The Beginning

Tuesday: Woke at 5 AM, and actually got out of bed. Sitting/ morning practices in the classroom until 6:30. Met in the kitchen with my team for breakfast. Breakfast prep until 8. RF was standing in the corner, and I asked him the time. I was 10 second behind him. Rang the bell at 8, and the dance of refilling until about 8:30. Asked for 7 volunteers for 8:35 (where? asked RF). Then the dance of cleaning and managing cleaning until about 9:20. One guy was sneaking away and I asked him to stay to complete. He didn't understand English, so I had someone translate. There was a staff meeting at 9:15 in the ballroom. The inaugural meeting is set for 10. I am going to take a little recumbent down-time now.

At 9:45, I got up and walked to the ballroom. A kitchen meeting had been called, but I had not heard about it. The summary was all the usual though: work with intention, don't chop off your fingers, recognize the sacred aspect of food. The chairs were cleared, and there was a short break. At the end of the break (10 AM) all of the non-staff seemed to be hovering outside the door. I walked past them into the room, which seemed to signal that it was "OK" to enter. The chairs were against the wall in a large semi circle, with the stage as one end. Preferring to sit on a cushion, but not wanting to be below eye level of everyone else, I sat on the stage. Several others joined me there as people took their places. RF entered last, and, as he often does, gathered everyone together. He wound up sitting on the stage on a chair right next to me. This gave me a very interesting vantage point, because I could watch people's expressions as they addressed him: People with worthy goals, and lofty aspirations, shaking in their boots as they spoke. Many people were stone faced and solemn. Why? Robert played quite a bit with language during the statements of name, origin, reason and aim. Flemish, Japanese, Bulgarian and Welsh were a few of the tongues represented. The person of Polish descent didn't arrive. RF told a story about a Welsh phrase that his mother taught him that translates as "Scratch your ass with your toenail." This phrase was translated several times to enjoyable effect. One good question "What does it mean to be present?" RF gave three sensory examples: Hearing would be rich with full stereo definition, you would sense life in your body, and perhaps your pulse, and the lines between things in your vision would be very distinct.

To paraphrase important points:
*The previous 21 years of GC history have been about Injunction, that is "Do this." This has built up a large and stable body of practices which are largely ignored. So, the next 21 years are about Application. We know what to do, now, we best get about actually doing it.
*A Harmonic Minor will be added to C Major in the basic scale vocabulary (C Maj may already be beyond us, but after 21 years, despair is not an option.)
*RF said that chances are good that he will be present at the 42nd Guitar Craft Anniversary course, subject to change. He said it is unlikely that he will be around at the 63rd anniversary, and will most likely be ignoring us from a distance at that point. (A reference to a joke that Tom R had made about Patrick Smith's participation in this course.)
*RF said it was his intention to present a mysterious guitar technique called "The Slide."

The meeting took a very long time, running well past the slot originally designated for Tai Chi. We had two 5 minute leg-stretch breaks. After many mentions of friends not present, and a few commandments from the assistant house manager regarding smoking and the use of electricity and water (which RF did a good job of softening with some levity), the meeting was adjourned. The time was about 1 PM. Gave MB a quick explanation of A Harmonic Minor, building on our "circle of fifths" work from yesterday.

I took a quick shower, then got a bit of lunch (just before seconds were announced). The first empty seat I saw was next to Bill Reiflin, so as has been my practice, I took it rather than avoid sitting next to someone who intimidates me a little, which would be my default behavior. I asked him how much he gets to play guitar, and was surprised to learn that although he doesn't get to play much these days, he has worked as a professional touring guitarist.

After lunch, cleaned my shoes. Then, returning to my room, I found a bar of soap on my bed. This was a little disappointing, because I had twice asked the house manager for hand soap to be placed in the bathrooms. Having my own personal bar of soap wasn't quite what I was hoping for. I found the assistant house manager, and was able to make a little progress on the issue... The time is now 2:45 PM, and I sit in the newly named "Hall of Aspiration" (i.e. the classroom). Two course participants have just come in to practice.

I practiced guitar in the newly named "Hall of Accomplishment." Perhaps it is so named because the natural reverb in the room is so think, you should only practice music you already play quite well in there. Went and sat out in the backyard watching the course from afar. A little after 4, went in and had some coffee and goodies, language again being the focus of conversation. I headed back to my bunk, passing the first Level 1 meeting getting going, on the way. These people looked like they were waiting to be shot. Took a nap.

Woke a little before 7, and feeling a bit groggy, headed for dinner. Squash mashed, squash with oregano, and eggplant with sauce and cheese. It was a root vegetable bonanza. Of course. It is autumn here, and the produce we are eating is all coming from a local farmer's market.

Debra had a comment about a moment of grace as they prepared the eggplant... seeing the food as becoming the music in the future through those that it fed, and then feeling love for the eggplant and its preparation. There was tittering. RF commented he had an experience with a turnip. More tittering.

The comments from the L1 and L2 seemed a bit timid. I've been imagining what it must be like to lead a course like this, and lack of feedback I would think would be quite frustrating. The fear/respect that RF commands is powerful as a tool, but this is perhaps its downside. I suppose lack of feedback is feedback in its own way.

The work for the evening: I made the comment that last year at Lebanon the kitchen team didn't get much of a chance to play together. So, of course, had to step into organizing: 9:30 in the dining hall. I probably should have said 9:15. I am too generous sometimes. This was the second time today when I set a time too far in the future. Striking while the iron is hot often outweighs being accommodating.

Flan with dolce de leche on top. Yum. The time is now 8:32. Took a walk around the backyard. A quiet night with peace in the air.

Showed up a bit early for the KT meeting, and got a circle set up with the help of Heruko and others. Quite a large team. Eye of the Needle, circulations, Third Relation, Askesis, Calliope (no mirror leads), Hope (a bit floppy)... Blockhead (I don't know this piece), Where's the Nurse (small team), Asturias, Invocation. It was quite fun facilitating the circle. A fivish minute break, and then a smaller team for Askesis again and Intergalactic Boogie. Put the tables back together, and walked up to look at the board. Walked back to the dining hall, and smiled at Hernan, walking through the door, seeing someone tip one of the coffee flasks off the tea station. Turned around quickly and left. Now, sitting in classroom, Igor and Tim working on A Harmonic Minor. I showed Igor, and a fellow named Adrian, Chrysanthemum. Evening stuff and to bed... late, past 2 AM.