The flu. Slowing down my body, zapping my energy, and just no fun. Reading and resting at home, and also addressing what I can of my professional duties. But mostly, just feeling awful. I did not play at all yesterday, though I did listen to Malevaje, Live in Italy 1999, a wonderful guitar trio recording. I noticed how the music began to make me feel better. I've read that music causes the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that elicits good feelings. All of us have experienced this in life, but on a day like yesterday the change was palpable and much needed.
This afternoon, wanting to play, but knowing that my system was not up to it, I decided to listen through mp3 recordings I needed to organize. As I was listening through various takes of the same work in progress, I again noticed an elevation in my mood. After 30 minutes or so, I let go of this task to rest. The work in progress I had listened to the most continued to resound in my mind. Through the mist of my illness, I felt useful and whole for a while.
I did pick up my guitar for a few minutes, to investigate an idea I heard on two of the earlier recordings which was then lost in later efforts. The idea does fit the piece, and while not much work was done, progress was made. I think I'll listen some more now, as once again the disease is getting the better of me.
