I had translated this poem from Karen Marie Moning's latest book to illustrate a themed article in French about time as part of a community project bringing bloggers together around a unique elected topic every month. Since most of my writings for the Eklabugs Project are essentially based on puns, colloquialisms and idiomatic expressions, I'm afraid they'll never be available in English. However, a reader enjoyed this piece so much and requested the original version so I thought I'd share it with you here as well. Enjoy!
Ey@el
Kill the clocks, those time-thieving bastards Haunting every mantel, wrist, and wall Incessantly screaming our time is gone Marching to war with us all
Kill the clocks they remind me of people I once met in passing that pushed me aside To rush to their train or plane or bus Never seeing where the true enemy lie
Kill the clocks before they've seduced you Into existing as they do, in shadows of the past Counting the days as they slip by us Boxed into a world where nothing ever lasts
Kill the clocks and live in the moment No cogs or gears can steal our now When you laugh with me, time stands still In that moment, I'm perfect somehow
Original text by KAREN MARIE MONING from Feverborn
In the Wachowskis' (the directors of Matrix and V for Vendetta) Jupiter Ascending, a movie character explains to the protagonist how the most precious resource in the universe is time. Indeed, how endless it feels when experiencing tiresome situations and how it flies when enjoying chosen activities. That alone should be sufficient proof of how the concept of time itself is not only subjective but quite relative. Time is not linear because there are infinite numbers of intertwining timelines good old Dr Who loved surfing so much in his TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) spacecraft resembling a British police telephone box. The following article chiefly provides food for thoughts and a reminder, even though, in some respects (you'll have to figure out for yourself), it may be difficult to grasp insomuch as it takes purely theoretical statements for recognised facts I will neither validate nor invalidate — still having both an open mind and reservations about the issue.
Ey@el
What are timelines and why do some predicted events come and go without the anticipated event ever happening?
What is a Timeline?
A timeline is a chronological point within time and space that is relevant to this planet. For example, a list of inventions in chronological order since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution could be shown on a timeline.
Time is linear and is only relevant to this planet. A day on Earth is calculated by the amount of time it takes for our planet to fully rotate on its axis. A day on Mars is similar, but different because it takes Mars approximately 28 hours to revolve on its axis as it revolves around the sun, proving that time (as we know it) is only relevant to this planet. When we cross over to the other side, time, as we know it, no longer exists.
Like the Picardie-Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, which has been renamed “Hauts-de-France” (France Heights), Auvergne (a central region of middle France) will also have its name changed. The decision was taken as a result of a vote on the internet.
The local initiative was validated by the Regional Council of Auvergne that welcomed such a name, expecting it to clearly enhance the region's worldwide exposure.
“Middle-Earth is known to everybody, so hopefully, with such a name, visitors will flock massively to see our landscapes quite similar to those of Tolkien's world,” the Regional Council stated in a press release. “Also, we're much closer than New Zealand so it will be a great time and money saver for tourists,” they added.
The Regional Chair presented various arguments in support of the chosen name. “Geographically, it makes sense. Then it is true that Auvergne accounts for quite a few communities with uncanny similarities with creatures from The Lord of The Rings. I can't remember them all, but believe me, there are many. Anyway, too late: it's already been adopted!”
A change of flag and a new name for local people
Now that they have validated the proposal, the Regional Council is considering a possible change of flag and local currency and may also rename its people as “Hobbits”. “Auvergne natives are commonly shorter than average and very hairy. They'll just have to take off their shoes and it'll be perfect. No big deal, really.”
Open your mouth wide: A universal sigh, And while the ocean blooms, It’s what keeps me alive. So why does it still hurt? Don’t blow your mind with why...
Apocalypse or revival? Another time, another place? When music creates such picturesque impressions on my mind, all boundaries dissolve, the prison walls disappear, washed away by emotions into giant neuronal fireworks. Tonight... at last!
As mentioned already, I really like Stevie Nicks's voice and the songs she writes whether with Fleetwood Mac or as a solo artist (I'm less fond of the arrangements though) as well as her fantastical imaginary world relatively close to mine. Incidentally, it's only after a (short-sighted) American musician told me I reminded him of her that I took an interest in the music of this great lady (even though only 5'2" tall like I). This song she wrote in about ten minutes, alone on the piano, is probably Fleetwood Mac's best known and only number one track to date. A little jewel I hope you'll enjoy as much as I do.
Ey@el
Now here you go again, You say you want your freedom. Well, who am I to keep you down. It's only right that you should Play the way you feel it, But listen carefully to the sound Of your loneliness Like a heartbeat It drives you mad In the stillness of remembering What you had And what you lost — And what you had And what you lost.
Thunder only happens when it's raining, Players only love you when they're playing — Say women,they will come and they will go. When the rain washes you clean, you'll know.
Now here I go again, I see the crystal visions. I keep my visions to myself. It's only me Who wants to wrap around your dreams and Have you any dreams you'd like to sell? Dreams of loneliness Like a heartbeat. It drives you mad In the stillness of remembering What you had And what you lost — And what you had And what you lost.
Thunder only happens when it's raining, Players only love you when they're playing — Say women,they will come and they will go. When the rain washes you clean, you'll know — You'll know.
There are days when you had better stay in bed. Young Benjamin Vares, aged 29, must have thought that too after his run of unfortunate luck where upon avoiding walking under a ladder, he tripped over a black cat and his head violently hit a horseshoe as he fell heavy on the ground.
No matter how careful you are, sometimes fate may appear to be against you. It started as a good day for Benjamin though. Almost as soon as he went out, he'd spotted a four-leaf clover in his backyard and trodden on dog poo upon picking it. Carried away by such a stroke of luck, he'd then decided to pluck a daisy and take a chance on “loves me, loves me not”, coming up with “loves me madly”† although he had no real clue who his secret lover could be.
But everything changed as soon as he arrived at the office. Cast aside by his colleagues just because he “smelled a bit like shit”, he got late for a business lunch where he realised he was the thirteenth guest. Upon giving a toast with champagne, he quickly avoided a foolhardy colleague about to cross glasses, accidentally knocking the arm of another who was busy freshening up, causing her to drop her pocket mirror and smash it.
Horrified that he might experience seven years of bad luck, Benjamin decided to leave before dessert. That is when the incident occurred. Upon avoiding walking under a ladder, he bumped into a black cat and smashed his head against a horseshoe. He had to be rushed to hospital.
Fortunately, according to the latest information available to us, his luck appears to be changing again. Indeed, it looks like he may avoid the seven years bad luck threat due to prolonged coma.
Endnotes
Whereas you pull petals off daisies: “loves me, loves me not,” in France, where hairs are not split, but coupés en quatre (cut in quarters), plucking marguerites has seven choices: Il m'aime, un peu, beaucoup, à la folie, passionnément, tendrement, pas du tout (he loves me, a little, a lot, madly, passionately, tenderly, not at all).
I often “tag” my family and friends, but rarely do myself. For a number of obvious reasons I already mentioned. Not long ago, upon experiencing a really painful phase of self-deprecation, my inner voice made me realise how vital it was for me to step out of my comfort zone and allow myself to be who I am rather than unconsciously trying to comply with who (and what) others expect me to be. God helps only those who help themselves. Love yourself as you would like to be loved. Easier said than done. However, after spending a lifetime begging for unreceived scraps to no avail, I've now decided to apply the “if you want something something done, do it yourself” saying.
This lengthy (nebulous) preamble is meant for those who might not take this purely formal exercise for what it truly is — a graphical attempt to express the essence of my inner self. They are politely invited to get lost on Fakebook or Twister where they might encounter some genuine narcissuses.
I'm just at the other end of your night, I'm always in and out of your light, Right down the middle of all your dreams.
To those who have been paying attention, last weekend on the night of 30th April to 1st May called Walpurgis Night or Beltane Fire Night, also known as Witches Sabbath, some pagan celebrations were held in places. It is therefore no coincidence this date was specifically chosen by Radiohead to make their comeback to the music scene after a lengthy absence of five years with this meaningful single and video clip.
Burn the Witch
Stand in shadows, Cheer at the gallows: This is a round-up.
This is a low flying panic attack. Sing the song on the jukebox That goes:
Burn the witch! Burn the witch!
We know where you live...
Red crosses on wooden doors, If you float, you burn.
Loose talk around tables: Abandon all reason, Avoid all eye contact, Do not react, Shoot the messenger.
This is a low flying panic attack. Sing a song of sixpence That goes:
Burn the witch! Burn the witch!
We know where you live... We know where you live...
Pioneers at every level in terms of both music and asset management as well as distributing their own music, the intelligent, educated fivesome (not to call them aliens in rock music), who came close to being consumed by the music industry in the mid-1990's, have since learnt how to deftly juggle their way into the Matrix in order to preserve their independence and creativity and protect themselves as individuals. Still without a proper record deal (their music is distributed via an independent label which does only that), the launching of their new single resulted in some kind of cleverly orchestrated media event as they... disappeared completely from the web without prior notice!
It all started on Saturday morning when some British fans received mysterious cards by post displaying the Radiohead logo (a mutant bear) and a strange message inviting them to sing a sixpence song and burn the witch. “We know where you live” it stated. The news, of course, went viral and caught the attention of online mainstream media who also reported it. On Sunday, by mid-afternoon, first the band's official website then their various social media accounts began to fade progressively over time to completely blank in the evening. Ultimately, all their posts including banners and profile pictures were removed. A great relief ensued on the following day when the first excerpts from the above clip were gradually revealed (in dribs and drabs). The complete video only became available in the evening prior to the official release of the single on the various commercial music streaming platforms.
And what a wonderful surprise! First, the stop-motion animation clip directed by Chris Hopewell (who also contributed to the "There There" video in 2003) using plasticine characters is obviously inspired by both Trumpton children's television series (first shown on the BBC in 1967) and Robin Hardy's Wicker Man (1973) — a cult movie ranking among the 100 Best Movies ever produced in the UK at the British Film Institute — of which it is actually a 4-minute retelling.
Musicwise, the rich, diverse influence of Jonny Greenwood — who spends his time off Radiohead composing film scores with symphony orchestras and recording ethnic or “world music” albums with Indian and Israeli musicians — is clearly felt in the part using violins as previously glimpsed and hoped with "Spectre" recorded (but ultimately rejected) for the latest Bond movie. Having had a hard time digesting the whole of Radiohead's discography within a relatively short period of time, I didn't expect I would get into this track from the first notes. Thom Yorke's superb clear voice is literally bewitching.
For the record, this title would have been written thirteen years ago during the sessions of twin albums Kid A and Amnesiac. Apparently, the band would have tried to rearrange it on many occasions to no avail. Until now.
Lyricwise — while early scraps can be found on the booklet cover of Hail To The Thief as well as on a page entitled "The Diet of The Worms" on their official website as from 2004 — a reference is made to "Sing A Song of Sixpence", an old British nursery rhyme that goes:
Sing a song of sixpence, A pocket full of rye , Four-and-twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie. When the pie was opened The birds began to sing.
Considering the present world situation, notably the worrying rise of nationalism in Britain, France, and almost everywhere in Europe, these lyrics might be understood as a criticism of all the political-media witch hunting actually going on.
I, however (and it's my own view), also see in this whole How-To-Disappear-Completely launching operation — where an entirely blank Facebook page recorded millions of likes (sic) — an urge for some people to put their own house in order. To anyone who will listen, of course. With all due respect, I don't know how to say it (please, don't burn me — actually I wouldn't float, I'd sink straight away!), but given the way some jumped to mind-blowing conclusions purely based on assumptions, I wouldn't be surprised that Radiohead might have wanted to try an experiment at the same time. I don't know whether it turned out to be a great enjoyment or disappointment. My guess would be just a confirmation of what they knew already. Now, anyone may read between the lines and find his own meaning. After all, as Montaigne (much liked by Thom Thumb) would say, what do I know?
This is the article from Collective Evolution shared on his Facebook page by the late Prince in response to some questions asked by fans as mentioned previously in last week's repost. Regular readers might recall the compelling topics that cymatics and the influence of music on our bodies and minds are. I must confess that, besides musician Nigel Stanford's experiments, the samples presented here really impressed the hell out of me! Since my ears cannot pick all high frequencies, I thought I wouldn't be able to hear any of the subtleties between A=432 Hz and A=440 Hz (which is the case with MP3 files where I can't tell the difference between a 128 and a 320kbps encoding), but not only do I hear it, I also feel it strongly within my inner core and that, from the very first notes. Try it for yourself and see how fascinating it is. Now, converting all your music to A=432 Hz might be set to be a tedious task though, considering that — according to the video tutorial link provided at the end of the article — the tuning of the original source must first be identified and next, in order to change pitch without losing quality, a commercial application takes about 10 minutes per track (whereas it's much quicker using Audacity, which is freeware, there is a loss in quality).
Ey@el
If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.
Nikola Tesla
What we have called matter is energy, whose vibration has been so lowered as to be perceptible to the senses. There is no matter.
Albert Einstein
Tesla said it. Einstein agreed. Science proved it. It is a known fact that everything—including our own bodies—is made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. That being said, it seems logical to wonder, can sound frequencies affect us? It would appear that this is the case. Frequencies affect frequencies, much like mixing ingredients with other ingredients affects the overall flavour of a meal. The way frequencies affect the physical world has been demonstrated through various experiments, such as the science of Cymatics and water memory.
Some fitness for starters: extensive stretching...iron pumping...and door-climbing under the blind eye of Sergeant Fido.Extreme sports are next: sliding...trapeze ...bobsleigh...and some intensive cardio for a brilliant finish.
Slackers? Cats? No way! Check out your house cat's crazy schedule... You just do that and maybe you'll get your well-deserved daily 18-hour sleep!
In Germanic mythology, Lorelei is a water spirit similar to the Greek sirens or mermaids. Most of all, she's a symbol of passionate love in literature: the love of a woman, betrayed by her sweetheart, who falls to her death while thinking she saw her man's boat on the Rhine. I created this picture using Christa Geinitz's "Love is you and me" tutorial (her site is no longer online), probably inspired by various legends and the deep feeling of sadness I was in at the time, that is several years ago. Not much to do with the original Lorelei from the legends, however this is the name that came to mind when I did it. Above all, today is International Dawn Chorus Day, held on the first Sunday in May, where the public are encouraged to rise early to listen to bird song.
FR
