Thermal underwear is out of the suitcase and kitted. Prior to Sherborne thermal underwear was a source of great amusement to me: how could anyone wear such stupid looking things? The answer to this was, & is, very simple: because they were extremely cold. New Yorkers are also very forgiving of each others' aberrant fashion sense when it comes to icy blasts from the North Atlantic, and for this purpose I choose to adopt my adopted New Yorkishness.
12.49
At 11.00ish the first Level Two / Kitchen Team meeting with guitars. We addressed the division of attention, but for some the effort of breathing while sitting on a chair was challenge enough. Martin then became available to work with the Primaries, and Guillermo with repertoire.
13.53
Comments over lunch on this morning's work have set the direction for this afternoon: The "Well" Project, or Quantifying The Qualitative.
How good is "well"? Guitar Craft requires greater definition than this. So, how much is "well"? The suggestion is 10 bars of 7 in each direction around the Circle (ie 20 bars), 3 times, of a circulation exercise. I am meeting with the Level Two at 17.00 to be presented with the results.
16.35
One of the Kitchen Team called to cancel: sadly, his wife has lost one of their twins & the responsibilities to his family have a greater necessity. Other characters are arriving for the Level One.
18.25
Three of the Level Two who found their Well Project "very difficult" are joining the Level One. Their challenge is now how to lose their virginity twice. A quiet time is about to fall on the house.
Meanwhile the radiators in my room & bathroom stopped working quite a long time ago and a local plumber has been bleeding them of air and dirt. He has been smoking while doing this and Room 8 is now polluted. He has asserted his right to smoke and in return I have asserted my right not to quibble in a situation where discussion & debate is not a viable option. But the radiators now work, and the window is open to allow the smoke to leave and fresh air to enter.
19.00
The creative impulse animates whatever instrument is made available to it.
20.11
Nearly all of the the Level One arrived in time for dinner. Silence visited for 10 minutes and then the house rules were declared. Anyone who felt they were unable to accept them were invited to leave. No one left.
Customarily, the introduction to Level One house rules includes the statement that nothing is compulsory on GC courses, save for drugs. To this item, for this mixed course, I added a rider addressing sexual relationships. On longer mixed courses this is an issue which is necessarily discussed and covered by GC house rules on honourable sexual conduct. This week, coupling is not appropriate.
20.42
There has been an information download going on since this late afternoon: I have been granted insights into the process of practising, and how that relates to craft techniques. Wonderment. Joy. Bliss arising. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
22.55
A long introductory meeting divided into two parts.
"Nothing is compulsory, but some things are necessary."
