Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Jon's 26th letter :January 2009A Very happy 2009 to you, and if you celebrate the Lunar new year... I hope the year of the ox brings you good health to enjoy the many adventures that life offers.
This January has been sort of a month away from music as I have spent the most part of the month in Army reservist training. It was tiring and yet invigorating, catching up with my campmates and going out in the field to do what we used to do during our National Service.
The 2and a half weeks in green was a break away from music I guess. I could listen, but not write. I think the time away gave me some time to mullover new ideas and recharge my batteries.
At the same time, I do feel a little rusty as well, but I think I will get over that in a week. Something very sad happened while my mates and I was in reservist though, a fellow platoon mate of mine passed away from cancer. I visited him when he was diagnosed in 2007 and the sickness did not letup. We all attended the wake and paid our respects. He is the thirdfriend that I have lost in the course of my 26 years of life. I dohope he is resting peacefully and that his family will cope well. Hewill always remain in our fondest memories.
I managed to squeeze extra pockets of time to read two books this month and these are my recommendations for the month, Neil Gaiman's-Anansi Boys and Alan Moore's Watchmen. I think they are available atthe branches of our national library. Our National Library collections are amazing, there really isn't much need to buy books if you lack in storage space or aren't buying the book as a reference. From my correspondence with friends from many other other countries, ourlibraries are top notch! Use them, people!! Don't let it go to waste!Books, music, movies.. taking in any form of storytelling that people poured their souls into creating is the best form of education in my opinion.
Watchmen was a re read for me because the motion picture is comingout this year and I want to see if they did a good job translating themonolith of a graphic novel onto the big screen. Alan Moore (thewriter) actually totally dissociates himself with any interpretations of his work, hence the movie will only be credited to Dave Gibbons(the artist). I think you guys can check up on Alan Moore and his interesting opinions on things by googling him. I think I have said this a few times already, I have a habit of repeating myself becausethere are only so many things that I am realy into, Neil Gaiman'sworks are a must read for me, I am kind of behind, actually... I have yet to read his work outside of the Sandman, American Gods, Mirrormaskand now Anansi Boys. I even missed out on reading Stardust. I onlyrented the DVD. I always have so many things that I want to do. Thereare so many great books, art, music and movies to appreciate. The partis I like to study them, which makes it more time consuming! Having to review them many times when I still have such a long to do list tofufill workwise.
Workwise, I hope to be able to squeeze in a decent amount of practicetime and writing time before the month ends but there are still housesleft to visit for the new year. Maybe I will just enjoy the festive time since it's just once a year.Do stay healthy, get some exercise, eat your vitamins...because health, it's the most important thing in the end.
Warmest regards,
Jon.
@ 10:22 AM
