My Thoughts

Happy Hour at See Sound Lounge Seattle (Belltown) July 2nd from 6pm - 10pm

priapos — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:54:48 GMT

Come join the Tantric House Coalition at See Sound Lounge this Wenesday for drinks, socalizing, and the healing sounds of the underground! I'll be on from 6pm -8pm and then Jason from 8pm - 10pm. Can't wait to see your smiling faces in the crowd! Namaste' Andre'

What Kung Fu theater has taught me about my approach to music...

priapos — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 07:08:29 GMT

I really didn't watch much Kung Fu Theater to be honest. If you saw one, you saw them all. It was the same plot each and everytime. Good guy gets ass kicked in the beginning, loss of loved one may or may not be involved, land, leadership, kingdom...what have you. Good guy trains for years to defeat bad guy. Good guy does so in dramatic fashion against all odds with the use of weakness/strength observation that remains in the present as well as past, for guidance to defeat bad guy. (Being present on all planes at all times kind of thing) Same thing each time with different characters, settings and the like. I've been on the universal parallel kick lately that involves a different kind of learning. It's not one you'll find in anybody's text book or class. That learning pattern is the same reason I'm so critical of movies of all genre's that fail to present our basic stories in an entertaining way. Such as plot twist and what not. I hate movies I can predict because I've seen this same story retold in the exact same way. For me a perfect example of great movie making are movies that mirror other stories yet are just as brilliant and intelligent as the original. The movie 12 monkeys for example. If I hadn't read Edipus Rex, I would not have understood the movie with the depth that I did. I sat in the theater with my brother who was completely lost. It was annoying having to explain what was going on almost ever 3rd scene. Not having read the story, my brother didn't understand what he was seeing. A brilliantly written version of Edipus Rex. The moral here...read. Educate yourself. It's not that hard. Where am I going with this you probably are asking? Music is much the same way with me. What I hear in mainstream these days isn't what I call music. What I remember was music that was humane. It sounded like real music with highs lows and mid range instruments and soulful rich vocals all coming togehter to create a mood and tell a story we could relate to and/or learn from. I'm a '70's kid. I remember when Black was beautiful. I remember when "Knowledge" was king. What seems to be king now is "Ignorance". Now it's thugged out, washed out, crap that has become abusive to our women, teaches our men to abuse women as well as each other and that sickens me. (Where's the love?) This is why I'm so glad I'm starting to DJ now instead of back in '85 when I first heard "Real House Music". I had a lot of life lessons to learn that I now can bring to the table. There are so many people out there that think they know what House music is, and have no fucking clue. If this statement offends you then listen up. You cannot progress if you don't know where you came from. This is a universal truth that is ignored time and time again in our music of today. Then you get people coming up to you saying "House isn't using a 4/4 beat". I was floored by this when I was speaking to a younger person about where my philosophy of how music should be played and more importantly how music should be created came from. Let's just say the conversation did not go well once that statement was made. This person didn't even know what BPM's were. What a Bar was. What a Measure was. I actually had to suggest they read a book on music theory just so they can speak the same language with others that know music, DJ, musician or listener that is aware. I'm no genius when it comes to music and personally play by ear harmonically, but I don't intentionally butcher the basic concepts ALL MUSIC IS BASED ON. And where did this person get this butchered information? Another DJ. That is just as fucking clueless. What's sad is there is an epidemic of them. What I see are uneducated "Clicks" that get together become successful DJ's among their peers without anyone ever questioning what they say or their knowledge. They're a DJ, so they must know what they are talking about. Just because a man claims to be a Monk, doesn't mean he won't rob you blind. This kind of ignorance is destroying our music as well as our entire human culture. Something else that pisses me off... When you try to speak to most (thank God not all) of the younger generation to attempt to explain this, they refuse and or fail altogether to recognize any of it. The great musicians of my past actually studied what the founders of their genre did and well as the other genre's that influenced their genre. My personal influences are Comtemporary Jazz, Modern Jazz, Soul, Neo Soul, Gospel, and R&B before it got destroyed. How can you strive to be great at what you do musically and not acknowledge your outside influences and their history? How do you NOT trace Psy Trance all the way from where it is now, back to House. How do you NOT trace any of the baby genre's out there back to House, where they were derived from it? How do you not recognize the R&B, Funk, Soul, Latin, Jazz and last but certainly not least Disco that influenced original House? The Root Genre greats have already blazed the trail, all you have to do is retrace the steps to have a more accurate vision of where your music came from and what you are trying to accomplish is going in the future. Since this is falling on deaf ears most of the time for me, I have finally realized I'm getting my ass kicked with the masses and I need to find more of the people that want to hear about love, hope, happiness and overcoming struggle. That is what real House music is about. Hope to see some smiling faces in the crowd next time I play, that have read this blog and understand when I drop "Bumpin' Enjoyment", "Primitive Future", "That's how good your love is", "All I need", "Reach for Freedom", where I'm coming from musically, from my heart and mostly, you are there to enjoy what sounds like what music use to sound like when we were on the verge of becoming....ONE. Let's bring it back! Andre' Le Ron Duckworth aka Priapos PS: "Last Night A DJ Saved my Life" is a great book to bring you up to speed on House without having to have a lifetime of experiences as I have.

Broken Disco 1 YR Anniversary!

priapos — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:09:22 GMT

Decibel, Fourthcity, Innerflight, Sensory Effect, and Shameless present BROKEN DISCO--1 year anniversary **Fri. April 11, 2008 @ Chop Suey--1325 E. Madison Seattle WA 18+ Bar w/ID $12 adv tickets here: www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/S...ventDetail featuring: TITTSWORTH (t & a--WASHINGTON DC) COPY (audio dregs-PDX) TACTIC (Think 2wice/Sikenomics - KC) STARKEY (trouble and bass-PHILLY) JERRY ABSTRACT (fixlplix-SEA) NORDIC SOUL (decibel, broken disco-SEA) ELECTROSECT (sensory effect, broken disco-SEA) live visuals by KILLING FRENZY and TRACER lounge sound by SHAMELESS photos by DAVE MATHEWS **stay tuned for possible afterparty!

My Work Schedule Changing Again! For the better this time! ReBar here I come!

priapos — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:03:32 GMT

Starting this week I go back to having Sundays and Mondays off. I'll still have this coming Tues and Wed as well. Having Sun-Mon off actually aligns with having the ability to play a Sunday night of House at ReBar. Stay Tuned! Andre'

My Grandma is gone...

priapos — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:19:09 GMT

The woman that raised my all of my childhood has left this plane of existance. Laura Etta Duckworth. She was my Grandmother and a huge reason i am the gentle seeker of knowledge and lover of humanity that I am today. My heart is heavy, but rejoicing in the fact she isn't in pain anymore. According to my Mother, she was coherent more so than she has been in quite sometime the day before her brain functions shut down for the last time. Yes Ma'am, no Ma'am to my elders, know no strangers, be okay with people as long as they are ok with you. Every Black person isn't you friend and all others are not necessarily you enemy. This helped a little niave country boy make his way through life and prepared me to really enjoy life with true family. People will always come and go from our lives, true friends and family will always be there. I'm proud to be the son she never had, the son she's looking down on right now, smiling, and me looking up smiling back. Love you Grandma! Andre' Le Ron Duckworh

The Fall of America....

priapos — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:52:08 GMT

Here is one of those MUST READ articles by one of America’s intellectuals. Many have voiced a similar opinion but with this mans credentials there is no denying it or avoiding it. The long-time cultural critic warns that the war in Iraq is destroying the American empire. "Democracy, whether in Sweden or the United States, depends on the voter's capacity to think. If you have read the best of what has been thought and said, then your cognition and understanding is on a much higher level than if you have read Harry Potter or Stephen King. So what this decline into half-literature and mediocre media really means is de facto a self-destruction of democracy." Harold Bloom Jan 15, 2008 For more on this excerpt go to: http://alternet.org/mediaculture/73720/

Why Wait Til New Years?

priapos — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:44:11 GMT

A New Resolve Who will you be in the future? How do you want to experience life? Will you be more kind, gentle, forgiving, tolerant and loving? Or will you continue to give your power away to the fear and doubt that is so prevalent right now in our society? The choice is ultimately yours. Might we suggest a resolution to love unconditionally? (No need to wait until New Year's when "every moment of every day is a new beginning" - H. Becker) Within you is an unlimited supply of love and you hold the key to its release. Fear and doubt, anger and hate, have no more control over our lives than we allow. Can it be that simple? It really is. Loving is a choice we can make every moment. Begin with yourself. Realize that you are a powerful, spiritual and angelic being and can create with love. Take care of your thoughts and feelings and make sure they reflect the positive you. Also observe your actions and insure that they have a loving intent too. Even when our emotions get the best of us and the stress and concerns of life become a bit overwhelming, just remember we have tools of forgiveness, meditation, visualization and letting go to assist us in overcoming the negative experiences we encounter each day. Some things just are not worth worrying about or holding on to. When you are clear and receptive to your own higher, loving nature, you can then direct this love to people and places around you. Your peace becomes the peace for others. Your love becomes the love other people feel. Be the angel you are and choose to live freely and joyfully. In doing so, you make this a better world to live and love in! From the Love Foundation. http://www.thelovefoundation.com/unconditional_love.htm

At age 6...wow

priapos — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:41:20 GMT

Our Soul Purpose by Nicholas Tschense, At Age 6 To the divine presence in all of us, know that we are moving on in our healing journey and bringing light to all of those in our path. Light of love will shine so bright, followers will feel pure joy. Once this happens the world will become one in body, mind and spirit. Transcendence into light and love is the soul purpose here of the earth. We are not here for our own purpose, don’t you see, we are here for the universal purpose? Once our spiritual path is defined, we are to follow it to contribute to the whole. This is the universe unfolding into itself…this is the moment of creation re-defined. We all as a collective are responsible for this unfolding. Each of us…no one escapes this contribution. So you see, meditation and spiritual practices keep us aligned with this purpose. Then our lives feel in synchrony and not disharmony. Disharmony meaning loss of meaning and direction, not a peace within. Inner peace and harmony need to exist, before world peace exists. Nonetheless, both are plausible and achievable brought about by inner light. Listen to your own inner message about what feels right…joy and light or sorrow and darkness. Pay close attention to your inner dialogue as it struggles with this change. As a bringer of light and love, I and all the other super conscious children of the world will assist you in this movement. Through staying tuned in, you help all of this to happen. Bringer of Light and Love, © Nicholas Tschense, February 18, 2003, 6 yrs

The Chemistry of Love

priapos — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 06:42:39 GMT

Why can’t we free the love inside us? Those inhibitions which divide us, Is it naïve of me to seek such ecstasy? I crave the chemistry of love Let’s build the Taj Mahal of pleasure, Follow the blueprint to love’s treasure, A formula of sighs should help us crystallize, Into the chemistry of love Please don’t recite me poetry, I’d rather feel you close to me, And listen to the rhythm of your heart Now here we are Woman and Man, And like those statues by Rodin, I can’t tell you from me, Inside the chemistry of love Written by Michael Franks 2006 from his album Rendezvous in Rio

Funny thing happened on the way to the source...

priapos — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:09:55 GMT

Although I'm close to the source, I'm not there yet. I'm a mere infant in my journey and like all infants I need guidance and protection. I'd like to thank my friends that have helped me so far to be able to learn the lessons I've learned since my awakening last summer. As I awoke, I encountered very cautious people when I asked questions about tantra. In time they learned that I am looking for truth and light and assisted me more. What I wasn't ready for was having to defend myself from energy vampires like the one I encountered this weekend. For the rest of this story let's call her Jane. Jane and I met shortly after my awakening at a Unting Souls party. (How ironic) She seduced me and offered for me to hang out at her place. One thing lead to another...and I needed to take a cold shower afterward because she toyed with me. I thought this was her wanting me to respect her more and didn't want to sleep with me on the first night we met. In the conversation that night, she asked me how long I'd been friends with the people she noticed were a big part of the scene and why I hadn't noticed her before. I never sensed her before, and I didn't have an explanation as to why. I tend to be able to sense other warm souls, but this time my judgement was clouded. Or was it? Something was telling me I needed to explore a friendship with this person. So the flirting continued and we had lunch one day and I told her of my journey and where I was in the path I wanted to take. I thought she was going to be instrumental in my journey as she is a yoga teacher(trojan horse). I'm a very open minded and a live and let live kind of guy. I respect other people's lifestyles, but she from the beginning did not. Still my inner voice was telling me to stay the course with her. We'd have heated debates over poly and monogamy and she'd throw in my face "if you had me, you'd want no one else". I'd retort, "that's not possible. Yes, there will be someone in my life I hold dear above all, but I'll never be monagamous." So the inconsiderate jabs from her started, for an example, I'd hug a female friend or walk into a party with a friend and she'd immediately ask is she one of my girlfriends or ask how many I had. What she didn't seem to get or understand is, it's not about numbers. I'm not trying to sleep with everything that moves. Then came the night of my birthday when she stepped up the game she played with me up and invited back to her place in honor of my birthday. This too ended with her toying with me and me trying to figure out why. At this point I'm fed up and I'm done. And you reading this are probably wondering where I'm going with this. Well, here it is. This past weekend, I ran into Jane and she followed me to another club where I had friends waiting. I made some cool connections that night with more warm hearted souls when Jane walks up and introduces me to her sister. Let's call her Jill. This is how Jane introduces me..."Jill meet Andre', he has a girlfriend and sleeps with other women!" Jill immediately says to me in a strong voice, "that's not ok". Enraged I responed, "it is ok. My girlfriend and I are both ok with it. I respect your choices in life and you need to respect mine." Jill's response was, "it's still not ok, but at least you're honest about it." Soon after I walked off without saying goodbye to either of them. I have a slow temper, but that was the final straw. So I vented to a friend and of course my beloved and they both told me, "Andre', you're close to the source, and there are those out there that live to drain the energy from those people that haven't yet connected fully. Those that have, see right through parasites like that and don't give them the time of day. I've always been one to want to pass on knowledge in order to help others which isn't a fault, just a doorway I need to keep an eye on because not everyone wants to better themselves, just take from others. Needless to say, I understand why when I first became interested in tantra and other ways of connecting to the source, people were a bit cautious. So I thank my friends that see the good in me, and helped me release myself from this energy sucking vampire of a person. Not everyone that taps into the source has good intentions. In my observation this person has gone as far down a dark path and has hit their limitation of their power. The only thing she has left to do is suck energy from others on their way to the light. I tried to help, but my help was what she counted on. Lucky for me I'm stronger than that, and will only become stronger to help those that really want it, just as I did.

My partner in crime...

priapos — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 06:09:08 GMT

Ever since I got off the fence with monogamy and poly and embraced poly, I wondered when would I find my partner in crime so to speak...my primary. I know what it's like to be secondary, which is an honor in itself, but longed for my primary. And one night, unexpected we met, which was started out to be a one night stand but I let her know it was not. I let her know up front that I was poly which she promptly let me know she didn't want anything serious. 3 months later we agree to be primary to each other and I'm the happiest man in the world. Happy that being true to myself and my lifestyle that many don't understand, agree with or even think is possible makes my love for her even stronger. I don't know what the future holds, but I see an incredible journey in store for us. I have so many friends on tribe that have helped me in my development that I want to thank...you know who you are. If we've met and you shared an experience or instructed me in some way with tantra or the poly lifestyle, thank you. Andre'

Southern VS Northern Football

priapos — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 15:27:25 GMT

For those of you that know, I'm from the south where football is a way of life. So to my northern friends and family that actually like football I apologize ahead of time. This is funny. Is there any other conference other than the SEC? LOL. (Thank you PAC 10 for Reggie Bush) Geaux Saints! SOUTHERN vs. NORTHERN FOOTBALL Women's Accessories: NORTH: ChapStick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket. SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara. Money is not necessary -- That's what dates are for. Stadium Size: NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people. SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people. Campus Decor: NORTH: Statues of founding fathers. SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners. NORTH: Also a physics major. SOUTH: Also Miss America. Cheerleaders: NORTH: If you are slightly coordinated, you make the varsity squad. SOUTH: You begin cheer camp at age two, complete with ballet, dance, & gymnastic training. Getting Tickets: NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus and purchase tickets. SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus & put name on the waiting list. Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game: NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because they have classes on Friday. SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few students that might actually make it to class. Parking: NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for game parking. SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday. Game Day: NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV. SOUTH: Every student wakes up and rushes over to where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera and wave to the idiots up north. Tailgating: NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, lime coke, and listening to local radio station with truck tailgate down. SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking accompanied by live performance by "Dave Matthews' Band," who come over during breaks and hangs out with you. Getting to the Stadium: NORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in. SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it becomes the state's third largest city. Concessions: NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda. SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup with the home team's mascot on it, filled less than halfway with soda, to ensure enough room for other adult fixens'. When National Anthem is Played: NORTH: Stands are still less than half full. SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony. The Smell in the Air After the First Score: NORTH: Nothing changes. SOUTH: Fireworks and Massive Explosions. Commentary (Male): NORTH: "Nice play." SOUTH: "Dang, you slow bum - tackle him and break his legs." Commentary (Female): NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport." SOUTH: "Dang, you slow bum - tackle him and break his legs." Announcers: NORTH: Neutral and paid. SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in his eye because he is so proud of his team. After the Game: NORTH: The stadium is emptying out. SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker while somebody goes to the nearest package store for more adult fixens'. Planning begins for next week's game.

The Great Jouney...

priapos — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 20:07:07 GMT

And no, I'm not talking Halo 2. The path I am currently traveling to being true to myself. Learning that the thoughts you put out into the universe come back to you and give you what you ask for. I've asked to be around and befriend wonderful people that share the same and similar paths and they are coming into my life. This weekend I met some wonderful people that left lasting impressions on me and I hope I left the same for them as I came from a place of truth, honesty, and light. The more I'm true to myself, I find myself attracting more than ever before closer friends that truly understand love is healing. I've had this inside me since I was born but because of my upbringing I was afraid to really truely love. As my path has taken the turn that it has I've learned to let go a little more of the past and my future looks wonderful. Presently I am open to give more of myself than ever before. The gift of giving freely and unconditionaly is such a wonderful way to live and learn on this great jouney we all are on. I am so thankful for all that has happened to me to bring me to this chapter in which my book of life really gets good and will be an interesting read for the rest of my life...

What I think of individual expression on the dance floor...

priapos — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 07:24:13 GMT

I respect it. I don't have a problem with it. But what I don't respect and have a problem with, are the people that find dancing with a partner a cardinal sin. Sorry, I grew up in a culture that you danced with a partner instead of alone. I prefer it. I got into House in the birth place of House and that's Chicago. You couldn't move in the Warehouse back in it's day because it was so packed with couples dancing with each other. I've learned to dance by myself since moving to Seattle (when in Rome do as he Romans do) but it baffles me how petty people can be in making snap judgements that if you want to dance close you're after something. Yeah I am. Communication on a different level. Without words. Try it sometime, you might learn something about yourself and the person you're dancing with. Andre' Le Ron

Shower Epiphany...

priapos — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 03:18:01 GMT

Amazing how thoughts come to you while you're in the shower. The thought of appreciation, true appreciation I started to ponder. It's nice when people appreciate the things you may do, or buy for them, but on the premise that the best things in life are free...a simple call to say hello, text just to say hi or thinking of you are so hard to accept. But a dinner and a movie, nice car, clothes...material things are taken without question. True appreciation...where has it gone? Or have we just simply stopped recognizing it or didn't know how to in the first place. That is the great mystery. For some of you, I hope this random thought puts things in perspective. I did for me....

My Manhood...

priapos — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 02:52:34 GMT

A few weeks ago, my manhood was challenged simply because I go to ReBar on Sundays and I'm what I consider a really laid back nice guy. I'm not thuggish, or macho which a number of people seem to consider necessary to be straight....or is it? I don't possess those qualities, but I'm straight as an arrow. But not narrow minded. I live and let live. So in my own house, I was told I had to be Gay. I said, "really"? To think all 40 years of my life only being with women(and loving might I add), someone else had made the decision that I was gay, therefore it had to be true. This person's gaydar (according to them) was infaluble and she wasn't going to hear otherwise. I decided to be nice about it. But there was a part of me that wanted to just say "look here bitch, House music is not Gay people's music, it's everybodys. There is nothing about a man I want. I love the feel and the taste of a woman. I just invited 3 of you over here and one of you I'm fucking tonight!" But I didn't. I just let the one who really understood where I was coming from make the decision (yes, women make the decision of who they sleep with) to stay after everything was over. The next morning, the first thing out of the mouth of the one that stayed the night with me was, "I guess you're not gay." Mine was, " I guess you're not lesbian either."