So Beautiful, or So What

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I’ve had several songs bouncing around in my head like a 1980’s pinball machine: long hair and leather jacket, 4:20 on the clock. Ping ping. Ping ping.

The clickers and clickety-clack of flippers, knocking that shiny reflective orb into the playfield.

Playing.

We all need a lot more playing. Taoists call it Wu Wei. It has a lot of different names. It could just be takin’ it easy. Easy riding. Chillax. Effortless living. The Way.

The Dude.

I was tasked today with having fun. Just doing whatever the fuck I wanted to that makes me happy, in the moment, so I did that. It has been a beautiful day. I choose to feel happy. I could have woke up miserable too, and I did cry—but I then said, no, today will be a good day. I choose happiness.

Speaking of dudes. I visited my dad yesterday. I’m getting over that Bird Flu (not sure yet but it hasn’t been a normal cold or flu or what have you; it’s been 10 days).. Novel viruses. Coughing up the stuff in my body that no longer serves me. I didn’t want to get him sick, so I waited to see him.

He’s supine in a bed, and he suffers being where he is at. He just wants to go home. I totally get it. We all just want to go home. Like Odysseus in The Odyssey. Back to Ithaca. The war’s over; I just wanna go home.

He’s had multiple strokes over the past several years and he also does everything in his power to hide this notion amongst other things, while also not doing the best job of that either. That’s okay by me.

I’m happy we got to the bottom of things yesterday. It was Scooby-Doo and the Gang, all piling into the Mystery Machine, to solve the case of why my Dad is the way he is.

What I really want, is to grow old with my Dad and for him to fight for his life. It’s a gift for all of us, especially—especially when we treat it that way, for what LIFE really is: sacred.

Sacred as the human breath. Voluntary and involuntary. The perfect way to calm down: controlled breath and meditation.

It’s the simplest forms of what all of us have, that will make this world a better place.

Say, (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a friend of mine, put it to me, over the phone. I mean, just talking in plain English to each other and being as honest as possible,

Breathing. That’s simple too.

There are all these simple answers to problems, right under our noses: our mouths.

Every action, was first a thought, before it is acted out.

Think about it.

Life is what we make of it; so beautiful, or so what (that was one of many songs pinging around this playfield of mine/mind).

Paul Simon on Creativity and Songwriting | The Subconscious Mind and Unconscious Contributions to Creativity

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A while back, I had mentioned to you all that I feel that I sometimes write from the subconscious, and that I am not alone in that evaluation of my creative output. I went on to list a few artist names where I have heard or read them saying such in their own words.

And in all fairness, it is easy to say just about anything on this planet:

- I look great in this underwear.

- I'm a nice guy.

- I know what I am talking about

- I know what I am doing when I song write.

You name it. We as human beings can say anything: so it is important to cite our sources from time to time. So, as shown above: straight from the horse's mouth:

Paul Simon on Subconscious Writing: 29:44

Additionally, it is a different thing altogether though to be a student: and to not just be a student, but to realize that we are never a master. We are always the student. We have much to learn: always.

I have much to learn about songwriting, so I do research and I study. I have for years. I continue to.

I am a student. I love to learn.

We should treat each other as someone worth listening to—because I can guarantee you: no matter the individual, if you remain open, you will learn something from them: profound to the mundane.

I have a friend who's wife tells him that he is a shark.

What she means by that is, he must keep moving so that water flows through his creative gills, so that he may breath and stay alive. I understand what she means.

I too must constantly be moving, whether it is intellectually, creatively, physically, or any other type of movement you can think of, whether in the abstract sense or in the real real true true.

In one of the more poignant spots in this interview that took place in 1986, Mr. Simon talks about marketing—and how musicians primarily should be busy making music. It is unfortunate that in 2021, the trend of musicians is very much tilted towards marketing themselves. While there is nothing wrong with marketing per se, there is when it is 80% marketing and 20% self-reflection, creating, study, craft, practice, history, reading, poetry, listening, and so forth. We as artists must be mindful of this. If we do not remain mindful, we become out of balance—perhaps with ratios just described—but in other matters as well—some of which are far more detrimental, or any number of degrees proceeding such.

FOR SONGWRITERS, A FEW (but not exclusive) USEFUL TIMESTAMPS:

- 22:00 - Technique

- 22:38 - Interests and Technique

- 26:45 - 12 Notes of the Chromatic Scale

- 27:45 - Instruments and their Importance in Creativity

- 28:00 - Rhythmic Writing vs. Melodic Writing

- 29:44 - Subconscious Writing

Another book that I own that has been invaluable to me is "Songwriters on Songwriting" by Paul Zollo.

This whole interview is a blessing to watch, as is that book just mentioned. We learn from the kindness of those who share.

Lots of love y'all!

I'm heading to the store to pick up some gardening supplies.

- Mike

WHO IS MIKE VITALE?

I am a storyteller, singer, songwriter, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify:

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