"The Same Time"

January 10, 2024

“The right understanding of any matter and a misunderstanding of the same matter do not wholly exclude each other.” -- Franz Kafka

I no longer remember the book I was reading, long ago, for which that was the introductory quote.  But my reading of it pretty well coincided with a beachfront family get-together.  And there was a book belonging to the condo I was staying at; it was one of those “Idiot’s Guide…”, or “(Subject)… for Dummies”.

The subject, in this case:  Quantum Physics.  I thought “hey — if someone goes to the trouble of writing a book, and addressing it directly to you…”.

Years later, I came across the following quote, in Dr. Chuck Missler’s matchless teachings on “Beyond Time and Space (…Physics, Coincidence, Newton)” in his mind-bending “Beyond” series:

(Dr. Richard Feynman, speaking of quantum physics):

“I think it is safe to say that no one understands quantum mechanics... in fact, it is often stated of all the theories proposed in this century, the silliest is quantum theory. Some say that the only thing that quantum theory has going for it, in fact, is that it is unquestionably correct.” 

In the simplified, layman’s presentation of the book I read, I was introduced to:

— Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle 

— the location of a photon being dependent on the observer’s position in the universe

— the idea that atomic and sub-atomic particles cannot be observed without altering their behavior

— the concept that photons — that is, light — are both a particle and wave.  At the same time.

The substance of the Kafka quote resonated and linked with the concept that at the fundamental core of our reality exists a duality that, if not self-contradictory, is certainly profoundly ambiguous.

Shaking the french fries of data recounted above, in the greasy paper bag of my mind, produced the song you have before you:  “The Same Time”.

Written during a period of my life in which I indulged a callow philosophical proclivity, and engaged in a somewhat careless bohemian lifestyle, the song seems to express a casual relativist nihilism that has become increasingly standard-issue in the post-modern milieu.  And can perhaps be captured succinctly in the words of Jack Crabb, the hero of the classic “Little Big Man”:  “maybe we’re all fools, and none of it matters.”

I introduced the tune to my bandmates at the time: David Goldberg on drums; and my ex-bassist and wife of over thirty years, Trena.  Later, my old friend Bill Barton joined in, and added his trenchant guitar line.  There exists a lo-fi recording of the song recorded on Russ Fitzgerald’s (The Deadbeats) Fostex cassette four-track.  Mine is an impression, via emulation, of Trena’s and Bill’s work.  Alas, I lack the capacity to do the same with David’s sprightly drumming.  Though I’m not unhappy with Garageband’s “Kyle”, at 137 bpm.

I’ve been threatening to rework the song since that 1980s 4-track version.  It was pencilled in to be included in the second batch of demos recorded at Mark Storey’s studio — the first group of four being selected as the beta test.  But there was no second batch.  The band — which had performed under a series of names, with and without Bill — The Alkleins, The Scanners, Waydown in Trenadad; and which I determined to call The Whales, going forward — evaporated before it materialized.

It became something of a bucket list item, especially since Trena and I began performing and recording as The DOVES.

And here it is.  I still enjoy playing it.  And hope you’ll enjoy listening to it.  

I will say here that the ambiguity expressed in the lyrics by the youthful me:

is light a particle or wave?  Is this woman the right one for me?  Is man just a collection of matter, or something more?  Is he in the image of God, or just some evolutionarily advanced savage brute?

— has been replaced in my maturity by a sense of the deep mystery addressed by those questions.  Which are often satisfactorily addressed by simply incorporating “and”.

We may be “deranged apes”.  AND bear the mark of our Creator.

We are simultaneously matter, flesh:  AND much more — mind, soul, spirit.

The woman?  She WAS the right one (Trena).  My “Beatrice”.  Though it was only through a process of puerile mistakes on my part that I was delivered to that blessed and enlightened conclusion.

And light, say the particle physicists, is particle AND wave.  At the same time.

The realization that the genitive constituent of our reality — in the beginning, God said “Let light BE” — is so defined: is something I that can’t, and don’t want to, get over.


 

"Dear John" (Sneak Peek) 

Update — June 6, 2020 

Dance — or is it “march”? — your way through the Apocalypse with The DOVES official video for “Dear John”, HERE.

From the YouTube entry:

The path to peace is not through movements or demonstrations or policies or legislation.   

The path to peace goes straight through the heart of every individual. 

And it is paved by the Prince of Peace — our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

(It so happens that my daily devotional reading in the New Testament on the day I completed this video was the…

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"Blessed Are You" 

A note on the composition: 

For many years, I was blessed to have a job that required many hours of driving in the car, during which I availed myself of the “wireless seminary” of doctrinally sound Christian radio (e.g., GNN, CSR).  That is how I became familiar with the Biblical teaching and expository commentary of such men as Adrian Rogers, Chuck Missler, Ravi Zacharias, and many others.  Teachings which expanded my knowledge and worldview, and edified and deepened my faith in Jesus Christ as Creator…

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Covid Craziness 

My remarks on my nephew’s facebook page.  Posting them here, for reference (i.e., “what do you think about all of this stuff?” — WWS, 04/06/20) 

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A friend and former co-worker of mine got a job in a group home for developmentally disabled men, right after a stint in the Navy. He was walking into a grocery store with one of the residents. There was a race car parked outside, covered with the bold, primary-color Tide logo, as part of a promotion. It had some of its body panels removed…

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"Badger/The Sign on the Wall" 

Synopsis: 

“Badger”/“The Sign on the Wall” is a suite in three movements — a ‘Mini Rock Opera’ inspired by Blake’s “The Proverbs of Hell”; takes a political turn in the middle; and finishes with a theological observation inspired by John Stuart Mill. 

Notes: 

Back in the olden days, when Trena and I were in the midst of a nascent Alternative scene in the radically idiosyncratic musical hotbed of mighty Maconga (Macon, GA), there was an accompanying 60s revival/resurgence that neatly dovetailed with that…

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"Wasted" 

And now for something a little different — the latest song/vid from The DOVES:

"Wasted"
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“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.” — Henry David Thoreau, “Walden”
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“The specific character of despair is precisely this: it is unaware of being despair.” — Soren Kierkegaard, “The Sickness Unto Death”
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“We know now that the modern world is…

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“Do Something Clever” and Facebook Vids 

The DOVES latest vid, “Do Something Clever”, has been entrusted to the capable hands of the incomparable Joey Stuckey for mastering.  Joey is easing back into harness after a serious surgery back in early November.  DSC should be available early next year (Update -- Jan. 17, 2019:  "Do Something Clever" has been released!  Click "MUSIC" tab for download.  Also available on iTunes, Spotify, etc. Click image or widget for video).  The proposed cover art is included with this article.  The song finds us in a…

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"If I Fall" 

"It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay." -- Ecclesiastes 5:5

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." -- Proverbs 12:15

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” — Mt. 6:12

"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." -- Romans 13:8

I have reached the point in my life, after the better part of 60 years, that I am generally filled with gratitude and…

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The DOVES -- "Behind the Shadow" #10 (Alive Day) 

(From The DOVES facebook page):  Got a link from our dear friend Joey Stuckey for the “Behind the Shadow” TV show, episode 10, featuring Tom Rule (who is superb!) and us, The DOVES, the opening two acts at the initial “Alive Day” festival held last September in downtown Macon.  “Alive Day” celebrates the day a brain tumor was miraculously removed from an 18-month old Joey.  The operation cost him his sight, but not his vision, or courage, or brilliance, or talent.  Joey is one of the most amazing human…

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The DOVES New Video -- "Maybe Tomorrow" 

“Maybe Tomorrow”, the latest single by The DOVES, is a 3-minute blast of pop “Driving Acoustic Lyricism.” “Maybe Tomorrow… is the day that we’ve been waiting for.”

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I used to love going to the fair as a kid.  In Memphis, there were two:  the Mid-South Fair, in the Fall, held at the old Fairgrounds with its heirloom, rickety old wooden roller coaster, called “The Pippin” (which a quick search reveals still exists, though now relocated in Green Bay, Wisconsin); and in the Spring, there was the…

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Coming Soon... 

Following on the heels of the “By and By” single and album, The DOVES latest single, “Maybe Tomorrow”, is recorded, mixed, mastered, and ready to go.  The video is about 2/3 edited, and should be up and online by next week; the song available through CD Baby, iTunes, Spotify, and other digital venues.  Here is a sort of “sneak peak” — a news clip of 13WMAZ’s coverage of the inaugural “Joey Stuckey’s ‘Alive Day’ Festival”, which features Trena and I playing “Maybe Tomorrow” in the background.  That fits…

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Musictown Songwriter Showcase At the Garden

The Society Garden, 2389 Ingleside Avenue, Macon, GA

The DOVES will be performing at the Musictown Songwriters Showcase at Macon's Society Garden on Wednesday, July 31. Show starts at 6:30. Hope to see you there!

The DOVES at the 2018 International Cherry Blossom Festival

The International Cherry Blossom Festival, Central City Park Midway, Macon, Georgia

The DOVES return to Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival for an hour set on Wednesday, March 21, at 4PM, performing on the main stage in the heart of Central City Park, adjacent to the midway.  We’ll perform tracks from the just-released “By and By” album, which is getting radio play (as of 03/09/18) at home (New York, Pennsylvania, Arizona) and abroad (Berlin, UK, Hong Kong), as well as other originals from their extensive catalogue, and some tasty covers.  See you there!  

Free with admission to CBF

The DOVES at The Bearfoot Tavern

The Bearfoot Tavern, 468 Second Street, Macon, GA

The DOVES will bring their "Driving Acoustic Lyricism" to the Bearfoot Tavern on Friday, Oct. 20, from 8-11PM.  Located in Macon's beautiful and historic downtown district, The Bearfoot Tavern is Middle Georgia's only Gastropub, offering "a mixture of European and American pub style cuisine from esteemed Chef Michael Wright." Come and enjoy some of Macon's best food and drink, and some great music in the Beer Garden, courtesy of The DOVES! http://www.bearfoottavernmacon.com

   

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