GuidoWorld

Eros and Erosion

Eros and Erosion

We have come from the eagles and the larks
To encounter some age old taboo
The steel chains that bind give off their sparks
Dissipated disarray our milieu
Complacent little one in the dark
It’s a shame you give me no more fuel
My ambience is not too marred
Harboring the dissonance of youth
You give my life no articulation
I refuse to speak in ejaculations
Our love stained by indecision
Self-induced malnutrition of mind

You don’t know how it hurts me inside
When you feel there is nothing to do
Concrete and secure you automaton
Whether you be mortician or shrew
Decayed and petrified is our love
No zest or vigor to enthuse
I’d strip the galaxies from within
If you could be so imbued

The alchemist of my affliction
Her vile root caused my hazard condition
The catacombs of my affections
Lies below the weeping willow

Harken to the ancient sounding lyre
To the wailings marooned
Beware of harpies in the sky
A sure portent of doom
Beware of harpies and their cries
Mutilating limbs of sinew

I fear the guardians of my chest have lost
Thumos

I wrote the above song near three decades ago. My band was performing out at the time. The band was named Ekstasis after title given to the Dionysiac cult ceremony that combined, theater, song and ponding rhythms designed to induce its participants into a ecstatic trance state.

The lyrics do pay homage to the time period by its references to alchemy, lyres, harpies, and the term thumos.

It is interesting to note that Eros and Erosion follow themselves in many dictionaries.

The song is about love (eros) and its decay (erosion). The singer describes the complacency and staleness that has entered the relationship and exhorts his lover to dig deep and resurrect the passion and intimacy they once shared.

The song begins with images of strength and power (eagles) and sweet, beautiful song (lark). It then mentions the taboos of intimacy which repress and cause tension. It moves on to the deadness caused by complacency, and the lack of intimate conversation.

At the end of his description of the erosion of their love the singer states that “I’d strip the galaxies from within, if you could be so imbued”. This line shows both his determination and hope despite the current stagnant state of their love. The following images depict the dangers and obstacles that await lovers on their journey to deeper levels of intimacy and self-disclosure. It is only one’s commitment to self development and endless disclosure and passion which keeps eros from eroding.

Any thoughts?

As I approach my 25th wedding anniversary (July 31), I am so thankful that someone heard my call, accepted my challenge and has filled my life with unrelenting passion and growth.

To hear song press here Eros and Erosion

Jim Guido

PS Listen for the Mission Impossible theme in the second half of the song.

The Brett Favre Saga

I realize that a vast number of you who read my posts do not live in the US. Yet, today I want to write a short post regarding a current national sports issue. I have been a fan of the Green Bay Packers since before I started first grade. So, the Brett Favre story is one that I have an emotional investment in as well as a logical one.

Brett has been the Packer quarterback for some 17 or so years. He has set record upon record and has been the face of the organization for quite some time. His energy, sense of humor and personality have made him a fan favorite for people who otherwise couldn’t care less for the Packers.

The personal and family losses and tragedies which he has allowed us to share in have only made him all the more worthy of our praise and support. The last few years the talk of his imminent retirement has been a constant American soap opera. Some months ago he made it official and said it was time for him and his family to move on.

Though many of us Packer fans were saddened that he didn’t leave in John Elway fashion winning the Super Bowl in his last two years, we were proud of the way he left the game. The Packers had a great season and were one game away from the Super Bowl. Brett had one of his best seasons and showed that his skill level was still at a very high level. It was nice to see a football warrior leave the game without any overt disability.

Yet, now Brett says he wants to return, and before anyone could catch their breath he quickly upped the ante and said that he wants his release from the Packers so that he can play elsewhere. Brett and much of the media are painting a picture of the Packer management as being disloyal and unappreciative of Brett’s talents.

My take of the situation is a little different. I think the Packers are doing the honorable thing of trying to be loyal and honest to a number of people. Over the last couple of years they have been grooming Aaron Rodgers to take Brett’s place as the quarterback of the Packers. When Brett announced his retirement they had Aaron be the guy during their mini-camp and used two of their draft picks to find one or two back-ups for the future.

When Favre said he had the itch to play and then quickly added that he wanted to return, the Packers should have been given some time to talk things over with some of the coaches and key players. The Packers eventually went in the direction of my immediate reaction. As a Packer fan my initial response was that they needed to keep their word and let Rodgers be the starting quarterback.

Favre has always said that records meant nothing to him and that winning and the joy of playing football were what motivated and rewarded him. It would seem that at 38 years old he would appreciate the benefits of not having to play every down and endure the danger and grind of the long season.

What is wrong with coming back with less pressure and making sure that one is healthy and relatively fresh for the playoffs? What is wrong with being the star who can come in and alter the direction of any game, or fill in full time if Aaron gets injured?

Though Brett has the record for most consecutive starts he has not been without injuries. He has played through many significant injuries, especially to his hands. One could make a strong case that his relatively poor showing against the Giants in the title game had to do with his 37 year old partially arthritic hands failing to grip the football in the frigid cold. Sure he’s always played well in cold temps, but he hasn’t always been 37 with a long history of hand injuries.

Brett appears insulted and indignant with the Packers offer to come back as Rodgers back-up. He is not being the loyal Packer we all grew to love and admire. Instead he’s talking of calling managements bluff and coming to camp, and saying he love’s his teammates while being critical of management.

Instead of coming back and slowly getting himself in peak condition during a long and grueling season, instead of being a leader in team spirit of a potential Super Bowl quality team Brett is choosing the low road of making divisive public accusations and engaging in a childish temper tantrum far beneath his legendary classy demeanor.

I don’t want to choose between Brett and the Packers organization, and I am disappointed in Favre for pressing us to make this choice. I think it is ridiculous to suggest that management wants Favre out or is unappreciative of what he has meant to the organization. I do not think it is unfair to want to keep one’s word, or try to act in ways which are keeping the longer term goals of the team in mind.

I sincerely hope that Brett allows the Packers management to be honorable men and to try to keep him a life long member of the Packer family. I would love to see Brett come in and be he hero the way greats such as George Blanda did in the past.

Jim Guido

Joy and Meaning

Too, often people talk of the search for meaning and happiness. They make these things goals to accomplish. Yet, are joy and meaning objects to be found, won or acquired? When I look at these experiences from a practical viewpoint, I once again am struck with how simple life is, and how difficult most people make it.

My daily senses of joy and happiness come from simple events. Each time I learn something new, or improve my ability to do a skill I find both joy and satisfaction. Self improvement and personal development are two areas which provide me with substantial happiness. Any area of accomplishment and improvement provides my life with joy and adds to my sense of personal history. My sense of time and personal development also give meaning to my life.

My connections and bonds to others likewise are an endless source of joy and meaning. At some moments I relish my individuality and uniqueness and find joy in my specialness. At other times I feel cradled in the care and respect I feel by my friendships and sense of community with others.

I find it is easier and more fulfilling when I make my goals in life practical and attainable. I am baffled by people who structure their goals and quests out of ideals and absolutes. They base their hopes for joys on unearthly and inhuman concepts such as perfection, freedom , eternal life, cosmic consciousness, etc. I am always befuddled by people who try to find meaning in life by concepts which transcend life or are contrary or beyond the normal scope of human experience.

I myself find joy and meaning if the very process of human experience. Everyday human experience, perception and consciousness is full of endless mystery and magic. Life is an endless puzzle and process. The irony is in the fact that the imperfection of life is the very thing which makes it possible for us to grow, develop and learn. It is our limitations which make sensory experience and conscious thought possible. Though some look at the ego and objective life as something to overcome and transcend, I find meaning and joy in the very experience and process of life.

For me those who aspire to overcome life are doing so to avoid pain and suffering. And yes transcending life can be an effecive anesthetic. Yet, one who is under an anesthetic is numb, and therefore unable to experience joy, happiness and passion.

Absolutes, ideals and the need for perfection are contrary to human experience. Our senses exist because they only can process a narrow band of stimuli that is flooding us at each moment. If one heard every sound being made by the universe and one’s immediate environment and internal body functions one would never be able to enjoy a baby’s laugh or the song of a bird.

Yet, despite these obvious facts of human existence, it is the rare person who not only accepts but revels in the finitude of human thought and perception. The fact that there is no completion or perfection makes it possible for me to develop and grow each day. The fact that I am an ongoing process makes it possible for me to make discovery and invention daily events in my life. Likewise, it makes joy and meaning daily events and not end goals.

Instead of finding meaning by overcoming our humanity I suggest we find meaning and joy in our very humanity and finite experience.

Below are two songs from my CD Priorities which echo some of the sentiments of this post. Click on title to listen, click on lyric to read.

Bath of Joy (lyrics/reveries)

Gaps (lyrics/reveries

Jim Guido

Twin Spin

I thought I’d just post a couple of my songs for your listening pleasure. These both are from the CD Take Me which can be found in the music section of this site. After reading and listening to these please visit the music section for more.

The first song is energetic thrash and the second is island ska.

Take Me Press highlight at left to play.

Take Me

Come here and touch me honey
There’s nothing more left to say
I’ve used all my cunning
Yet there you stay
I’ve assaulted you with emotion
Left you to yourself
Provided all the motion
You’ve watched me like a cat

Scenes like this really cause me pain
For I want to hold you, but I just refrain
I’ve never been the type to take the lead
Only with words can I state love, and how I feel

I’m spooked by you
Take me within yourself

Spent days in your basement
Exposed goblins for what they are
Set you free from your nightmares
Yet my monsters still get in the way

I’m spooked by you
Take me within yourself

Press highlight below to play Dance for Me

Dance For Me

Dance For Me

Dance for me
I would like to see you move so free
The movement of your hips sends waves thru me
You could be my raft, take me out to sea
When I see you move, I’m all with you
Your rhythms take me away

Dance for me, dance for me
Show me love and give me pleasure
Give me life so I need no other
Move like lightning and I’ll supply the thunder

Dance for me
I just have to reach out when you encircle me
It’s so very hot in this tropic zone
I’m feeling weak from the heat

Woman be my island, I lap at your shore
These rhythms keep demanding more

Dance for me, dance for me
Show me love and give me pleasure
Give me life so I need no other
Move like lightning and I’ll supply the thunder

Dance for me
You are the one, you are the one
My little island
Dance for me