A year ago, I was deep in sleep.
To be more specific, I was in an Intensive Care Unit at Auckland Hospital, in the second of two induced comas. My wife, Yana, waiting anxious, helpless, and ever supportive by my side.
Things had gone awry after my kidney transplant. My body was in toxic shock. The prognosis was iffy at best. My wider family was called to the hospital to say goodbye to me. The mood was tense.
However, being as resilient as a weed, I survived. I awoke and made my way back to life.
Now, twelve months later I’m alive and … well … somewhere between discombobulated and disappointed.
On a personal basis things are good. Thanks to the dedication of a team of medical professionals and — in my view — an admirable public health system, my recovery has been remarkable. The new kidney is working well, and my strength has returned slowly but surely.
While the post-transplant drugs have caused me to pile on weight and I’m now officially a fat bastard plagued by chronic sciatica and constant pain, I’m above ground and that’s better than the alternative.
Many others were not so lucky. I lost my beloved younger brother, TJ, in December. And far too many people I knew and cared about left us during the past year. A fact made all the harder since Covid restrictions precluded both dignified funerals and raucous wakes. It was all so surreal and detached — like it wasn’t really happening.
And it’s this weird, conflicted state the world seems trapped in that has contributed to my sense of discombobulation. I’m sure many of you can identify with that.
On the other hand, my disappointment stems from the way people have reacted to all of this. The anger. The division. The derision. The rise and rise of disinformation, misinformation and sheer stupidity that threaten to plunge us into civil wars and/or humanity destroying international conflicts.
People have lost perspective. Society has been dumbed down to the point where YouTube videos take precedence over published scientific research. Rumour trumps fact. (And I use the word trump deliberately).
I know all too well that partisan media can present biased views but am I the only one who sees the irony of protestors fired up by social media disinformation railing against major media for denying us access to the truths?
Pedophile ring led world government plots and other lunatic conspiracy theories can only gain traction in world where a Kardashian can have hundreds of millions of followers and a ‘reality’ show called ‘90-day Fiancée’ can attract viewers. This is what you get when you move the bar down to the level of the lowest common denominator. And therein lies the fundamental flaw of democracy: Two idiots can outvote a genius.
With that in mind it seems to me that The USA has declined from Democracy into Idiocracy, yet still stomps around the world as the self-appointed leader of the free world, vowing to protect us from Totalitarianism, Communism and Socialism — as if they were one and the same.
Socialism is still seen as a plague by a country largely driven by fundamental Christians who fail to see that Christ, like virtually all religious figureheads, was essentially a socialist. Whereas, ironically, evangelistic Christian church leaders are blatant capitalists.
Hypocrisy abounds. As does corruption. Not just in the monetary sense‚ which is breathtaking, but also — and more concernedly — in a moral sense. I sometimes think that we are not just morally corrupt, but morally bankrupt.
Right now, the world’s great nations are butting heads and flexing their defence force muscles in various arenas of brinksmanship, which, if they do ignite, can only ever end in the destruction of humanity.
This is insane on every level.
The only people who win at war are those who supply the weapons and those who clean up the mess afterwards. And with very little digging you’d find these are the covert forces behind the hawkish attitudes in most countries — if not all.
It is not politics or religion that fuels wars, it’s profit.
I’ve said this before and rest assured I will say it again: If a fraction of the money we spend on arms was spent on battling social inequalities and environmental problems around the world, there would be no wars.
Fifty years after my first forays into what was rather dismissively called the environmental protest movement the planet is far worse shape than it was then. And many of my own generation are now the very people who pour derision onto the likes of Greta Thunberg for her anger and disrespect. Whereas I think Greta and her generation have every reason to be angry. We are handing them the world in a dreadful state. Why should they respect that?
Finally, there will be those who read this and dismiss me as ‘woke’ — woke being a word used facetiously by the likes of shock jocks and jaundiced journalists who seem to believe it’s a witty put down.
Incomprehensible when you consider that woke means ‘having an awareness of systematic injustices and prejudices, especially those related to civil and human rights’ and ‘aware of the facts and true situation.’ So, to use the term derisively is patently stupid.
And it’s the seemingly unstoppable spread of stupidity in the world today that disappoints me most.
However, given that I can do nothing about any of this, I am going to take my own advice and just … Be.
Hi John. I like the song, but I nearly missed seeing it as the commentary was so long. Keep up the good work and good to hear that your health is improving. I’ll send you a link by email to my latest song video.
Totally utterly agree with all – you are both a survivor and a woke 🙋♀️Well done you John – I am tired of the rubbish I have been reading on Facebook – papers etc and generally distressed about our divided divisions within our own country – fearful for conveniences overseas like yourself will just be
Great thoughts John. Love that definition of Woke. Thank you for the song!
Loved this. Amazing timing, sometimes that synergy with the Universe just astounds me. Bless you John, so glad you ate still here with us. Blessings to you, your lovely wife & family.
Hi John, thank you for your blog and your song ‘Me’.. agree with your commentary 100%
Dave
Great to hear from you, John! Your eloquence is, as usual, spot on.. Perfectly stated.
I found myself worried about your health over the past year, several times. Concern that your posts would cease and imagining your impact on the world.
I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that it is nearly impossible to know the impact that we have. I have been told several times that a comment, statement, idea, that I had made, resulted in an epiphany. A change that had impact or changed a trajectory. I am no one, so how am I capable of this power to have this impact Always positive, but still?
I can only imagine the consciousness that you stirred and gave a voice to. As of today, when your music comes on my daily playlist, I smile. Inside and out. I know “Isn’t it a Lovely Day?” has a bite but it’s a gorgeous song. Besides, there’s a “bite “ in everything anymore.
I hear the first few bars of “Higher Trails “ and I immediately decompress. A huge sigh, deep breath, and am transported to a state of serenity. I go to the place deep in my mind without distraction. I remember what is true and matters . I’m allowed to momentarily drown out the chaos and noise we are surrounded by. A gift I could never repay.
We’ll take what you have to give. It is tremendous and appreciated..
Hey Don, both my heart and head swell when I hear from you. Not sure the latter is a good thing 🙂 I’m doing okay, mate. Working on my fitness but my mind and my new kidney are doing just fine. Take care, John
Very kind words. Thank you! Very happy to hear you are doing well. I appreciate the reassurance.
There are very few wordsmiths that hold a candle to you. You may not be as young as you were once, none of us are, but you are very relevant and your voice of sanity and reason is so necessary. More every day.
Great blog John. Crazy times.Look forward to our next catch up around a golf course.
Until then take care and keep smiling
“Wokes unite”, great words in your commentary John can’t agree more, you never get out of this life alive so shut the gate and batten down the hatches and may the Trumps of this world be infested by a million Camel fleas ( no disrespect to Camels intended) be strong, take care, be safe and keep on trucking.
Hi John ,
Great blog today .Yes the world is in a mess ,so just get on with living and enjoy yourself .
Thanks for the tip about your new CD Naked Truths . Love it . You are still telling great stories through your music . Just like your early songs .
BE is a great opening track .
Hi John love your music 🎶 your last blog was great 😊 your right about the rubbish people watch on tv I’m glad you are feeling better as you have more music inside you waiting to come out if I need a lift up I put on your cd 💿 and the day brightens up thank you for your beautiful music 🎼
Dear John,
I am glad to hear of your recovery after such a major operation and your wife beside you making sure you know she needs you still. Yana I do feel for you . Thank you for your message John and I made sure of the details too. Please keep singing and creating those meaningful songs as I love them all.
Again Thanks
Love Benny and JIM
Great words John ..many similar thoughts to mine.I am Healthy and Aware but I do my research I found that the Vaccine article in New Zealand Geographic magazine is great it opens with the Polio outbreak and one…mistake in one batch of the vaccine which had live virus not deactivated ones.but it also explained that different types of Covid vaccines and how they work..my copy was stolen. But should be available online
All the words are in the dictionary John.
As usual you get them in the right order – Your way with words is totally unique. Totally agree with all you say.
I just saw this, mate. Thanks fo the kind words.
Ended up here after reading a FB post about NZ film music of the 70s which failed to mention ‘Off the Edge” and commented about that. I was a 10 year old kid when saw it, made an impression which has lasted a lifetime.
Glad to hear your kidney is holding up. Well aware of the benefits and trials of that as have been supporting my Mum whose cadaver transplant (similar situation to yours) is now near 25 years old and still going strong.
As for the world, agree, Just finished a time out cycling NZ. Was great to reconnect to the place but re-joining the real world (of commerce) is looming…
Been reading your previous blog posts, will be back for more.
* See this fb post
https://www.facebook.com/AudioCultureNZ/posts/5235137576554132
Thank You, Robin. I knew Mike Firth Producer/Director who made the movie and Jeff and Blair the Canadian hang-gliding skiers who featured in it. As the film was coming together so was my song. I suggested I had the perfect song for the movie and it proved to be true. Take care, John
Right-on John
Crazy world but good bits too
Keep on trucking, Lindsay Marks
“It is not politics or religion that fuels wars, it’s profit.”
Or in one word “GREED”.
And I totally agree with your comments
“The USA has declined from Democracy into Idiocracy”
“And it’s the seemingly unstoppable spread of stupidity in the world today that disappoints me most.”
It sounds like me – you are a critical thinker and see a different view of the current world politics and may have a healthy disdain for USA.