tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365601322024-03-05T10:58:08.311-08:00snake creeps downJeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-47537012433132362902011-05-24T09:32:00.000-07:002011-05-24T10:20:00.442-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Ego Governor</span><br />Back in the mid 70's I was playing music, full-time in a rock ‘n’ roll band (...these are some of my fondest memories, not to mention some of the best lifelong friendships made!).<br /> <br />I recall one particular evening while performing in a hotel cabaret. The place was pretty dead except for the bartender & staff and a couple of well dressed & attractive women at a table near the front of the stage. Typically, the guys in the band were often more interested in impressing the “pretty girls” rather than focusing on a good performance. I was as guilty of this as much as anyone else.<br /><br />One of the cover songs we were performing that night started off with the keyboard player banging away on a cowbell, while I played a “catchy guitar intro”(just as it was on the original version of the song, “Good Time Sally” by Rare Earth). It was one of those songs sure to get everyone off their chairs and up and dancing. It’s just not that easy to do when there are only two people in the audience!<br /><br />So my buddy...equipped with his cowbell decided to put on a show for these ladies. While keeping a loud & steady beat with the cowbell he started doing this “unique & unusual” dance. It almost resembled something I’ve seen by dancers from Canada’s east coast (“step dancing” I believe it’s called). Now you have to remember.....back in the 70's, there were some pretty extreme & wild styles of dress. In this case it was platform shoes with 4" heels and pants with very “wide cuffs”.<br /><br />I guess we were all thinking that buddy was definitely going to beat us to the punch at impressing the ladies, but somehow...as he was doing this fast paced “pseudo-maritime dance”, he managed to get one of his platform heels caught in his pant cuff. The leg that was supposed to go "up in the air and back"...stayed put, and buddy came tumbling down pretty hard and VERY loud. (It was one of those portable stages they have in hotels made of plywood and covered with carpeting. Functional, but not designed to be very sound-proof!)<br /><br />The bass player and I were doing everything in our power to keep a straight face...and continue playing at the right tempo, but we both lost it and soon I was doubled over, roaring with laughter while still playing my guitar part. I think humans can all agree on this. Probably the hardest part of falling down is getting back up! So “red-faced buddy" managed to free his heel from his cuff, stood up, went up to the microphone and yelled, “I DID THAT ON PURPOSE!”...(Yeah, right!!).<br /><br />So that’s how I came up with the term “ego governor”. It’s like a universal setting that is built into some folks. You know, (or maybe you don’t know?) you’re walking along in your best duds on a “good hair day” thinking to yourself.....“I-AM-LOOKING-PRETTY GOOD!”. You glance sideways to catch a glimpse of yourself in the store window and BANG....you walk into a street sign or a parking meter. EGO GOVERNOR!!<br /><br />Yes,...my own ego governor has kicked-in, a good many times. After awhile you learn how to laugh at yourself! (In fact I’m laughing right now while typing this and thinking of some of my stellar moments!) Ego governors are a good thing.They keep us honest, and as the saying goes... “The truth shall set you free!” Hallelujah!!!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-68110746086968085042011-05-22T09:52:00.000-07:002011-05-24T07:41:47.721-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JOGbfZpsxUKqvlmp8kxwZOSIcSnyrf8IMTuypi5ns-KMwEAVe3SZ93v_AQ93XwwhwvDD3B1JBX8FaP6XSH61b9Ov-rSr2-O93PNmGVu3pJWYqHX-Ic7fK209HiSqhnS_yNU_/s1600/WhiteRibbon%2526Jeff.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JOGbfZpsxUKqvlmp8kxwZOSIcSnyrf8IMTuypi5ns-KMwEAVe3SZ93v_AQ93XwwhwvDD3B1JBX8FaP6XSH61b9Ov-rSr2-O93PNmGVu3pJWYqHX-Ic7fK209HiSqhnS_yNU_/s320/WhiteRibbon%2526Jeff.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609584693413746978" border="0" /></a><br />I had the privilege of performing in Grande Prairie, Alberta on March 18, 2011 at an event called, "Breakfast With The Boys". The event was hosted by the City of Grande Prairie and it's objective was to encourage men to speak out against family violence and abuse in the community.<br /><br />Pictured here with me (at left) is Dr. Michael Kaufman. Michael was the keynote speaker at this breakfast and he is the co-founder of the "White Ribbon Campaign", an organization that works on a global scale and is the largest formally established effort in the world, of men working to end violence against women.<br /><br />I performed two songs at the event from my "Serpent on the Grass" CD. One of the songs, "Like a Chain" is a song I wrote about domestic violence. It is available for listening at my website www.jeffmccannmusic.com (or by clicking on the link at the right). I also performed another original composition called "Prayer of a Warrior", a song about overcoming hardship and adversity.<br /><br />The song "Like a Chain" was probably the most difficult song I have ever written. My wife and I had lost an acquaintance, whose life ended tragically in an abusive relationship. Her name was Rose and I wanted so badly to write a song about this tragedy...this injustice. I wanted to bring attention to the "cowardly act of violence" her partner had committed.<br /><br />Statistics show that men who commit acts of violence against their wives, common-law partners or girlfriends are more likely to resort to using firearms. So it was, in the murder/suicide that claimed the life of Rose.<br /><br />How do you write a song about this while respecting the surviving family's right to privacy? To accomplish this required much thought. It was well over a year before I could even imagine where to begin. Ironically....on Valentine's day 2002, there was an unlikely event which paved the way for this song.<br /><br />As I recall, I had been recording music in my studio and I had made plans for the evening to take my wife to dinner. I made a reservation at our favourite restaurant and purchased a single rose. (I would have loved to have been able to purchase a bouquet of roses...but alas, as a struggling songwriter, the rose, a box of chocolates and dinner at a restaurant would pretty much "deplete" my financial resources!)<br /><br />I spent about an hour cleaning the kitchen and then, put the rose in a vase and placed it on the kitchen counter so that when my wife came home from work around 4:30, it would serve as a "testament" of my love for her. The rose looked spectacular on the counter as the sun streamed in through the window. The colour & beauty of the rose was highlighted by the sun...it was the perfect ambience! I stood admiring this scene for a moment and then returned to my studio to continue my work.<br /><br />About 10 minutes before my wife's arrival, I went back to the kitchen for another glimpse of the "picture perfect" setting I had created....and there to my shock & dismay, was the rose "drooped over" with many of it's petals laying on the counter. I was devasted!<br /><br />How could I have been such an idiot? Placing the rose in direct sunlight on the counter must have been like scorching it in the oven! I panicked, trying to do whatever I could to restore it to it's pristine state, but at that point nothing would help. I had to resort to finding a "chopstick" and using it to support the rose with twist ties in an effort to keep it in an upright position....a moment later my wife walked in through the door.<br /><br />Although the rose was only half of what it looked like when I first put it there, when I explained to my wife what had happened...she just laughed and thanked me for my effort. The day was not a total loss. We celebrated our Valentine's day supper and aside from the rose not surviving another day, there were no other "setbacks".<br /><br />As I reflected on the events of that day, I recalled my disappointment in finding the withered & dehydrated rose. There was a certain sadness about seeing it drooped over...with so many of it's "fallen" petals on the counter. That image was a powerful one! Somehow, it almost seemed like a metaphor for the sorrow we felt for the loss of our friend Rose.<br /><br />The next morning after practising tai chi, I was laying on the couch thinking of my "botched attempt" of demonstrating my affection for my wife...when it struck me! I knew how to begin the process of writing the song. I would build upon the metaphor of the previous day's Valentine rose. My first verse was simply a re-call of the events of the day and once I started the song, I knew that eventually the rest of the lyrics would fall into place....<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold;">Like a Chain</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I bought my precious love a rose...but I left it in the sun.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">I turned my back for just a moment, then I saw what I had done</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">For in the heat the rose had perished...all the petals lay around.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Like a cold December morning, autumn leaves still scattered on the ground.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">This precious flower gone forever...(do you see how love has changed?)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">And though the sun will rise tomorrow...the day will never be the same</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Now the house sits cold and barren...all the love slipped through the door</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">And with it went the promise..."To have, to hold, to cherish evermore."</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Round, round, round in a circle</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Round, round, round like a chain</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Round, round, round in a circle...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">A ring that's been tarnished and broken<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">Can't change what's already done</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">But take just "one step" from the circle...and it changes for everyone!</span>Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-57804801115565974882008-04-21T15:35:00.000-07:002008-04-21T15:36:14.303-07:00<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xcb87iXkJSY"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xcb87iXkJSY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object><br /><br />Tai Chi VideoJeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-52365667766639042722008-01-14T20:56:00.000-08:002008-01-16T08:31:05.578-08:00<strong><br />10 Ways to Enjoy a Balanced Life</strong><br /><br />-Keep a journal,…track your thoughts/experiences and don't dwell on them!<br /><em>(A great primer on journal keeping, is a book called “The Artists Way”, by Julia Cameron.)</em><br /><br />-LET GO! Strive for less control and more for “going with the flow”. <em>(There are people we are meant to “encounter” that we might otherwise miss if we always choose the “fast lane”.)</em><br /><br />-Learn to be more nurturing,…especially if you‘re a guy! <em>(Most women have this one mastered already!…give friends a back rub, feed the birds, choose healthy foods, volunteer, give generously of your time & money!)</em><br /><br />-Before you speak, pass your words through the “three gates”. IS IT TRUE? IS IT KIND? IS IT NECESSARY? <em>(A “Sufi” philosophy.)</em><br /><br />-Take a class in Tai Chi, meditation or yoga. <em>(These kinds of activities help “re-wire” your circuitry,…your internal hard drive. It’s best to learn from a qualified instructor, but there are some good books, DVD’s & videos available.)</em><br /><br />-Drink more water…eat less, and limit your use of alcohol, caffeine & other stimulants. <em>(Anyone who drinks coffee to “ward off” mid afternoon drowsiness, might be surprised to discover that one of the main causes of mid-day drowsiness is dehydration...lack of WATER. Less caffeine will make you less irritable, & easier going, better equipped to handle frustration & conflict!)</em><br /><br />-Laugh more often! <em>(There is proven research on the therapeutic value of laughter.)</em><br /><br />-Sing more often! <em>(…singing, like laughter, is another form of therapy!)</em><br /><br />-Learn to Draw…again!! Drawing is a healthy form of self expression. <em>(Most of us scribbled on the walls when we first discovered pencils or crayons. Sure, our parents didn't want to see us "writing on the wall" but it was normal & healthy "self expression".</em> <em>People who believe they <strong>can’t</strong> draw, stopped drawing at an early age, when they began to compare their work to others. Comparison is a left brain tendency, and can be a negative one at that. We should engage in activities because we enjoy them, not because we are less skilfull than someone else!)</em><br /><br />-Learn to be a better listener, be genuinely interested in what others have to say!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-87871486815007064872007-10-12T07:52:00.000-07:002007-10-12T08:00:56.158-07:00Now this is cool!<br />A woman named Mary Lou Jepson has developed a <em>solar powered laptop</em>.<br /><br />The laptop also has an attennae (for wireless internet, I guess) and a "wind-up crank" to power the battery on "gloomy" days. Comes with an durable bumper guard in case it's dropped and when "closed" is water resistant. The goal is to <em>eventually</em> be able to provide every child on the planet with a laptop. Individuals or corporations that really want to make a difference in the world, can donate one of these OR for a limited time participate in their "one for me one for you" program. <br /><br />Here's the deal...for $400.00 you get two laptops, one for your child, grandchild, neice or newphew (or maybe for the "kid in you") and one is donated to a third world, underprivileged child. Yes, admittedly what they really may need is food, shelter, medicine but as Mary Lou Jepson said, "they also deserve an education" (not her exact words).<br /><br />As they say, "knowledge is power". Or there's the other adage too, that you "give someone a fish, and they have food for a day...<em>teach them how to fish </em>and they have food for life". <br />I give this organization my "hero of the week" award. (H.O.W.!!)<br />Check out their website www.laptop.orgJeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-37339694051373586062007-10-10T08:55:00.000-07:002007-10-10T09:05:14.995-07:00I was fascinated to hear research confirming that <em>artists & musicians</em> (right brain creatives) have a bigger “corpus collosum” than left brain thinkers. The corpus collosom is the nerve fibre that transmits data between both brain hemispheres. <br />You could almost say the right brain is like fertile ground…building “beanstalks for Jack” to climb to higher places!<br /><br />With a little more investigation I also found out that women have a bigger corpus collosum than men. It’s not surprising.<br />Women <em>have a tendency</em> to use both sides of their brain as opposed to men who function mostly in the left. Women are equally functional in left brain skills, but constantly go back to their right brain where they access their “emotional, intuitive and nurturing” abilities. (All right brain attributes!)<br />One example is the fact that women communicate their feelings and emotions better than men. (Sometimes to their own detriment as the research suggests.)<br /><br />This “healthy” right brain activity may also offer an explanation why women on average, live about 8 years longer than men.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-29704490125373861992007-09-26T13:20:00.000-07:002007-09-26T13:36:24.937-07:00Some people may find the "blogs of others" to be a bit pretentious,...perhaps those of us who maintain a blog, live with the delusion that hundreds of subscribers <em>tune in</em> to read about our daily adventures. I blog for <em>two reasons</em> (not because I possess great wisdom or have more insight than others): <br /><br />1.) My website was not “built” by me, but by a friend named Ron Good* (a great harmonica player who also performed on my CD). Ron gave me the opportunity to contribute something <em>fresh</em> to my website, by means of a blog. This I can do....just "log in" and post some thoughts. <br /><br />2.) My "blog" serves as another way to communicate with participants of our Tai Chi classes. (Fall sessions are starting soon!) Here I can write about how Tai Chi helps create a sense of well being & balance. I try and give specific examples the participants can relate to, so it doesn't sound like hippy-new-age "Yak-a-doodle-doo"! <br /><br />I’m grateful for the times when I feel "in balance". I believe it’s the result of being able to pursue things I’m passionate about....like playing the guitar for a living, practising my tai chi & calligraphy (by documenting my thoughts in a journal). These are some aspects of my life I like to post as blogs, regardless of whether anyone reads them or not. <br /><em>(*you can check out Ron Good’s website @ www.rongood.net/harphouse)</em>Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-81375867929560081162007-09-11T09:54:00.000-07:002007-09-18T09:26:50.083-07:00It was six years ago today that we sold our house in Calgary, loaded up our U-Haul and made our way to our new home in Peace River. As our oldest son Luke drove the family van, I drove the U-Haul truck. In the cab...it was just me, and our "pet frog" in his fish tank.<br /><br />We left Calgary around midnight and drove all through the night. I wasn't able to get radio reception until somewhere near "Valleyview, AB." and I heard on the CBC news that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.<br /><br />About an hour later, I heard on the news that another plane had crashed into the Trade Center. Exhausted from driving through the night this all seemed like a nightmare as I came to the sombre & shocking realisation that this was no accident. <br />While unloading furniture into our home we'd break for a moment to watch television news clips of this cowardly act of terrorism.<br /><br />Today, on the 6th anniversary of this sense-less tragedy, my thoughts are with all my American friends.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-2566407177510766062007-09-11T09:41:00.000-07:002007-09-11T09:49:08.798-07:00I have the utmost respect for parents that raise “fully-functional” kids!<br /><br />By fully functional, I mean children that have been “nurtured”, make good choices in life & seem to know how to survive in the world. They can cook their own meals, do their own laundry, and purchase their own ipods & “designer clothes” with money they have earned at their after school job. These kids are well on their way to becoming “SELF-REALISED”.<br />I’ve known several young women who do all the things listed above, AS WELL AS do some basic carpentry & car repairs and are forceful & assertive when they need to be! These women have a huge advantage over some guys I know who basically “need a mother all their lives”. <br />This is my view (MY blog)…but if a husband doesn’t share in the house cleaning & laundry, cook some of the meals, and help raise the kids…the marriage is at risk. SOME GUYS ARE LIKE MAGICIANS. They have succeeded in <em>turning their wives into their mother. </em>Maybe that’s why they looked elsewhere for their romantic fulfillment?<br />Dads & Moms…my thinking here is, the best thing we can do for our sons is teach them how to be fully functional, rather than to end up having to spend ½ of their life earnings on child support & alimony!!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-1313513532476614242007-09-09T08:39:00.000-07:002007-09-10T19:04:21.633-07:00I frequently meet folks who tell me that they used to play a musical instrument (usually the guitar or piano). Most of them say that they don’t remember how to play anymore. <br />It’s kind of sad to put in all that time & energy just have a skill<em>…fade away</em>. I usually suggest to these people that they try and pick up the instrument again but there’s an old saying, “What you don’t use...you lose” and perhaps it holds true for these former music students. <br /><br />On the other hand...there are people who go through life and seem to be able to maintain their skills. These folks always seem to have a goal, and they don’t stop just because they are “getting too old”! I find these kind people a real inspiration! And hey, there’s also a saying that applies to this remarkable group of individuals,...“Refine everything in your grasp and more will be added to you”.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-85113188826458890032007-08-24T12:32:00.000-07:002007-08-30T08:32:09.680-07:00When I was in school I often felt that I wasn’t as smart as the other kids. It took a while to understand that the school system was mostly geared toward academics & left brain thinking. Naturally, a “right brain” thinker (such as myself) might not feel “at home” in such an environment.<br /><br />It was while working in the marketing department of one of Canada’s chartered banks that I noticed differences between myself and my “co-workers”. The workers that were chosen as <span style="font-style:italic;">management</span> excelled at left brain technical skills...the “number crunching” & processing data ( interest & exchange rates, etc.). Often, the individuals chosen as department managers seemed <span style="font-style:italic;">devoid</span> of creative skills.<br /><br />I sat in on some meetings, loaded with information about RSP’s and mutual funds and how to solicit interest from potential clients. It’s not difficult to understand why all this “left brain” stuff was boring. The right brain is not only the source of creativity, but is also connected to <span style="font-style:italic;">emotion</span>. The left brain data was leaving me feeling,...pretty <span style="font-style:italic;">dry</span>.<br /><br />It occurred to me that right brain thinkers are invaluable to many corporations. The right brain/creatives understand the <span style="font-style:italic;">emotional side</span> of the corporation's potential clients. People tend to make a lot of buying decisions based on emotion.<br /><br />You don’t get the “warm fuzzies” from looking at a television screen full of "jargon & technical data”, but you do from seeing two people sitting on a beach...snuggled together & watching a beautiful sunset while sipping on martinis (or some other exotic beverage). Creative people have a knack for <span style="font-style:italic;">dreaming up</span> these wonderful images, and are usually paid handsomely by corporations who want to lure the consumer to purchase their products.<br /><br />I mean yeah,...I admit I get a good feeling from balancing my checkbook, but when I realised that some of these bank executives had lost touch with their creative/emotional side and <span style="font-style:italic;">that</span> was the motive for hiring a bunch of right brainers (like myself) to do their marketing, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything at school after-all.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-30243120326468505362007-08-08T10:58:00.000-07:002007-08-08T11:00:32.888-07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Paul Lovejoy (July 27, 1952 - August 4, 2007)</span><br />I lost a good friend this past week-end. <br />Paul Lovejoy, was a friend as well as a mentor for me.<br /><br />He had a remarkable memory for song lyrics. Paul was always top of my list to call as a sideman for any gigs that came up. Not only was he an outstanding vocalist and back-up singer, he was also one of my favourite drummers to work with. You could always put a song list together very quickly because Paul seemed to know almost every song that was worth playing...AND not only did he know the lyrics, but he could sing lead OR back-up if you needed him to.<br /><br />Most importantly, Paul had a real “zest for life” and an incredible sense of humour. He excelled in being able to laugh at himself! Many of the “one liners” that I still use on a regular basis came from Paul. It wasn’t stand-up comedy because it usually came while he was seated at his drum throne. <br /><br />Paul Lovejoy, you touched a lot of people’s lives and you will be sadly missed!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-65391434421406391242007-08-04T11:40:00.000-07:002007-08-04T11:44:21.714-07:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Joni Mitchell</span><br />Before embarking on a full time music career I was a student at the Alberta College of Art, in Calgary. Originally, it was my intention to become a full time graphic artist, and to further pursue my “love” for drawing & sketching.<br /><br />At the time I was also performing with a rock ‘n’ roll band on the week-ends. It was a great way to earn “gas money” and a little extra cash. At some point however, I decided that I wanted to play music <span style="font-style:italic;">as a career</span> and keep drawing & sketching <span style="font-style:italic;">as a hobby</span>, so...I asked to meet with Stan Perrot (who was the head of the art college) for some advice on what to do.<br /><br />Stan Perrot shared an interesting story with me. <br />Apparently, another student had approached him with the same dilemma about 6-7 years previously. Her name was Joni Mitchell. As I understand it, Joni Mitchell was performing in the pubs and coffee houses around Calgary, while working diligently with her passion for art and painting.<br /><br />It got to the point that Joni Mitchell was experiencing so much success with her music that she could no longer “juggle” both music and school and she decided to “give her all” to the music. Well, I guess we all know how that turned out! <br /><br />The best part is that Joni Mitchell somehow still managed to find time to paint, as she has “adorned” many of her album covers with her excellent paintings!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-17795476331750922182007-07-30T19:29:00.000-07:002007-07-31T11:10:43.427-07:00When I was in my “twenties” I met two people who had an impact on me. One was a my Tai Chi instructor, Paul Ying Po Mak and the other was a spiritual teacher named Ellafern. Meeting these two remarkable people at this time in my life was a blessing. Sadly, Master Mak passed away about a year ago.<br /><br />Master Mak spoke “broken English” and each day when I practise tai chi, I try to emulate his graceful moves & his “spirit”...not so much “what he said”.<br /><br />Conversely,...a day <span style="font-style: italic;">rarely</span> goes by without reflecting on one of Ellafern’s insights. The most profound thing she ever said to me was that, “I had learned to <span style="font-style: italic;">become my own father</span> and now I needed to learn to <span style="font-style: italic;">become my own mother</span>.”<br /><br />A few years ago, I read that one of the objectives of tai chi is to “balance our own male & female energies”. Suddenly it struck me that although these two teachers did not know each other, essentially they were teaching me the same lesson. Inner balance comes from honouring our male & female aspect...the balance of yin & yang!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-20466933130442319752007-07-07T12:07:00.000-07:002007-07-07T12:14:47.772-07:00My sister Susan recently loaned me her copy of “<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Secret</span>”.<br /><br />It was worth watching...but it’s nothing new. Old ideas in a new fancy package. This stuff was being talked about in the late 70's by “Shakti Gawain” and was also covered in “The Seth Material”(Jane Roberts). Believe me, I’m not “knocking” this DVD, but it’s good to acknowledge the individuals who “initially” made many of us aware of these “age-old” principles.<br /><br />It was good to be reminded of some of the concepts in The Secret. A great “refresher” course in visualization techniques & affirmations. I read Gawain’s book, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Creative Visualization</span> a few years after it came out, and I’ve had some REAL success with her suggestions from the book! I found her book to be a much more practical way of getting down to work, on “SELF”.<br /><br />“The Secret” did not cover anything about <span style="font-style: italic;">karma</span> (I once read that there are at least 4 types of karma) or <span style="font-style: italic;">dharma</span> and the powerful impact they both have on our goals and dreams. Being aware of the role <span style="font-style: italic;">karma</span> plays, helps to understand some of our roadblocks, as well as the patterns that we tend to fall into. At the same time I think that <span style="font-style: italic;">dharma</span> shows us that we may have a <span style="font-style: italic;">propensity</span> to be involved in a certain kind of work. (A kind of "being in the Tao".) I just think it’s good to consider these variables as well, when trying to set goals and make life changes.<br /><br />As stated previously, I derived “value” from watching this inspirational DVD and still see it as a good “primer” in getting what we really want in life!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-46893865507861400252007-07-07T11:20:00.000-07:002007-08-04T12:00:44.867-07:00I got back from Calgary last night around midnight. Whew,...what a long drive!<br /><br />After a week-end gig at the Strathmore Hotel (a BIG "thank you" to those of you that drove at least 30 minutes from your respective homes, to come & hear me perform.) I spent some time hanging out with lots of my old “good” friends, met one of my T.V. heros from when I was a teen-ager growing up (Cliff Kadatz), had a great work-out at the Eau Claire YMCA (thanks to my brother Randy and thanks to Lana from “memberships”) and I even caught a sneak preview of the 2007 Calgary Stampede.<br /><br />It was great to have a few days off but now,...I’m really looking forward to gettin’ back to work! I’ve got some new equipment to try out & “adjust” and then I’ll be heading off to the Black Horse Pub in Fort McMurray, July 12, 13 & 14.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-31799010110691432582007-06-04T08:37:00.000-07:002007-06-04T08:41:59.234-07:00Many of the servers in the clubs & pubs I’ve performed at, are single moms who need to work TWO jobs to make ends meet. In some cases she is already putting in a “full day” somewhere else & then, needs to work the pub at night because her “ex”doesn’t make his child support payments.<br />(The kids suffer the most ‘cause they end up NOT seeing enough of either parent!)<br /><br />On a couple of occasions, I’ve noticed the server suddenly go running out the door to chase a customer who’s trying to “sneak out” and not pay his bar tab. If she doesn’t catch the guy, guess who foots the bill at the end of the night?...The server! The unpaid tab comes out of her wages.<br /><br />That’s pretty low of some guys, eh?! I have a lot of respect for these women in the “hospitality” industry and some of the “un-hospitable” stuff they have to put up with.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-49025400019910380782007-05-25T09:19:00.000-07:002007-05-25T09:24:37.460-07:00I made a friend on a recent “road trip” to Fort McMurray, Alberta. Shaun works as an electrician for Syncrude, one of the big oil companies situated there.<br /><br />Shaun told me about the year he was an unemployed electrician so he worked part-time as a roadie loading equipment on & off stage at Max Bell Arena in Calgary. One day while hauling gear, he noticed sparks flying from the electrical circuit board. Some “jack of all trades” roadie was trying to “wire into” the power supply. Shaun was able to convince the makeshift electrician to hold off and then approached the arena management with an ultimatum. After proving his qualifications he demanded that they pay the “going rate” to have HIM do the wiring or he would call the Fire Marshall and the concert would be shut down.<br /><br />After some hesitation from the management Shaun got his fee. He was then hired on as an electrician by one of the bands performing that evening.<br /><br />I hear a lot of stories from folks I meet on the road, but I have no doubt that Shaun’s story is true. I casually mentioned that one of my stage lights was broken & he insisted on repairing it!<br /><br />So Shaun this blog is dedicated to you! Thanks for fixing my stage light & hope to see you again next time I’m in Fort McMurray!!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-16697642759736346782007-04-24T09:33:00.000-07:002007-04-24T09:49:56.510-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">One world...one breath!</span><br />International Tai Chi Day is Saturday April 28th. There will be literally thousands of people doing workshops and demonstrations in their communities.<br /><br />There is a large list of ailments & medical conditions that are "kept in check" or eradicated by regular practise of Tai Chi. Time Magazine calls Tai Chi, "the perfect exercise!".<br /><br />To learn more about this remarkable "meditation in motion" check out the website: worldtaichiday.org where you can link to a school or instructor near you, as well as get some free online "introductory" lessons.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-63969181644630954492007-04-18T13:13:00.000-07:002007-04-18T13:19:47.287-07:00I’m a lucky guy!<br />I got to “BE what I <span style="font-style: italic;">wanted to be</span> when I grew up”.<br />As a kid, I used to love to draw...then, I found out there was a job called a “commercial artist” where you got <span style="font-style: italic;">paid</span> to draw. Wow!<br />Then one day I saw a guy on T.V. named Cliff Kadatz. He would play the guitar & sing some songs and then he’d show kids how to draw. Wow, I thought... I wanna do THAT too! So, I took guitar lessons from Mr. Harold McKenzie at 14 years old.<br /><br />In my early 20's I went to Art College to learn how to be an artist. One day at college I noticed a guy showing his friend some slow, “dance-like” moves...I didn’t know it at the time, but he was doing Tai Chi. Something deep inside me said, “one day, you’re going to learn that too”!<br /><br />Now, almost every day I sing and perform my own songs and/or do some drawings <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> I do Tai Chi. Okay, so maybe I haven’t grown up yet...but perhaps that’s a good thing!!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-26014739750448528082007-03-28T19:29:00.000-07:002007-03-28T19:44:28.540-07:00Our family has a friend who’s roots trace back to Slovakia, a small country between Poland and Hungary. He is a tall, burly, patient & gentle soul, with light brown hair, blue eyes, a big “handlebar” moustache and a hearty laugh.<br /><br />He once told us of a “custom” that is worth repeating here. Each year on <span style="font-style: italic;">his</span> birthday he would buy a small gift for<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>his mother as a token of his appreciation for<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> her hard work of giving birth & raising him. It impressed me so much because in North America we practically <span style="font-style: italic;">expect</span> gifts on our birthday and my friend is happy to acknowledge that his life is a “gift”. Sadly, his mother passed away a few years ago, but what a beautiful way to honour her life "as woman,....as mother”!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-58174347667072403772007-03-16T08:38:00.000-07:002007-03-16T09:04:48.909-07:00In my first “touring” band, I worked with a great singer/front man from Detroit named Mark. (He was always changing his last name so I’ll leave it at that!) Mark had done a fair bit of theatre work & we were discussing the origin or intent of a performers' "bow" at the end of the show. Mark explained that an actor is constantly<span style="font-style: italic;"> transmitting energy</span> from the stage to the audience.<br /><br />At the conclusion of the performance the audience acknowledges <span style="font-style: italic;">energy received</span> by applauding the actors (this includes the cast & crew). Then, as an act of humility & to deflate any trace of ego...the actors<span style="font-style: italic;"> lower</span> themselves to the floor in a gesture known as a "bow or curtsy".<br /><br />Today for a performer, this “dynamic”...this wonderful exchange of energy is all to often, absent. As performers we try harder & harder to garner the appreciation & attention of the audience. Frequently we send out the energy but receive no applause...no response.<br /><br />Many times we feel like we are just “wallpaper”. In spite of hard work and hours of practice I have been mistaken at a performance as being a Karaoke singer. I come off stage feeling a bit like Rodney Dangerfield when he said “I can’t get no respect”!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-78375959435355747742007-02-07T09:13:00.000-08:002007-02-07T13:18:47.472-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Several years ago, I watched my 15 year-old son perform with his band, at an "all ages bar". It was a "non-smoking/no alcohol club"...it was great! What impressed me most was the support the bands received from the audience. All of the bands that performed that day, had <span style="font-style: italic;">overwhelming</span> applause from a full-house of “teens”.<br /><br />In 1970, when I performed at my high school for MY peers...at best, 25% of the audience paid attention. The remainder were huddled into groups through-out the gym discussing their “dramas of the day”. The lack of applause was not because our band was unworthy,...it was because the audience was “pre-occupied”.<br /><br />In the mid ‘70's when I was trying to make a career of "rock 'n' roll", it seemed <span style="font-style: italic;">most</span> Canadians were <span style="font-style: italic;">pre-occupied</span>...with "British or American" music. Few people supported Canadian artists, which is why I was told, “if you want to <span style="font-style: italic;">make it in music</span>, move to the United States.”.<br /><br />The truth is, many outstanding Canadian musicians didn’t want to leave the country & consequently were overlooked by the Canadian public. So where are they now?...<br />Some work in recording studios, music stores or as music teachers...but sadly, too many of these "fine musicians" now have careers <span style="font-style: italic;">not related to music</span>.<br /><br />Now-a-days it’s a different story. All those “kids” that supported my sons' performance (and thousands of others across the country) are <span style="font-style: italic;"></span>buying Canadian music. Today, there's a new "crop" of great musicians & bands in Canada making a living <span style="font-style: italic;">doing what they do best</span>...playing, writing & performing good "Canadian" music. Guess I was born in the wrong generation!Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-90336124886483220062007-02-05T10:59:00.000-08:002007-02-05T11:27:02.054-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tai Chi "on the brain"</span><br />I read recently that it takes about two years to learn all of the 108 tai chi moves (ie. the "precision" and balance). This is like following a <span style="font-style: italic;">schematic</span> or <span style="font-style: italic;">blueprint</span>.<br /><br />A tai chi master will execute the form in a precise & identical manner every time. A new student uses left brain functions to "compare" their moves to the instructor, "analysing & memorizing" through repetition. (The words in quotations are all <span style="font-style: italic;">left brain</span> functions.)<br /><br />After learning these moves, we can experience the energy flow as it is happening to us at every movement of the form. This is not easy to do, as we can easily go into "auto pilot" and do an unfelt, “robotic” version of tai chi that stays true to the blueprint, but is missing the spirit (<span style="font-style: italic;">shen</span>) & spontaneity of the moment. Spontaneity or "going with the flow" is a right brain attribute<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>.<br /><br />When we do tai chi, if we are “in the now”, we respond to our environment...the fresh air, the fragrances of the flowers & trees. Our awareness is heightened by these factors. If we fully internalize (a right brain function) these aspects of the moment, tai chi is less likely to become "routine"(a left brain tendency). The perfectly executed tai chi form involves a constant "synchronicity" between the two brain hemispheres.Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36560132.post-134717069332125042007-01-30T13:56:00.000-08:002007-01-30T14:08:57.762-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mimetic Desire</span><br />Rene Girard introduced this concept many years ago. The word mimetic is derived from the word “mime” which means “to imitate life”. The principle demonstrates how we get hoodwinked into buying “stuff”. (a.k.a. “keeping up with the Jones’s.”)<br /><br />For example, let’s say there’s a lonely bachelor named Steve. Steve has a neighbour that owns a dalmatian dog. Steve sees the neighbour & his girlfriend walking the dog. Because Steve likes <span style="font-style: italic;">the image</span> that it represents, he makes the assumption that by getting a dalmatian dog, he too will be able to enjoy an “ideal” life and possibly even attract a girlfriend. In other words mimetic desire is <span style="font-style: italic;">“a desire to imitate the life that we think another person has”.</span><br /><br />What Steve doesn’t know is, his neighbour isn’t happy with his own circumstances. In truth, he finds the dog to be a burden & he also wants to “dump” his girlfriend so he can spend more time with buddies. Instead of taking his girlfriend on dates, he spends their time together on these “dog walks” hoping SHE will end the relationship, and he won’t look like the bad guy. (Typical male, eh?!)<br /><br />Marketing people use mimetic desire all the time (although not necessarily aware of it). One example is before Christmas you’ll see a television advertisement of kids having fun with Dad & Mom, playing some ridiculous board game. Many kids are so starved for attention they figure, “if Santa brings me the game...I’ll have the same <span style="font-style: italic;">quality time</span> with my Dad & Mom”.<br /><br />It doesn’t stop at kids’ toys. Buyer beware! Next time you're making a purchase you might want to ask,..."Do I really need this, or am I buying due to some mimetic desire?".Jeff McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358287687183476561noreply@blogger.com0