Free - Part 1

Listen: Free - part 1.Mp3

097/365

Austin
Today we present the first of the 6-part "Free" series, featuring one of the single most inspiring musicians I've ever had the privilege of getting to know and collaborate with: Lisbeth Scott. Lisbeth composed lyrics and short song based around the idea, which then became my brick and mortar in the construction of this piece ....

Hot snow down my face

Writes words you erase

Is there anybody who can bring me up

Equal to the way that you can bring me down

Is there anybody who can touch me soft

Equal to the way that I am tied and bound

Free me free me free me free me free me free

Andy

More than just a little intimidated to have such an amazingly talented singer in any way associated with a photograph of mine. Due to some unfortunate computer issues I actually took this photo before having heard today's track, so I hope that it works for anyone viewing and listening.

Taijitu

Listen: Taijitu.Mp3

096/365

Austin

The Taijitu is the symbol from Taoist belief which represents the notion of equal and opposites in balance with one another (more popularly referred to as 'yin and yang.') One of the keys to this symbol is the fact that within each side of the opposing halves there contains the seed of the other, such that balance is achieved not only by pitting these opposites against each other, but by recognizing that in each lies some hint of the other. The music today is precisely that: it is the "conflict" and ultimate balance between several different simultaneous "opposites," each containing some sort of suggestion of the other (principally 'acoustic vs. electronic,' and '12-tone versus tonal.')

Andy

It's Rockies season. They've known wins, and they've known losses, and incorporated the lessons of one into the other; however, this season they will just win. World Series, baby.

Progress 2

Listen: Progress 2.Mp3

095/365

Austin

... or perhaps Progress is the ability to withstand the crushing pressure of that unstoppable march forward. Maybe true human progress means not forgetting to stop and admire a sunset despite the glittering (admittedly beautiful) skyline in the foreground. It is the filtering out of all the background noise, the complications of an immensely complex modern world, and simply appreciating silence.

Andy

Although each individual moment might be critical to progress, it is the collection of a lifetime of moments that make progress a measurable thing. An integration, if you will. Continuing with my visual analogy: Yesterday's water was seemingly frozen in a very precise moment. Today, a much longer exposure shows the water's trajectory and gives a better sense of where the individual moment from yesterday eventually led. I also zoomed out to show that there are a chain of fountains feeding into the pool, each an important contributor. Today's water is also much softer to say that although individual moments might be a bit tumultuous, they trend towards a calmer whole.

Progress 1

Listen: Progress 1.Mp3

094/365

Austin

Progress, in the broadest sense, is movement forward. It is innovation, and industrialization. It is the hand of man carving out an ever-more prosperous place for itself within the universe. It is us proudly proclaiming that we are here! Symphonies, epic poems, skyscrapers, cruise liners, international space stations ... all serve as monuments to our incredible intelligence and creativity. Progress is the unstoppable march forward.

Andy

I prefer to view progress on a much more personal level. Am I doing everything I can to be the man I want to be? And if not, what do I need to do to get there? Like this fountain, a single moment frozen in time can decide if I am heading towards a goal or away from it. Every decision plays into progress. Progress is also not always prosperous, it can be raucous and born of calamity, but even chaos and hardship can catalyze the drive forward.

Love is ____ - 2

Listen: Love is ____ - 2.Mp3

093/365

Austin

Love is fiercely powerful, passionate and destructive. True love is also unpredictable, defying any real logic and not fitting neatly into preconceived constructs. It is fire.

Andy

Love is muddy waters, and it comes with a warning. 

Love is ____ - 1

Listen: Love is ____ - 1.Mp3

092/365

Austin

Love is calm, love is serene and peaceful. It is in some ways unfamiliar, but eternally gentle. Simple, uncomplicated.

Andy

I love spring. There's nothing better than sweeping winter out the door. No more low angled sun or 5 o'clock sunsets. Suddenly the evening breathes again and for the first time in months you can really feel the sun. T.S. Eliot couldn't be more wrong about April. Unfortunately, early spring is also incredibly fond of me and my nose. So much so that trees attempt to pollinate my sinuses for the first few weeks of April. (Thank you Tim.) This short burst of misery is completely worth it for all the benefits spring brings, because I get so much from it, I'll take the pain.

... the fool or the fool that follows him?

Listen: the fool or the fool that follows him?.Mp3

091/365

Austin

A fond, quiet farewell to an incredibly rewarding project.

Andy

Did I ever tell you about the time I was abducted by aliens? There was this bright light and then I was gone...


On a more serious note, and in light of recent events, I have decided that this will be my last post to allogamy. I need to really focus on the pursuit of medicine and decide where I am heading in my life right now. Thank you for following along and at least you have 91 great images to enjoy and contemplate.