tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post5697335862629760358..comments2024-01-24T11:41:28.022+00:00Comments on A Cuban In London: Of Literature and Other Abstract ThoughtsA Cuban In Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-26093452690864296792011-01-18T03:51:41.827+00:002011-01-18T03:51:41.827+00:00Fascinating post ACIL! I really enjoyed it. Perso...Fascinating post ACIL! I really enjoyed it. Personally, very timely. I have only recently taught myself how to listen to music and read at the same time. I have finally figured out how to filter some of the other 'noise' I hear on a daily basis. How to tune into specifics. I used to be of the mind that, as you said, silence be the only companion to reading. But much like certain lyrics to a song can inspire in me a word or an idea to put down on paper, to write, they can work to amplify the words already on paper.<br /><br />Thanks!Hana Njau-Okolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15978662559579409259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-52197968928648367892011-01-16T07:13:29.748+00:002011-01-16T07:13:29.748+00:00Remarkable post, Cuban, I echo what Elizabeth has ...Remarkable post, Cuban, I echo what Elizabeth has said.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871239587214383387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-77727760763491056402011-01-15T23:14:45.718+00:002011-01-15T23:14:45.718+00:00I can definitely relate to the alignment you felt....I can definitely relate to the alignment you felt. When I wrote my memoir I needed to put Italian songs on, and with words and music taking me back, I could then feel a magic pull, back in time and space.Rosaria Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133147851332084180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-17670364625019473032011-01-15T23:04:39.144+00:002011-01-15T23:04:39.144+00:00The main way that I "use" music is when ...The main way that I "use" music is when I'm writing - if I can find a song that gets me into the right mood for a particular scene, I know the writing will flow more smoothly.<br /><br />I don't typically read and listen to music at the same time, because I like to give each my full attention. And I'm not a natural multi-tasker!Rachel Cotterillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08969719330048416996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-58189912989895108542011-01-15T21:42:04.297+00:002011-01-15T21:42:04.297+00:00I rarely listen to music when I read, although whe...I rarely listen to music when I read, although when I write I try to find just the right stuff for the mood I want to create. (Often having a really hard time to find just the right thing - anything with words is out - I use that as an my excuse for not writing much!) <br /><br />My kids, like most people of their age, listen to music constantly. It helps to keep them focused in certain activities, while I view it as a distraction from some. <br /><br />I can certainly appreciate your music/prose intersection, though. Your brain makes the most amazing connections!Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10892637441668897411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-3331700975093376622011-01-15T19:34:14.995+00:002011-01-15T19:34:14.995+00:00Many thanks for your kind comments.
"whether...Many thanks for your kind comments.<br /><br />"whether readers and writers would find that the same music used during the writing would be the same music that a reader would find compatible with what he or she was reading."<br /><br />Judith, that would be an experiment worth investing time and resources in, I assure you! :-) What a great idea. For instance, right now I've got Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' on (Autumn). Could James Joyce have been writing Ulysses almost a century ago to the sound of the Italian composer's ode to the seasons? There's food for thought.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-67531557033232000532011-01-15T16:41:02.556+00:002011-01-15T16:41:02.556+00:00Art and religion are intimate experiences. Philoso...Art and religion are intimate experiences. Philosophy is like trying to understand both of them. So when you have all three collide at a fragile moment (such as leaving your mother and not knowing when you might see her again) the impact was just an the ultimate experience. Wonderful.<br /><br />Also, I always always write my fiction with music. I feel the lyrics, rhythm, passion, and flow unlock doorways in my mind that otherwise would not open if I did not listen. Excellent & eloquent thoughts here (as always).Jodi MacArthurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13373591664178281529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-56110730324502024722011-01-14T12:15:54.065+00:002011-01-14T12:15:54.065+00:00Read the quote while listening to the song! You ca...Read the quote while listening to the song! You can't recreate other people's epiphanic moments, but I see what you mean.Dominic Rivronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02618013365521035400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-36190399714391476342011-01-14T07:49:00.258+00:002011-01-14T07:49:00.258+00:00¡Cuban! Te acabo de responder el último mensaje qu...¡Cuban! Te acabo de responder el último mensaje que dejaste en mi blog a fines de diciembre. Feliz año para ti también, hermano. Te vuelvo a hacer el cumplido -y no porque me hayas dicho algo similar-, este look que tienes ahora está súper. ¡Me encanta! Saludines.Chez Isabellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08240993869309364892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-70144020371888269212011-01-14T01:03:07.407+00:002011-01-14T01:03:07.407+00:00I enjoyed the song. It was moving. Soothing if y...I enjoyed the song. It was moving. Soothing if you don't pay attention to the lyrics. Thank you Cuban.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02399300464457820101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-46508698852572103062011-01-13T21:21:35.824+00:002011-01-13T21:21:35.824+00:00First of all, I'm not going to blast you for l...First of all, I'm not going to blast you for listening to music while reading. I don't understand why anyone would. I do feel and have been told by others all my life that multitasking actually means that you end up not being truly attentive to anything. I understand and believe that to generally be a fact. <br /><br />But I don't believe it to be true in this case. The combination of arts has been used forever as a way to reach a deeper meaning. Especially the combination of words and music.<br /><br />I hope your mother reached Cuba safely and that you'll see her soon. It's hard to be separated from loved ones.<br /><br />JaiJai Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04858987106548357551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-50833511057832689332011-01-13T19:32:15.013+00:002011-01-13T19:32:15.013+00:00What did my mother say as she leaving? The same mo...What did my mother say as she leaving? The same most mothers all over the world say to their sons, especially if he is the only one: "Look after yourself". And no, you weren't intruding, Mim.<br /><br />Who won me? My feelings. Gil was the defying voice, Karen was all reason and balance, whilst the memory of waving goodbye to my mum has lingered since.<br /><br />No, the melody is not a rap song. I would describe Gil as a spoken word performer, even though that would be falling way short of his talents.<br /><br />Elizabeth, I read about Karen's project, when she first announced it in The Guardian. I think it's a great idea, even if it does fall in the woolly side of things. But sometimes you need a little bit of idealism in your life to keep you going. Not everytihng has to be raw and harsh reality. Self-alienation, in moderation, can be just the medicine the doctor ordered.<br /><br />Tonight I had a similar moment to the one described in the post. I was reading 'Ulysses' (just started it really) and I had Al Di Meola's 'Elegant Gypsy' on and at the end of the second track, 'Midnight Tango', there's a percussion solo that seemed to echo Stephen Dedalus' thoughts.<br /><br />Listening to The Boss's 'The River' now. Air-punching never felt so good! :-)<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-62743816674556151562011-01-13T19:13:12.630+00:002011-01-13T19:13:12.630+00:00Synchronicity: is that the right words for the int...Synchronicity: is that the right words for the intersecting you experienced. Poignant farewell to your mother. What did she say as she was leaving? Forgive me for intruding.<br /><br />As for me: if music is on when I'm reading, it's usually muted. Bass vibrations intrude. Even the muted music fades out more and more as print takes over--that's where my head is. Lately, I love doing one thing at a time. Time seems to slow down.<br /><br />I'm still saying goodbye to my dead mother. She lives in my head--sometimes.<br /><br />Warm regards from South BeachMimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13039776441665375475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-22039708442915053832011-01-13T12:42:42.052+00:002011-01-13T12:42:42.052+00:00And then there is the impact that music might have...And then there is the impact that music might have on the writer. I understand that Stephen King has rock music (or at least loud music) blasting whle he writes. I don't know if that is an acurate recollection, but I know that when I write fiction I am intentional about either using silence or using specific music for a given scene. And I wonder, if the data existed, whether readers and writers would find that the same music used during the writing would be the same music that a reader would find compatible with what he or she was reading.Judith Mercadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739476600999112092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-89655092090257406592011-01-13T12:13:38.166+00:002011-01-13T12:13:38.166+00:00Wonderful post. I don't believe in coincidence...Wonderful post. I don't believe in coincidence.Tess Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04889725786678984293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-82190654652947564642011-01-13T10:41:23.603+00:002011-01-13T10:41:23.603+00:00Yes, agree with Elizabeth above, and sharing the m...Yes, agree with Elizabeth above, and sharing the multi-tasking feelings with Ocean Girl as well.<br /><br />Fascinating examination into how artforms can interact with each other, and the enhancement of one that may result. I am impressed by your brain though - I couldn't do two intense things at once. I really do prefer to read in silence, but strangely, when writing, I like background talk and activity (public places) or, absolutely best of all, a Bruce Willis film on the tele in front of me. <br />No, I can't work that out either - I think Bruce must serve to engage the 'entertain me' side of my brain whilst leaving whatever intellectual capacities I have free. Then again, I often write whilst listening to Radio 4 or the World Service. Can't do music though - it engages me too much.Titushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16380213493011623153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-83118578705376942112011-01-13T02:57:09.146+00:002011-01-13T02:57:09.146+00:00Oh, and this is an incredible post on so many leve...Oh, and this is an incredible post on so many levels -- I think you should try to publish it somewhere beyond your blog.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-14563554696306825892011-01-13T02:54:39.687+00:002011-01-13T02:54:39.687+00:00I'm with you on both counts, Cuban. I love a w...I'm with you on both counts, Cuban. I love a well-chosen song to accompany my reading -- it's like a double whammy to the soul if it works out right. I recently posted about a road trip I made to San Diego this week and a song that I listened to -- I hoped that those who read the post would listen to the song while reading it --<br />On another note, have you heard about Karen Armstrong's compassion project? She is such a beautiful writer and person --Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-30474473585493634582011-01-13T00:29:58.826+00:002011-01-13T00:29:58.826+00:00Hola Cuban,
I read you back and forth, trying to ...Hola Cuban,<br /><br />I read you back and forth, trying to understand your mixed feelings of missing your Mom, of riding the train, of what Karen Armstrong was saying (I read the book and tried to recall what she wrote about In The Beginning, and it made me want to go home and pick the book off the shelf and look it up, I may do that this evening) and of you listening to the melody of the song (is it really a rap song?) and what the singer is saying. I was multi-tasking with you and multi-feeling the emotions and thoughts that could be invoked by your experiences (did you notice the fellow passengers? were they too listening to their MP3, hauling luggage and trying to answer their phone?).<br /><br />All in all, I tried to sense who won you. Your Mom, Karen Armstrong or the singer? I gathered it was the singer.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02399300464457820101noreply@blogger.com