#ashtag #ashes

I joined 70 other men this past weekend for a silent retreat with the Jesuits. It was the 3000th retreat held there since they opened the doors in 1948. Wow!

This was my tenth retreat, and it was unseasonably warm for the first week in January.

Men, if the busy-ness of life is wearing you down, and you need to recharge – you should consider making a retreat. I guarantee you won’t regret it. (Non-Catholics are welcome!)

Here’s a video I made with photos taken at the retreat along with Gregorian chant – useful for reflection.

Looks like they’re about 1/3 complete. Video was shot from Cathedral steps on Dayton Ave.

Go ahead -– try not to tap your foot or bounce your head to this live jam.

The answer was – sorta.

I whipped together a groove in Garageband and recorded the guitar in one take. About halfway through I noticeably stumbled…but I was happy to make it to the end!

From their website:

AMC Theatres (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the “Sensory Friendly Films” program.

In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for this unique audience, the movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

What an outstanding idea! And kudos to AMC Theatres for stepping up and supporting children with disabilities.

Steven D. Greydanus has posted a positive review of the film, and it sounds family friendly.

Here’s a trailer:

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you know of families with children that have special needs, please consider sharing information about Sensory Friendly Films with them.

It’s taken around 8 weeks of semi-regular practice, but I’ve made some headway in my sight reading exercises. I can now – at most tempos – read and play up to eighth notes in the fifth position on the guitar. (3/4 and 4/4 meter.) Tonight, I started looking ahead and practicing some simple sixteenth note exercises. I know, this is some basic stuff. Go ahead and chuckle. 

I’ve finished two books on music theory and feel like I’ve got a solid grasp on the fundamentals: key signatures, intervals, scale modes, chord construction, etc.

I’m also focusing on composition and I’m halfway through one of two books on the subject.

For recording purposes, I’ve been using Garageband and Logic Express and I’m starting to feel comfortable with them. Maybe in the next few months I’ll have something I can upload to Soundcloud and share.

I’ve been spending a great deal of time on ear training. Specifically, intervals such as minor thirds, perfect fifths, sixths, etc. I’ve been incorporating some solfegé for voice – which helps – but it’s been frustrating. Progress has been s-l-o-w.

Overall, it’s been a unique and exciting experience returning to my roots in music. I’m more focused and intentional than I was in my youth. Maybe it’s because I’m older, but I don’t mind the mental and physical roadblocks that come up, and when I overcome them, I cherish the results that much more.

I’m thankful to Our Lord for the progress I’ve made so far.