knife...and after a long time...a shape begins to grow...<br />rising from the log of your life". We each have a way of working out a model or<br />metaphor for living life. The metaphor of the carver chipping away at the log before<br />him...helps me to understand what I have to do on my own journey. It has also given<br />me a read of what could be called the "unconscious behavior" that I observe...<br />manifesting itself in my world. Even with some who behave badly...you could use<br />this metaphor...to help you to understand them. One obvious reading this metaphor<br />offers...is that they simply haven't done their "carving"...and are still mired in<br />what you might call "log consciousness"...or should that be "unconsciousness". The core<br />reason this metaphor works for me...is that I do believe...we each have a "shining<br />sculpture" inside of ourselves...but it is our job...to cut away the "surface wood"<br />that keeps it hidden away. I feel we each have that in us...even the "bad behaved".,,<br />and I have heard of...or met...enough people who have lived inspiring lives...<br />moving from the dismal lives their "bad behavior" brought them...to turning around...<br />some of them even becoming outstanding role models. When that happens...it uplifts<br />me...although it doesn't surprise me...because I've known...what is inside of each<br />of us...and that if we seriously engage in the job of carving...it will finally be<br />liberated...............Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-47458011948366493682010-09-02T17:54:00.000-07:002010-09-02T18:29:19.281-07:00Why Do I Blog?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TIBIGhbjSAI/AAAAAAAABUQ/h7ndVaH7UjI/s1600/P1040147_2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TIBIGhbjSAI/AAAAAAAABUQ/h7ndVaH7UjI/s320/P1040147_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512485220791830530" /></a><br />I've been posting entries to this blog since 2005. In 2007 I started my YouTube channel<br />...now thriving...where 300 videos...mostly of my songs...reside. If I were to judge what I put online based on the number of viewers it attracts...my blog would be long gone...[I've never publicized it...no wonder if it's still a secret.]...but that's not what I let define my work...or me. Why have I persisted with it?. First of all...although song making is my first love creatively...writing...[as a poet and prose writer]...is at least my "first concubine". I've always loved language and the way it can be used. So...exercising my "writing chops"...on my blog and long hand journal...is a good starting reason. As a creative artist...I am always looking out for new tools with which to express myself and what a gift...having a blog online is. Being able to upload photographs to it with my writing...has given a large boost to my entries...with many of the photos...except today's...triggering what I write...[good practice for a writer...working off triggers]. There's more...but for now I'll just add..."there's something about a blog" ...with words and a still picture...that slows me down...in a world spinning around<br />...much too fast...................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-8690610998908361612010-08-31T17:42:00.000-07:002010-08-31T18:10:11.161-07:00Flirtations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TH2h3Rq6BXI/AAAAAAAABUI/V5zDGuV0ATs/s1600/P1010631.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/TH2h3Rq6BXI/AAAAAAAABUI/V5zDGuV0ATs/s400/P1010631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511739489979598194" /></a><br />I was looking through some old photographs last night. They have a way of reminding<br />you of things you want to remember...or things you want to forget. Today's picture was<br />taken in 'London England", as they say in Canada...not to be confused with London,<br />Ontario. It came about on the insistence of a certain company,,,that was vying to be<br />my publicist...or was it my management",,,forget. They printed up this fancy brochure<br />of their clients...or would be clients. The page this picture of a coiffed me, was taken from is a page they printed, with well known people like Peter Ustinov and Sammy Davis Junior...exalted company indeed. Before the photo session where this shot was taken...I was asked to have a session with a special hair dresser...hence the hair look...and they also rented for the occasion a Humperdinck of a shirt...which I wore...but hardly appears in the picture. Not accustomed to having image make overs<br />...plus some other stuff...I parted company with my "dresser uppers". This picture<br />reminds me that although I think I've led a pretty authentic life as a free lance<br />artist...that along the way...I've had flirtations...with..."other realities".<br />........................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-63420980228805554512010-08-30T15:00:00.000-07:002010-08-30T15:44:39.741-07:00Cosmic Clout As Balancer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THwq5iWUCxI/AAAAAAAABUA/sQP55h-oGNY/s1600/P1040779.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THwq5iWUCxI/AAAAAAAABUA/sQP55h-oGNY/s200/P1040779.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511327211955948306" /></a><br />An artist friend when I was first starting out on my artist's road said: "If you want to create things...you have to see and hear things...like you've never done before". I've practiced that since...and it has resulted in many creations...benefiting from a<br />consciously developed ability...to spot an irony or a metaphor, or a fine detail...at a thousand paces. Well...so I thought...until I looked at today's picture...taken at the wonderful outdoor art exhibition...in downtown Vancouver...during the last Winter<br />Olympics. It was only then I picked up on a small detail missed...back when<br />I was taking the picture. Then I was focused on the diagonal descending line the three<br />figures made...and framing the picture well. I believe in strong focus whether you're<br />writing a song...or taking a picture...[I've heard tell that pictures need focusing].<br />What I had missed at first...was the humongous wooden pole...wasn't just being<br />carried by the three...it was actually shafting through their bodies...which was at<br />the core of what the artist was trying to say. This has happened to me before...when<br />I've gotten carried away with my own artist's savvy. It's as if the Universe taps me<br />on the shoulder...or the cosmos clouts me in the head...and says..."Now, now...see<br />what you missed?". I must admit that I have a preference for this profound way in<br />which the universe intervenes sometimes...rather than another human being putting me<br />straight about the error of my ways. Learn something every day..........Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-2939353423309329312010-08-28T21:22:00.000-07:002010-08-28T21:42:36.351-07:00Sun Flowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THnhKqVvwZI/AAAAAAAABT4/wOIHEckBsh0/s1600/P1040164_2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THnhKqVvwZI/AAAAAAAABT4/wOIHEckBsh0/s320/P1040164_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510683192344953234" /></a><br />I know why Vincent loved them and painted them...I love them too although I've never<br />tried to paint them. Right now is their time in my part of the world, With so much<br />around them turning brown,,,they are a delight to see,,,towering over their fading<br />kin...reviving your spirits. I don't understand the reasoning that went behind the<br />naming of so many flowers...although I know...a rose is a rose is a rose. I understand<br />the name sun flower...so obvious in the way it reminds you of the sun...both in the<br />way it looks...and how it lifts your spirits. Only this evening...as I walked...I<br />couldn't help but take out my camera...to take a picture of a group of them...out-<br />yellowing their yellow background...as they towered in front of a MacDonald's<br />restaurant. That's one of the magnetic things about sun flowers...they make you<br />look at them regardless of what they may happen to be next to...............Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-40159689908621764472010-08-26T19:30:00.000-07:002010-08-26T19:55:25.603-07:00Pacific Sunset<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THcjivBdhYI/AAAAAAAABTw/udi8nQzt6AA/s1600/P1010944_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THcjivBdhYI/AAAAAAAABTw/udi8nQzt6AA/s400/P1010944_2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509911748756211074" /></a><br />Rediscovered this picture in my files the other day. The painting itself is long gone...residing in a collection of my paintings...owned by a woman...who now lives in the Okanagan. I think that I pretty well have photos of all the paintings I ever sold...remembering to take a picture of them...before they were no longer in my possession. Acquiring my first computer in 2002...with among other things...a digital<br />painting program...pretty well marked the ending of my acrylic paints on canvas era...<br />as I was able to try out my picture ideas...now rapidly...with "save" and "don't save"<br />as my two new found assistants. Given painting had not been a career thing with me...<br />but an "extending creative horizons thing" instead...I could let it rest...with my<br />first creative love...song making...still central in my creative life. Having said<br />that...I continue to respect and salute...paint on canvas pictures...and will always<br />leave the door open...to a return to it,,,of some kind. In the meantime...it is<br />"Pacific Sunset"...perhaps an appropriate picture...for the subject I'm writing<br />about tonight...as the sun actually disappears into the Pacific..........Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-54818931080622135032010-08-25T10:28:00.000-07:002010-08-25T11:03:01.716-07:00Fruit On The Vine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THVWgXRsL6I/AAAAAAAABTo/aCg_Va4IcZ8/s1600/P1040961.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THVWgXRsL6I/AAAAAAAABTo/aCg_Va4IcZ8/s320/P1040961.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509404833161686946" /></a><br />The tree outside one of my front windows...is hanging on to its curled brown leaves.<br />The grass in many places is sere. No wonder...there has hardly been any rain in these<br />parts for a while. There has been a long lasting heat wave...which may finally be over.<br />Many of the forests of British Columbia,,,have been tinder dry...and aided by large<br />swathes of trees that have fallen to beetle kill. There have been many forest fires<br />with threats of more...and their widely spread smoke...hanging in the air.<br />In the midst of all of this...one of the things that gives me hope...as I walk through<br />my neighborhood...is the sight of fruit or berries...hanging from the tree or vine.<br />Hanging fruit...even in my childhood...always gave me a good feeling...perhaps a<br />fulfilled kind of feeling...apart from any more immediate designs to pick and eat them.<br />Yes...while there is fruit on the vine...there is always hope............Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-30258210116629576252010-08-23T17:36:00.000-07:002010-08-23T17:57:55.780-07:00Reminders Of A Cooler Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THMUvtIlv5I/AAAAAAAABTg/7vDRSutrzJo/s1600/P1030270.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THMUvtIlv5I/AAAAAAAABTg/7vDRSutrzJo/s200/P1030270.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508769579006279570" /></a><br />I had gone for months without being able to upload any photos to my blog. It didn't<br />take long for a visiting brother-in-law...ever helpful...to fix the problem...from<br />my computer. We were looking in a hurry for a photo to upload and the snow and berries<br />one presented itself. Coming back now to spread the glad tidings...I found this one<br />of heather in snow. I tend to do things often...based on a "nudge from the deep" rather<br />than from having great clarity in the present. I can see now what's behind my choice<br />of "things snowy". We've been suffering through a heat wave for weeks...as of today it<br />seems to have gone...but I think I'm still experiencing a delayed reaction today to it. I have to confess...that for a person shaped by the tropics...I am not a fan these days of hot weather when it goes on too long. Anyway...looks like today's pictures are about a little air conditioning of the mind. Am looking forward to being able to upload<br />photos in the future...to go with my words.........................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-87655313441204187142010-08-23T14:46:00.000-07:002010-08-23T14:52:18.782-07:00Photos once again!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THLtFPaPG_I/AAAAAAAABTY/ppxOEM46mXk/s1600/P1030262.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nur9tbzDGeA/THLtFPaPG_I/AAAAAAAABTY/ppxOEM46mXk/s400/P1030262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508725968519240690" /></a>Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-42607604526207827482010-08-16T22:58:00.000-07:002010-08-16T23:32:26.553-07:00A Spontaneous MeetingYesterday...at my coffee place where I often have a light lunch...a young man sitting<br />with a young woman at a nearby table...asked me what it was I was writing in the journal before me. That started us off into an animated and wide and hopefully deep ranging conversation...about creativity. Turned out that both he and his woman partner were also into creating things...songs...music...and written work. It was a most <br />stimulating spur of the moment chat we had...that ended up lasting quite a while. At one point...after we had talked about difficulties we had both had in relating with some of our family members...I ventured to say that we were talking about things that likely...we wouldn't be able to talk about with some members of our families. They agreed. Before parting we shared e-mail addresses and phone numbers. They live in my neighborhood and I have the feeling that we'll be meeting again. I enjoyed many aspects of our meeting...but the thing I appreciated most of all...was how people from different generations could come together...and so rapidly leave the usual walls that divide people behind...and communicate so sincerely with each other. This kind of meeting...I would like to think...is so beneficial to those who take part in it...it's a wonder it doesn't happen more often. At the end...I thanked the young man for having been the one to start us off. Perhaps in the future...I might get it up...to be the initiator of such a fine piece of spontaneous human communication.....................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-69320418943839340952010-08-09T22:14:00.000-07:002010-08-09T22:44:57.082-07:00Book WritingI've been doing a lot of writing recently...but obviously...not for this blog.<br />To me...writing a book...is a bit like preparing a special meal in a pressure cooker.<br />You know you must not take the cover off...before the meal is completely ready...for it<br />to work out well. For me...the telling about what your book is about...definitely<br />puts you in danger of losing whatever momentum you've built up working on it. I've<br />been writing for my book project...to add to what I'd previously written for it...this<br />time round for about two and a half weeks...and I've only missed one day's writing<br />because of having a very bad cold. I did...however...find a way of getting writing<br />sessions in...on the rest of the days when I've had the cold. Again...not wanting to<br />lose momentum was the reason for pushing through. I have found that when you are writing for a book...and you have momentum...you can usually be clear about why you're<br />doing it...over many days in a row...but sooner or later...you're likely to be challenged by a day when your reasons for writing it...become enveloped in cloud...and you are in danger of coming to a screeching halt...maybe even...never to return to it. All the more reason to respect momentum when you have it and not let go of it easily. As I write...sometimes I think of what I call..."The Law Of Things Accruing". I know that if I keep pecking away at it every day...one day I'll look up...and my book will be done. Wish me well................................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-67035695577504582462010-07-14T15:51:00.000-07:002010-07-14T16:17:22.147-07:00Video 300 On My Marakakore ChannelLooks like its been about six weeks since my last entry here...dear sir...is this a<br />record?. One excuse I can offer...although excuses are seldom the total story,,,is that<br />from June to now...I've been uploading one video after another to my main YouTube<br />channel. I've always trained myself...not to be addicted to numbers...but recently...I<br />got it into my head...that I wanted to get to 300 videos uploaded to my main channel.<br />I am happy to report...that my video uploaded yesterday..."Odyssey"...was the 300th<br />video on my marakakore channel!. It feels like I've got myself a tidy deposit in a<br />bank account...and now I no longer have to push...to get in there...what is already in<br />there. I am going to take a break now...from uploading videos to this channel...and give<br />myself leisurely time...to see where next I wish to go...with my videos. Questions to be<br />decided upon are such as...Will I upload any more videos to my marakakore channel?...Will I start another channel online and upload videos there?...will I make<br />changes in my approach to having videos online?...Will I now focus my attention on other<br />aspects of my artist's work?. Who knows what the answers will be...but I know I'll give<br />it some good organic time to unfold as it should. Perhaps I'll now be able to get my<br />blog back in gear. Much more to say...but I'll leave it at that for now. Stay tuned!.<br />..............Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-27570161695608997582010-06-01T01:06:00.000-07:002010-06-01T01:26:48.132-07:00Sunset On The Docks-Blues GuitarSeems to me that most people who play guitar...sooner or later...give playing the blues<br />a shot. It likely has something to do with the fact that...everyone...at one time...has<br />experienced.."having the blues". In my own musical travels...I've noticed the attraction<br />...that playing the blues has...for generation after generatipn...of young men...from<br />widely different cu;tures. I find myself...from time to time...getting the feeling...now...I want to play the blues. I find...as i'm sure many others do...that it gives me a kind of release...I had been needing. Needless to say...as the sun goes down...is a time when you're likely to find yourself...strongly called...to play the blues,,,as in this case...with the sun setting on the Vancouver docks. Other trends in music come and go...but the blues goes on and on................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-71284193354284163952010-05-31T22:47:00.000-07:002010-05-31T23:16:13.362-07:00<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykHCS0lxGtzq0gU20vWtkQdRJsNvpxxQLQwuti5yESpPtfFzhgDcG_nX-X0zSwfaPFEzEkiJbT0I4' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-45008368740719319462010-05-25T13:13:00.000-07:002010-05-25T13:50:55.218-07:00The Preciousness Of Simple ThingsMany of us as children...when we began to take the good things in our lives for granted...were put in our place by being<br />told about "the starving millions in Africa'. It was...of course..sobering to be reminded of those "less fortunate"...than<br />ourselves. Today I find myself thinking...about another kind of reminder we can give ourselves...in this kind of situation.<br />It is one that...perhaps...leans away from being a guilting exercise...to one about seeing and appreciating the gift that<br />life on this Earth actually is. Any of us can easily get bogged down...in our daily difficulties...and lose sight of...if we<br />ever saw it....of how beautiful the simple things in life are...like walking on a sunny day...sitting by a river...or lake...or<br />ocean....laughing with a friend...dancing to music that cannot be denied. I could go on and on with this list of simple<br />beautiful things...but I won't. The thing is...none of the things I'm thinking of here...require a person to be materially<br />wealthy. Unfortunately...it is only when catastrophe...personal or otherwise...strikes...and they are no longer available...<br />that we are forcefully reminded of how precious they are. A good resolution to make...is to be always aware of the<br />preciousness of the simple things in life...and while we have them...live in them...celebrate them...and give thanks for<br />them..................................Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-76287963283124531122010-05-07T09:43:00.000-07:002010-05-07T09:57:09.046-07:00Re: Ocean CallsHaving had difficulties for a long time...uploading videos to YouTube...and photos<br />to my blog...today I split the difference thinking...how about trying to upload a<br />video to your blog. I did...and to my pleasant surprise...it worked!. Had to see<br />that it worked before I wrote any copy to go with it. "Ocean Calls"...is one of my<br />most experimental instrumentals. All those stories...from many different cultures...<br />about sirens...and other entities...that live under the water...and that call out<br />to humans on the shore...sometimes inviting them into the depths...are behind this piece.<br />The main instrumental part...I played on a small...harp-like instrument I'd bought at a thrift store...and was playing on this recording...for the first time. I also used...<br />wind chimes...rain stick...and...of course...there is no substitute for the sound of<br />waves. It's nice to finally get something done about my "Uploading Blues".........<br />.............Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-52402296142324829712010-05-07T09:29:00.000-07:002010-05-07T09:41:12.259-07:00Ocean Calls<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzACpYxdx-Z8xkFHvHVwYIuwf9ubxw71ewbtgzNTcWChPcMQ57Cl58TSOgyyJZCbrzmoeNK-udAWR8' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-18865622699225580062010-05-05T11:16:00.000-07:002010-05-05T11:44:44.254-07:00Blocked OptionsHaven't posted for a while. It's been a strange time. Being able to post photos to<br />my blog...was an incentive to post more frequently...but some time ago...that stopped<br />working. Uploading videos to YouTube was an important part...obviously...of my YouTube<br />experience. About six or seven weeks ago...that stopped working. I keep trying to<br />upload videos...and have looked for answers to my upload difficulty...but so far that<br />hasn't produced positive results. If I didn't know better...I'd say there was a <br />conspiracy going on. However...people keep on viewing my YouTube channel videos at a good<br />clip. Perhaps having 279 videos on there has helped with that...i.e. there are a lot<br />of videos to be seen there...regardless of new uploads. Anyway...although my<br />uploading problem has offered itself as an excuse not to make any more videos...I<br />continue to make them...in so doing...finally making good recordings...of some of my<br />many songs...waiting to be represented by good recordings. We'll see how "blocked<br />options"...open up...as these precious days of spring go by...........Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-82345981747687487102010-04-12T15:10:00.000-07:002010-04-12T15:33:21.248-07:00Old Reliable ThingsFor two and a half weeks now...I've tried to upload videos to my YouTube channel...<br />unsuccessfully. For much longer than that...uploads of photos to this blog...have<br />not worked out. Looks like its one of those times...when you simply have to endure<br />being blocked...and not let yourself feel there is a conspiracy against you going on<br />across the world wide web. A lot of the time...the new technology available...allows you to do brilliant and empowering things...then from time to time it balks at helping you<br />along. Perhaps...such times...can be looked upon as reminders about not getting<br />yourself too dependent on the magic usually available at your finger tips...and renew<br />your appreciation of old reliable things...like a vigorous walk on a sunny spring<br />afternoon...taking pictures of the sun lighting up the snow on the mountains outside your front windows...or even writing slowly...in your long hand journal...not to mention...playing your trusty guitar. So...here's to old reliable things...never to be<br />taken for granted..........................Quester..Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030052.post-29658217719923168872010-03-30T01:03:00.000-07:002010-03-30T01:29:37.080-07:00Mission "Less Stuff"Around midnight...for me may not be the best time to post a blog entry...but I'm<br />overdue...so here goes. My having been silent for as long as I have...is another<br />reminder about momentum...when you have it...make a point of keeping it...or it's<br />likely to fly away on you...and next thing you know...there's a gap in something<br />you used to do a lot of. Right now...I do have momentum...but it's about streamlining<br />my apartment...which I'm currently making progress with. Looking at the program<br />"Horders"...on tv,,,has helped me to identify...that I'm not a hoarder...with dead<br />cats lying under stuff waiting for the big clear up to happen. What is true...is<br />that I do have too much stuff in my home...and if I want my dream of minimalist<br />surroundings...and clean lines...to come true in my home surroundings...I am<br />simply going to have to move some stuff out. Well...I'm finally on my way now,,,<br />knowing I really don't need much stuff to live well...and that having less stuff<br />to trip over...is definitely going to improve my quality of life.......Quester.Questerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14258733103078248608noreply@blogger.com0