Luxuriate in simplicity. Things like breakfast & toast. We recently purchased a new Black & Decker toaster. A simple, well-made device, that does one thing extraordinarily well. There is something so good, nutritious, elemental about a perfectly toasted slice of bread. Then, getting out my beat-up, old guitar and unstringing and restringing it with a new set of strings. One of my favorite Zen activities. I have changed strings on guitars since I was a young boy. One of the simple things I am quite good at. It is a relaxing, rewarding, flow activity. I then sat and played guitar for a couple hours in the kitchen. Time just falls away. Alive in the moment to moment. Nothing better.
Then I wandered over to the living room to hang with our little flock of birds, and spun vinyl records (Frank Zappa's "Hot Rats," Drive By Truckers "Live at Third Man Records," Van Morrison "Astral Weeks," U2's "Unforgettable Fire)." We recently purchased a new Audio Techinca turntable. Yes. We are excellent shoppers, doing our part the keep the economy going. The turntable is another very well-made thing, that does one thing absolutely perfectly. Although, I am a big fan of CDs, there is something unique about a vinyl record spinning on an excellent sound system with a powerful amplifier, and professional speakers. Mastering Engineers master vinyl records to different spec than CDs. There definitely is more "air," less compression, on vinyl. Analog vs Digital. No need for debate. I think they are both fine formats, but they are different. The physicality of a needle running thru the grooves, it's the experience, the real-ness that stands out. You can hear it, feel it, no doubt. Quality.
Then we watched Tom Hardy in elaborately constructed, beautifully filmed series, "Taboo." A dark, engaging, very well-made series. Hardy plays a character, that the other characters in the series call "the devil himself." A man who has done bad things. Really, really bad things. And somehow he is so compelling you can't help but go along for the ride to see how he is going to work it all out. He totally embodies this character. Hardy is so present, so real, armed with such weight, gravity and gravitas. He truly is one of my favorite actors.
Anyway, that was our Easter. A turning away. A journey into simplicity. We never left the house. You know, it was a day to renew, recharge, refresh. At least that was the general idea. Now, what fresh fuckery must we confront, process & endure this week?
