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Eros arrows

Cupid only misses sometimes.

- jack johnson

Jack Johnson's music is lovely. I find it calming and peaceful. I enjoy catching his subtle and not-so-subtle jabs and comments on modern life. In general I find his stuff very affirming and positive. And I'm glad that there's someone who cares enough to make statements with his art.

I have been thinking about the effect of art on people, and the media that different artists use to make their statements. My son wrote an amazing poem the other day and shared it with me. It brought me to tears - which, if I'm honest, is not a terribly difficult thing. But there was so much wrapped up in what he wrote. So much passion and desire and feeling. It was awesome. I am intensely proud of him. He consistently impresses me.

I let him play music occasionally when we ride together. I usually like what he chooses - even of it's not what I would choose. He and I often have deep conversations about why the musician makes the choices about what to include, how to turn the phrase, and why. Ammon's taste in music ranges widely, so you're never really sure what you're going to get. What impresses me and him is the way people create (!). It's all art. We may not like it. But I have to appreciate and acknowledge that it is art and therefore an expression of the soul. Sure, some of it is just so much tinned fluff, made for a vapid audience who only wants pre chewed pablum. But neither Ammon or I really like that stuff. We want the richness and MEANING that exists within really good and carefully crafted art. Because therein lies art's true effectiveness.

I am grateful for him. He's an amazing young man.

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