The Harder the Conflict, the More Glorious the Triumph

The Harder the Conflict, the More Glorious the Triumph

-Thomas Paine.

Wow.  It’s been two months since I’ve posted on my blog.  I’ve got to get back into my routine.  lately I’ve been making another attempt to learn some new musical instruments – if I ever learn them then it will have been quite the triumph.  With this recent attempt, I’ve learned more about the guitar and keyboard than ever.  I’ve got a long way to go but so far so good.  I’m using a combination of an app called yousician, youtube vids, and books.  I also have a harmonica and ukelele within reach so I may just learn them all.  🙂

I’ve also been reading on music theory.  I just finished a book called The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten and gave it five stars on goodreads.com.  Here is the review i posted there about the book:

Well I had planned on giving the book 4 stars but after reading the ending and some careful thought, I decided what the heck, 5 stars it is. First off, my thought process is mostly driven by logic and scientific thinking so books like this that utilize mysticism and such initially don’t interest me much. However, I gave the book a chance and was astonished at how well it’s story came together. I suspect most people who think like I normally do can’t open their mind to such a story. That doesn’t mean I believe every ounce of the story or even most of it. I think the author himself alludes to some of the playful exaggerations he’s uses to get his point across. To me the story shouldn’t be taken too literally and you shouldn’t try to verify and audit each point for scientific accuracy. The idea that if you spend your time and energy helping others learn and achieve greatness that you’ll draw from hidden connected arcane energy and forces is a powerful idea not because of magic but simply because you’ve helped others achieve something they may have not have done without you. The story paints a picture of a town filled with students who learned from the teacher. Students some of whom may have had difficult situations like the author and couldn’t have afforded to pay the teacher but yet didn’t have to because his lessons were free other than what it cost them in time and simply giving his ideas a chance.