Inisghts into the Creative Process: Ronald Chevalier

Dr. Ronald Chevalier - Inspiring Oneself

Many planes in a big desert

Every time my dad comes down to visit Phoenix he always brings up the fact that he hasn't visited the Airplane boneyard at the Pima Air and Space Museum. This isn't entirely true because we've been to the museum a couple of times; but both times we went the boneyard was closed. Well I got sick of the incessant whining and decided to take one for the team and take him down there.

I'm just really beginning to learn what airplanes mean to my dad. To me they are nothing more then a crowded aisle seat and a bag of peanuts that get me to Austin. But to my dad they represent the coolest thing going from his youth. He grew up during the early years of the Cold War and our Air Force was the frontline against the growing threat of Communism. The airplanes represented the best in American ingenuity and innovation. Being a pilot was the pinnacle of "coolness". There isn't a career path out there today that combines the respect, adventure, challenge, and pay of being a pilot 50 years ago.

Anyways, here are a few photos from the recent trip. Enjoy the pictures of aluminum and old planes.

The Yes List Update

We have no completed 1/4th of our "Yes" Campaign for 2009. Here is an updated list that includes the Yes activities for February and March.

February:

1. Take up gardening- As of print we have successfully used basil, red lettuce, and cilantro in our culinary pursuits. We are still growing our onions, tomatoes, egg plant, and beans. Our thumbs are slowly turning a light shade of green.
2. Exotic Desserts- Given that my wife is an award winning baker, I've got the blue ribbons to prove it, I consider myself a lucky man indeed. We took a weekend to try several new and fairly complicated desserts. The additional 3lbs that I currently carry with me are testament enough of the success of this endeavor.
   
3. Anniversary Weekend- A celebration of our first anniversary by spending the weekend at a little quaint resort outside of Fountain Hills. A big YES indeed.
   
4. Biltmore Movie Night- It's always great when the community can come together, even if it is only for a free movie at the outdoor mall. We were able to catch a showing of the Hitchcock classic, Rear Window.
   

March:

1. Polynesian Festival- Because who doesn't love consuming large amounts of kahlua pork while donning a horrific floral print Reyn Spooner?
2. Attend local battle of the bands- There are a couple of bands worth supporting and it's always nice to see what new sounds are floating out there.
3. Perform some songs at Fiddlers Dream- This is listed in a previous entry. I'm glad I was able to muster a little courage and perform some of my music live.
4. Spring Training- We had to participate in annual spring ritual by seeing the Cubs play with some of our rabid Cubs friends. It was the White Sox-Cubs game at the new stadium in the West Valley and the inner city rivalry created some unexpected pre-season electricity.

As we move through April we continue to find new and rewarding things to see and experience. More to come and more to say yes to.

What Monty Python forgot to teach us about the Meaning of Life

We were recently watching the captivating 1946 film The Razor's Edge when I came to an interesting realization. It came during an early scene in the movie.

Picture this......

It is right after World War I and the characters are all gathered at some "blue blood" country club. A few older and established people are surrounded by a group of gregarious young adults fresh from the excitement of war and college. The conversation centers on plans, positions, and who is going to arrange for so and so to get the nice position with the firm down town. Most of characters anxiously talk about the status, money, and sense of accomplishment that their new positions will offer. But there is one holdout, Larry Darrell, who seems to swim against the current. He is more concerned with deeper meanings and answers to life's questions, primarily why he his life was saved during the war and why his friend's life was taken. It is discovered that he turned down a perfectly good position in order to go to France and seek out his answers. Everyone else, particularly the older establishment, is shocked at his supposed irresponsibility and brashness in turning down such a lifestyle.

The movie spans several years and follows several characters. In the end Larry experiences the greatest calm and satisfaction while the others experience several ups and downs due to their lifestyles and materialism. At the end of the day position, money, and status did little to quench the human yearnings that all of us face.

Back to the present....

This is a scene that has probably played out in our very lives. Sometimes we fail to determine what things really do lead to the most fulfillment. Do we equate the safe job in the accepted community as the ultimate end to our quest or is there more? Where does the family fit into the entire quest for personal satisfaction? Do we short change ourselves by falling in line with societies expectations for our lives? What happens whenthe expectations of our community and own own personal ambitions don't align? Meaty questions indeed.

That scene stuck with me through most of the weekend. As I continued to mull over my satisfaction with my own life I recalled a book that I had recently read. It is titled the "Eight Pillars of Greek Wisdom" and I think I picked it up off the super, heavily discounted rack at the local bookstore. The author attempts to summarize the collective wisdom of ancient Greek thought into eight simple principles or truths.

I will share these principles. You can decide what role that they should play in your life. You can decide how important they are to you.

1. Humanism- The whole notion that humans have divine qualities. The fact that in Greek mythology the humans and Gods are so interdependent demonstrates their prevalent belief that human kind has incredible potential. Carpe diem man.
   
2. Pursuit of Excellence- A no brainer coming from the guys that gave us the Olympics. This principle goes hand in hand with #1. We have incredible capacity therefore everyday should be spent pushing ourselves to new heights.
   
3. Moderation- The fact that the phrase "Nothing in excess" was inscribed on the sacred sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi tells us of the importance that Ancient Greece placed upon this principle. We can see the wisdom of this idea today by simply looking around. Alcoholism, Addiction, Greed, Jingoism, Fanaticism, and Vanity are just a few of the dirty by-products of somewhat normal and noble things taken to the far extreme.
   
4. Self-Knowledge- Have you ever watched an episode of "American Idol" and seen one of those delusional kids trying to sing a pop song four keys and a pitch away from where it should be only to get blindsided by Mr. Simon Cowell's brutal honesty? While self-confidence is important it is downright unhelpful if it isn't tempered with a little self awareness. I do myself no favors by thinking that I have a realistic shot at becoming a cornerback for the Cowboys. Take stock of your strengths and weaknesses and focus on those things that you are good at.
   
5. Rationalism- You got to hand it to the Greeks, they gave us both passion and reason. Let us all learn from Athena's example and govern our decisions with sound reason and fact.
   
6. Restless Curiosity- Remember when you were a kid and anything was possible? I remember drafting a blueprint of my dream house, build a tunnel village in the backyard, writing a Congressman, and dredging for Gold all before the age of eight. Unfortunately age usually dulls that zeal by convincing us that it's just to difficult or impractical. To that the Greeks say get off your stupid couch and take notice of the world around you. Read a book on a new subject or try something new. They would definitely be strong proponents of our "Yes" list.
   
7. Love of Freedom- We need to be free to think and act for ourselves. None of the preceding virtues would really be possible if were not free to pursue them in our own ways. Freedom is one of the core values of the "American" way of life and many would argue the reason for why became great.
8. Individualism- The Greeks were the first to teach that the individual had power and worth, that the individual wasn't a subservient pawn in the hands of the state. To that end you should pursue your passions and interests, be true to thyself my friend.

These are incredible ideas. You've probably heard them in some form or another at a seminar or "self help" book. But they hold true. And when properly applied they help make our decisions more meaningful. Because it's one thing to become a doctor because of the status and income but it's something fully different to become one because it represents your passions and desire to help others. Because at the end of the day fulfillment comes not from a bank account or social standing but from a life lived with meaning.

Performing Live

Jodi and I have declared this the year of "Yes". Each week we seek out to do something new, challenging, and out of our comfort zone. It has gone well and provided a new and more colorful texture to the daily grind.

I've had something I've wanted to do for a long while....perform some of my music to a live audience, or at least one that wasn't a reflection of myself in the mirror. I've written several songs and even made an attempt to record some of the simpler ones. But I have never really performed them in front of a group of living and breathing people. This past Thursday I mustered up the guts to do just that at the Fiddlers Dream.

A few things about the selection of the Fiddlers Dream for the performance:

• It is affiliated with the Quakers so I figured that this would be a very tolerant and accepting place.
• It's main patrons are ex-Hippies in their middle ages. Once again a very open, accepting, and "mellow" group.
• It is basically a big wooden shack behind the Quaker compound....making it a far cooler venue then some random Coffee House or Book Store.

It's a pretty straight forward affair. Every Thursday night they have an open mic type of thing. The first 20 people put their names in a hat and the order is randomly selected. You have 8 minutes or two songs and the whole thing lasts a couple of hours. As expected I was one of the very last people in the rotation. That gave me ample time to second guess myself and for my nerves to turn soft and gooey.

Most performing and in attendance were veterans of the scene. This is their little club and they all had their following and routine down. About half of the performers also do this semi-professionally by doing festivals or concerts throughout the valley and region. There was one dude, think Caucasian Tommy Chong, who broke up the performances with a bit of stand up.

Eventually my time came. The crowd, knowing that I was a 'first-timer' was especially supportive. I took my place on the stage, introduced myself, and tried to focus on the songs and not the crowd. Strangely enough it worked. I sang "Peace Comes in the Morning" and "What I'd Say". My biggest concern was my voice and the high notes of the song. Fortunately I was able to get that down without killing the key. The only thing I wish I could have changed was the tempo. My nerves were still gangly and the pace of the songs sped up to match the thunderous beat of my heart.

I got the two songs done in the allotted amount of time and received a great response. I'm sure most of it was a courtesy response but I'd like to think that a couple of people enjoyed what I had to play. I left the stage satisfied that I finally did something that I had wanted to do for a long time.

I'm realistic and realize that my music will probably never be played by anyone other then myself. But that's not really the point. This music means something to me and I have felt a sort of obligation to write it and record it. It would just suck to have all of those songs sit there on the tip of my tongue without trying to record and bring them to life. The performance was an icing on the cake to prove to myself that I have the fortitude to do it.

I don't know if I will try many more live performances but I'm glad I said "yes" to the challenge and stepped on to the stage. If anything I learned that the greatest stuff in life comes by stepping beyond your normal self.

Randomizer Volume V Series I

Because life just continues to get more and more random.

• I just finished the Malcom Gladwell best seller "Outliers". The book seeks to uncover the complete circumstances surrounding outstanding events or people. It is a great and quick read in the same vein as Freakonomics. Anyways, at the essence of the book is the fact that most succcesful people, or outliers, had a series of fortunate events or circumstances that made their path to greatness that much easier. Whether it was Bill Gates happening to grow up at a time in which the computer was just begining to take shape and in a town that happened to have one of the finest and most accessible super computers or the fact that most of the top Canadian hockey players happen to be born at the beginning of the year in order to make team cut offs; success is as much surendipity as it is effort and talent. Upon reading it you will want to take account of your own life and see if you perhaps missed out on an opportunity or relationship that could have drastically taken your life in a different course.
• There's an old man named John that I run into at the gym whenever I work out in the morning. He's a stocky old marine with a bright, white flat top. He wears a pair of sturdy support stockings that make him stick out from the traditional crowd. He has left an indelible mark on me. In the past month of observing him I've noticed that he has the most consistent and cheerful demeanor. I've seen him struggle with a few things but those challenges never dull his smile. On my way out today he saw me and motioned me over to his car. He had a trunk full of lemons from his tree. He offered me a few as well as a great recipe for lemonade. I could learn a lot from him and hope to ask him out for lunch next time our paths cross.
• I've been told that Ulysses by James Joyce is one of the classics of the 20th century. I remember trying to read it in high school after I heard Bono mention his name once in an interview. It was impossible to read and I soon gave up. Every few years I make a feeble attempt to it up and every time I quickly close it back up. I'm going to try once again. Maybe this time I can make it past Chapter 3.
  

Distinguishing between Greed and Capitalism

It hasn't been a good several months for proponents of free markets, minimal government intervention, and deregulation. According to the pundits the current economic malaise that we are mired in is a direct result of a system that was unchecked and corrupt. Take a look around you and you are literally awash in examples of individual greed, corporate irresponsibility, and short sightedness. Here are just a few:

• Mr. Bernie Madoff creates an elaborate hedge fund that is nothing more then a Ponzi Scheme. He manages to to destroy $50 billion dollars and the financial security of thousands of lives before anyone is able investigate.
  
• The tarnished titans on Wall-Street who led the way in rampant risk taking accept government money and then continue to their lavish ways (bonuses, retreats, etc...) as if they were still living in 1999.
• Government officials and lobbyists beholden to the siren song of Saudi dollars. (Read "Sleeping with the Devil" for details)The very people on Capital Hill who condemn the acts of greed that take place on Wall Street are themselves getting kick backs from the special interests who pay for their votes.
  

We could literally fill up pages of stories like this. Tales of Enron only make it that much easier for the jaded public to accept possibilities of increased government intervention and populism. As someone who heeds the capitalist way I have to admit that these astonishing tales of corruption make me openly wonder if I should replace the pin stripes of those Brothers Brooks for the working man's trousers of the people.

I think that it is important that we all take a deep breath and not over react. I think we need to determine whether or not it is possible to separate the pillars of capitalism from its deranged brother-in-law, greed. Adam Smith taught us that it is the thousands of independent self interested people working to better their station that forms the invisible hand.

Is it wrong to want to take care of your family and get ahead?
Are there acceptable limits to greed?
Should we be compelled to share our abundancy with others?
What role should the government play in managing wealth distribution?

I don't know what to think. I know that I don't want half of my pay check going to a government that might use my money on programs that I don't agree with. I also think that corporate greed needs to be reigned in. It can safely be assumed that corporate ethics are a thing of the past. Short sighted self interest is a trait that is here to stay and firmly entrenched in our psyche. It's all about getting in getting rich and getting out. I even saw this tendency at BYU as hundreds of grads would line up to worship before the Gods of Goldman, Lehman, and Bain. The invisible hand of Mr. Smith has grown some serious nails that have become rather sharp and need to be trimmed.

So I humbly ask what needs to change in order for capitalism to be fixed? Can it be fixed or should we rely on government to reign in greed? But then again who is to say that the government doesn't become too greedy with its power?

I'm a fan of history and there's one thing that has remained constant. You truly can buy anything in this world with money. Everyone has a price. Best intentions can always be justified for the right pay off. Greed isn't just the American way, it's human nature.But greed has an especially firm grip on our nation right now. Right now it appears that individual Americans and entities are in the stranglehold. Since we can't trust government to loosen the grip are we capable of doing it ourselves?

These next few years will be very telling. It's a shame that I don't have a number for any good oracles because I'm anxious to see how this thing plays out. Thanks a lot Gordon Gekko. You suck. You've paved the way for another Wesley Mouch.

Phoenix from some new perspectives

According to my photography books the best pictures are taken in the early morning. Here are a couple of pictures taken at dawn just outside of Fountain Hills followed by a couple of panoramic pictures taken from Camelback Mountain.

Fountain Hills

Camelback

Unfounded, untested, and possibly wrong observations (Part II)

Here are some more observations that might be on the money or might be insane, incoherent, ideas.

• Homemade millionaires trend Republican while inherited family wealth goes Democrat- It makes sense that the entrepreneur would favor less government intrusion, taxation, and want to keep as much of his hard earned money as possible. The person coming from wealth hasn't had to put in the requisite effort that grandpa did and they might feel guilt associated with the largess of their lifestyle. They can afford to push more social causes because their money is tucked away in a trust.

• Hollywood is unabashedly liberal and is making a concerted effort to "liberalize" main-stream America- I hear the pundits on the right talk and you think that Hollywood is out to deliberately destroy values and tradition. You listen to the left and Hollywood is only out to offer different points of view. So what is it? Are the Hollywood elite a nefarious and elitist cabal ought to destroy religion and American values? Or are they more benign- just concerned about making a buck and coming up with entertainment.
  

• The internet will ultimately make the next generation of American kids less competitive- The internet deludes us, and most notably kids, in thinking that the answer is always just a click away. No hard work or research is necessary when you can find a half-baked site via Google. The internet also kills attention span by creating a sensory overload. This inherent laziness will kill our kids when it comes to math and science. We will have a generation of kids who are brilliant at creating fun and zany websites but who can't communicate and solve serious problems. Please prove me wrong.

• The less lawyers the better the America- Why do we have lawyers? Because people can't trust one another. If there was inherent trust then all deals would be sealed with a handshake and there would be no worries about being hoodwinked. So is there is a direct relationship between the amount of lawyers in America and the state of our Country? The more there are the worse off we are?
  

The thrill of the hunt

Since I've never been one to wait until Christmas to find out what my gifts are it should come as no surprise that I don't have the patience to wait until my favorite band, U2, officially releases their albums. There is a definite thrill that comes with finding ways to prematurely obtain the music. The boys from Dublin can rest assured as I will always purchase the album once it is released...heck I've spent enough on that band to completely refurbish the guestrooms of their Riviera villas.

A brief breakdown of my first experiences with each U2 album from Achtung to the present:

Achtung Baby (1991)- My love for the band was just blossoming as I was entering high school. The local radio station, KJQ, managed to play the entire album one week before release. Their aim was to play one new song on the top of every hour. I carried my little boom box around with me to ensure that I was able to record every song to tape. I distinctly remember playing basketball in Fruit Heights after school and abruptly stopping the play so I could record when "Wild Horses" came on. I was originally confused by most of the songs but the album would slowly grow on me over the ensuing months and years to where it is now my 2nd favorite U2 album. Most people were turned off by the new direction that the band was taking but I stood my ground and defended their innovation and fearlessness. History would prove me right.

Zooropa (1993)- Fast forward to the summer before senior year. U2 with their "Fly-MacPhisto" shtick and was really wearing on alot of my "purist" friends. I continued to love what they were doing. The release of this album was abrupt and came somewhat as a surprise. The album was scheduled to be released at midnight at our local Hastings music store. It was a summer night and we were all attending a high school dance. At 11:30 me, Norm, and Robb Finlinson hopped into Norm's yellow honda and went to the record store so that we could fulfill our obligation with the band. I distinctly remember the heavy electricity and anticipation as we put the cd in and listened to "Zooropa" for the first time. We drove around in the early morning hours taking in each new track. I remember pulling up to the school and creating quite a buzz with the new purchase.

Batman Soundtrack (1995)- The next few releases were somewhat difficult as they were released during my mission. "Hold Me Kiss Me Kill Me Thrill Me" was the much anticipated single that was to support the latest Batman movie. My problem was that it was being released the week after I entered the MTC. Dear friend, Peter Watkins, understood my dilemma and mailed me a contraband copy of the song with a package of cookies. I had to listen to the song in secret for fear of inciting a riot in these ultra obedient confines. I could only get one listen in before I was overwhelmed with guilt. The tape would remain buried in my belongings throughout the remainder of my mission.

Passengers (1996)- My "at home" sources alerted me to the release of this one. I waited until a P-Day and made the purchase at my local Wal-Mart. I climbed on the roof of our little house so that I could listen in private. Once again the guilt only permitted one listen. I did love "Miss Sarajevo" and "Your Blue Room". I later confessed to my mission president this indiscretion. He thanked me for my honesty and then just laughed.

Pop (1997)- This one came out at the tail end of the mission. I remember being in Edinburg, Texas when it was released. We were at an old folks center doing service. The TV was on and I think I was casually watching during the work. Right then the infamous U2 press conference, the one given from the lingerie aisle of the K-Mart, came on. It had my complete attention and I completely enjoyed their sense of irony. It was a brief worldly respite from my otherwise angelic two years. Since I only had a few months left I made the commitment to hold out on buying the album. I did give in and purchase the first single, "Discoteque". The same result: one listen, guilt, destruction of the tape, confession to the mission president, laughter from the mission president.

All that you can't Leave Behind (2000)- Free from my ecclesiastical duties I was able put my whole heart into preparing for this release. It was during the hey day of Napster so there were rumors and fake songs flying all over the internet. There was quite a frenzy during the last two months leading up to the release. Finally the damn broke and the album leaked about a month prior. I managed to have the album pretty much memorized by the time it was finally released. I also managed to get a nasty virus on my computer.

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)- For whatever reason I wasn't too involved in the build up to this one. I had just finished business school and was in a pretty crappy relationship. I actually waited until the album was released before listening to it. I think I even waited a week or two before buying it. I got it at the local "Barnes and Noble" over at the Biltmore in Phoenix. I remember being somewhat underwhelmed.

No Line on the Horizon (2009)- I was back in the game for this one. I contacted the European guy who managed to record the tracks outside of Bono's place in the south of France. This was a good year before release so my appetite had plenty of time to grow. A few weeks ago the band released "Get on your Boots". A couple weeks later the title track followed. Then articles and reviews started to surface from heavily guarded advanced listening parties. The buzz was all very positive and I was ready to get my piece of the action. People began to speculate as to whether or not the album could be released without being leaked first. With all of the draconian measures that Universal Music was taking to protect their prize the smart money was on yes. But then the dam broke. Some Australian numb skull accidentally put the album up for sale on their website. Despite the fact that it was only up for a few minutes it was enough for thousands of fans to get in there to make the purchase. By the time anyone could respond the album was flying unfettered on thousands of links and torrent sites. Early numbers had it being downloaded over 100k times in just a couple days. Naturally I got my piece of the action. I have spent the last two days listening to the album. I will reserve my judgment until I give it some time to settle in.

And that is how I have experienced each new U2 album over the last 20 years.

Essential Elements of Excellent Music

To say I was disappointed with the Grammy's last week would be somewhat of understatement. There's something about a bloated awards show that can really make great music (U2, Coldplay, Robert Plant, McCartney, Radiohead, Neil D) sound so boring and corporate. But it did get me thinking about one thing. It gave me the opportunity to catalog the key components of my favorite songs. This list is incredibly subjective but I believe that it adequately describes the essential ingredients to great music.


My Essential Elements of Excellent Music:

• Emotion- The greatest songs are forged in the exceptional emotions. The best artists, music or otherwise, don't wear dockers and live on main street. Their trials and tribulations have created the necessary emotional currency that gives them the license to offer their songs. One of the reasons why most pop music rings so hollow to me is due to the fact that it generally tries to artificially inseminate the essence of the song with faux emotions.
  

Examples:

"Bad"- U2
"Riders on the Storm"- Doors
"Waiting in Vain"- Bob Marley

• Innovation- Sure, not everyone can be the Beatles or Floyd or Roxy Music but that doesn't mean that there isn't still room for fresh ideas. Unfortunately most music these days is as formulaic as the latest CBS procedural show, nothing more then a few savvy music executives looking to plug the latest "pretty" face into their Billboard 100 algorithm. But keep in mind that innovation, in and of itself, isn't the ideal end. It must be coupled with the other listed ingredients in order to really succeed. Radiohead has given us some pretty interesting sounds but at the end of the day most of their music is just ....interesting sounds. The most innovative music will spawn legions of followers and can create spurts of creative genius that can last years.
  

Examples:
" "Wolf Like Me"- TV on the Radio
"A Day in the Life"- Beatles
"Heroin"- Velvet Underground

• Production- A good sound needs to be captained by someone who can successfully guide the true essence of the song from the mind and heart of its author to the exciting reality of vinyl and mp3 play. Too much or too little production can kill a song. Each additional layer or track should provide necessary depth.

Examples:
"Made Up Lovesong #43"- Guillemots
"One"- U2
"Nights in White Satin"- The Moody Blues

• Lyrics- The words behind a song might be the forth or fifth thing I look for in a song but that doesn't diminish their overall importance. Words can create as much imagery as any exotic instrument or arrangement. Conversely, nothing can kill a song as quickly as stupid lyrics. (Just ask Bono why he felt compelled to sing about moles digging in holes)
  

Examples:
"It's the End of the World as We Know It"- REM
"Trying to Throw your Arms Around the World"- U2
"Luckiest"- Ben Folds

• Vocals- The words of the song is the beautiful rose while the vocals are the manner in which it is presented. You may offer up a gorgeous lily but if it is placed in a tin can, the only thing that the recipient will look at is the rusty tin can. That's how it goes with vocals. Some of the most memorable artists (Dylan, Reed, C. Martin) don't have professional quality voices. But they don't need to, so long as they don't distract from the song. If anything the unique and somewhat flawed voice gives an honest texture to the song that gives it a stronger connection to the average listener.

Examples:
"Be Here Now"- Ray Lamontagne
"Wonderful World"- Louis Armstrong
"Anyone Else But You"- The Moldy Peaches

• Staying Power- A good song will provide just as much enjoyment on the 100th listen as it did on the 10th. It will continue to be relevant and won't be unnecessarily tied to the era from which it sprang. It is timeless. "Staying power" is usually the sum result of doing the aforementioned other things right.
  

Examples:
"Where the Streets Have no Name"- U2
"Imagine"- John Lennon
"Fake Plastic Trees"- Radiohead


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This list is in no way comprehensive or complete. The author (ME) reserves the right to update and edit this list as he(ME) sees fit.

A little more U2

With the Grammy's being too corporate and boring I have decided to redirect my musical efforts and combine a few insights and tidbits from the upcoming U2 album.

1st, enjoy the new video for "Sexy Boots". Very James Bond. It is one of those rare occurrences when the video actually really enhances the music.

U2 - Get On Your Boots

2nd, I found a site that contains 30 second snippets of every track from the forthcoming album. While it is very difficult to get a read on the songs from most of the clips, I'm willing to take whatever bone I can dig up.

My first takes:

Positive:

• Stand up Comedy
• Unknown Caller
• White as Snow

Indifferent:

• No Line on the Horizon
• Magnificent
  
• Moment of Surrender
• I'll go Crazy...
• Sexy Boots (But we all know this one well by now)
• Cedars of Lebanon
  

Negative:

• Breathe

Confused:

• Fez

Third, here's a good review from someone who has had the chance to listen to the album in its entirety. My statistics training has taught me that if I want to get a good sense of something I need to survey a big enough sample. I've probably read more then 20 independent reviews of this album. I can say with a 90% degree of confidence that this album will be very good.

First Impressions of the New U2 Album, No Line On The Horizon

As we enter the DEFCON 1 environs of Universal Music (not really, just hand over your mobile please. And your soul), I can only think that teenage me would really be freaking out right now to be hearing an advance copy of a new U2 album a full month before it becomes ubiquitous out in the world (maybe sooner, if a copyfight happy employee decides to leak it. C’maaaaaan, chumpy!)

Adult me is also pretty excited.

Focus! We were only permitted to hear it through once, and the sheer joy I felt afterwards over it not being searingly terrible has forced a lot of critical faculties out of my brain. Still, I would characterise No Line On The Horizon overall as falling firmly near the Achtung Baby/Zooropa/Pop triumvirate (OF AWESOME) with a sprinkling of Boy (also, excellent) and very far from the All That You Can’t Dismantle You Leave Atomic Bombs Behind, or whatever they were called twinset (OF TERRIBLE), with only a few nods to the later 80’s with a lot of OH OH OH OHHHs that surely this band can take a patent out on now.

In due time I will collect my thoughts for a real review closer to the release date, for now I’ll just transcribe my notes:

No Line On The Horizon

U2 have been listening to Kings of Leon. Dirty big Fly-like riff tears out of speakers, masses of percussion upfront in the mix. First of several Boyesque choruses, Oh-oh-oh-oooooh! This song is incredibly loud. Phwoar, good start.

Magnificent

U2 have been listening to the Killers. Oh wait, only a bit. Stomps along at maybe U2’s quickest ever clip, (they’re aren’t really for fast ones though, are they?) a neat 4/4 disco rock beat. THIS is the guitar album they have been banging on about for a decade. Huge riff. Some Real Thingish slide guitar choruses. Is this one of Bono’s God songs? Could definitely be about a woman (very good at that trope now, Bono.) “Only love can leave such a scar.” This is incredibly aptly titled, clever U2. Stadium ready “You and I will make a fire!” This will be a single.

Moment of Surrender

A downtempo, Eno-heavy gospel thing, a soul ballad built on a heavy bass figure and prominent, processed drums. Ok, so everything is on fire (“We’ll set ourselves on fire.”) Right, U2 own this Ohoh oh ooh OOHHHH thing, I got it. “I’ve been down every dark road”, I love it when Bono gets existential, this is my favourite Bono mode. Then he’s on his knees in a revery in the street, “I did not notice them, they did not notice me” perhaps the only time Bono has vocalised a desire for anonymity. “ATM machine”. Well, we all call them that.

Unknown Caller

Birds?? A Morroccan drone. Guitar figure sounds a lot like… Walk On? (AGAST I AM. Still sounds pretty great.) Is this about someone getting mugged? Some kind of tech nightmare, “you know your password, key it in.” Something about making it out alive. “3:33 in the morning and the numbers dropped off the clockface” (here I have double underlined, LOVE THIS. I am glad Bono uses concrete imagery.) Urgent sounding church organ, a horn section (whoa.) First-ever instance of double tracked lead vocals. Double the Bono! (Again I have underlined LOVE THIS.) “Escape yourself and gravity.”

(I am trying very hard to not stare too long or obviously at the photos in the press pack, which is hard because U2 look very handsome in them, especially Adam “Silverfox” Clayton. Edge looks in one like he might punch the photographer. Edge is very good looking. Bono, it is Edge who has a beard. And for God’s sake GET SOME NEW GLASSES. Or a new stylist. Or are you dressing yourself? Stop doing that. I am thinking of starting you a PayPal account.)

I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight

Awesome in spite of immensely stupid title. Bono hits crazy high notes in chorus (see what he did there?) Is this song addressed to anyone in particular? A party girl who longs for a quiet life, but we want her to perform, part of us wants her to go crazy! She’s a rainbow! Leave her alone. A Beatlesque guitar figure, building a very sweet, pop melody and into a rousing “Baby, baby, baby” chorus (love when Bono says ‘baby’ without being ironic.) Will absolutely kill live, “I think I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight!” Stomping again. Good good.

Get On Your Boots

Here’s the Elvis Costello song. This is so damn catchy. The tried and tested U2 trick of a lead single not really indicative of the rest of the album. Still love that glam rock riff.

Stand Up Comedy

Dreading this, the worst of the superbad titles. Then, huge Led Zepplin riff, into Stone Roses groove. Most Achtung-like track, big celebratory rock song, amazingly good. We’re at a peace rally. “Stand up for your love!” A big crunchy bass line and McCartney-infused melodies. “Stand up to rock stars!” A pattern emerges: the worse the title, the better the song.

FEZ-Being Born

Sounds like a crowded marketplace, phones are ringing. Recycles ‘Boots’ “let me in the sound!”, underwater. Eno all over. Flat out, exceedingly weird. EXCELLENT (double underlined.) Blips and noise, Passengers return. OK! New song. A militaristic shuffle propels uptempo rock. No discernible hook but instead weaves a sound, layers of keyboard and chiming notes. Many voiced chorus. ENO (circled, underlined.) Totally out there.

White as Snow

Piano playing a lullaby. Spare, Johnny Cash guitar. This is what the Wanderer might have been like had he recorded it. Intro sounds like the Necks. I deeply love this. Bono does Nick Cave. A murder ballad, “my brother and I would drive for hours.” “The water was icy, the road refuses strangers.” “They were hunting in the woods.” Hypnotically slow narration. I can see this rapidly becoming one of my favourite ever U2 songs. Like nothing they’ve ever done. Please make a bare-bones country album one day.

Breathe

Wacky time signature, 16/9? Band and Bono come crashing in, Bono is trying to out-Dylan Dylan with free-form rapid fire choruses (“A cockatoo!” WHAT.) Time straightens out into massively catchy 3/4 chorus (“Walk out, into the street/ See your heart, see my heart out”). Huge guitar line, Achtung Baby x Joshua Tree. Strings and piano join, Bono reaching his upper register in an unabashedly uplifting chorus up there with U2’s best melodies. I wish this would go forever. I can see Bono belting this with his face up to the sky and that beatific grin, as 60,000 people join in. Crazy if this isn’t a single.

Cedars of Lebanon

Bono is in deep-talking sexy mode, like Velvet Dress (actually this is my favourite Bono mode.) Bluesy keys and guitar build a very sombre mood, this album is ending on a heavy, downbeat note as the best U2 albums always have (even heavier than Wake Up Dead Man/Love is Blindness which are equally a little like being hit in the head with a shovel.) A war correspondent recalls a litany of shit and his now disjointed senses, but “the shitty world sometimes produces a rose” bringing small note of stubborn optimism. Bono neatly slays the entire profession of journalism: “the best of us are masters of compression.” Yikes. Definitively proves “crap title equals killer track” rule.

______________

In conclusion:

I’m dying to hear this album again. And again many times over. Definitely U2’s most challenging record, with the band hitting previously unheard of straps. Bono especially sounds far better than he has over the last decade, or longer, and never sounds like he’s pushing to hit notes he can’t reach, instead totally flying.

In closing: Thankyou U2, for not sucking. I will not be ending our relationship on Facebook.

An old gem from our wedding

This was created by Pete as a pseudo roast for our wedding.

Facebook and relationships in the 21st Century

You remember the old saying, "jack of all trades, but master of none"? That old adage has widespread application; especially in the digital age. In the age of wikipedia and instant Internet access we are only a click away from a "definitive" opinion on our searched topic. No real sweat or effort goes into learning the subject and as a result we have a wide, but shallow understanding of many things. No real depth.....moving to relationships.

In the last several years we've seen an absolute explosion of Social Media like Linked In, Facebook, and MySpace that allow us to socialize and network. I remember signing up for the first two several years ago while at Thunderbird. Initially it was a fun novelty that lost its luster due to low user participation. But these applications have reached critical mass and it's nearly impossible to avoid them now.

As a result of this widespread usage I've now been able to reconnect with hundreds of people that I thought were consigned to memory and dusty pages from an old yearbook. It's been interesting to catchup, view photos of families, and brag about how "cool" our lives are. It also raises several questions that just didn't exist in the ancient days that proceeded Netscape and the text message. Among them are:

• Do these technologies impact relationship fidelity's? You know what they say about the grass is greener. I can only imagine that there are scores of people who aren't happy with their current station and daydream of "what if" with past flames. Those flames can be fanned with escalating emails and communication.
• Does social media affect the way we look at people? We've got a whole new generation of voyeurs that can spend countless hours peeking into the lives of people. Hours can be wasted trying to find an old roommate or looking for juicy tidbits that can gain currency as gossip.
• Productivity drain? How many hours are spent posting crap and waiting for people to comment on our little kid who we feel is the cutest thing since Shirley Temple?
• Do these tools cheapen our relationships? Instead of having a close circle of friends that receive the majority of our attention do we neglect them by casting a wide net over people that have little impact on us? For example, how many of us blow off quality time with our spouses in order to talk about how cool our freshman assembly was with a couple of long, lost school mates?

Sure there is much to be gained by this new technology. But I would dare say that they also create a new host of issues. Just remember that an actual conversation always trumps an instant message and that cyberspace and reality sometime don't operate in tandem.

I've got to run....someone just pinged my twitter account...lol

If Cowboys are America's team, what does that say about America?

The 2008 Dallas Cowboys were loaded with as much talent and superstars as any Yankees team that Steinbrenner has cobbled together. But as the Yankees have proven, talent and hype wins nothing but airtime on daytime sports talk shows.

I've been with the Cowboys ever since Danny White was handing the ball to Tony Dorsett under the silent but stern eye of the great Tom Landry. I can't explain my allegiance other then the fact that my older brother got me into them and I have never wavered since. Until now.

I am having an increasingly difficult time handling the cognitive dissonance that resides within my sports affiliation decision making process. I can no longer justify the awkward juxtaposition that exists between what I ideally want in a sports franchise and my love for the Cowboys.

You want a team that wins, right? Yes, that is the bottom line for most fans. But, just as important, you want a team that wins the right way. You want a team that embodies the values that you embrace. (i.e. Pittsburgh Steelers mirroring the gritty, blue collar mentality of its city) You want a team that has leadership, drive, and mutual respect. You work hard to succeed in your job and you expect the players on your team to putting forth the same effort to hone their craft within the team. You want a team that believes that whole is truly bigger then the sum of its parts.

Does that describe the Dallas Cowboys? I only wish it did. We've got a crisis of leadership and accountability and it starts at the top. Teams mirror their ownership and leadership. Do you wonder why the 2008 Dallas Cowboys turned into a circus? Look no further then Jerry Jones.

Taliesin: Frank Lloyd Wright's Super-Cool Adult Fort

The Washington Street foundation truly is the gift that keeps giving. I don't know about the kids but I'm sure getting a lot out of these field trips. This month it was a visit to the little village
that Frankie built, all nestled up in the desert lushness of the McDowell mountains east of Scottsdale.

I couldn't help but enjoy a tinge of irony as we had to pass through some of the most superficial and decadent areas in Scottsdale to get to Taliesin. I chuckled as I observed how the simple serenity of this little community overshadowed all of the super leveraged and soulless houses that occupied the foothills just a stones throw below. I think that Mr. Wright would also share this feeling.

Despite the fact that residential development has now creeped up to its very edges this place is suprisingly peaceful. You can spend several hours here without even giving in to the temptation to look at your watch or blackberry.

The guides really bring this place to life. There are layers and layers of subtle history here that can only be uncovered by those who have lived to make it. In our case we were led by a spry older lady who has spent over 30 years on this campus. She was able to point out designs that originated here and that revolutionized the way we in which we design and build.

This place has a simple yet elegant design about it. It seems organic enough to feel like an elaborate fort yet sophisticated enough to host a dinner party, which it did back when the great architect was still alive. This place made the Swiss Family Robinson tree house seem so.....so, Disney in comparison.

This campus is still a vibrant center for learning. I couldn't think of a more serene and focused setting to learn how to build structures that are in harmony with nature. There is a small student body that basically lives in self-constructed forts during their academic stay. Let's see a textbook try to reach a mind like that.

All in all this was a worthwhile visit and a true gem to the Phoenix landscape. I'm surprised that it took this long for me to make the visit. True and inspired genius doesn't come around often, especially here. So you've got to savor and learn from those rare occurrences that you can create an intimate and tangible connection to the inspired.

Setting politics aside to savor a seminal moment

It started like any other morning. The TV was turned on as I was going through the daily routine. Then everything changed. As expected the news coverage was all over the upcoming inauguration, only this time the electricity was more real and organic and less manufactured. I was instantly captivated and enthralled. A sudden anticipation enveloped me that can only be described as the giddy feelings that precede the rush down the stairs on Christmas morning or the hours before departing on your dream vacation. I dropped my morning work plans and started to anxiously pace around the living room listening and watching the coverage.

Is this odd? I didn't vote for Mr. Obama. Most of my political views do not correspond with what he proposed on the campaign trail. I still have my doubts about his ability to live up to the "messiah-like" expectations that the media and country have placed upon his shoulders. I wonder about the direction that he will take this country. But.....this morning none of that mattered. The traditional partisan spirit was suspended, at least temporarily, and we- the whole Nation- was experiencing a rare and incredibly positive moment together.

The feelings felt this morning transcend one person, narrow ideologies, or the Washington DC that we are normally fed on the evening news. The pride and humility felt this morning were based on a system of government that has stood the test of time. The feeling that knowing that your nation doesn't rest on one person or party; knowing that this system still is able to work despite the chaos that swirls around. I know that the rest of the world watched in envy as a deeply divided and bruised country came together to peacefully and seamlessly pass the torch of leadership on to a new regime.

It was a collectively cathartic moment for the nation as we saw President Bush welcome President Obama to the White House. At this moment there was no rancor but only a sense that we can appreciate a nation that can have two very different people at its helm. I really feel that both men have our best interests at heart. We have been given the great gift to start anew, a tabula rasa that can effectively destroy the partisan gridlock that is endemic in DC and get people working towards solutions and not payoffs. There is a palpable sense of goodwill and both sides need to seize it and move towards solutions that are less motivated by polls and interest groups.

There were also some incredibly candid and humanizing moments. I was amused when I saw Bush Sr. slap a Marine as he walked by him. I smiled when President Obama stumbled in repeating the Oath of Office. Our system is what is to be lauded and what is to be eternal. We are merely stewards to these noble ideals....and we are mortals and prone to human mistakes. Through it all there were smiles all around. Even President Obama was able to chuckle at his mistakes in following the incredibly formal protocol.

The speech was brillant. It addressed our current struggles but wasn't mired in policy detail. It was conveyed with the calm confidence that got this man elected. It spoke of unity and was driven with a strong sense of purpose. He spoke of the strides this country has made regarding the Civil Rights movement without making his speech and candidacy be solely about Civil Rights. He is bigger then one group or cause.

After the speech more formality and procedures. It seems like we have enough strange traditions and protocols to make ancient Rome look like a backyard barbecue. Quirky? Yes! But I'm glad we have these traditions. They are reminders of what we have come from. They should keep us grounded.

I had to get back to work and my day to day responsibilities. But I am forever grateful that I took the time to witness this event. I am once again reminded of the absolute blessing it is to live in this great nation. That in spite of all that divides us there is still a very strong common thread that keeps us together. We are a great nation and it is time for us to wake up again and reclaim our potential.

Transcript of Inaugural Speech

The new U2

As expected leaks of the new U2 album, particularly the first song- "Get on your boots", have begun to surface. The hyperbole and expectations are high as early reports have this album leaving the safe confines of ATYCLB and HTDAAB and moving into the more adventurous country that gave us Achtung Baby.

We'll see shortly. In the meantime enjoy the clip

Pertinent Reading

We read for diversion, we read for knowledge, we read for greater insights into ideas that might be beyond our current grasp, we even read to try to get our minds around events that are swirling around us. The book, "Age of Turbulence" by Alan Greenspan combines those things and is a must read for anyone coming to grips with the brutal hole that we have dumped our economy into.

As a person who has been intimately involved in shaping and interpreting every major economic development since the 1950's; Mr. Greenspan is an an absolutely unique position as narrator. Despite the fact that the book is loaded with mountains of Macro Economic jargon it still is entertaining and reads almost as fast as any book that Grisham ever wrote. It is an absolute godsend for any student of political economics who is sick of how absolutely insipid and prosaic most textbooks are.

One of the most informative insights shared was how separate economic and political timing is. For example, Bush Sr. took important but politically questionable actions to help push the economy out of recession. Unfortunately his successor, Mr. Bill, was the one who was around to see those efforts take fruit. It was also interesting but sad to see how we second handedly destroyed our largest budget surplus in history through the bursting of the dot.com bubble, President Bush's stubbornness in not shelving his campaign promises despite of changing circumstances, and Congress and its insatiable desire for pork barrel politics.

Do yourself a favor and give this book a read. Economics have never been more sexy. It is very pertinent and, at the very least, it will make you more interesting at the next coctail party.

Embracing the "YES" man

It's a new year and a new list of new resolutions. This year was slightly different as we got an early push from our good Canadian friend, Jim Carrey. Upon seeing his new movie "Yes Man" we decided to take a similar approach and embrace the new and exciting possibilities offered to us by this wonderous thing called life. (Well at least as exciting as things can get out in the greater Mesa area.)

With our resolutions and goals augmented by our hollywood aided fervor for trying out new things we have an ambitious plan of trying out a distinctly new thing each week for the duration of 2009. Highlights so far include:

• Taking up Chess- For whatever reason I feel sort of sophisticated and cultured when I play this, like I am attending an elite English public school.
• Oil Painting- My first attempt was a horrid and naieve attempt to blend surrealism and nature. But I'm well supplied and hopefully getting better.
• Durant's- This is a real Phoenix establishment. This old steak house once catered to the Phoenix elite and even the mob. This is a course in fine dining and Phoenician history.