Aside from incoherent twitter updates, I haven’t had the chance to sit down and tell what happened this week.
Monday, May 3 was a difficult afternoon for me. Full of meetings and work to do, I could hardly make it through with the kind of cold I was developing. I knew the next day I’d be home sick. Problem was: I was also sick just three weeks prior so to justify missing more work I would have to go to the doctor.
Tuesday morning I felt even worse. My head felt like a brick and I was coughing heavily 3, 4, sometimes 5 times a go. I made an appointment for later that afternoon.
I got on the subway and went downtown. Once I met with the doctor, I shared my symptoms focusing mostly on my sickness, but I also shared one seemingly unrelated thing: I had been short of breath since returning from vacation in late March.
On my last night in the Bahamas in March, I had severe back pain. I had no idea from what, my best guess being that it was from diving in shallow water at the beach earlier that day whilst playing football. In any case, it was excruciating and limited my sleep. The next day, I flew home and, on each of the 3 planes, I was beside myself, having a great deal of difficulty breathing. The passengers next to me on each plane must have wondered, “What is wrong with this kid?” I wasn’t sure what was going on, but anxious to get home, I just wanted to get through it and figure it out later.
For the next month and a half, I felt short of breath. Walking down the street made me huff and puff and I seemed unable to sing properly, with my breath running out faster than previously. Unfortunately, the very thing that some believe makes our health system work prevented me from doing anything about it.
I’d be interested to know how many people who have serious illnesses stay home and do nothing to avoid the perils of hospitals and health care such as waiting and bills. If anyone finds a study on this, I’d be curious to know. Either way, I’m fairly convinced that if all of these people actually went to the hospital, it would severely bog down an already bogged down system. Of course the flip side is that you’d probably get a ton of hypochondriacs who actually freak out over nothing. Ultimately it’s a fine line I suppose.
The other issue is that I had grown skeptical about what could be done about “minor” illnesses. For example, a couple of years ago, I discovered that I had a small case of post-nasal drip and it was affecting my singing. I went to an ear, nose and throat doctor who put a camera up my nose but determined that he would do nothing. Surgery would be too invasive and there was no prescription that could eliminate it. Thus I was stuck between having a problem big enough that it was affecting my way of life and having too minor an illness to do anything about it.
Was I going to do something about this one? The answer is yes, just not right away. I just didn’t think it was life-threatening and thought it might go away in time.
After informing the doctor of my breathing issue, he seemed to take it seriously, which was nice because I wanted to be able to sing again (my first thought, of course). He did the old stethoscope thing—something I never thought resulted in anything. However, a minute later he said he couldn’t hear anything on my left side and that I might have a collapsed lung. An x-ray would be needed to prove it, though.
I was sent across the street to an x-ray place and after having them taken, the radiologist pulled me aside and said in a very concerned tone, “You have a fully collapsed lung and need to go to the hospital.”
“Yeah?” I said.
“Yes . . . you’re Jonah, right?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, well you look fine, but you still have to go.”
What did it? My best guess is when I jumped into the pit of cave water in Bahamas from 15 feet up because it was the only high impact thing I did.
I was definitely concerned, but I realized quickly that I’d been living like this for over a month. I had been exercising at the gym like normal; I had been trying to sing (unsuccessfully); I had been going to work; I had been driving; the list goes on. So while the radiologist and the office staff were frantically gathering my x-rays and reports to take to the hospital, I had to tell them to calm down. Once I received the materials, I left, got in a cab and went to the hospital.
The next 3 days were a bit surreal. Most hospital visits are, but I just never thought it would come to that. I was admitted a little over an hour later and underwent a procedure that involved a small tube being inserted into my chest so that air that had entered my chest cavity and was pressing my lung down could be sucked out. The result was that the lung was allowed to re-expand on its own.
While I was able to be in the company of friends and family during the days, staying overnight in a hospital alone is always an interesting experience. I hadn’t done it since I was 12. Although there are other patients in the room and nurses on call 24 hours a day, you’re really, really alone. It’s then when you really have to fight to get better.
The time allowed me to re-acquaint myself once again with Sigur Ros and the ( ) album, but more importantly left me wondering how fragile we are. Here I was, a seemingly healthy person in the best shape of their life, completely at the mercy of chance. I guess sometimes things just go wrong inside.
I remained in the hospital for two nights and left on Thursday, May 6. Now at home, I’m recovering but also paranoid that I might relapse. After all, I have little control over what goes on in there. It makes me understand exactly how post-heart attack victims feel. The anxiety is very real.
I have always tried to avoid living in fear. I try not to be fooled by media scams, the swine flus of the world, overly insuring myself and my property, and I really try to give every stranger I meet the benefit of the doubt. Simply put, I don’t ever want to prevent myself from doing something out of fear.
Times change, however, and it becomes more difficult to do so as the clock ticks on.
May 8
I’m on a big music fix right now as I’m nearly finished building my new recording studio. I’m really ansy to just get in there and start laying it all out there.
For the last two weeks I have been furiously listening to only one record: Year of the Black Rainbow.
Unlike most Coheed and Cambria records, this one has taken the longest to grow on me. Truth be told, I thought the singles were the only thing saving it at first and it was really disappointing. For the last two records hit me like a freight train on crack. Sometimes, though, you have to take a step back from something and not expect it to rock your world in 5 seconds. Chalk it up to our collective ADD perhaps.
My two favourites continue to be the singles, the Broken and Here We Are, Juggernaut, a song that is quickly becoming my favourite Coheed song (I’ll regret that statement, I’m sure). Yet songs like Guns of Summer, Far, Made Out of Nothing and Pearl of the Stars have become really fun to listen to as they’re completely different from anything the band has put out before.
Guns of Summer is, simply put, a beautiful mess. But that’s what makes you start to move as soon as the chorus hits and everything cleans up in a hurry.
Far was one I liked right away, and I’m glad that its only continuing to grow on me. The synth-heavy tracks liken it to the Prize Fighter Inferno record, but the vocals are just like traditional Coheed.
Made Out of Nothing has a killer opening and verse riff, especially when the lead part kicks in under the prechorus. Then the chorus is perfect pop.
Pearl of the Stars is interesting because, like Far, it’s unlike any other Coheed song. For the first time in the band’s history, Claudio really shows off his lower register while delivering the lyrics with his classic high level of emotion.
I’ve also been reading the novel that accompanied my preordered version of the album. It chronicles the origin story of the sci-fi opera that accompanies all of the albums. It’s been fun diving into the fiction in earnest for the first time since knowing the band. Before starting the novel I searched online for all I needed to know beforehand. Now all the names and places have great significance, making it all more of a special experience looking back.
I woke up this morning, flipped on YouTube, and stumbled upon the documentary that was filmed last year for the Neverender series of concerts, where the band performed each of its albums in their entirety on 4 consecutive nights. Really made me understand why this band has become such a big part of my life.
And still I wonder: How?
Considering where I came from musically, it’s quite a shock, really. To throw this band up there with the likes of Matthew Good and Jimmy Eat World without reservation as my undeniable top three greatest heroes and influences is remarkable, considering how different they are. Their story documented in the film only confirmed that.
The movie reminded me of why I’ve spent thousands of dollars and thrown so much into this studio I’m building. The prospect of producing music that just makes me move like Coheed’s is more exciting than ever. This time it won’t be to satisfy anyone but myself and won’t be steeped in trying to anticipate what others want to hear. I’m not saying I’m going to re-invent the wheel, per say, but I do feel the pieces are coming into place for a new chapter in my own music.
May 1
I usually can’t stand to listen to music sung in foreign languages. Yes, it’s my North American bias, but it just always sounds awkward to me when, say, I hear a song in French. The rhymes seem forced and rhythmically it always sounds like the vocalists are trying to squeeze words into melodies.
Who’d have thought, however, that one of my favourite bands sings in Icelandic—Sigur Ros. Or rather, usually their own language called “Hopelandic”, which plays with Icelandic words, transforming them into drawn-out mumbles. While the music and unparalleled sonic qualities are what definitely pulled me in originally, the lyrics are sung in such a way that they sound like the most profound words one can hear.
Courtesy of Danny Polowin in the summer of 2003, I was handed an album that had no title and whose songs had no names. All I saw was a parenthesis symbol on the cover.
Of course I was curious.
Unfortunately the first time I listened, I think I fell asleep before the end of the first song. Sigur Ros is an acquired taste.
By the time I had heard the whole record I was stunned by the artistry of this band who is clearly in a league of its own. Since then, follow-ups “Takk” and “Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust” took it to a new level, adding heavy guitars and rock drums at times.
Sigur Ros’ contributions to the soundtrack of Vanilla Sky are pretty much the main reason why I like what would otherwise be an ordinary film.
I read once that James Hetfield from Metallica called Sigur Ros the best band on Earth. You don’t mess with James.
At the moment I’m listening to Sigur Ros’ frontman Jonsi’s solo effort called “Go”. It’s fantastic and I highly suggest it to music lovers everywhere.
Apr 24
This past Saturday, my glorious brother Daniel performed with Justin Bieber on Saturday Night Live. While doing so was one of his dreams, perhaps a greater accomplishment was achieved when he caught the attention of his hero Zakk Wylde via Twitter the next day.
Dan recently came into possession of Zakk’s custom Les Paul bullseye guitar—one he has sought his entire adult life—and played it for the first time on Leno and then SNL a week later. We, or rather his fiance, joked that Zakk might catch wind of the situation and forbid him to play it, simply for being Justin Bieber’s guitarist. Little did he know that some of Zakk’s fans actually were displeased to see their hero’s guitar played in service of a pop star.
As such, the following messages were posted on Zakk’s Twitter page:
@monkeytough Justin Bieber in SNL now and his “guitarist” is rockin a @ZakkWyldeBLS AXE!!! HAH!!! WTF?
@JoeVonAxeman @ZakkWyldeBLS Justin Beiber’s guitarist is sporting a Gibson ZW Custom Bullseye on SNL… I feel violated.
@blacktrix @ZakkWyldeBLS guitar AND Amplifier on SNL… normally that would be WIN, but it’s during Beiber’s performance. Shudder.
As I’ve said before on several occasions, the internet is plush with anonymous douchebaggery. For if we had to actually look those in the eye whom we were speaking of on the internet, well, let’s just say it would be a much friendlier place. Fake, yes. But friendlier on a superficial level and much less grief for those who have to take it.
See: Britney Spears.
Newsflash, friends: you don’t own the guitars; you don’t own the style; you don’t own the empowerment.
You don’t own the music.
Yet some think they do and this problem is something all of us supposed music connoisseurs need to deal with. Yes, it defines many of us, or so we think. Yes, we might be ordinary without it, but who are we to claim to be more true than those who walk among us.
Dan promptly stood up for himself and Bieber, thus paving the way for the ultimate judge, jury and executioner to lay down the verdict. The following tweets were posted by Zakk Wylde earlier this morning:
That kid playing the Bullseye was cool as shit….kids listening to Justin Bieber will get Baptised by BLACK LABEL!!! That’s Fn’ COMEDY!!
He had a Marshall up there w/his Orange Cab…..he was ripping some scales when he put the guitar up on his leg…God Bless Em’
Hey Dan …. Great Job on SNL last Night!!!! Made Me Proud!!!!!! Keep Throwing Down ….. Zakk tSDMFt MAY THE ODINFORCE BE WITH YOU ~===[]
Dan…. ODIN said Killer Job as well!!!! ~===[]
Match point. Congratulations, Dan.
Apr 12
Following 9/11, Afghanistan was immediately targeted in large part to remove al-Qaeda’s ability to build training camps there. And as we all know, Iraq followed, with justification fueled by references to al-Qaeda’s friendly relations with Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Of course it’s very likely that those countries would not have been touched had there been no economic or strategic interest to go after such as gas pipelines, oil and the like. If al-Qaeda truly was the threat that the United States claims it is, then perhaps the country might have considered targeting the Somalias and Yemens of the world, where lawless societies provide the perfect safe haven for organizing terrorist activities.
But again, what’s of value there? It’s the same reason why military action is never considered in the case of North Korea.
Meanwhile…
From the BBC:
A hardline Islamist Somali militant group has taken over a United Nations compound in the south of the country.
The fighters from the al-Shabab group, which is linked to al-Qaeda, disarmed guards at the base in Wajid near Baidoa, a BBC reporter says.
The fighters seized computers from the World Food Programme, as well as control of the local airstrip.
In February al-Shabab ordered the WFP to leave the country, saying Somalis should buy food from local farmers.
Aid agencies say that up to half the population needs food aid.
Al-Shabab controls much of southern Somalia, while the UN-backed government is only in charge of a small part of the capital, Mogadishu.
While there are a number of covert actions being taken by the United States to prop up the government in Mogadishu, America’s disastrous attempt to quell Somalia in 1993 makes it extremely cautious, hoping to avoid a repeat performance. The result is that the Shabab, an organization that has openly declared ties to al-Qaeda, has been able to seize control of much of Somalia, leaving the people there to suffer through an excruciating ordeal.
It makes you wonder even more about the motivations behind the Iraq War. While it was busy declaring “Mission Accomplished”, did the Bush Administration even stop to wonder where al-Qaeda might go once it was evicted from Afghanistan?
Only for the sake of interest, the answer is no.
Apr 8
Much of the diplomacy executed to bring about the latest START treaty that will be signed tomorrow by Presidents Obama and Medvedev had less to do with reducing nuclear weapons arsenals than with lightening the mood so that Iran could be dealt with. At least that was the American approach. For as we can see, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is still off his rocker…
From the Associated Press:
Addressing thousands in the country’s northwest, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad derided Obama over the plan.
“American materialist politicians, whenever they are beaten by logic, immediately resort to their weapons like cowboys,” Ahmadinejad said in a speech before a crowd of several thousand in northwestern Iran.
“Mr. Obama, you are a newcomer (to politics). Wait until your sweat dries and get some experience. Be careful not to read just any paper put in front of you or repeat any statement recommended,” Ahmadinejad said in the speech, aired live on state TV.
Ahmadinejad said Obama “is under the pressure of capitalists and the Zionists” and vowed Iran would not be pushed around.
“(American officials) bigger than you, more bullying than you, couldn’t do a damn thing, let alone you,” he said, addressing Obama.
Clearly Ahmadinejad didn’t get the memo that Bush is out of office. Although perhaps he just wants to see Obama in a cowboy hat.
I’m not quite sure exactly how Obama has been beaten by logic here, however. Maybe it was his attempt to reconcile diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic. Or maybe it was his overwhelming rhetoric suggesting that talking was more effective than fighting. No, it was definitely all the condemnation of Israel over the settlements. All of these things “defy logic”.
While I understand Iran’s pursuit of the bomb—after all, they are surrounded strategically in all directions by American influence—Ahmadinejad is proving that he can’t be reasoned with. Luckily the Ayatollahs hold the actual power in Iran, and are much more likely to act rationally in tense situations, which is precisely why a nuclear armed Iran will not do anything—like hand a bomb off to Hizbullah—to bring about its own destruction.
So I’m not worried, yet.
Apr 7
When Barack Obama won the American presidency last fall, he promised change. At the time I was utterly convinced that he was the only person who could bring change not only to America, but to the world. More convincing was the electoral Democratic majorities won in both the House and the Senate. In Electoral College terms and popular opinion, Obama and the Democrats were given an overwhelming mandate to govern.
More than a year later, however, little progress has been made on several important promises of “change”, including health care.
An article in last week’s Economist asked the question if the American system is fundamentally flawed or just not being played well enough by the Democrats. The paper sided with the latter opinion and I’m inclined to agree.
Apparently a number of senior Democratic politicians and aides were angered by President Obama’s most recent attempt to appease the Republicans by altering the health care bill yet again to include some of their requests such as tort reform.
I’m assuming they’re wondering what I’m wondering: you were elected to bring change; you have the votes in your party to bring it; so bring it.
That sounded like a challenge, didn’t it? Good, I meant it.
I see no reason why an Executive and Congress that was elected and has the ability to bring change would rather try and make everyone happy by debating it. Well, time is running out because after the Massachusetts Senate loss to Scott Brown and the other losses that will undoubtedly occur in November’s mid-term elections, the chance for real change may be lost for good.
Mar 3
During last month’s State of the Union address, President Obama announced a three-year freeze on America’s “non-security discretionary spending” to help bring down the inflated national debt brought about by the country’s response to the financial crisis, 8 years of Bush tax cuts and foreign wars.
This move, similar to most of Obama’s fiscal policies, was met with skepticism because it only amounts to around a fifth of the country’s annual budget. The critics are right that this doesn’t do much in terms of debt reduction. But perhaps the answer is simple and necessary: reduce defense spending. God forbid the question should be posed. After all, it is America’s untouchable.
Recently Obama put forward his budget for the next fiscal year and defense spending weighs in at higher than ever before: $708 billion.
No, you’re eyes are not failing you. Obama is spending more on defense than George Bush; more than Ronald Reagan at the height of the Cold War. This president was supposed to be the pragmatic president; the one who favours diplomacy over war; multilateralism over going it alone. Those seemed to be the conditions to no longer require a global police force and war machine, right?
Obama has beefed up the war in Afghanistan and is pursuing terrorists in Pakistan more vigorously than ever using drone air strikes. This, from the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Meanwhile, the American national debt is more than 1.3 trillion and unemployment is hovering around 10%; health care reform hasn’t gone through and many believe it will simply fade away.
Wow, what a difference a year makes.
Feb 15
