I am in love with hip-hop. I know that it seems like a cliche for me to say something like that, but when I listen to a MC that is truly good and a lyrical genius, I can listen to that song over and over again for hours on end and still not fully appreciate what I am hearing. A truely good MC is a poet of a high caliber though their subject material may be viewed as lowbrow, it is still truly amazing to listen to. The first that I want to kind of explore, especially for its poetic elements, is a song that is written and performed by Cee-Lo.
These are the lyrics to the song:
Yeah, mmm mmm mmm, yeah that sho' feel good.
Hello! I go by the name of simply Cee-Lo Green - how do you do?
Welcome. I thought I'd seize this opportunity to tell you a little
bit more about myself if you don't mind. This is my vision.
YouknowhatI'msaying? Check me out now. Uhh
I have millenniums of material and rivers of rhythm
An entire ocean of emotion that's enlightening to swim in
Also a forest of feeling, beaten paths of peace
Trapped inside my silhouette I have to speak to release
Demanding more from the pen than I horde from the pen
The line between playing to win and sin is thin
But I walk it with grace and I talk it with taste
I am that raw, simply put, and I rest my case; it's elementary
Yet far more than resources to pay the rent for me
Everything that I've done is divine
Ask God, he'll tell ya, yeah, he mine
So, you see, you don't need another thug out of me
That is the last thing I plan to be on this LP
But I'ma go slip into something mo' comfortable and continue the lesson
No inconvenience at all, I insist on leaving an impression
So relax, and ride out. Relax, okay, and ride out
Just relax, and ride out. Players, relax, and ride out
I also solicit visual verbalism worth a visit
Intensely exquisite artism inquire all. Who is it?
It's a deliciously daring delicacy I eat to exist
Oh, he's waving those words, I want seconds and thirds
Oh, hush. That's awful kind of you, you're making me blush
I could use some competition, but they not making me much
Man, this beat is like my master, it's making me bust
Hip-hop is suffering, meaning I'm a necessity, if nothing
But you like every other rapper - cornrows and a bandana
But I get a hundred and fifty thousand dollar check
every three months off Santana
Don't you fuck up, though, my family is the whole side of Atlanta
Now, how can I say? Okay, let me just put it this way
If anyone ever contests my conquest my gun best
Yo son just, takes one time to be one less
Til you run and tell the rest that I'm the best
I sang sweet, but brang heat to bang meat
We all on the same street
And it's not that often I verbalize the essential element of surprise
I am not one of these thug rapper guys
But this one will help you realize, and use both eyes to recognize
the type of action that this amount of money buys
Now listen son, let me drop some shit on you man
I can just "do-do-do-do-do-do-do" and put a hit on you man
Aith hot heat that will make your heart beat quit on you man
And Mr. Dawson'll find a pretty box to fit all you man
So relax, and ride out. Just relax, young man, and ride out
Hey, you better relax, and ride out. Okay? Just relax, and ride out
I could take that shit all day
But if I only had sixteen more bars to live
I'd get high, and hopefully O.D. on an alternative
I'd give a dim lit dream, a colour scheme
And I'd swim for the sun (so far) no matter how impossible that may seem
I'd bury my feet in the foundation of a forest Becoming one with
everything there
I would be long. I would be right and wrong. But I'd be rare
And then I would pretend I didn't care. Use my fear
And pray that my forever would be fare.
And I love you all, unconditional, I get misty already missing y'all
And then I forgive those who rhyme to kill the time
While mine cultivate the consciousness and
Chill the spine, heal the mind, yet still sublime
Ride out. Relax, and ride out. Relax, and ride out. Relax, and ride out
This is one for the road. Yeah. One time for your motherfucking mind
I told how you motherfucking play. D.F. y'all. Believe this. Yeah
Shouts out to Outkast, Goodie Mob. Yeah, Backbone, where ya at brother?
(Hey) Hahaha. Alright. (Easy now) Hahaha. Yeah. Can't nobody stop me now
No, sir. Yeah. I'm gone, y'all. Oh, man. It's lovely. Ahahah. Yeah
Somebody better stop me. Hahaha. Cause I'm good. Heheheheh. Yeah. Hahahahah
Alright now. Heheheh. Yeah. Alright, we gonna relax, cause it feels so good
Everybody doing their godamn thing. Yeah
Monday, April 26, 2010
Gates of Dawn (contd.)
First I would like to show a picture of my creepy Pan.
To continue on about the affect music has on us and how it can render our epiphanies creations of true magnificence. I am especially partial to music being the source of many epiphanies and I would whole heartedly say that, for me, music is a major contributing factor in the moments I consider to be personal epiphanies. It is something that is as much a part of humanity as our fixation on religion, and because religion/divinity is so often combined with music it would be foolish not to acknowledge its importance. The power of music over the characters of Rat and Mole is best demonstrated in their encounter with Pan. He is playing on the pan pipes (which is ironic given Hamlet's remarks about the same instrument) and lures them to him much like the Pied Piper, which could also be a reason that Rat hears the music first, lured the children from their homes. His melody making is so incredible and beautiful that it overwhelms the senses of the poor Rat and Mole and elevates them to a plane they have never experienced before and unfortunately cannot ever remember. In the sense of the music it is almost a tragedy that they are not afforded the chance to remember even an inkling of it. I find it more of a tragedy that they will not remeber the music than I do that they have forgotten their encounter with Pan. I know it would seem that the events are the same, integrally connected and not to be viewed seperately. I disagree with this because the song that is played by the god is more likely to be comprehended by the animals. His appearence and seeing him visually is far more abstract and harder to reconcile. I know that in the book the song leaves them feeling like nothing in the world can be so beautiful, which is not said about seeing Pan himself. In this manner it is more of a tragedy that they are forced to forget the experience.
To continue on about the affect music has on us and how it can render our epiphanies creations of true magnificence. I am especially partial to music being the source of many epiphanies and I would whole heartedly say that, for me, music is a major contributing factor in the moments I consider to be personal epiphanies. It is something that is as much a part of humanity as our fixation on religion, and because religion/divinity is so often combined with music it would be foolish not to acknowledge its importance. The power of music over the characters of Rat and Mole is best demonstrated in their encounter with Pan. He is playing on the pan pipes (which is ironic given Hamlet's remarks about the same instrument) and lures them to him much like the Pied Piper, which could also be a reason that Rat hears the music first, lured the children from their homes. His melody making is so incredible and beautiful that it overwhelms the senses of the poor Rat and Mole and elevates them to a plane they have never experienced before and unfortunately cannot ever remember. In the sense of the music it is almost a tragedy that they are not afforded the chance to remember even an inkling of it. I find it more of a tragedy that they will not remeber the music than I do that they have forgotten their encounter with Pan. I know it would seem that the events are the same, integrally connected and not to be viewed seperately. I disagree with this because the song that is played by the god is more likely to be comprehended by the animals. His appearence and seeing him visually is far more abstract and harder to reconcile. I know that in the book the song leaves them feeling like nothing in the world can be so beautiful, which is not said about seeing Pan himself. In this manner it is more of a tragedy that they are forced to forget the experience.
Piper at the Gates of Dawn
All of Ch. 7 is an epiphany, and for lack of a better term an intense, multi-level "ahh" moment. I had to read the chapter more than once to fully comprehend the intensity of the epiphany it represents. The first and most obvious of the epiphanies is Rat and Mole's discovery of Pan. This is the most literal event that could signify an epiphanic moment. Their realization of Divinity is the most obvious. Though I do not want to underplay the significance of this event, because it is extremely important I would like to discuss some of my other discoveries first.
One of these discoveries is that the structure of the chapter, meaning the way it begins and ends is a metaphorical parallel for the class for several reasons. The chapter begins and ends in darkness; the darkness of the night and the darkness of forgotten memories. As Elliot says, we end up in the same place that we began as did Rat and Mole. Also it is similar to the class because as many people have related we can forget the actual event that caused our changed emotions but we are changed none the less. The memory of the actual event is important but not necessary for the change in awareness, also it is indicative of how the more we know the more we don't know. I also like the image of the quarter of the sky that becomes darker than its surroundings right before the moon rises in that area. I think the image is simple and give the whole chapter a mood of hope as it does for Rat and Mole. It transforms their beloved river into a thing of beauty once again, instead of the unexpectedly terrifying world it was moments ago. The end of the chapter is similar in many respects, the loss of memory is working in a manner opposite that of its character. The fact that Rat and Mole lost the memory is a good thing, without this event the world would be a place of depressingly mundane lives. The function is reversed and the darkness hides what is terrifying to behold in the light. In this way the characters are able to begin in darkness and return to it at the end of the chapter but still have experienced an enlightening event.
The event with Pan is really quite incredible, because for me I picture him looking like the Pan's Labyrinth style god. This Pan is extremely creepy and dangerous looking and in my preference for darker themes I see the Pan of Wind in the Willows to be a creepy guy. In this way it seems more important that Rat and Mole forget their experience. I know much of the experience is tied with the music they see but I would like to explore that later. Right now, I would like to talk about how if the image of Pan would have been rendered under the image of a Disney character it would forever ruin the awe that seeing his divinity inspired. The sinister cast to his features would lend the event of rescuing the child a new light and a new way of interpreting the entire chapter. No god is always and completely benevolent, especially in the Greek culture from which Pan is derived. Therefore, the motives the speed Rat to the place of Pan are questioned though I am sure it is not supposed to be seen as nefarious.
The other aspect of the event that is extremely interesting is that they are lured there by music. I personally just wrote a little essay about what music means to me and how I identify with it. I will not relate those words because they are not on par with a blog. I hope I will be forgiven for low balling in a Music class. Any ol' ways, I know that music is continually affecting us. It is the source of many an "o" or full "ahh" moment. The interesting thing about this is that Rat is the first to hear the music. I think it is funny how much speculation has gone into why this happens. I think it is something simple; that Mole is an animal that dwells underground so its hearing is dulled, hence why Mole smells his home. Rat has better ears because he is a Rat not a mole. I think it is really that simple. I think hearing it first is irrelevant because eventually both hear it and are enrapture by the sound. They are rendered "possessed in all his senses by this new divine thing" it is how they both feel inevitably.
One of these discoveries is that the structure of the chapter, meaning the way it begins and ends is a metaphorical parallel for the class for several reasons. The chapter begins and ends in darkness; the darkness of the night and the darkness of forgotten memories. As Elliot says, we end up in the same place that we began as did Rat and Mole. Also it is similar to the class because as many people have related we can forget the actual event that caused our changed emotions but we are changed none the less. The memory of the actual event is important but not necessary for the change in awareness, also it is indicative of how the more we know the more we don't know. I also like the image of the quarter of the sky that becomes darker than its surroundings right before the moon rises in that area. I think the image is simple and give the whole chapter a mood of hope as it does for Rat and Mole. It transforms their beloved river into a thing of beauty once again, instead of the unexpectedly terrifying world it was moments ago. The end of the chapter is similar in many respects, the loss of memory is working in a manner opposite that of its character. The fact that Rat and Mole lost the memory is a good thing, without this event the world would be a place of depressingly mundane lives. The function is reversed and the darkness hides what is terrifying to behold in the light. In this way the characters are able to begin in darkness and return to it at the end of the chapter but still have experienced an enlightening event.
The event with Pan is really quite incredible, because for me I picture him looking like the Pan's Labyrinth style god. This Pan is extremely creepy and dangerous looking and in my preference for darker themes I see the Pan of Wind in the Willows to be a creepy guy. In this way it seems more important that Rat and Mole forget their experience. I know much of the experience is tied with the music they see but I would like to explore that later. Right now, I would like to talk about how if the image of Pan would have been rendered under the image of a Disney character it would forever ruin the awe that seeing his divinity inspired. The sinister cast to his features would lend the event of rescuing the child a new light and a new way of interpreting the entire chapter. No god is always and completely benevolent, especially in the Greek culture from which Pan is derived. Therefore, the motives the speed Rat to the place of Pan are questioned though I am sure it is not supposed to be seen as nefarious.
The other aspect of the event that is extremely interesting is that they are lured there by music. I personally just wrote a little essay about what music means to me and how I identify with it. I will not relate those words because they are not on par with a blog. I hope I will be forgiven for low balling in a Music class. Any ol' ways, I know that music is continually affecting us. It is the source of many an "o" or full "ahh" moment. The interesting thing about this is that Rat is the first to hear the music. I think it is funny how much speculation has gone into why this happens. I think it is something simple; that Mole is an animal that dwells underground so its hearing is dulled, hence why Mole smells his home. Rat has better ears because he is a Rat not a mole. I think it is really that simple. I think hearing it first is irrelevant because eventually both hear it and are enrapture by the sound. They are rendered "possessed in all his senses by this new divine thing" it is how they both feel inevitably.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Home
Every college student can tell you that there is nothing like a home cooked meal. The simplest thing in the world can be so satisfying. Abbie's food epiphany was completely understandable to me. I am naturally a person that associates events with smells, people as well. I have many memories that are linked with a certain smell. As a boy who was always hungry and had a mother that would cook great meals, I associate home with the smell of certain foods being cooked, also the way my mom smelled in summertime after I'd been outside all day. It is a very specific "scent" memory.
Back to my point, Home is a place that evokes powerful feelings, emotions, and memories. Its safety is a constant that many of us take for granted. It is in college that we begin to desire homes of our own. When we begin to desire these things we realize that our parents no longer have a say in our lives and we are desperate to escape their shackles. The transition from a child who needs to know that home is there to an adult that wants to know that what awaits them is theirs by ownership is an epiphany that is slow to fruition and like in the case of Mole can come upon us in an instant and as a certain smell. The image I really enjoyed and seemed to me to perfectly describe the feeling that being home gives us was when Rat and Mole are outside of a home with its blind down and they see the silhouette of a bird in its cage. The bird is asleep but stirs at some sound, then it resettles itself. Knowing completely that it is safe from the dangers of the world. It is very similar to what a person feels when they watch a child sleep. Knowing there is such innocence in the world makes us feel better. I thought that the image itself was incredible and it stood out to me as an important piece in the novel.
Back to my point, Home is a place that evokes powerful feelings, emotions, and memories. Its safety is a constant that many of us take for granted. It is in college that we begin to desire homes of our own. When we begin to desire these things we realize that our parents no longer have a say in our lives and we are desperate to escape their shackles. The transition from a child who needs to know that home is there to an adult that wants to know that what awaits them is theirs by ownership is an epiphany that is slow to fruition and like in the case of Mole can come upon us in an instant and as a certain smell. The image I really enjoyed and seemed to me to perfectly describe the feeling that being home gives us was when Rat and Mole are outside of a home with its blind down and they see the silhouette of a bird in its cage. The bird is asleep but stirs at some sound, then it resettles itself. Knowing completely that it is safe from the dangers of the world. It is very similar to what a person feels when they watch a child sleep. Knowing there is such innocence in the world makes us feel better. I thought that the image itself was incredible and it stood out to me as an important piece in the novel.
Humanity's Transience
Humanity is vain in the extreme. I am confident that most people would concede this point, we are by nature creatures that seek the approval of others. In our obsession for attention comes the need to be remembered forever. It is the driving force behind most of what motivates us and has been for centuries. Immortality, cheating death, can only happen in the memories of our ancestors. As of right now there is no other way to cheat death. The mediums in which we achieve this immortality is through many things but as a race and not an individual it appears in the structures we build. The skyscrapers that define the skylines of our cities, statues and fountains that distinguish many of the cities in Europe, the pyramids, all of these things are reminders of what has been done and what we (humanity) are capable of. The interesting thing to me is that even these great structures will disappear. The pyramids that the Mayans built are nearly swallowed by the rain forest. The Pyramids of Giza are crumbling and will soon be surrounded by the city of Cairo. Eventually, as is our nature, we will leave such a stamp that it imprints itself over our past and only the present can be seen.
In the tunnels of Badger's home he tells Mole that the passages are part of the ruins of a human settlement and how at the time, "They were a powerful people, and rich, and great builders. They built to last, for they thought their city would last for ever." he goes on to say, "...they go. It is their way. But we remain. There were badgers here, I've been told, long before...now there are badgers here again." These sentiments are the absolute truth. We as humans will be survived by the animals of this world. They are far more adaptable and far less fragile, and after we disappear Nature will reclaim what is hers and we will be lost forever. I thought this to be a cleverly concealed but massively important epiphany. It was such a simple statement but when it is couple with the events of Ch. 7 we see that it is the inevitable future of our world. The thought that we could completely destroy the environment to the point that life would cease is impossible. If "it" kills us it does not mean it will kill everything. The cliche is that cockroaches will inherit our desiccated world. The realization that in the end the achievements we have on this world will mean nothing because there will be no one to remember us is a cynical one but "all is vanity."
My whole cynical tirade is in the event that we all die. It could, and as a SciFi geek, I hope be because we have discovered other worlds to colonize or they found us, which is a different tack all together. The point is that in the end those weeds that we try so hard to eradicate from our lawns and gardens will be the first to enter our homes and structures, and those vines will topple all the skyscrapers of our world just as easily as C4. If far more slowly.
In the tunnels of Badger's home he tells Mole that the passages are part of the ruins of a human settlement and how at the time, "They were a powerful people, and rich, and great builders. They built to last, for they thought their city would last for ever." he goes on to say, "...they go. It is their way. But we remain. There were badgers here, I've been told, long before...now there are badgers here again." These sentiments are the absolute truth. We as humans will be survived by the animals of this world. They are far more adaptable and far less fragile, and after we disappear Nature will reclaim what is hers and we will be lost forever. I thought this to be a cleverly concealed but massively important epiphany. It was such a simple statement but when it is couple with the events of Ch. 7 we see that it is the inevitable future of our world. The thought that we could completely destroy the environment to the point that life would cease is impossible. If "it" kills us it does not mean it will kill everything. The cliche is that cockroaches will inherit our desiccated world. The realization that in the end the achievements we have on this world will mean nothing because there will be no one to remember us is a cynical one but "all is vanity."
My whole cynical tirade is in the event that we all die. It could, and as a SciFi geek, I hope be because we have discovered other worlds to colonize or they found us, which is a different tack all together. The point is that in the end those weeds that we try so hard to eradicate from our lawns and gardens will be the first to enter our homes and structures, and those vines will topple all the skyscrapers of our world just as easily as C4. If far more slowly.
Epiphany Disclaimer
I have come to the decision that we should not distinguish the power of the epiphany in the stories we have read. I find that it is completely relative. I have found many events in life and the Wind in the Willows that I am sure many people would think is an "o" moment not an "ahh" moment as I may have found it. I may relate to something more than someone else or, and far more likely, I may not see that event as an epiphany. I can say that for the most part I have seen the main epiphany that we are supposed to discover, but the most obvious does not always mean that it is the most profound.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
nature in the willows
In the wind in the willows there are moments that have come as the little "o" moments. They are the moments that sweep Mole and Rat away to places deep in their memories and to a place that can't be fully experienced because it is continually interrupted by the outside world. The description of the sunrise given by Otter and the first smell of home that Mole receives. These moments have the vast potential to be these big "O" moments but unfortunately they fall victim to the machinations of karma and go unfulfilled. These little "o" moments, the moments that are just teasing the subconcious, are what make THE moment so much more memorable. Without the buildup before hand a man may not immediately recognize what is happening.
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