I sold my soul to the Devil in order to attain my breathtaking skills on the Fiddle. Does that count?
Well, I guess if you're being picky, "selling" doesn't quite count as "giving"....
Well, you gotta brush up on your Bill Cosby...specifically, "To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With," One of the greatest comedy albums of all time!
I have taken home 2 litres of fine locally made English Ale given to me by the organisers of a charitable event for a local charity (burp).
I was paid but I (and the other guys in the band) still played my heart out for the 'barndance'. The cause was of greater worth than my renumeration - they raised lots of dosh, had a great time (the punters told me so) and the organisers want a re-book.
I reckon I've been 'done'. 4 litres next time!
Hey! Live a little! Life's too short, meaningful is for the cautious individual or those who have responsiblities.
The cautious are in bed and those with responsibilities have other things to occupy their minds.
Now if you had asked what can I give in return for the gifts I've been given you have a whole new perspective.
The possiblities are endless only to be limited by the individual's capacity.
My apologies Feargal, I don't mean to belittle your thoughts, maybe I'm just feelin' good about life in general at the moment...
Arthur, I'm not being funny with you, what was it you meant by 'on to a more popular subject' ; prohibition? Don't want to seem sarcastic. It's never worked who ever tried it, customs or FBI etc., Question. Would the mark of a truly civilised society be that of allowing individuals to go to hell in their own way as long as they don't harm others? I guess this covers everything from euthanasia on down. Are there gradations? Who decides and how?
“Do not seek the truth; only cease to cherish opinions"
Thanks for the link Mariska, at least I have an idea about what you meant, well I think I might but one can never be certain.
I am cautious and have responsibilities - in an ideal world I could pursue the freedom that comes of self emptying. In the meantime with my limited abilities I will try to offer what joy, consolation, companionship I can. This entails the risk of rejection and all that follows. I cannot claim to be impervious to opinion nor will I cease to try and seek 'the truth' for it is only in finding it that I may realise that it is indeed a meaningless concept. I may stumble and fall from time to time and for that I beg your understanding and offer my apologies if I have offended.
" in an ideal world I could pursue the freedom that comes of self emptying. "
How many worlds are available to you ?
Depends on what you mean by 'world', I suppose. But if zen was incompatible with living a normal ordinary life in, or, on, or amidst, whatever world you find, it wouldn't be much use or help, would it.
Like Wittgenstein's duckrabbit, I think there are different ways of seeing truth. For me, there's just the one world, the real one, where I find myself each day, each minute.
John Knoss last night :
"...meaningful is for the cautious individual or those who have responsiblities. The cautious are in bed and those with responsibilities have other things to occupy their minds."
Now, now, wolfbird, I have a feeling I'm getting in over my head here! Oh, alright then, depends on circumstance and who and what is involved. I am 'a family man' - my responsibilities and need for caution. The 'should do' and 'ought to'
When I reach out and touch other peoples lives it means risk and to enjoy life to the full that usually means unconditionally (in my book anyway) - big enough bite for you? Sometimes, like now, I risk being bit. Some you win, some you lose.
Last night I was feeling particularly good and carefree, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy; in this case Jack was burning the candle at both ends and boy, am I paying for it this morning...there's the 'happy' me, the 'miserable' me, the 'caring' me and so on. How many 'me's - ask me again tomorrow.
Yes, John, I know the problem - a different 'me' every minute, so I use zen to glue them all together, nothing special or exotic. That adhyashanti is a professional, I'm only an amateur. I think he makes it sound very complicated and high falutin.
After nirvana, comes washing the dishes. Or, even better, nirvana is washing the dishes. But washing the dishes isn't nirvana.
For many years, I have spent a lot of time, energy, and effort helping to keep various local jam sessions (including the local Irish Session) going.
Two years ago, on a beautiful October day, myself and some friends entertained at an event at a pumpkin farm about thirty miles out of town. We played for almost three hours and put our hearts and our souls into our playing. As payment. each member of the band got to pick out a pumpkin and that was all the pay we got.
I got the brothers out of the back of the bus, stopped the war in Viet Nam, sent money to the good guys and now I'm trying to get the US out of Iraq. But how do you change the global corporations with their private armies?
What did I give? I gave a sh*t, that's what. Do you?
Hey...if that was a serious question regarding the music, everyone can give by supporting the touring musicians by coming out to see them, or maybe even holding some house concerts.
A great show of support and giving back to the music would be to attend their teaching events and larger festivals and concerts too. Catskills Irish Arts Week is shortly upon us, and with weeklong concerts and the Andy MgCann music festival all day on 7/19, what could be better!
http://www.east-durham.org/irishartsweek/
check the lineup for the music teachers! They will be part of the concerts. A way to give back and get more than you give in return.
We need to support these types of things, as well as sessions, house concerts, buy CDs, that's a very satisfying way of giving back... keeping the music alive. Should be easy and a pleasure!
My first "teachers" (informal) in Irish Music were adamant about the fact that you should share what you learn with others. It is very difficult to learn to play this music in a void. When you learn something, whether it be from a teacher, or from your own listening, you should share it with others. That's part of what has kept the tradition alive for centuries, and it has always been done that way.
To that end, I helped run a tune learning session for a number of years, which in itself was a learning experience for me. This website is another avenue for sharing experiences and helping others learn what you have learned, sometimes in a less painful way than you learned it. And this site also continues to provide learning opportunities for me as well.
I was being funny late at night given some of the preceding posts, and was not seriously trying to change the topic, which isn't something I'd discuss on this topic thread or on a site focused on traditional music.
We played at a wedding on Saturday; I took some oysters and gave them back a couple of hours due to reverse peristalsis.
That was more than enough taking and giving :(
irisnevins, when 'touring musicians" perform here, I try to attend their performance if I don't have to work and can afford to attend.
The only bands or musical groups whom I refused to go listen to were the bands formed by members of the local Irish Session who didn't invite me to perform with them. So far as I am concerned, I should be on the stage performing with them instead of having to sit in the audience and listen.
Fauxcelt.... that's great.... the people who are trying to make a living at it, and are great musicians need an audience. And we have a great time too. A win/win.
You have taken, what have you given?
You have taken, what have you given?
?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Feargal French
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Who made you the Jell-O Sheriff of the house?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by jwvansteenwyk
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
I once gave my wife a cold. I brought it home from work. Isn't that special.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Eliot
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
"Jell-O Sheriff" - not a term I am familiar with - my question is merely to kick start a discussion, without any direction...
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Feargal French
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
I sold my soul to the Devil in order to attain my breathtaking skills on the Fiddle. Does that count?
Well, I guess if you're being picky, "selling" doesn't quite count as "giving"....
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Joe CSS
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Is the frog the farmers friend? Does your chewing gum lose its flavour on the bedpost overnight? The posts are becoming more and more ridiculous
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Red Robin
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Well, you gotta brush up on your Bill Cosby...specifically, "To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With," One of the greatest comedy albums of all time!
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by jwvansteenwyk
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
I have taken home 2 litres of fine locally made English Ale given to me by the organisers of a charitable event for a local charity (burp).
I was paid but I (and the other guys in the band) still played my heart out for the 'barndance'. The cause was of greater worth than my renumeration - they raised lots of dosh, had a great time (the punters told me so) and the organisers want a re-book.
I reckon I've been 'done'. 4 litres next time!
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
To make the previous post clear, it's now 01H39 local time and I'm having a glass of beer...flubvblrer vjjfb guff.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Feargal French
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Mm, clearly Saturday night is not a good time to try to generate a meaningful discussion!
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Feargal French
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Hey! Live a little! Life's too short, meaningful is for the cautious individual or those who have responsiblities.
The cautious are in bed and those with responsibilities have other things to occupy their minds.
Now if you had asked what can I give in return for the gifts I've been given you have a whole new perspective.
The possiblities are endless only to be limited by the individual's capacity.
My apologies Feargal, I don't mean to belittle your thoughts, maybe I'm just feelin' good about life in general at the moment...
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
I cease to cherish opinions.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Ray Mariani
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Now & Zen, that is.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Ray Mariani
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Mariska are you smokin' something at the moment? Huh? What? Explain yourself, if you would be so kind, please.
'I cease to cherish opinions'?????????
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Anyone for Prohibition?
On to a more popular subject...
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Arthur Nordstrom
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Go post your own thread, huh?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
count me among the incautious
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by cStu
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
amongst
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by cStu
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Better...
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
"Who made you the Jell-O Sheriff of the house?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by jwvansteenwyk "
At least somebody still knows of good comedians...
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by JosephofCK
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
What was it that Heinlein said abiut life? 'take big bites' I think it was, I stand to be corrected.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
About life...the keyboard has been drinkin' (apologies to Mr Waites).
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Arthur, I'm not being funny with you, what was it you meant by 'on to a more popular subject' ; prohibition? Don't want to seem sarcastic. It's never worked who ever tried it, customs or FBI etc., Question. Would the mark of a truly civilised society be that of allowing individuals to go to hell in their own way as long as they don't harm others? I guess this covers everything from euthanasia on down. Are there gradations? Who decides and how?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
HERE YOU ARE JOHNNY.
http://www.adyashanti.org/index.php?file=writings_inner&writingid=35
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Ray Mariani
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
“Do not seek the truth; only cease to cherish opinions"
Thanks for the link Mariska, at least I have an idea about what you meant, well I think I might but one can never be certain.
I am cautious and have responsibilities - in an ideal world I could pursue the freedom that comes of self emptying. In the meantime with my limited abilities I will try to offer what joy, consolation, companionship I can. This entails the risk of rejection and all that follows. I cannot claim to be impervious to opinion nor will I cease to try and seek 'the truth' for it is only in finding it that I may realise that it is indeed a meaningless concept. I may stumble and fall from time to time and for that I beg your understanding and offer my apologies if I have offended.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
It did sound kind of profound when she posted it, John.
Tossing koans out frequently does.
Cheers.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Rook
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
" in an ideal world I could pursue the freedom that comes of self emptying. "
How many worlds are available to you ?
Depends on what you mean by 'world', I suppose. But if zen was incompatible with living a normal ordinary life in, or, on, or amidst, whatever world you find, it wouldn't be much use or help, would it.
Like Wittgenstein's duckrabbit, I think there are different ways of seeing truth. For me, there's just the one world, the real one, where I find myself each day, each minute.
John Knoss last night :
"...meaningful is for the cautious individual or those who have responsiblities. The cautious are in bed and those with responsibilities have other things to occupy their minds."
John Knoss this morning :
"I am cautious and have responsibilities "
How many 'yous' are there ?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by wolfbird
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Now, now, wolfbird, I have a feeling I'm getting in over my head here! Oh, alright then, depends on circumstance and who and what is involved. I am 'a family man' - my responsibilities and need for caution. The 'should do' and 'ought to'
When I reach out and touch other peoples lives it means risk and to enjoy life to the full that usually means unconditionally (in my book anyway) - big enough bite for you? Sometimes, like now, I risk being bit. Some you win, some you lose.
Last night I was feeling particularly good and carefree, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy; in this case Jack was burning the candle at both ends and boy, am I paying for it this morning...there's the 'happy' me, the 'miserable' me, the 'caring' me and so on. How many 'me's - ask me again tomorrow.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Yes, John, I know the problem - a different 'me' every minute, so I use zen to glue them all together, nothing special or exotic. That adhyashanti is a professional, I'm only an amateur. I think he makes it sound very complicated and high falutin.
After nirvana, comes washing the dishes. Or, even better, nirvana is washing the dishes. But washing the dishes isn't nirvana.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by wolfbird
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Amen to that...sorry, have to go now - Herself has asked me to wash the dishes; spooky or what? Ooooh my head...wish it didn't hurt so.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
For many years, I have spent a lot of time, energy, and effort helping to keep various local jam sessions (including the local Irish Session) going.
Two years ago, on a beautiful October day, myself and some friends entertained at an event at a pumpkin farm about thirty miles out of town. We played for almost three hours and put our hearts and our souls into our playing. As payment. each member of the band got to pick out a pumpkin and that was all the pay we got.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by fauxcelt
I gave a shit
I got the brothers out of the back of the bus, stopped the war in Viet Nam, sent money to the good guys and now I'm trying to get the US out of Iraq. But how do you change the global corporations with their private armies?
What did I give? I gave a sh*t, that's what. Do you?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by cocus
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
What can be done, cocus, when most people are duped by the lies and don't bother to look at or see the evidence ?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6714356054823827684&q=&hl=en
http://www.patriotsquestion911.com/.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by wolfbird
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Hey...if that was a serious question regarding the music, everyone can give by supporting the touring musicians by coming out to see them, or maybe even holding some house concerts.
A great show of support and giving back to the music would be to attend their teaching events and larger festivals and concerts too. Catskills Irish Arts Week is shortly upon us, and with weeklong concerts and the Andy MgCann music festival all day on 7/19, what could be better!
http://www.east-durham.org/irishartsweek/
check the lineup for the music teachers! They will be part of the concerts. A way to give back and get more than you give in return.
We need to support these types of things, as well as sessions, house concerts, buy CDs, that's a very satisfying way of giving back... keeping the music alive. Should be easy and a pleasure!
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by irisnevins
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
My first "teachers" (informal) in Irish Music were adamant about the fact that you should share what you learn with others. It is very difficult to learn to play this music in a void. When you learn something, whether it be from a teacher, or from your own listening, you should share it with others. That's part of what has kept the tradition alive for centuries, and it has always been done that way.
To that end, I helped run a tune learning session for a number of years, which in itself was a learning experience for me. This website is another avenue for sharing experiences and helping others learn what you have learned, sometimes in a less painful way than you learned it. And this site also continues to provide learning opportunities for me as well.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Reverend
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
John Knoss,
I was being funny late at night given some of the preceding posts, and was not seriously trying to change the topic, which isn't something I'd discuss on this topic thread or on a site focused on traditional music.
All the best to you.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Arthur Nordstrom
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Hey, Arthur.
OK, no problem except maybe I wasn't thinking to well - I think you should be able to work out why!
Take care.
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by john knoss
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
I play at a nursing home every Friday afternoon for their "happy hour." Except I don't find that it is me doing the giving...
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by wyogal
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
We are playing for free at a local park festival next weekend. That's giving, innit?
# Posted on June 22nd 2008 by Alf Tupper
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
I practice every day hoping that the scraping sounds I make are gradually less painful to those who hear me at the local.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by leoj
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
ditto, leoj
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Hup
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
We played at a wedding on Saturday; I took some oysters and gave them back a couple of hours due to reverse peristalsis.
That was more than enough taking and giving :(
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Oops!
a couple of hours LATER
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
I went to the Catskills a few years ago, and came home with a polka which became one of my party pieces, and now is becoming popular locally.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by AlBrown
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
irisnevins, when 'touring musicians" perform here, I try to attend their performance if I don't have to work and can afford to attend.
The only bands or musical groups whom I refused to go listen to were the bands formed by members of the local Irish Session who didn't invite me to perform with them. So far as I am concerned, I should be on the stage performing with them instead of having to sit in the audience and listen.
# Posted on June 23rd 2008 by fauxcelt
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Fauxcelt.... that's great.... the people who are trying to make a living at it, and are great musicians need an audience. And we have a great time too. A win/win.
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by irisnevins
Re: You have taken, what have you given?
Feargal, WOT on earth is this about?
# Posted on June 25th 2008 by Mark Harmer