Post For Pal Jeremy
I read this today and thought of my friend, Jeremy – confirmed Deadhead and a man with way too much residual acid leftover from earlier days still swilling around in his brain. Or maybe just the right amount – you’d have to ask him, but he’d probably say “Not enough, sister, not enough.”
Anyway, Jer’s away on his holidays right now so he prolly won’t see this, but I thought I’d post this quote anyway. It’s not the most profound, nor the most daintily put quote ever, but it gladdened my wicked heart this morning and anyway I’ve got nuffink else. I’ve been doing Other Stuff, see, and doing Other Stuff plays merry hell with your blogging time. Other Stuff is down right importunately impertinent.
Anyway, Jeremy’s a believer in the transformative powers of dance, and I of music. Transformative in the rolled-back eyeballs, swirly twirly, higher plane way – not in the turns you into a mongoose way. Here’s the quote:
“In song and dance man expresses himself as a member of a higher community: he has forgotten how to walk and speak and is on the way toward flying up into the air, dancing.” Nietzsche.
See? Wasn’t that nice and gentle for a Thursday morning? Not too demanding, just a recognition of the beautiful things. There’s nothing like a little cribbed wisdom at twenty past ten.
Other Stuff rears its stuffy, snorting head again. I’ll give it a decongestant, see if that clears it. Back in bits.
July 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Much wisdom there, albeit it’s Nietzsche and generally was full of crap in my estimation.
But, I agree that Man’s ability to create: Dance, Music, Art, Literature, etc. points us toward the Divine.
Now, I must create a legal brief, which points the other direction, although every moral compass needs to have butt-end, what?
Cheers.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Ha! Indeed! But if the briefs are covering the butt end, what is doing the pointing on the other side? Lawks!
Pal Eryl who sometimes drops by, would disagree with you on Nietzsche though. She’s an ardent admirer.
If you had Evander Holyfield as a client, it would be a boxer brief, wouldn’t it? Humour me! My jokes have been met with scorn and raised eyebrows so far this week. It wouldn’t be so bad if the scorners weren’t 6.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Oh how I love to dance! Don’t get much chance these days, the nearest I come to it is bouncing on my mini trampoline in the rain with an ipod plugged into my head. Nick Cave makes a great bouncing buddy.
As for Nietzsche being full of crap, that’s true but good things need crap to grow in is all I’ll say about that, a bit more muck spreading please.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
The higher community to which he refers is the extended primate family. I never realised Nietzsche was so in touch with his inner ape. He should have followed his own advice by dancing more and writing less.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Eryl, Nick Cave is the business, is he not? There’s all the crap you could possibly want around here, toots. Place reeks of horse-manure. I hope that from out of my crap my commenter’s philosophical branches will grow leaves and avoid Dutch Elm Disease.
Nanas, I don’t think people with 4 consecutive consonants in their names should be allowed, even if they do have great minds. Dancing is always a good thing, except on graves.
July 11th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I gots 2 left feet but but I’m the Lord of the Dance after enough beer
July 11th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
There’s a song from I think the 70’s- the reframe went something like this-I can dance! There’s also a song from Little Feat- “Wheelchair Boogie” about the singer’s dad being in a home for elderly and still dancing, albeit in a wheelchair. When I dance, when I really dance and the aculturated maya (illusion) that separates each of us from our fellow man/women is no more I touch what is sacred in myself and realize it in the smile, tear, glance, of my fellow dancers and sojourners. When I’m old and enfeebled and my mind is gone (might be already) I assume that I’ll still tap a toe or move my head when music is playing and find myself with a smile. Thanks Sami! By the way, I actually love Nietzsche! A bit crazy…never understood this thing about eternal reoccurence but respected his uncompromising beleif in life and living.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
xoxxo thanks, sugar…and you know why!
July 12th, 2008 at 4:43 am
I woke up out of a dream and had recalled a dance. Two years ago the kids I work with at the local high school asked if they could have an end of the year dance. Most of them had never been to one and the ones who might have gone to the prom hadn’t been asked. Being in wheelchairs, or in what is termed the Special Ed Class, it’s just not done. Many images from that night are etched forever in my heart. Here’s 3- Little Emmie lifting her arm of her own volition for the 1st time in 2 yrs 6″-12″ off her lap tray to the rhythm of the music. Her Mom concerned that it was late and her daughter might be fatiquing which could lead to a seizure so she’s pulling her out the door. Emie’s voice, who one might normally miss as a whisper, is heard over the music- no! no! Dance! Dance! Little Alex, who is labeled with the diagnosis of autism, dancing like the Tin Man, arms
chopping, jerking in discord to the music, entire body shaking, and a smile that would light up the world. Kid’s labeled normal coming out of curiosity or a bit of guilt but dancing with their new friends and not wanting the night to end either. Black Eyed Peas song (something about get up!) starts to play and I thing we’re having an earthquake. I turn and see 4 of the guys, none of whom are less then 200 lbs jumping up with their arms raised over their heads and when I turn back the entire place is jumping from the parents, teachers and every kid. This is what I met by sacred in my last comment.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Nietzsche’s superb. Full of fantastic depth and insight into the human condition and how we fit into the universe.
Except for women.
And relationships.
He was seriously crap on those.
July 12th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Quickroute, if you’re telling me you’re really Michael Flatley, you are banned from this blog – banned, I say!
Savannah, x. Really hoping it’s not long now for you, toots.
Jeremy, I bet the kids will never forget it either. You gave them a great night. it’s cool that some of the “norms” went too.
Kim, he was a funny duck alright. Who’s your favourite, then?
July 14th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Oh I’m with Eryl on this one: Nietzsche?s my fabbistist philosopher, no doubt. None of the others come near. So long as you ignore his idea on women and relationships. So many levels, so many layers, so much screaming at the universe.
July 15th, 2008 at 7:16 am
Since I lost my singing voice – don’t weep for me – oh well just a drop or two, when I hear beautiful music I sing silently and feel I’m flying. So I think he’s right.
Kim: what else is there besides women and relationships?