chuck kottke

One good way to prevent a lot of bloodshed is to make ties! One couple I know did just that, and have travelled extensively throughout the Middle East, singing their way along, almost unbelievably, through some pretty war-torn areas! They have a lot to say about how the every-day people of the Middle-East are not nuts or dangerous in the least - in fact, they're very kind and accomodating, on the whole! If anyone's interested, check out Musical Missions of Peace at http://www.musicalmissions.com. Cameron and Kristina will be glad you're interested!! Happy Trails, -Chuck

Hello! Well, it's all tragic, if you ask me! Kids learning at an early age the cult of the Martyrs, and Israel's creation as a Jewish state by taking land from Palestinians.. All so sad to create these rifts between we people.. There too, time has passed, and to let bygones be bygones, and truly help one-another! It is typical for those in power anywhere to use more force than is necessary to resolve the matter, which it looks like, and then to the other side, which is waiting for this so they can launch more attacks (indescriminantly), as the extremist leaders label the other as all the same and all as guilty of "crimes against Islam." Yet, Israel (much like the US) is not willing to just solve the matter without escalation of the conflict - maybe to pre-empt what they fear would be an even bigger battle in the future? And, folks on both sides, who would otherwise be nearer to peace are again drawn into a polarizing process...Yet, In the end, we've all got to get along! I can't understand how destroying power plants, water treatment plants, and the like wins anyone over!! This just builds anger and resentment, over a matter that doesn't warrant this level of action. Did we win anyone over by bombing the water, electric, and treatment plants in Iraq either? I think not! One can only succeed against those who are unjust in their actions by being just. Otherwise, the unjust have every excuse in the book to make light of the other's mistakes, and use these mistakes, however lesser by comparison, as a pretext for further attacks, and a battle cry for the next generation. Saddest of all is the harm done to the innocent - by certain Mullahs, by Militants, by the Israeli millitary - what hell it must be to be in those innocent shoes! OUCH! OUCH! What works in the end? How do we get this to cool off and let cooler heads prevail? I'm wondering, should the area just be called the Holy Lands, and leave it up to a system which protects religious liberty, ensuring justice, and allowing any faith to be practiced, so long as it does not trample the rights of others? It's pretty sad to see how we forget how precious life is in these circumstances... If those of Islam's faith hold a brotherhood that feels for one-another , as I understand it does, then it makes sense to help those in the the Islamic world better themselves, so that there is less grinding poverty and sadness that leads to the martyrs' cult being so desireable. It will take generations to undo much of the hatred already built up on both sides of this, but I have hope we shall one day overcome the walls that separate us, and learn to respect one-another's place in the world, and to find the deeper meanings in our religions than to turn to battles and wars. But, it's a big complex situation, so I might not have all the puzzle pieces either. Hope someone does!! Happy Trails, -Chuck

Good Morning Larry!:) Glad you understand it - all I remember were those few choice moments - like when Grandpa got angry, and then we learned a few German swear words!! (but a few others as well, like the Lords prayer, some funny jokes, etc.) I didn't know it was similar to Dutch - Thanks for that tidbit of info.! I got a kick out of those You Tube videos on clocks - all those pianists trying to play it!! It's really very easy on a synthesizer keyboard, but pretty tough to do on piano!! I've got to give all those who try credit for it - they do an excellent job. Really, the Xylophone came the closest in tone though. Still, nobody does it better than Coldplay! When I hit wrong notes at one point, they came up with an excellent changeup to the music, and added a beautiful singing part, nice humming bass, and percussion that brings it alive so much more. I wonder how they endure all the concerts. Wow, that's got to wear a person out after while?? I'm glad they have the stamina to keep cranking out the great music, though! Happy Trails Larry! --Chuck

Hello Kristina! Hey, I like the jitterbug! Though, I would imagine if it's been there for a while, it might need a refreshed design. Lake of the Michiganers. Our great inland seas! How's the weather there in Toronto? Red Green Nearby? I like your quick-film there! Is this the alarm clock band??:cool:

Hello Magneto! WELCOME !!! Yes, I presume you mean keyboard? If so, then: Best advice I could give on that realates to Clocks. When you play it, best to use electronics. Synthesizer keyboard. Set the reverb key. (gives it that grander than grand sound) Use the Bell Tone setting over piano setting for the main part. (cooler ~~~~~reverberations~~~~ that way) And for the upper octave part, use the Xylophone setting. It's incredibly easy once you get the hang of it! If the keyboard has settings for it, you could use the automatic bass and drums that follows the music nicely.. Also, punctuate (hit it a little harder) the first note of each set of three, and shorten the time between the last two notes played in each series - play like you hear it if you're looking at sheet music, else it will sound a bit mechanical. The changeup is a series of notes with a key signature change - a bit harsh, but good for effect! HAPPY TAPPING! -Chuck

Welcome Johana!! :hat::dance::wink2: Good to see another Midwesterner on board!!! Congratulations on your engagement, and keep Illinois rockin' !!! (and if you ever run short of cheese, Wisconsin's not too far away!) Happy Trails, -Chuck

searching for answers... Hello All!! It looks to me like big business and politicians (who claim to be doing the will of the people) aren't so interested in bettering trade relations (unless of course, they're names are Gates, Carnegie, or Rockerfeller!) with the poorer parts of the globe. What it seems to all boil down to is getting honest representation, and getting an honest press that actually takes an interest in covering these topics! Those folks we put in Parliament, Congress, and the various heads of state - they need to be accountable to we, the people! The press, were it to cover more than just the latest exciting fluff, would then convey a more accurate portrayal of what's at stake, and where the real problems are. (BBC's still pretty good on that one, but the US mainstream media is for the birds!) Getting to that point takes real reform measures, so that the buying of influence (bribing) is minimalized, and elections once again represent the will of the people. I would guess one of the reasons Bono found the US and EU rep's at the WTO to be thus: "the US plays silly buggers on subsidies and the EU on tariffs, and it just goes on and on..." is because the rep's. really are buggers! If honest men and women wrote the laws and made the treaties, the WTO would be leaps and bounds better, if we even needed it at all! Unfortunately, we're still under the influence of elections being bought by the highest bidder, though many of us are working hard to break the cycle over here. Check out your representation and where their money is coming from, and you can pretty well guess why they do what they do!! So, my advice to anyone who's not already aware of if would be to get involved in supporting real reform measures - especially if you're from the US, where the influence pedalling has gotten wayyy out of hand!! Support candidates for reform, and consider adopting state-sponsored funding of campaigns. It might sound pricey, but it's way cheaper in the long run, and ought to open up the much-needed aid for Africa's poor, as well as help make trade fair by getting honest brokers involved. Right now, though, it's the best government money can buy!! Happy Trails & Keep an Eye on the Prize!;) -Chuck

Hmmm! Toronto's not too far off in the Great White North...:) I think the video's very funny! Sped up a bit, I hope! (jitter bug dance?) Green Bay's the nearest town of any size around here - not quite Downtown Toronto, but the valley goes with it as well - and an easier commute! One of my friends from college days gone by moved there - all the way from Belize! Got his Masters in Business from Toronto, and likes the climate, despite the quite apparent difference in temp's! Well, I need rest, :sleeping: Happy Trails Kristina! -Chuck

~jake~:juggle::bulb::idea2::cheesy: hey, THAT'S NOT WIERD! That just shows an active imagination!! ~~~~All the strands of the universe are linked, so why not follow the threads?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've done that - but never quite intentionally - you make it into a game of sorts! Rock On!! -Chuck

Well, If I were to venture a guess, I would vote for clothes on as well!! /We humans need clothes for a lot of reasons - like, it gets c-c-cold! And one of the basic Greek loves is the Love of the Familiar. Plus, we're a lot like those birds of paradise!! Clothes are like feathers - adornment - for display! And, without clothes, what fun would strip-tease be anyways???:hat: Happy Trails!! Keep Cool with Coldplay!! -Chuck

Greetings Clarice!! Time is the one dimension that really moves!! Hey, what ever happened to the Beatles? :angel: Sargent Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band?? I liken all of these into the greats - when we look at flowers, birds, or even gemstones, are they all not equally beautiful? I love all good music, but I do agree - Coldplay is Great!! Thanks for tuning in! Happy Trials, -Chuck

HELLO :-} !! Hello MixedIvan!! Quite a variety of bands!! All the way back to Radiohead - - - quite a span of time as well!! Keep on Rockin' China!!:thumbsup::drummer::guitarist::elf::smiley:

Kristina of Canada!! HI and Hello!! What part of Canada? I Love the quick video - looks like they're dancing the jitter-bug:pleased: ~~~~Keep experimenting --- chance favors the prepared notes!~~~~

HI CHRIS! Wow - the dancing C's! Now I've seen everything!!!!:):):) Slovaks run in the family as well - are they all this wild and crazy??:hat: Charities I love - I'm impoverished from belonging to so many of them!! I love to make trade fair as well, and hope we can bridge the gap between our worlds more completely, and feel for one-anothers' plight, as we share so many common values. To "walk a mile in someone else's moccasins" is an old Native saying here, and though often overlooked, it makes all the more sense in today's world. Right now I'm helping out a few honest people in their quest for office here in the US of A. We are in desperate need of honest government here, as a lot of positive movement is being bottled up at all levels, as the bribery has gotten the better of many in office. At the grass - roots level folks are aware of this, and I'm hopeful we can bring some change in the next election cycle. Well, enough spiel! Thanks for the warm welcome, and keep on Partying!!!:jester::drummer::daisy::sunny::indianbrave::wacko: Happy Trails, -Chuck

Rusty Deutsch Hello Rick! (Verzeihen sie mir bitte - mein Deutsch ist nach 120 Jahren rostig!):stunned::rolleyes: :shocked2::) ;-) And, for a second attempt at it: "Reihe, Reihe, rudern Ihr Boot, leicht hinunter den Strom. Merilly, merilly, merilly, merilly, Leben ist aber ein Traum." Grandpa spoke Plattdeutsch, and for that I had never learned to write. Happy Trails! -Chuck

:thinking: :rolleyes::)Today, depending where on Earth one stands, I would vote for Daylight!! It has that Quality that creates an excellent trance-like mindstate, and then brakes it with an interlude, and comes right back to the keyboard, then bass, then drums, then vocals - a nice way to cheer up! Happy Trails! -Chuck:cool::):cool:

Keep on with the Imagination Train! This has got to be the coolest bulletin board I've ever seen!!! With Smiles - :) -Chuck

Dusty Keyboard?? Hello Shiver129 - Love the Graphics!! !:-> & Hello There Dusty Keyboard!! Dust that baby off and crank out some tunes!!!:) Neat cartoonography - you really know how to keep fun in the world!! Spooky? Whatcha mean by spooky?? Most everything we have today comes from humble roots - but it is more of a challenge to see things for what they are, and see the possibilities in the kernel of grain to become oats once sown and nurtured, than just to see the grain. Coldplay does it best - from acoustics to synthesizer music, often in the same piece! They deserve the credit for taking whole cloth and making it come alive!! Happy Trails, -Chuck

I did not create clocks, but I did come up with the very basic keyboard component, the essence of it...at least I do believe so. That happened before Coldplay began playing clocks, perhaps 5 or 6 years ago, though the exact year is but a blur in my memory now.. It was played by another group prior to Coldplay's version, -sounded very much like U2, but I was intentionally avoiding paying any attention to it back then, so I cannot be certain. Almost all creation has humble forms at its roots, but in the combined form becomes greater than the sum of its parts. So, clocks probably had evolved from that simple beginning to become something worth listening to. Even rock and roll came from the blues, which came from African rythms, each time changed - added to, blended with, and reshaped into a more modern version of its original form. And, it may not be only something I had played once - the music at it's core is so basic, it could have arisen many times, throughout history. It may date back to the harpsichord, the lute, or to the harp itself. Any number of experimenters, trying out basic musical patterns, would have evolved that basic piece. Still, I had stunned the mall goers at the Mall of America - stunned myself as well - for what was so simple a piece had so profound an effect! My memory is pretty clear on that! It seemed like a dream, but I know I wasn't dreaming! I would imagine this might be hard to believe, coming from a complete unknown, but then we are all just people, coming from different backgrounds, and have contributed in some small way things we might not expect to find such resonance arising from. With All Sincerity, -Chuck

Hello Judyblueeyes! :):):) & I thought sincerity was a lost art! Keep on keeping on, and while brevity may be the wit of soul, resonance and harmony can only amplify one's joy!!! Glad they got you through a rough patch, and keep letting the sun shine in!! Happy Trails, -Chuck

:):):) Once upon a time, I had the good fortune to visit a music store with a keyboard on display, and I began to play a tune. Though not well versed in music, this was a minimalistic piece, easy enough for my limited abilities, and it took form rapidly as I experimented with it on that long-ago fateful day. Setting the reverb key, trying piano modified with bell tones, and finally xylophone setting for the octave above, it began to sound grand - stunningly grand! I repeated and repeated and repeated the trilogy of notes, each set of sets played by starting out and punctuating the first, proceeding down the keyboard in threes, and doubling the middle set. I then added the automated accompanyment for bass and drums, for which the keyboard provided, and which sounded excellent as well! I continued onward, and had a desire to add something - a change to the music - an interlude of sorts. Unable to guess at the best place to begin, and trying to keep the music going, I hit an off-key note, and stopped. In all earnest I hadn't a clue that this piece would ever be put to such good use, or become so universally recognized! Hats off to Chris Martin, to All the members of Coldplay, and to the devoted fans for their continuing support and enthusiasm for this music, and the creative spirit within us all that it continually re-ignites!! For what began as an experiment, a test-pattern, an earlier remembrance of some older tune, became in the hands of experts a song titled clocks, and remains as startling as the day it arrived out of the speakers, in a form polished to perfection by them. With All Sincerity, -Chuck Kottke 3213213-2 3213213-2 3213213-2 3213213-2 3213213-2 ..............