Signs and Symptoms (New Performance OCT17)

This is an improvised piece performed by Matt Henry (of UMSL) and Tchaffe.  We think this new performance is one of the best we've ever done.  Look at the description of each file for more information.

Movement I
Movement II and III
Movement IV
Movement V

Podcast: Dr. Aaron Johnson, Composer

Dr. Johnson and I worked on our doctorates together at Louisiana State University.  He is a modern composer and a professor of music at St. Louis University.  This conversation tries to shed some light on what it is like to be a modern composer and addresses some of the philosophical questions that they must face.

This conversation took place on stage at St. Louis Community College/Forest Park on November 20th, 2017.  It is about 50 minutes long.

Here is the .mp3 file.  (I'll try to get set up with iTunes, etc. soon...)

Tenet: Earned Wisdom

Think about it.

Said the King. (Intro.?)

"For decades, I have invested
time and effort into earning my wisdom.
I promise to turn it toward good for us all."


There once was a benevolent King.
He had always been a kind King.
A thoughtful King.  A Just King.
And strong.  Necessarily strong.

By his own determination,
He was as good a man as he could be.
And therefore, he was as good a King as he could be.

When he looked out upon the horizon,
He saw opportunity in the lands around him.
Some had a weak King and the people need suffer.
Some had a bad King that the people despise.
Others had a good King disliked by the people.
Weak they all were, the King that could see.
And help from outside, their peoples all needs.

Said the King:

"The stream can't carry the barge
until it shares its waters with the river.
As my subjects support me,
I must support a cooperation
between like lands.
And where none exist,
I will create them."

"Through cooperation and mutual reliance,
We will carry our burdens.
Bringing aid to those who need it
While raising the lives
Of as many as possible."

Said the Subject:

"To do his job right is a CHORE."
He has to build consensus when he can--
Engage in delicate conversations when he can't.
Nearly every decision he makes
will disappoint someone.
And their disappointment
requires some kind of attention."

"Goodness knows he's made mistakes,
but if someone is trying--genuinely trying--
then you've got to give them some room for to make mistakes.
What other mechanism is there for solving big problems?"

Tenet: Ask and Answer

"Ask and Answer as many questions as is humanly possible during your lifetime!"

Other people’s questions if they're there.  That of your VIM* if they're not.

You'll receive exponential compounding interest on investment of energy.  Imagine the addition of just 10 more minutes of active, creative thought in each day.  Just 10 minutes per day and after 2 years, you will have spent three additional 40-hour work weeks--wholly devoted to solving problems in your vicinity.  You are able to choose what priorities those work-weeks address, and you are allowed to increase the amount of daily time beyond 10 minutes.  Your brain will also benefit from untold numbers of creativity and problem-solving experiences.

This is not a crackpot self-help theory, it's just a description.  IF someone invests a little bit of mental energy each day, he/she will increase their chances for future success.  It's not perfect, but Luck favors the experienced thinker.


*[Voice-In-Mind--internal dialogue]

Micro-Fiction: Tnetennba

Tnetennba:  Meaning 1:  To try and fail--only to discover that the failure was actually the desired outcome.

Classic Example:

A police sniper shoots at a man in mask, but accidentally shoots the hostage.  The sniper later experiences a tnetennba when he is told that the perpetrator had switched places with the Hostage in order to aid his escape.

A Modern Example:  

They all wondered why I was pedaling so fast, when the closer I got to arriving before midnight, the

closer I got to losing my shirt.  I was under the mistaken impression that I was supposed to arrive BEFORE midnight.  I thought/hoped that I could make it!  Unfortunately, my wheel crossed the line just seconds after midnight.  I was heart broken when they interviewed me, so I could only manage an angrily sarcastic, "Good morning."   I'm not really proud of that.

Then I arrived to my team and rapturous applause.  It turns out that I had almost worked-so-hard myself into a loss.  If there had been any reserves I hadn't tapped, I would have shaved those few seconds.  And lost.

[upbeat]  "Good morning.  THAT's a nice tnetennba."

PS:  That being said, who the fuck wagers on a rider to cross AFTER a specific time.  It just doesn't make any sense.  It seems like part of this story is "phoned in."

Tenet: Mediocrity Recipe

"Doing exactly what you're told is a recipe for mediocrity."

I don't really want to say much about this one.  I like the way the reading unfolds the ideas.  For me, each reading of that sentence has a slightly different feel.  I've even written a ukulele song around the melody of it.