December 8ths (Retirements)

12/8/2000

20th anniversary of John Lennon's death.

Victory for Gore. Florida Supreme Court allows recount. The pundits are saying that it will turn into a constitutional crisis.

12/8/2010

30th anniversary of Lennon assassination. 1980 was such a clean breaking point in world history—a boundary between generations. Of course, there are many younger generations who couldn’t care less, or even know who he is...It’s the art that endures, shifting in the ever-changing light of history.

First launch of privatized space travel, a SpaceX rocket.

12/8/2015

On the retirement of Neil Peart: I have to wonder how such a wonderful musician can ever retire. Musicians and artists really never retire—they do it until they drop. There is a feeling of “homesickness” when you haven’t done something for a while. Instruments really do become extensions of our bodies, and there is the “phantom” effect when they are absent. 

12/8/2018

Black Neon:

                
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[I also used the title for a piece of music. I’m always reusing titles].          

12/8/2023

Continued “balmy”, 55 degrees.

Watched Geddy Lee’s TV series. It’s interesting to see how musicians retire to a life mostly about doing other things besides music.