Quote of the day.

"Time is the one commodity above all that is our true possession ... Time's most important quality is that it passes, that we have only a finite amount. Therefore, be aware of its value and know that when you give your time, you're giving of your life."    — Daphne Rose Kingma

The Devil Whale — Butter For Burns.

Once upon a time, I (along with lots of those music-loving others) helped The Devil Whale put out a second album by participating in their Kickstarter project. It was one of those no-brainers in the world of choices: they're a band I liked plenty, they created songs I could connect with, I wanted to see them succeed and, selfishly, I just wanted at that new album already. Fast forward a lot of months. The album's been out for a bit, they sound better than I think they ever have before (seriously, just catch them live already), they're on the road more than they are in Utah anymore, opening for The Head and The Heart and a gaggle of others and, well, they're just on their way. I couldn't be prouder.

And, as a bit of a thank you prize, I got to pick out a song for them to make a video of, one that's been a favorite of mine for a very long time. Today, they came through on that promise. Even managed to include Jen Woods (she who provided the lovely vocals on the recorded version of this one). Since it's just a day after my birthday, I'm going to go ahead and pretend this was practically one of those not entirely expected, belated gifts.

Better than cake, even.

I hope you like it like I do.

Butter For Burns from ben bishop on Vimeo.

Wordless Wednesday.

Pollyn is ear candy.

And, c'mon, who doesn't like candy?


Pollyn "How Small We Are" from Pollyn on Vimeo.

Hump Day Holiday.

Yesterday I decided to go for a long drive after work, if just to break up the monotony of my norm some. It took me to the Space Coast, a place I so rarely go, but an interesting blend of patriotism and boarded-up buildings and beach all at once. I got to smell the ocean in the week’s middle, see a mostly full moon shine down on the water, get rained on and even enjoy a rainbow. Saw both ends of it, in fact. I listened to the David Rawlings Machine do a cover of a Bright Eyes tune that turned into a Neil Young song at the end, all 10 minutes long of it, three times in a row. Spent a good chunk of gas and found a couple tacos to put in me before I journeyed back again. It was a few hours to just be in the middle of a week. I suppose sometimes that’s needed.

I tend to enjoy my loneliness. And, when I say that, I must explain that I don’t see the word as the sad one it usually implies. I simply like my being alone, being able to see so much of the new in this beautiful place and run around in bare feet and shorts all the year long and soak it all up in a bit of quiet reverence and admiration. There’s a lot to this place and so much more to see yet.

I’m glad my path has led me to exactly where I am.

The Harrow & The Harvest - The Making of an Album Cover.

This is truly one of the coolest things I've seen musicians do in a very long time, making absolutely certain that the packaging representing their album is as unique and timeless as the songs they create together. I suppose it makes sense that the musicians in question—Gillian Welch & David Rawlings—are already songwriters I adore, respect and admire. They're on tour throughout the United States from now until December and, even though it doesn't look like they'll pass through Florida (regardless of how much subtle online begging I do), I'm going to do my best to go and meet them where ever it is they'll be. And, even though it'll be the first time for me, I imagine hearing their songs live will be like meeting a dear, old friend, with a hug I don't quite want to end.

If I spoke bird.

I'm not a pet owner. I'm not around enough to have a bulldog and, lately, I'm chasing big, lazy Morris the Cat types off of my patio chairs like a crochety old man, so it's just as well. What I do have on my back patio, however, is an upside down bucket that I dump a cup of wild birdseed on every day or two. I wasn't sure if they'd show up or not, but I felt like giving it a go and, I kid you not, my birdseed brings all the birds to the yard.

I get blue jays and cardinals mostly. While I'm not an avid bird watcher (not the binocular and safari shorts variety, anyway), I do know when these birds show up for a bit of breakfast or dinner because they end up announcing their arrival. Sometimes they continue with that announcing (bunch of squawking that they manage to do with their beaks relatively full) all through their meal and/or snack.  In fact, they can't shut up about it.

I don't speak bird but, if I did, I've a few ideas on what it is they're getting across out back.

1. "WHO! ATE! ALL! THE! SUN! FLOWER! SEEDS!?"

2. "So, uh, half naked guy eating a bowl of LIFE and watching us, 10 'o clock. Man, that's disgusting. If I can keep all these bits of millet down having to look at that for the next two minutes straight, I'm going to surprise myself in the process."

3. "Cat! Cat! Cat! thisisdelcious Cat!"

4. "Oh, I just love what he's done with the splash of rain water this time around. This is just gourmet gorgeous. Created a little gravy in the middle is what he did. So delightfully moist and chewy."

5. "O, great wise bucket of the porch! We come to you in humble birdsgiving! Long may we praise and squawk and visit you with our incredibly silly slackjawed beaks! May you continue to provide us your golden bits and pieces."

6. "Seriously, what have I said about dropping your nasty bird droppings where you eat? Bill, was that you again? Don't think I don't know this is one of yours."

7. "I so just swallowed a feather."

8. "Dude, do you smell possum? Armadillo? Totally doing a number on my allergies."

9. "Can't eat the whole thing, but it's not going to finish itself. Can't sit here all day, but can't fly away anymore, either. Nomnomnomsquawknom."

But, again, what do I know? I don't speak bird. I'm just, you know, spitballin' over here.