Tuesday 21 April 2020

Slowness: When You're Chained To The Mirror And The Razor Blade

To be honest, I've always had a soft spot for the cod-philosophy of Oasis lyrics. Back in the 90s I didn't care that they didn't mean much and perhaps even thought that they must mean a lot - now I'm not so convinced. But one lyric which did connect this morning, 25 years later, was this one:

All your dreams are made
When you're chained to the mirror
And the razor blade.

For Christmas I was given a double edge safety razor handle by my wife. The main purpose of these is to reduce the plastic waste of disposable razors.

However, there has been an unexpected side effect of using such a razor: it enforces slowness. Rush with one of these and you either get cut up or experience an uneven shave. Make no mistake, I am now experiencing better shaving, but it takes a little longer.

Now, when I shave, I am mentally prepared for the thing to take a little while. I am ready to take a step sideways out of the busyness of everyday life. I am accepting of the fact that something in my life isn't just going to happen instantly. 

And I embrace the slowness. The steady draw of the blade down my cheek. The knowledge of its power to cause pain used incorrectly. The careful manoeuvres around the contours of my face. The unhurried attention to the softer, more sensitive areas of my skin.

Whilst I do this my mind is free - perhaps not free to make dreams, but free to meditate.

This morning, I woke up shortly before my alarm signalled the beginning of the day's routine. I was out of bed with plenty of time to read the Bible (Hebrews 9 today) and to pray. Whilst chained to the mirror and the razor blade I was free to think of and pray for loved ones. Yes, as always, my mind wandered as I thought of friends and family who I've not seen since the COVID-19 lockdown began. But as it walked alongside those who I miss, I was able to re-channel my concentration and to pray for them.

A quick shave with a multi-bladed Gillete ocean-filler would not have provided me with this slow-induced solitude, nor would it have readied me for the day ahead as well. I may have been sporting equally as silky cheeks, but I would have been rushing that little bit faster into the day, slightly less primed for whatever the day held in store for me.

Saturday 26 August 2017

#FreeBandcamp: Irregular Spirits by The Menagerie

Free Music:Irregular Spirits by The Menagerie

Download: https://themenagerie.bandcamp.com/album/irregular-spirits

Genre: Hip Hop, Rap, Hip Hop/Rap, UK Hip Hop

#FreeBandcamp: Chest of Treats by Tea Sea Records (Various Artists)

Free music: Chest of Treats by Tea Sea Records (Various Artists)

Download: https://teasearecords.bandcamp.com/album/chest-of-treats

Genre: Hip Hop, Rap, Humour, Hip Hop/Rap, UK Hip Hop

Friday 7 July 2017

#FreeBandcamp: Rooted by Restless Leg Syndrome

Free music: Rooted by Restless Leg Syndrome

Download: https://restlesslegsyndrome.bandcamp.com/album/rooted

Genre: hip hop/rap, hip hop, rap, beats, DJ, instrumental 

#FreeBandcamp: Black Gold (1:1) - Jimi Hendrix v Wu Tang by Tom Caruana

Free music on Bandcamp: Black Gold (1:1) - Jimi Hendrix v Wu Tang by Tom Caruana

Genre: hip hop, hip hop/rap, rap

Download: https://tomcaruanamashups.bandcamp.com/album/black-gold-11

If you like what you hear, pick up a copy of the cassette for £9.99! Only 100 copies available. Choice of clear purple, solid purple, yellow, white and red. Includes all album tracks, 3 instrumentals & bonus mix 'Grenwich Village'. All wrapped up in exclusive artwork by Geo Law

Sunday 25 June 2017

#FreeBandcamp: Spray Paint (Reflection of Culture) - Jazz Spastiks

Free music on Bandcamp: Spray Paint (Reflection of Culture) by Jazz Spastiks

Genre: hip hop, hip hop/rap, instrumental hip hop, rap

They say: Taken from the new album and book 'Scratch & Sniff' by Jazz Spastiks. Music you can smell! Comes with special Scratch & Sniff book. Pre-Order Now on CD/VINYL/DIGITAL igg.me/at/scratchandsniff Watch the 'Spray Paint' video here youtu.be/tUTe4cAMS_4

Download: https://jazzspastiks.bandcamp.com/album/spray-paint-reflection-of-culture

Tuesday 13 June 2017

#FreeBandcamp: Nasimoto (Nas & Quasimoto Remix) - D. Begun

Free music on Bandcamp: Nasimoto (Nas & Quasimoto Remix) by D. Begun

Genre: hip hop, hip hop/rap, instrumental hip hop, rap, remix, mashup

They say: What do you get when you combine one of the greatest rappers of all time with one of Hip-Hop's greatest producers? Nasimoto. This is a collection of instrumentals from the Quasimoto album "The Unseen" mashed-up with some of illest verses from Nasty Nas. 

Download: https://davidbegun.bandcamp.com/album/nasimoto-nas-quasimoto-remix