William Blake wishes you Espresso, Logic and Happy New Years

My break from the college where I teach was suppose to be about finishing several compositions, and at least get my new CD to the mixing and mastering stage.
I actually looked forward to that and hoped for a very introspective and quiet Christmas.
A week of no electricity or heat right before Christmas put me in survival mode rather than creative mode. (See the post Elvis put up below) Even though I’ve understood intellectually how good I have it and how comfortable everything is in my modest home; and I actually have no reason to complain about anything …. but I still do.


Not being able to stay in my house made me realize how ungrateful and complacent I am. Not being able to have espresso, and actually having to drive at least 20 or 30 minutes just to get lousy coffee made me actually change somehow. I know that sounds simplistic and silly. I was never in danger of starving or freezing to death. I could go places where people had a generator or a woodstove. I wasn’t in the middle of a war zone, (even though it looked like it in many areas here in NH) just displaced. I could stay in my house but only lay under many many blankets, but I could do nothing. The power was restored just before Christmas. For many people it wasn’t. For many people it still isn’t.



This Christmas was very quiet. This Christmas I received a gift. One that is a heart felt or soul felt perspective of taking nothing for granted. This is much more than an intellectual understanding. As an adult I’m a little embarrassed that what my grandfather knew at a young age I seem to just be really grasping and knowing.
I hope it lasts. Being human I’m a little skeptical that it will. I do know sometimes we can change for the better.



Now things have settled down and I have been writing for several days.
I’m working on a piece for a dancer. It’s supposed to be 3 minutes or so in length.


This morning I’m starting a third piece for this dancer. I don’t know why … just because.
Just because I take certain themes or ideas from a previous version and make them part of a new piece. I guess it’s kind of like the re-mix idea. In thought only, … probably.
Maybe this will be a multi- movement dance piece. Maybe I’m wasting my time. I don’t care though. Somehow I feel very good just playing with notes. I feel very good enjoying the space I live in and hearing what I’m playing with.


I am also working on a piece for marimba and guitar and some choral pieces. Except I have finally fired up my recently acquired Logic Pro 8.
This is causing another problem. It’s so easy to edit and change in myriad ways what I’ve written or recorded. That’s probably why I keep doing different versions of a three-minute piece. I will be exploring and learning this program over Christmas break. It’s not like I have time to do that. I just like playing with the notes. ☺


I did buy two pounds of espresso last night. I had the beans ground just the way I like them. So maybe now you see how more and more espresso comes in handy. Why? Because, no one actually cares if I know the ins and outs of Logic, and they certainly don’t care if I am happy wiling away my time playing with notes. However, they do care if I get the music written. So my expensive espresso is not only a symbol of how good I have it, it also helps me to stay awake just a little bit longer…. I THINK ☺
So I will continue in this space, in which I’m grateful for this New Year in a very new way. I will enjoy my loved ones, friends and God’s touch of music with a new heart.
……. And If I just want to play with a new gift of hearing and seeing I will ……..


I’m off to make another pot and to find some empty staff paper.






Happy New Year to all of my friends!