Kona, day 22

Kona, day 22

The first few hours of the day were good and productive; a little writing and idea-generating, and then some listening and writing an evaluation.  The music I’m hearing for this evaluation is very different than mine; much more extreme in technique and color, a style often labeled ‘new complexity’.  Labels do little to reveal the magic created by a composer’s choices, but such terms do, I suppose, provide a vague grouping of aesthetic approaches.  At any rate, it’s been an interesting few days of listening to this music and appreciating what the composer’s accomplishing dramatically and gesturally.  The music’s quite compelling, really, and I’m growing from these repeated close listenings...

Kona, day 21

Walks, phone call connections, listening to music and writing a professional evaluation, listening to podcasts, and writing.

We’re definitely feeling ready to head home now.  Nice to be here, but everything we’re doing here we could do at home—and save lots of money.

Re Surf City, feeling as though we might be only a few more turns before we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Getting pictures with lots of things in place, now just awaiting replacement of the flooded floors.  Is that the last thing?  Who knows.

Diversions today include lots of internet scuba-related rabbit holes.

Kona, day 18

Kona, day 18

Highlight of the day; connecting with Chris Nappi, knowing he’s well, and a good conversation about a musical collaboration.  We’ll find time to focus efforts on a piece I’d written for him, Anima/Animus.  Planning weekly video connections to work on it, develop changes if needed, edit, etc., in advance of the publisher putting it out in the world.  Thanks to a program/initiative by my publisher/ACA, we’ll also do a home recording and get him a bit of support to make up for the evaporation of so very many gigs.

This initiative (“The Shelter Recordings“) strives to provide opportunities for sheltered musicians to earn a little money, benefit composers, etc.  That same initiative will fund the recording of another piece, the short duet, On Balance,...

Kona, day 16

A bit of website maintenance today, catching up on lots of correspondence (a pleasure to feel connections with folks), and some writing.

We’re both feeling that being here, as nice as it is, can’t go on much longer.  If we were home in NC we could at least keep occupied with re-settling into the house, doing lots of yard work, riding bikes (getting back on my m’cycle), perhaps get moved back into Surf City (though unsure about that just now).  Have begun looking into plans to return when this rental ends April 18, though not yet committed.  Only one flight/day from Honolulu to LAX or to SFO; and only one flight/day from SFO-Greenville with only one stopover.  So, limited choices, for sure.  Just a matter of deciding, committing, and making the reservations.  We’ll see...

Kona, day 15

Another no-sleeper; up since 1, shortly before Pattie finally fell asleep.  Schedules are certainly off.

Started taking a free online (Stanford) course in some computer music software I know and teach, but which I feel rusty on and could use some new exposure to.  Worked on that for a few hours, and found it a good, productive use of time.  I’ll continue that course over the coming week.

A long nap, thankfully, made me feel a bit more alive.  Pattie feeling a tad better today, which is good.  I think we were both a bit afraid…

And Pattie brought up the idea of heading back home on April 18^th, rather than staying here longer.  Would be lengthy travel of four flights, layovers in three airports...