Chelsee Hicks > Recent Status Updates

This was a gift to me on my birthday in 2008, and I never picked it up till now- 14 years later. Whoops. I’m breezing through it; I don’t know the last time I read a teen book! I’ve enjoyed objectively assessing the way Christianity weaves through the narrative.

I can’t put it down. And now Charlie is hooked and doesn’t want me to read it without him 😅

The first book I’ve loved reading in a long time.

What a delight! Every aspect of “behind the scenes” production addressed-in captivating language, fascinating photos, and creative illustration. It’s like a scrapbook of what it took to make a musical film at a time when most ideas were firsts.

I’ve only read the 16-page intro by Rodman W. Paul so far, but I’m so excited! Bring on the stories of the wide western frontiers! If I’ve read a Mark Twain, I don’t remember it—so I look forward to meeting that humor, drawl, and unique voice about which I’ve heard so much.

Still in intro mode. I’ve been in nothing but open relationships for the past 5 years, but I am already seeing ways in which I’m not quite as freeflowing as our authors. We shall see.

I started off in high hopes. I’m finding now that it’s just too outdated and cheesy to fully appreciate. The analogies are obnoxious, and it’s all starting to sound the same.

This chapter, “The Music Instict,” has been a delight today. It divulges the evolutionary purposes of music—and arguments for and against such purposes. Music is essential in attracting mates and therefore in securing the survival of the species... or is it an excessive biproduct of more important traits like language?

Lots of child development of the brain re: sounds and music and culture. Nature ca nurture. What we like and dislike about music—especially how complexity and simplicity of a song can affect that.

“Music is clearly a means for improving people’s moods. Now we think we know why.” The concluding sentence of six pages of confusion. I absolutely do NOT know why. However, the top of Chapter 7–“What Makes a Musician!”—is so far promising and back to being interesting.

More neuroscience talk. But today, we’re actually given a narrative of Levetin’s personal journey into discovering what he knows: His trip to a conference of brain scientists, lunch with the codiscoverer of DNA’s structure, his hours in the labs. This book is all over the place, yet it holds onto its core purpose by a just-strong-enough thread that it’s beginning to weave something of value.

Again, this book ebbs and flows between wildly fascinating and painfully boring. Today I read mostly of theories on the human brain’s patterns and tendencies for categorizing. Very interesting examples to prove and disprove rules and boundaries in life and in music.

I checked Spotify to find an audiobook of the text in a desperate attempt to make it more interesting. Instead I found a playlist of the songs mentioned in chronological order. It turned the reading into a fun game! It made SUCH a difference and made the experience feel more like watching a documentary than reading a book.

Finally! It’s clicking! I’ve been dreading picking this book up each day because it’s been feeling like a scholarly article or research report (albeit the always-interesting examples Leviton provides). 80 pages in, and my brain seems to be locking into the technicalities enough to enjoy it. I still don’t see how a nonmusician could enjoy this.

In this chunk of the book are definitions of musical terms, along with some examples of their uses. He said musicians might want to skip or skim this section—I assume because they already know it all. Music is my livelihood, and I am still struggling at times to make sense of his words—until the examples, of course, and then the dry definitions come to life.

I’m still not through the introduction. But I AM enjoying our author’s voice. So far he’s told me enough to make him credible in the realm of the everyday music enjoyer and even of someone in the biz, and just as I stop reading do I begin to get to the part of him that understands the science of it all and wants to communicate it clearer to those who aren’t hip to the musical and scientific jargon.

I’m now in Part II of this book I’ve acquired—the part that instructs how to use the Rumi card deck...which I did not acquire 😅 The book is still offering guidance and stories that are interesting enough without the deck. Most prominent currently is the practice of “polishing your heart” so it might shine like a mirror so fantastically it gives off its own light and beauty.

Thus concludes Part I. After this, I believe the book becomes more geared towards the deck of cards which I don’t possess.🎴 Today’s passages were poetic and lovely accounts of Rumi’s death and impact upon people of all religions and beliefs: “Everyone loves the sun which lights up everyone’s house.”

Slowly chipping away with some small daily readings. Today I read more of Rumi’s intenssssse relationship with Shams of Tabriz. I’m curious to know more about it—from the perspective of a different author—to perhaps get a less flowery account. I’m feelin like I might be a tad too dry and grounded for this book’s mysticism 😅

This book was left in my house by a former roommate—without its intended accompanying card deck. So far I have learned the author’s intentions for compiling the deck and book, and I’m beginning to learn, as the chapter is titled, “Who Is This Rumi?” Most currently I learn of his passionate and unique relationship with Shams of Tabriz.

Author Eryk Hanuk has alluded a few times to the sentiment that “now, more than ever, this world is in need of Rumi’s words,” which I find amusing and interesting during these quarantined days of the coronavirus pandemic. Will wise, beautiful words ever stop being relevant and helpful?

I stare at these photos for way too long. I feel like a little girl idolizing the Hollywood movie stars. Such beauty! I’m mesmerized! I never grew up with Marilyn Monroe having any influence in my life —I’m happy to have been introduced to her as an adult. The book is only just beginning to introduce us to her substance abuse.

This audio book is on Spotify, and I didn’t realize until today that I accidentally listened to almost 100 pages yesterday while cleaning! I love to read along in the mornings. Today I read of Jo’s Mr. Bhaer, and I find myself admiring his character. Alcott, you do well!

The book did well today to distract me from my own little grievances. Each character feels so real, very thoroughly consistent, which helps transport me into the world of the book. Right now a small thing I’m enjoying is the way they apologize to each other and express their discomforts at the conflict leading up to it. It feels honest and pure.

Amy’s just written out a will and seems to be making all kinds of resolutions— I love that about these characters. They’re always trying to be better and vowing to make changes and then inevitably go back to being forgetful humans. It’s just so nice to see that it ain’t just me!

I have this old copy from my childhood library in Kansas. Just the sight of the browned, fragile pages makes me happy, and the words on the pages only help. It’s so easy and enjoyable to read, but as it’s over 100 years old, the language is inherently different and more beautiful than how we speak today. Where it’s not relevant to today, it’s fascinating; and Where similarities do lie, it’s comforting.