July 24

Was talking with my son about the possibility of him doing an independent study for a semester. Just the sound of that is interesting to me. Independent. Study. I was standing in the shower thinking about that this afternoon and wondered, "Why doesn't everyone do independent studies through school?" What is the other option.....dependent studies? Yeah, I remember going in and sitting for 90 minutes and frenetically taking notes. Not really listening to the lecture. Just trying to grab what I could, knowing that I would need to regurgitate some of that info in an exam. 2-4 weeks later I would have very little memory of anything on the exam much less all those notes from class. I know without a doubt, if I had done independent studies, I would have been a completely different student. Ah, there I go again, going against the system. Silly me. Independent studies?! Now that wouldn't prepare me for an assembly line now would that? I wouldn't be a very valuable human resource would I? Just listen to that. HUMAN RESOURCE.....

Maybe now would be a good time to introduce one of my favorite writers/speakers/researchers on the background of the formation of the education system in America. Below you will be able to listen to John Taylor Gatto being interviewed by Alex Jones.

July 3

Books/Magazines
I couldn't stop myself. Went to the cafe at the Shirokanedai Book-Off and ended up picking up a couple of books and 3 magazines. Work has been slow and money low but couldn't resist spending ¥1000 for these things.


A look further into the "transhumanist" movement and beyond into "posthumanism". "Posthumanism?" Yes, it seems as though there are millions of dollars being pumped into think tanks, university research departments, etc studying the period after humans have been completely genetically altered and/or merged with machines/computers. Sounds crazy? Yep. I thought so too. But, the more I check into this, the more real it gets. Went to see "Terminator 4" a couple of days ago and I just read some things in Cyborg that were identical to things I saw in the "predictive programming" in the movie.

"We are told almost daily and from many sources that it is impossible for human beings to direct their common life intelligently."
John Dewey - Experience and Education (pg 100)

Wow! Isn't that nice? And I grew up thinking John Dewey was a guru in the American education system. For more info on the background of the education "system" that was installed by corporate America, click on the links below for a shocking interview with John Taylor Gatto.

John Gatto Interview with Alex Jones


John Gatto Interview with Alex Jones (part 2)

I've been having some trouble with night photos. As I scanned this book, I quickly saw a couple of things that I think will help me out with my technique.


Found a few really good helpful bits of information as I read this on the train going home from the store. Great magazine!


Some great articles on yoga. The photography and lay-out of the magazine is beautiful.

May 29

Reading
Dumbing Us Down - John Taylor Gatto (p.r./act.)

Lateral Thinking - Edward DeBono (p.r.)
Exercise
Morning/Evening Chikung

Listening
Dance Suite, Sz 77 - Bartok
Slovakian Dance - Bartok
Improvisations Op.20, Sz 74 - Bartok
Alan Watt Podcast May 25 (Cutting Through the Matrix)
Alan Watt Podcast May 27 (Cutting Through the Matrix)
Alex Jones' Podcast May 28
Lenswork Podcast May 27
Some ask my why I listen to Alan Watt. A few years ago, I was very frustrated (had been for 30 years) because I felt like I could never get real news on tv or in newspapers. I went on a search for real news. Well, eventually I stumbled on Watt's podcast and was amazed. I wasn't amazed because he talks about current events and/or the political world and the garbage they feed us daily. No, he is several layers removed from all that and has developed an interesting perspective based on years of research into old books, documents, reports and following the movements of big foundations/think tanks. During most of his podcasts, he mentions books/writers as far back as Plato that have shaped the world we live in and has really helped me to see more clearly the flow-direction-movement of society today...the people/organizations that want to control it...and why. I have most of the books he has mentioned. Was able to get most of them online as pdf files. I guess in the beginning I did that because I was so surprised with things that he was saying, I wanted to check him out and see if these things were for real. The "waking up" process was a little shocking at first but, now I feel a lot less stressed and my mind is more freed up for creative thinking.

Design
Experimented with a new business card design. Got an idea to put my upcoming gig flyer on the back of my business card. Will continue working on this. Seems like a lot cheaper and slightly unique way of getting the word out.

Teaching
Taught an ensemble class today. Instead of playing some of the standards we've been working on, decided to play "free." Talked a little about that vocabulary....free jazz. Does that mean that other kinds of jazz isn't free? If it isn't free, what is it? No answers today. Anyway, it was so interesting to hear how creatively the students played when we dropped all the "rules." It took a few minutes for them to lose their shyness and fear of mistakes. I had remembered that recently one of the students mentioned that M.C. Escher is her favorite artist. I have been reading Escher on Escher - Exploring the Infinite.




I took this book out of my bag and we talked about Escher and his work. We looked at a few examples and I asked the ensemble to "play" his "Symetry Work 25". Hahaha..everyone looked kind of gave me a strange look. But, a few minutes later it was amazing to hear what they came up with. So damn creative! Showed them a photo I took in Shibuya train station a few days ago outside the Fukutoshin Line. Asked them to imagine they are in charge of doing a soundtrack for a documentary about this artist and they have to compose/improvise some music for the film while this work is being shown. Again....they were sooooo creative!