Thursday, December 4, 2008

Please help me with my Christmas Challenge


This mini travel guitar was left behind by Cédric, the camera man for one of the French documentary crews I worked with last year. When I dropped them to the airport he told me to get it from his hotel room and keep it.
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The other day my friend Glen (who used to be very involved with the Raj Yoga Centre) called and said: "Spec, will you perform for the Raj Yoga Christmas concert this Sunday?" (i.e. Sunday coming).

Without thinking, I said: "Yes."

Only when I said "Yes" and put down the phone did it sink in that (a) it's a Christmas concert (b) I don't have any original Christmas songs (and I wouldn't want to sing an existing one) and (c) I would have less than a week to make up a whole new song.

When I called Glen back to tell him this and to say that I didn't think I would play after all, he had already told the Centre I would be performing. "Take it as a challenge," he suggested cheerily.

So I accepted 'the challenge', thinking I would be inspired to whip up something in the coming week.

However, the concert is 3 days away and (a) I have not yet touched my guitar or drum to compose anything (b) I don't feel inspired (c) I don't feel Christmassy

Can any of you offer ideas to prompt me?
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11 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 4, 2008 at 4:23 PM

    Hmmmmmm, this is a tricky one. I've been recently thinking about what I apprecitate about the "holiday season" or more accurately, what this time evokes in me. When I really put my mind to what's joyous about it, as odd as it may sounds there are other sounds that bring on the feeling that we have once again arrived at this season. It's sounds like the red cross bell jingling (seemingly incessently), reminding people to think of others and to be generous. There are sounds like Handel's Messiah being rehearsed; people humming the tunes even without realizing, and of course the sounds of wrapping (tearing, being cut, tape, etc).

    Don't know if it helps - but sometimes what we are looking for is in the spaces around the obvious...

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  2. UnknownDecember 4, 2008 at 4:37 PM

    Perhaps also, ask yourself - what is the purpose of the holiday? What is it supposed to be/do?

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  3. ElspethDecember 4, 2008 at 4:53 PM

    Thanks. I was actually just talking to someone and she brought that up (meaning of Christmas) ...

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  4. meadysmusingsDecember 4, 2008 at 5:19 PM

    I've been partying with the Three Kings or the Magi for some time now do something based on that and have two friends since with you nah...! :)
    Check out my writings on them if u like this one
    http://universalcollectiveprayer.blogspot.com/2008/12/guide-us-to-thy-perfect-light.html
    and this one
    http://universalcollectiveprayer.blogspot.com/2008/11/we-three-kings-mystery-of-magi.html

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  5. AnonymousDecember 4, 2008 at 9:11 PM

    how about a not too silent night

    the shepherds out there
    the night nippy and the
    blasted sheep dem still
    bleating like they hungry
    after i stand up in hot sun
    all day and watch them clean off
    couple acres of grass

    eh ehy boy wha dis i seeing
    is things i seeing yes

    u ain seeing nothin
    but is angels dem fu so

    wa all ya do to mek dis happen
    man hush u mout an listen

    wha dat dey saying
    a king get born tonight
    well what dat gat to do wid we

    we is only shepherd nah?

    etc

    hope that prime your

    u may have to do it as caiso or old time calypso if that is your style

    and if not it may be a chance for you to try something new.

    grace & peace

    bramba

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  6. meadysmusingsDecember 4, 2008 at 10:13 PM

    bramba that kinda funny! :)

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  7. meadysmusingsDecember 4, 2008 at 10:15 PM

    although bramba in re-reading...I won't embrace the irreverent parts of it...it can be cool and funny to make light of it and trinify the language and the behaviour of the sheps etc but at the end I think the awe and sanctity of the angelic visit and the Christ child's birth should be preserved and respected but I get your creative play all the same...

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  8. Lynn CohenDecember 5, 2008 at 12:02 AM

    I guess your Jewish friend is the last person who could inspire you for a Christmas song.
    So I'll suggest meditating and sleeping on it...and trust that the words and tune will flow to you naturally as does all your other writings and art.
    Good luck, and Shalom. ;-)
    I hope you'll make a utube movie of the finished project.

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  9. AnonymousDecember 5, 2008 at 5:48 AM

    how about a (Hindu) chant with Christmas lyrics?
    Heidi

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  10. JaaseDecember 5, 2008 at 8:13 AM

    I would have used the fact that I'm not feeling the Christmas spirit and probably sing about why and what Christmas has become. Do like what you did for WOMAN- The Event, have it interactive!
    You are very creative...go with the flow.

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  11. ElspethDecember 5, 2008 at 9:28 AM

    Thanks everyone for your suggestion and Bramba for your poem.

    Yes, Jaase, I'm sure it will end up being interactive in some way. It already is.

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Thanks for your comments. I love to hear what you think and feel.