But this reading omits the clause “without inviting simplism”. (Simplism just means an instance of oversimplifying something, I had to look it up, too!)

Still think the basic reading is helpful? or is it simplistic?

Holler with your thoughts, this is the first in a series of short posts on the subject. Shout out to the World’s Strongest Librarian for getting me thinking about this in his Blogging is a Dialect post today. It’s true of blogging, and swishisms but in a more general sense, too. In the parts to follow, I’ll try and show you what I mean.

In short, there’s a lot of stuff I need to heed, be transformed by… embody.  Definitely, more than I bargained for when the posts began early on this year, and the whole transformational thing will probably take much longer than I think it will, too.  With that qualification in place, here is a quote from the article that prompted this post.  You can read the whole thing here

There is much that passes for light through the eye that is not light. There are many bright things in the world that keep us from seeing the true light of Christ—just like city lights keep you from seeing the stars.

Picture by Ben Thurley from HEED, Bangladesh .

It’s bugged out, gonna miss MJ, what a legacy.  One that even the most  stoic, cynic would have to admit is moving, tearfully so.

Does anyone have the demo of Michael singing this amazing song, it’s so poetic.  It made my hair stand on end to hear Lauryn sing it on Common’s retrospective back in the day,  but there’s something really appropriate and timely about having the author dedicate it to a subject and singer, the news of who’s death broke as suddenly as the  promises lamented on this record.

Goodbye MJ,  thank you for teaching us all so much with your gifts and life. The world of performance salutes you.

And even if they we’re to be right with their predictions, I’m comforted by the fact that Thriller was miles better than Off the wall, and if the best can go Onwards and upwards, that means the likes of me have got plenty of room to grow. Ch’amon!

That said I know it’ll be a great show; if your in London, swing down to OnWords & UpWords  this Friday@ The Horse Bar. Full Deets are here:

2) I often say things I  wish I could rephrase.  I’m learning to appreciate that there is grace in being allowed to catch yourself saying something dumb. This won’t go away completely, but hopefully it will happen less  (the dumb stuff, that is–not the grace)

3) Hubris can seem an occupational hazard in hip-hop; as Shad put it like this in addressing his dejected self on the instructive ‘New School Leaders‘.

[master] …but you got to have confidence,
[mentee] but what about humility?
[master] well I’m not saying be pompous, kid
just recognise your ability / ’cause a real emcee knows if  he’s competent / you feelin’ me?

I’ve been giving out flyers over the last couple weeks for O&U, outside gigs and the like - been trying to do more than just thrust A6 bits of card into the flames of gig afterglow, but I have to say it’s extremely hard work. I find myself chattering, striking up conversations and putting my foot in my mouth.  Add to that the arkwardness of being a creative**, and the oh-your-not-a-wasteman relief that comes across some faces when they discover you are not just a ‘flyer guy’ and it can seem daunting.  But heck, can’t complain I got a swishism out of it, eh? Plus, I’ve realised that what I’m actually doing is networking (thanks Kamau), the icing on the cake is getting to share with someone a beautiful piece of artwork (the flyer, thanks Inua) and some imperfect words from a dude on the grind. ‘I aint no perfect man, I’m tryin’ to do the best that I can…‘ - D.Smith.

I know I’m quoting a lot, remember that imperfect thing.

**’Wanting to be “creative” is a bit like wanting to be loved. It’s a universal desire, but for SOME REASON it’s something we’re embarrassed to talk about’ - Hugh Mcleod

We all do it. It doesn’t matter whether what we’re doing is particularly messy work, if we’re wearing something with sleeves, we roll or shrug them up. Maybe it’s a sign to ourselves and to others that we intend to do work. Maybe just a habit. Either way I think it’s important to shrug sleeves for our own sakes. We live in times where it’s easy to paper-shuffle, clock watch, and well… sleeeve shrug because someone is watching/or because it’s expected.

I think something different happens when we consciously shrug them, we acknowledge that this could get messy or sweaty or paint splashed… that mistakes are likely.

For me, not being able to start the day, or a task with this kind of approach is  a serious loss. At least that’s my take. [Shrugs]

Picture by Clearly Ambiguous, Creative Commons License

Thirty spokes share the wheel’s hub,
It is the centre hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel,
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room,
It is the holes which make it useful.
Therefore profit comes from what is there,
Usefulness from what is not there.

To create something of value, you have to contribute a big chunk of  resources you value–even some you don’t yet control.  I’m meditating on this at the moment with postcards like this one that I’ve sellotaped to to the ceiling above my bed.

It is satisfied to have
the last word
as I tumble into ravines
of rest.
When I awake it is there, beginning
to branch out from a hidden vine,
stretching into the deep
fetching me
up.

Fair enough, everyone and their Grandma is making music, trying to ‘make it in music’.  Given my post yesterday on scarcity, I don’t really have a bone to pick with that.  If your gonna say your Spartacus, though your better off also keeping any confessions of being an impersonator to yourself.   So yes, I was trying to be ironical with this swishism, the takeaway is simple:  “fake it until you make it” works only if there are no tell tale signs that you are less than 100% authentic; instead of trying to persuade everyone your are not inauthentic, it’s much easier to just be authentic. No worrying you’ll be found out, no declarations of ‘No, I am spartacus’, and thankfully, no double negatives.  Hardly a revelation I know, but everyone Spartacus needs reminding.

Picture by Noel Zia Lee, Creative Commons License