birthday

The back of this photo is marked 1966.

Image | | Paul Greer

The last time we spoke was a year ago today on my birthday last year. I keep meaning to tell you things that you would like to hear forgetting for a moment that you’re not there anymore. But the children are all doing well, especially the two who started the new school and you’d be proud of all of them. We’re off out to see the fireworks with Dad tonight and I wish you could be with us. Sleep well, Mum. x

Tips

Aside | | Paul Greer

I’m pissed, here’s some advice:

  1. When it comes down to people, and what they do, there is no such thing as normal.
  2. You can’t control how you feel, but you can control how you feel about how you feel.
  3. Don’t eat things that come from sad animals.
  4. Everything is connected.
  5. If you want someone, and they don’t want you back, try not to take it personally.
  6. Avoid time wasters.
  7. The brain you already have inside your head is probably the best piece of technology that will ever exist. User guides are available.
  8. Don’t trust people who tell you how to live.

(T)

Happy Birthday Mr. Lynch

| Paul Greer

image via

Yesterday, as well as being New President Day, it was the birthday of illustrious film maker David Lynch.

I recently finished reading his book “Catching the Big Fish“, a very personal account of his approach to creativity, and the role that meditation plays in it.

I have often felt that techniques like meditation may result in bland art, due to lack of “pain”, a deluded idea partly inspired by Captain Kirk (I’ll explain another time). Mr Lynch is a very good example of how this is not the case.

In the book he writes:

“Anger and depression and sorrow are beautiful things in a a story, but they’re like poison for the film maker or artist. They’re like a vice grip on creativity. If you’re in that grip you can hardly get out of bed, much less experience the flow of creativity and ideas. You must have clarity to create. You have to be able to catch ideas.”

Here is a little seen, very short film by Mr Lynch:

movie via Attentiondeficitdisorderly Too Flat

Belated birthday greetings to you, Mr Lynch.