How long has it been since I posted a piece of music? Well, that’s too long!

Here’s something I sketched out in about an hour, From One Thing To Another. It has all the things I like to put into electronic music: repeating rhythmic figures of various lengths, clicky bakgrounds, chimes, lush pads. It’s practically cotton candy!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 6 or above) is required to play this audio clip. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I’ve been having a lot of deja vu moments this week. It’s fun.

The Fall ango is fast approaching, and I’ve been ramping up my Zen practice in anticipation. After a while, it becomes difficult to not practice, though it can always be done more diligently. But everything brings you back to the place of practice. That’s how it works.

If someone with a confused and distracted mind
should take even one flower
and offer it to a painted image,
in time he would come to see countless Buddhas.

— Lotus Sutra, chapter 2

The good news is no stress fracture and no plantar fasciitis. The Podiatrist quickly uncovered a flexor plate injury in my second toe, and gave me a two month treatment strategy which involves stretching, tape, and a dedication to rigid-soled shoes for the near future. I should be able to do most of my normal activities, and if I take care, should be able to do it pain-free.

It feels like I’ve been at it forever, but I’m still in the process of getting rid of things. Ever so gradually I’m removing things from my house that I don’t need, things that other people can use more. Every time I look at something, there’s a question: “why is this here?”

Now and then, the answer is a resounding “there’s no reason for this to be here right now” and off it goes; my job then is to find a good home for it if I can. Some of the things are straight-out clutter, but others are perfectly good things that represent paths that I’m not on any more, or paths I’m not likely to take in the near future. As much as I’d love to learn Icelandic, I doubt I’m going to right now, and the books seem to taunt me from the shelves. Do I need to hold on to my old math books? What about that shirt I haven’t worn in 3 years? What do I need? What’s really important?

And so, slowly, things go. When I bring something new into the house, I see if there’s a way I can shuffle something else out. I’m going deep into the closets and boxes in the basement. Gradually the objects in the house are starting to suggest something different. Instead of being records of what I’ve done or what I’d like to do sometime in the theoretical future, the possessions in my house are becoming a clearer reflection of what I’m actually doing with my life right now. And in the process of doing this, I’m discovering what’s important in my life.

I’m slowly re-engaging in my normal activities, mindful that it takes a harmonious whole to make things really hum. When one small part isn’t happy, nothing is at its best.

I feel very present right now. And there is a beautiful flower on my desk:

The physiatrist has diagnosed a stress fracture on my right foot, and I’ll be seeing a podiatrist in the near future for more on that. No running or jumping vigorously for me in the near future, but in the scheme of things, it’s good. My back has been given the all-clear. Hopefully this will be the last status update on my health for a while!

It’s my birthday today, as it is this day every year. I have the feeling 33 is going to be a good one.

Previous years: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

Thanks to much spining the back is much better, though the foot is still acting up if I’m not incredibly careful (and even then, at times). I’m going in for an MRI tonight, and am slightly nervous for reasons I can’t quite pin down.

In other news we’ve been without electricity in about half of the house (including my studio) since yesterday morning. Electricians are due in tomorrow. In the meantime, there’s an extension cord running from the kitchen providing much needed power to the computer and the fan.

Also, moose in a sprinkler.

Feeling a lot better today, though still tender in spots. I’m getting some flexibility back! Still taking it very easy. Yay.

I’m at home waiting to hear from the doctor, taking it easy. My lower back is a morass of varying kinds of pain, from a dull one which feels like it’s coming from the base of my spine to some more spectacular muscle pains when I try to bend in certain directions. My right foot starts to get wobbly if I stand on it for too long, though it’s not too bad at the moment. I can walk, but very slowly and inelegantly. Something is not right, but I’m confident that things will sort themselves out.

Update 7/22 8:00pm: The x-rays didn’t turn up anything strange, which is very good. I’ll continue resting as much as I can to see if things rectify themselves, and we’ll do a few more tests to see if there’s not anything lurking. I’m relieved.

I am having some back and right foot problems. More information after x-rays, but hopefully nothing dire.