contrast...

The greatest intro to a song, ever? … hmm…

No competition really.  As soon as the cymbals are hit, immense throughout.

Cigarrettes and Alcohol, by Oasis.

I was reminded of the quality (not that I needed reminding), by the song, introducing Lauren Laverne’s show on BBC 6music. A very good quality radio station, helping introduce me to a large, wide range of music.

The next clip I provide, is of a song which I heard on the ‘Civil Wars’ album. I was annoyed, as I knew the song very well (I was singing along!), however, I did not know what it was. As an mp3, I had no CD case to peek at. I checked my IPod, then checking online to reassure myself.

OK, a note…

I felt down...

But then was comforted by a response that i received in a pattern of email talk. I can let myself talk amazingly honestly through type. I cannot/do not talk to people in the same manner. V therapeutic.

The note is self-explanatory. This blog speaks for itself, here, explaining that although I blame a lot of gobbledegook on accompanying coffee, I actually have the mental capacity to articulate my feelings through type. I am very lucky.

Live for the NOW

I often fall back on the instruction above, and rely on my get-out-clause, “I am very very lucky to be here at all”. My outlook on life has taken a mighty leap to the side. I do not suggest that I am ‘ahead’, merely ‘alternative’. I may go further into this topic, a different time. Well, actually, this whole blog offers insights into my ‘new’ mentality. Hmmm…

The photos below, are a week old. Sorry, I missed them out of last week’s post, as I was running late! Somerset House, London is a beautiful place, with a tremendous café J

            

'Grrr! Everyone waits for me!'

'They have to'

These were the comments that I surprisingly exchanged with a fellow pedestrian, as I tried to cross the road at home, here in Surbiton. I expressed my dismay as I wanted to stop and allow a car turn off the main road, and down a side street. The car paused, waiting for me, but also blocking the entire high road. I guess I am used to feeling much safer, allowing cars first… but hey!

Hehehe, coffee talk. I feel that is sooooooo much tastier and more refreshing, to

split an 'americano' up, into an espresso and a glass of water!

Once you have the strength, taste and power given to you by the espresso, you enjoy the nice refreshment of a glass of water.

OK, enough coffee talk.

A recent music discovery is the wonderful, powerful voice of Nadine Shah.

The new, debut album ‘Love your dum and mad’, is an amazing, deep masterpiece, that may take a few listens to truly appreciate. It could be said that it is quite ‘dark’, but it is definitely deep, multi-level music.

My next two notes are fairly philosophical, and I understand that they may just be ignored, forgotten as my ‘whacky thoughts’.

Life just is a series of experiences

Brain-injured, ‘living for the now’, is often something I have to  force myself to understand/believe. As everyone does have, I used to also have ‘dreams/aspirations’, that I would plan for. As a designer, I was strongly educated and taught to believe in the wonders of planning and designing to solve problems.

I now know that this is a good and useful way of thinking, but… ‘shit happens’. There is absolutely no way we can plan everything. We must also rely on our ability to problem-solve issues straight-away.

Therefore, it may be best to relegate the dreams/aspirations, and just accept that ‘what will be will be’. If we treat each experience, individually, life can be a lot more beneficial. Maybe…

contrast is nothing AND everything

Ok, please bear in mind that I have been educated as a graphic designer. It may sound stupid, but I do think very visually. You can only see this type, and therefore comprehend the mental thoughts, because you read/see the type. Typography is just a part of visual design. Always what we understand is the contrast between something and something else. I talk visually, but this can be used for everything that we experience. We only hear what we hear, because otherwise there is nothing/silence. We experience the contrast. If there is no contrast or difference, we experience nothing. So, essentially the contrast is what we experience, and is everything. At the same time, the contrast is nothing.

Deeeeeep. Confused? You need to have been in a comatose state, to understand, I think!