who aren't the immigrants?

today there are / will be demonstrations all over the country...

this is a sign that was recently erected all along the road leading up to my abode.


so i'm trying to remember who of us aren't immigrants? it seems to me we already kilt most of those who weren't one - so now that we are all in the club - i don't think we should close the door behind us. i can't figure out who these guys might be threatening (e.g. job-wise) and trying to figure out what hurt a bunch of people will do who basically want to work really hard. and yeah, i understand they will send most of that money home - but isn't that the whole point of God's (financial) blessing on America - that we could perhaps be a blessing to others.

A Lament

This last sunday, i played keys at a friends church for their morning services. the feature song was a lament by Tim Hughs "When the Tears Fall" (When Silence Falls).

i played / prayed it for my friends:

the gently played chromatic {second piano chord in the intro & break and second piano chord in the verse (piano is in the right channel)} in the first verse sucks the air from your lungs. the air is just too thin around these chords and there is no point trying to inhale in a vacuum.

the prechorus adds a low weeping string pad (played with the left hand). there are no chromatics in the piano on the recording - but i played some anyway.

the second verse becomes more insistent. its not about just the mouthing of words anymore - words are tumbling out - but only rambling thoughts - train of consciousness.

by the second prechorus - the world is spinning - and its anyone's guess which way is up.

at the (first) chorus i grab a glorious string pad played long and loud with the left hand - but i don't stop pounding on the piano with my right hand. midi velocity maxes out at an 8-bit value of 127. i guarantee every note was pegged at 127 but played with perfect insistence late in the groove.

when we wrap back to the verse with the drums - there is no plan and i am just reacting - probably with a lot of stuff on the piano. it's important to not let the piano keys get wet or my hands might slip.

the immensity of the next (second) chorus is unbearable - and without the insistent beats from the drummer - the weight of it all would bring everything to a halt like a crushing black hole tearing through an event horizon. the string pad continued long and loud because it belongs in that space.

at the instrumental break i throw all kinds of shit at the piano that doesn't belong. stuff that is completely out of time. fucked up abstract shit.

somehow it ends. in exhaustion. and in stillness.

from what i understand there are lyrics for this song if anyone is interested - i vaguely remember some vocals going on - but ive already said what there is to know.

Our Father in Heaven: did your gaze divert for even an instant when you were knitting together little mike in stacy's womb?