tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26019340972115594582012-01-23T16:55:25.419-08:00View the philosophies, ideas, and updates from writer J. T. Murphy.J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.comBlogger711100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-3105372743694588052009-11-06T14:30:00.000-08:002009-11-06T15:01:21.396-08:00

Since April, I've been corresponding with a man named Ezekiel Noah Moirana. He is my age, about three years older. He is from Tanzania. We were put in touch by my doctor, Kimberly Shriner. She specializes in infectious diseases and is the one responsible for keeping me bug free over two years of wound care. I would not be healed today without her. In 1996, Dr. Shriner founded the Phil Simon

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-85568841235764477562009-01-03T21:01:00.000-08:002009-01-03T21:10:01.113-08:00

Best & Worst of 2008 Worst -- The Surgery: I went through yet another "worst ordeal of my life" and in consecutive years! I'll explain later how much the support I did receive during this time meant to me. However, the vulnerability I went through and continue to feel could only be addressed in certain ways that haven't been possible for me lately. No Work: even on my blog, the writing was

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-73900633842186854772008-11-04T10:01:00.000-08:002008-11-04T10:04:16.504-08:00

Words are very important to me. For many obvious reasons, both artistic and personal, I have always had an interest in being able to find and use the right words in a given situation. The artistic importance of this is pretty self-evident. As for the personal, well, that comes from a life of needing to express myself through words. Ironically, that is easier said than done. It is mostly

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-82694994349831992192008-10-03T15:59:00.000-07:002008-10-03T16:08:29.936-07:00

The first entry I ever wrote on this blog had to do with my small, but memorable, role in contributing to the premiere of the musical, 13, in Los Angeles in January of 2007. Now, after a long and most likely arduous process of revising, rewriting, recasting, and retooling, the musical will make its Broadway debut on Sunday. If you'll be in NYC during its first run, go see it. If you need some

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-12455537697549404482008-09-24T13:34:00.000-07:002008-09-24T13:47:43.221-07:00

Yesterday was my 25th birthday. I spent the weekend leading up to it first celebrating the birthdays of my mom and brother the week before and then thinking about what it meant for me to have lived 25 years. I thought about it both in context with just this past year and with all 25 together. You know, I consider myself to be pretty well-adjusted and I have a healthy self-esteem, but I also

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-51017404065849853542008-09-12T13:43:00.000-07:002008-09-12T13:46:46.874-07:00

I just recently overcame a big obstacle in my life. After a nearly 2-year health struggle, I ended up facing the need to have surgery. Going into it, I had already used up my strength battling the struggles before. I had already done my best, and I felt like I gave everything I could possibly give. And then I needed to give a little more. I needed to grit my teeth once again and ready for a

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-69452036908657270622008-09-02T18:06:00.000-07:002008-09-02T18:24:16.545-07:00

I once heard this wise woman speak. She was the type of person who could see things about people, things that others couldn't, or wouldn't see. She said, "If you want to find God don't look up, look around." The older I get, the more I realize how much this statement influences the role faith plays in my life. Personally, I believe anyone who can sit down and definitively say, "God is this,"

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-58893423549998083822008-07-22T12:14:00.000-07:002008-07-22T12:25:59.491-07:00

I've been dealing with some health issues for much of the last two years. Recently, there was a complication that will require correction by surgery. The outpouring of support for me has been tremendous, as usual. But by no means do I take it for granted as, again, I feel extremely fortunate and blessed. Just this past week alone has given me much to reflect on with regard to friendship.I spent

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-80608101021097525072008-06-20T17:14:00.000-07:002008-06-20T17:31:16.258-07:00

In the past six months, Tiger Woods officially played in seven golf tournaments. He won five of them, including his second-place finish at the Masters in April and his 14th Major Championship win at the U.S. Open this past weekend. As remarkable as this is, there's something amiss. What's the problem? The problem is that Tiger Woods tore his ACL. Last July.Following this year's Masters,

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-37790665981189706092008-06-09T16:57:00.000-07:002008-06-09T18:40:00.873-07:00

A friend of mine is taking a class on Los Angeles culture. He asked me to participate in a survey for one of his research papers, and upon reading the questions, I thought my answers would make a great blog entry. Here they are:1. Use one word to describe Los Angeles and explain why you chose that particular word.Freedom. Both literally and figuratively, Los Angeles is a sprawling, wide-open

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-83875463344732381332008-05-27T16:19:00.000-07:002008-05-27T16:33:47.714-07:00

Hello again! It has been a long time. Summer is coming, Memorial Day weekend is over, and the Lakers meet the defending champion Spurs in San Antonio tonight for Game 4 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals. My life has been busy as of late, also. As some may know, I've been dealing with some health issues for the past year or so. Recently, there were some minor complications that took my

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-91667991738430325872008-04-28T13:09:00.000-07:002008-04-28T13:23:45.290-07:00

Some words in support of John Adams, the highly acclaimed HBO miniseries (my previous HBO recommendation, John from Cincinnati, didn't fare as well). The series is fantastic, presented with an epic scope and a real eye toward authenticity. The camera work features unique shots that only occasionally distract from the scene. Often times, they are integral in establishing the mood of a

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-41014205300151861792008-04-11T15:15:00.000-07:002008-04-11T15:22:43.841-07:00

Note: This began as stream of consciousness fiction, but took on a little more planning. Let's call it extremely short fiction. For a blog entry, it's long.I'm at this concert with Lindsey. It is our third date and I am definitely hoping things will go well. Our first two dates were amazing, so I figure a little live entertainment is definitely the way to go tonight. The place is nice, intimate

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-53469782367694976092008-03-31T13:58:00.000-07:002008-03-31T14:08:23.728-07:00

Music seems to be very mystical. I'm always astounded by the way it can fill an otherwise still room with the most vivid, nearly tangible emotions. Depending on which emotion it is, the style of music can transport us to another place, it can cause us to change shape, or even disappear. At its best, it can take the musicians creating it and transform them into one organism.If we reduce music down

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-83336754175730570182008-03-17T16:54:00.000-07:002008-03-17T16:58:50.913-07:00

A quick entry today, in commemoration of St. Patrick's Day 2008. It has always made me uneasy to think of myself as being defined by the geographical location of my ancestors' birth. At the same time, however, I cannot deny having a particular affinity for all things Irish. I have always felt that one of the greatest mistakes an American can make is to not realize they are an American. I love

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-21200469240435573482008-03-12T21:05:00.000-07:002008-03-12T21:25:01.886-07:00

Just by reading this blog, someone may find it odd that I write this: perception is very important. It has a major effect on all of us in many of the things we do. Expectations are closely related with perception. Psychologically, our expectations of certain results have quite an impact on whether or not they will occur. Of course I believe that getting caught up in how other people might judge

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-45087615148242519862008-03-04T18:29:00.000-08:002008-03-04T18:34:13.675-08:00

Most people enjoy a good trip. In some way or another, travel holds appeal for almost everyone. Some people are all about the destination, so they just want to get wherever they're going. Others actually enjoy the journey and include it as a part of the experience. That debate is for another time. Both approaches are encompassed by the concept of travel.People travel for many reasons, viz.:

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-22192106424118621942008-02-29T19:04:00.000-08:002008-02-29T19:05:45.025-08:00

The salt air was pungently refreshing, almost to the point of distraction. He had been blind for a while now, but he needed to focus on listening. Every "click-click" of his walking stick told him that he could continue in a straight line. Any sort of a muffled thud meant he was veering off the concrete and onto the sand. Eventually, he hoped his ears would become sensitive enough to allow

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-47339341121406157302008-02-24T17:48:00.000-08:002008-02-24T17:51:56.224-08:00

This man drove a certain long and winding road often. It was the quicker route between work and home. He pushed through it as fast as possible whenever he took it. His eyes would dart from windshield to rearview mirror, checking every car on the road, and he frequently reminded himself to look to the lane of oncoming cars so he had as many opportunities as possible to use it to pass anything

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-25982902901026079462008-01-18T18:43:00.000-08:002008-01-18T18:47:07.185-08:00

I was asked recently if I thought that the terms "confidence" and "positive attitude" were synonymous. My answer to that is, yes, but that the definition of confidence needs to be clear. In general, confidence implies a belief in a measure of certainty with regard to a particular outcome. Confidence means assurance. When we have confidence in ourselves, we are sure of who we are in a certain

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-83726924258040607322008-01-09T20:34:00.000-08:002008-01-09T20:40:45.499-08:00

Today is the anniversary of my lung reinflation procedure. In almost every respect, that procedure put me in a completely different place today as compared to a little over a year ago. It's probably typical that I believe most of the changes are positive ones. However, I'm still left with some negative feelings and certainly some emotional hangups.I feel vulnerable, and I can't get around it.

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-10820148198116374482007-12-30T21:16:00.000-08:002007-12-30T21:19:43.663-08:00

The New Year will start with a bit of fun for me, but then it will get really difficult. My new beginning will be an emotional one. I'm calling the 4th as the anniversary of my lung collapse. I first felt the chest pain on that day. That is followed by the one-year mark of the opening of "13" and I'm still very proud of that. Then, I'll have the capper. I will be a whole year removed from

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-1489038652695949412007-12-22T21:02:00.000-08:002007-12-22T21:10:43.847-08:00

I write often about pain & suffering, brokenness, and dealing with adversity. They are major facts of life that fit into this amazing universe of ours. They provide a lot of artistic inspiration and that's obvious if you consider how popular drama has been for centuries. However, there's something to be said for feeling good.Physical and emotional happiness and pleasure are nice. They feel

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-76539592316319968152007-12-07T19:56:00.000-08:002007-12-07T20:15:31.417-08:00

"The capacity to give one's attention to a sufferer is a very rare and difficult thing; it is almost a miracle, it is a miracle." -- Simone WeilThe greatest gift is a miracle. It's an expression of some part of yourself that you give to someone else. The thing you give to that person is very nearly beside the point. It's just the means by which the transfer of you to the other person takes place.

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-59614081236077811862007-11-30T12:38:00.000-08:002007-11-30T12:46:29.565-08:00

To the members of the Coliseum Commission,My name is J. T. Murphy. I am a Writer who attended the University of Southern California, and I owe the school immensely for its boost to my career and my character. I send this letter on behalf of the Trojan football program and Director of Athletics, Michael L. Garrett. I am concerned about our beloved Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.The stadium needs

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-91198753260951566782007-11-28T17:26:00.000-08:002007-11-28T18:29:46.133-08:00

"Young men, fight shield to shield and never succumb to panic or miserable flight, but steel the heart in your chests with magnificence and courage."-- Tyrtaeus, The War Songs of TyrtaeusThe Greek phalanx was first developed in the 8th century B.C. and lasted as the primary mode of battle for 4 centuries until the Roman legion began to take shape. The phalanx was defeated, once and for all, at

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-26907418755826473882007-11-06T16:02:00.000-08:002007-11-06T16:05:30.019-08:00

Pain sucks, and there's no way around it. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I have a very high pain tolerance level. On one hand, that means that it takes a lot of suffering to knock me down. On the other, that means that it takes a lot of suffering to knock me down. The good news about having high pain tolerance is that I have developed several ways to cope.

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-80565239758388357302007-10-29T16:52:00.000-07:002007-10-29T16:59:19.178-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.It finally feels like Fall when the sun, lower in the sky, shines in my eyes. The sun's rays are on my window throughout the day. At this time of year, I get the best of both worlds from that light.It is bright in my eyes around midday. It narrows my vision. It has a tunneling effect on my

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-72734774209820587352007-10-24T15:16:00.000-07:002007-10-24T15:22:30.472-07:00

Everybody is somebody. Nobody is nobody.-- Taj MahalI was listening to a greatest hits album of Taj Mahal's and this line from his song, called "Everybody Is Somebody," got me thinking. This statement is true whether a person makes use of what it means or not. Being somebody is based on potential. We all have this ability inside even though many people choose, or are encouraged, not to achieve

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-46623616360393880782007-10-19T14:19:00.000-07:002007-10-19T14:23:17.102-07:00

Things are looking up. My health has been coming along, and I continue to grow in my confidence in the healing process. It seems that all the measures I've taken are doing a job. And, I'm quite sure that I've gotten enough inspiration for my writing from the medical world for the time being, although apparently it's the medical world's decision as to when it will stop inspiring me.The most

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-9935178928299474802007-10-15T17:16:00.000-07:002007-10-15T17:34:24.484-07:00

This is one of my favorite songs by Seal and simply just one of my favorite songs. It is right down my alley as far as the theme and spirit the song conveys. You could argue that the reason I like it so much is because it is so similar to my worldview, however I like to think that this is one of those songs in particular that have informed on my worldview. Seal, himself, has called "Prayer for

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-40613434907302632102007-10-11T16:36:00.000-07:002007-10-11T16:40:10.073-07:00

I have a hard time making decisions. Then again, I don't. I struggled with deciding how to go about this very blog entry. I know that, currently, I'm very confident in myself, and when I'm certain instinctively that I'm making the right choice, I feel as if I almost made the choice before I even knew about it. So, it really isn't about the decision itself. The problem is that I'm so

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-7877917053140980122007-10-08T15:45:00.000-07:002007-10-08T15:49:44.781-07:00

Sports and in particular college football, with the pageantry and tradition everyone has grown accustomed to, often serve as a reminder of a time long ago, the time of gladiators. However, the beauty of college football is that it also relates to the modern struggles of everyday life. The ideals that allow an athlete to excel in competition, to meet challenges head-on, and to be the very best,

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-48763953744002951972007-10-04T16:54:00.000-07:002007-10-04T16:56:34.978-07:00

"Grams, this is so cool," he said, at least five times. I was able to get up and spend some time with my nephew and niece the other day. We invited my sister-in-law to bring them over because there was a commercial being shot, no doubt, for the Christmas season. It was snowing, in a way, in South Pasadena. My four-year-old nephew was in heaven.There were trucks galore, all kinds of equipment,

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-30956684824954282012007-10-01T15:34:00.000-07:002007-10-01T15:50:11.403-07:00

Note: This is a long one.There are many kinds of endurance in life. The one I needed when my lung collapsed was very different from some other ones I've needed. It started with a complete drop in my spirits the moment I was diagnosed. I'll never forget it. I was somewhat concerned going in, just considering the fact that the chest pain I was experiencing had lasted for about a week. But I was

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-45874198717627694342007-09-27T14:24:00.000-07:002007-09-27T14:28:41.163-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.We sat on the grassy hill under the tree that overlooked the beach several hundred yards away. Close by behind us, the hill sloped gently down to the quiet road. We were close enough to the ocean to hear its rhythmic sounds and smell its sea breeze. We were far enough away to sense the rest of

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-18285361381364646772007-09-24T16:57:00.000-07:002007-09-24T16:59:35.788-07:00

After six years at the University of Southern California, this will be the first in which I am no longer associated with that institution's undergraduate education. I had an amazing experience there, and the beauty of USC is that the thing they call the Trojan Family is real. I have found there is a vast, and generous, network of Trojans and people associated with USC in some way who are

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-72878935918594507232007-09-20T17:28:00.000-07:002007-09-20T17:31:03.992-07:00

Note: I move into my next year Sunday, when I turn 24. Here are my thoughts as one year impacts the next.As I begin to look forward, it is important for me to internalize those lessons I've learned over the past year. I'm not sure there's really any sort of process which will allow me to do that, but I think a simple awareness that those lessons are important is all that is necessary.Some of the

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-55969102963587205632007-09-17T16:48:00.000-07:002007-09-17T16:55:43.990-07:00

Note: my 24th year is drawing to a close and will end on my 24th birthday, Sunday. I've decided to take a look back today in Part One.There's no way around it: it has been a long, hard year for me. Like I've always said, I'm a positive guy, but even I have to admit that I faced a lot of negatives. You might say it was a rebuilding year, if I may use a sports analogy. The negatives will follow me

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-90663894789788070322007-09-13T17:12:00.000-07:002007-09-13T17:15:17.192-07:00

Often, I find that the search for an applicable mythology, hero, or symbol is better served by accepting current trends. Our warriors, our adventures, our quests are not lost. They always exist in essence. Modern society mostly finds them in spirit, but there are still places where they exist in form, as well. One of these is something I like to call the Modern Gladiator: the athlete. We

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-24474005041351639802007-09-10T15:45:00.000-07:002007-09-10T15:58:09.785-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.Julian still held a romantic idea of anything related to a boating lifestyle. Often, he would go to one of his favorite food places and take his order over to the harbor, to eat lunch. He liked being among the boats. Average sized sailing vessels were his favorite: nothing really big enough to

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-16725166512629732332007-09-04T17:30:00.000-07:002007-09-06T15:46:01.318-07:00

Update for Thursday, September 6, 2007: I'm very pleased with how this entry turned out, so I've decided to leave it up for today as well. Until next week... hope you enjoy.All people feel broken at certain points during their lives. To not feel broken is to lie to oneself or to live a terribly safe, sterile existence. I believe being broken is one of the fundamental aspects of life. On its face,

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-26979454388815186322007-08-30T16:37:00.000-07:002007-08-30T16:43:20.396-07:00

A man's property is his to do with as he pleases, right? Apparently not. Historical commissions, permits, housing committees, and lawsuits say otherwise. Government, by its nature, possesses a continually growing sense of entitlement in terms of its ability to tell people what to do. However, I see it becoming overridingly personal. There seems to be this idea developing among the

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-47450386761768840902007-08-27T20:59:00.000-07:002007-08-28T12:25:26.434-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.Sitting on the patio of the bar and lounge outside of the fancy hotel, he ordered one of his favorite drinks. There was no reason for it, and it probably wasn't an appropriate drink for the season. It was cold, and he was glad to be next to the gas heater. It doesn't matter how you feel, he

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-3385728648711379242007-08-23T19:13:00.000-07:002007-08-23T19:17:07.823-07:00

I am not sure what it is, myself. I know that it's not even agreed upon in a fundamental way. Many people I respect have said art is inherently political. I think art should be apolitcal. Art ascends and transcends at its best, and I think very lowly of politics. I do, however, admit that my opinion of art is not yet streamlined or refined. These thoughts are just the beginning. It seems

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-30462081459592182542007-08-22T14:19:00.000-07:002007-08-22T14:21:18.292-07:00

This song comes from Ben Folds' solo album Songs for Silverman, which was released in 2005. The album itself is very good, as its songs loosely tell the story of a man's life. It begins with an old man having a "paradigm arrest" as Ben puts it, and goes on to describe adolescence & growing up. Then, the album features a look at religion, love and loss and new love, fathering a child, the death of

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-65660839267746512152007-08-16T19:18:00.000-07:002007-08-16T19:57:42.845-07:00

Some words in support of the HBO series, "John from Cincinnati". This is/was another fine work from David Milch, of "Deadwood" and "NYPD Blue" fame. I have become a huge fan of his and highly recommend anything he does. Watching one of his shows is like entering a literary world. Indeed, he was an English professor at Yale for a time.Weird, hard-to-follow, confusing, brilliant, heartwarming,

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-56783602532653655672007-08-13T15:48:00.000-07:002007-08-13T16:02:44.687-07:00

"Myth is the secret opening through which the inexhaustible energies of the cosmos pour into human manifestation..." -- Joseph CampbellI'm about to start reading my new book, The Matrix and Philosophy, and I thought I'd give an insight into a subject that fascinates me in all aspects of my life: myth. I use "myth" here in the academic sense, not the common sense which connotes a story that is

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-57288124533109240612007-08-09T18:56:00.000-07:002007-08-09T19:02:31.184-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.I watched a long conversation. It was on my walk through the woods. I saw the hawk speaking to the bright blue sky while the songbirds sang to the trees. I heard the sounds of the wind dancing with the leaves, and then I went down to the waterline to see the fish interpret the river's

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-54214062837629852882007-08-06T18:32:00.000-07:002007-08-06T18:34:03.122-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions. People call me the wanderer. My hair is long and my clothes are warm. They're here for me when it's time for the wind to rise. It happens, sure as the tides, when the sky gives in to dusk. I see it. As I travel from town to town, I see it. I walk down the road and I say goodbye to the

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-80666587584522002262007-08-02T17:34:00.000-07:002007-08-02T17:43:08.068-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.Gifting her with music was not my intent, and I still believe I did not do that. I did, however, want to hear the music in her, and I do believe I accomplished that. I'm excited, sitting here and waiting to hear her very first set ever, as I know what the small, intimate audience is about to

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-19081601678636178102007-07-30T19:00:00.000-07:002007-07-30T19:16:44.115-07:00

This passage is about the character, Christopher Patrick, developed from the same series as Evelyn Thorpe, or Evie. Please enjoy:"Ambition drove Christopher Patrick, not talent. But, he knew enough to keep his mouth shut. It's the one thing his brother taught him. Perhaps, it was the one thing Chris remembered about his brother. Chris never did understand why his brother, James, was so

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-15574564410393362282007-07-26T15:49:00.000-07:002007-07-26T15:53:05.541-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions. "The Ever-Changing Tree lived at the top of a flowering hill that rose up out of the towns surrounding it. One, small dirt road led off the main thoroughfare for traffic up to the base of the hill. Growing there were wild, unkempt flowers, grass that was literally high and dry, and all

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-73828248594350336012007-07-23T18:47:00.000-07:002007-07-23T18:51:31.597-07:00

When you don't know what else to write about, write about writing! One of the most difficult things I have found in my writing is not getting inspired, it is managing all the simultaneous inspirations that are always spinning through my head. An overabundance of ideas is both a blessing and a curse. I have numerous examples of great literary visions that stall completely when I put pen to

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-28541100442645972742007-07-19T19:41:00.000-07:002007-07-19T19:49:35.960-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.Eventually you have to ask why. The problem with it is that the most obvious answers are usually the most unsatisfying. Sometimes, the answer you get is not the answer you want. One of the most important questions is what hand you play in it.Call me Pythagoras or some other Greek-sounding

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-57890144072171039532007-07-16T17:50:00.000-07:002007-07-16T17:55:03.536-07:00

In the upcoming and future entries, I will be expanding on the feelings of the characters I describe. Recently, I have found that I'm focusing primarily on states of being in which I have invested so much of myself in living in the real world. While that's good for me as a person, I feel it's important to delve deeper as a writer. I'm going to begin exploring the darker parts of my characters.

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-64198146706351626542007-07-09T16:58:00.000-07:002007-07-09T17:08:34.398-07:00

This is a character I developed a long time ago when I was still in my screenplay phase. I've now decided that she would make an excellent addition to my fiction. This is a great example of the way I see Write What You Know. Thematic but not specific. Originally, I had planned to write a story about a fictional beach town based on the areas above Ventura that I visited so often growing up. Also,

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-35948033229590136662007-07-05T18:25:00.000-07:002007-07-05T18:41:00.946-07:00

Today, I introduce a new feature to the blog. I will use the Song Series to give brief interpretations of some of my favorite songs. Today's edition is from the Dave Matthews Band album: Before These Crowded Streets. Here are my impressions of "The Stone".The song is divided into two basic tones. The rhythm of the music gives an idea of the back-and-forth between them. The dissonance tells

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-54843303409023202422007-07-02T17:53:00.000-07:002007-07-02T17:59:04.174-07:00

I believe every person faces imprisonment in some way and at some point during their lives, or maybe even throughout their lives. The most obvious form is legal incarceration. I take nothing away from that, it is definitely one of the most difficult forms otherwise our society would not have deemed it appropriate for punishment. However, imprisonment exists in many other manifestations as well

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-50661649878957386152007-06-28T17:05:00.000-07:002007-06-28T17:11:48.511-07:00

The concept of free will in creative fiction is an intriguing one. Obviously, a character cannot be free in the true, real-world sense. A character is at the mercy of its author's omnipotence. Taking into account the entire body of work, predestination is a very clear force acting on each character. But there are certainly ways of approximating some type of simulated quality of free will. A

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-64944604119662674632007-06-25T16:53:00.000-07:002007-06-25T16:59:24.259-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.Running. It is something some fear. It can be something some hate even if they are good at it. Some people run away and yet toward something. For others, running is a dream. It can appear as an elusive oasis to a person sucked in to a day-to-day grind.The days begin to pile up. There are

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-68331657637425104102007-06-21T10:01:00.000-07:002007-06-21T10:10:29.137-07:00

On the longest day of the year, the sky stops to honor the official launch of my weblog! It is the summer solstice for us Northern Hemisphere types. Today, the Earth tilts on its axis toward the Sun for us more than any other time during the year. The Sun stands still in declination, which is its movement north or south, at the actual solstice. According to Coordinated Universal Time, this

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-27331601891995732922007-06-11T17:35:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:27:45.764-07:00

I'm not one to say how writing, or art for that matter, should be done. I can only speak for myself and the methods that work best for me. Many writers work in many ways. Some write from scratch without a notion of what is coming next. Others brainstorm, prewrite, outline, and plan everything out in amazing detail. Many revise and rewrite regardless of method. I would hope that most would agree

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-16620731130228073882007-06-07T19:40:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:25:53.191-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.The smoke curled up out of his pipe. He looked at the pipe and admired it. He noticed, and loved, how the lucite stem blended seamlessly with the natural cherrywood bowl. He appreciated the beauty of the contrasting smoke. The bright whiteness morphing itself around solid, deep red was a sight

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-28639844472714815292007-06-02T22:07:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:24:28.140-07:00

"Most of the brain's work is done while the brain's owner is ostensibly thinking about something else." -- Neal StephensonLet go. So many situations can be fixed or figured out or survived or simply enjoyed by doing that simple act. Let go. I think that's true of any part of me: body, mind, or soul. The best medicine for me is effective because it enables or allows my body's natural healing

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-91842674645174564342007-05-18T21:29:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:20:59.984-07:00

It's been a while! I have put PRESCHOOL PARABLE on the back burner for now. Health issues not only kept me away from the weblog, but they gave me new inspiration as well. Life changes, we readapt and find our way through. My latest is a piece called The Prisoner about a death row inmate and a prison guard. I present to you excerpts from the first draft of Part I.Excerpt 1:"It was hot, definitely.

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-87469947796649021022007-04-09T18:42:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:18:05.252-07:00

I have begun my next project. The working title is PRESCHOOL PARABLE, although I don't expect that title to remain. Right now, it is looking like a comedic/spy fiction piece that will examine the importance of preschool and finding the best one, or the right one, for a child. The extreme measures parents may or may not take for their children will also be featured.Unfortunately, I will not be

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-234977765292545162007-04-05T19:49:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:14:22.748-07:00

Family means a lot to me. True Family, the idea of "family", carries my personal values to their utmost. Although I'm lucky enough to have experienced Family with fellow members related by both blood & bond, it is my belief that Family has nothing to do with biology.We were fortunate enough this year to continue our family's 30-year tradition once again on this night. There were some

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-61109414253240996772007-04-03T17:58:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:08:56.137-07:00

I find politics to be a very low form of human interaction. Currently, it is widely considered to be the realm of smart intellectuals, the place for considerate citizens. I think it is sports for people who don't like sports (and people who do). However, I find real sport to be a much worthier enterprise, particularly a sport involving a team.It is incredibly gratifying to watch a group of

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-88645670823325778122007-04-02T15:11:00.000-07:002007-06-11T18:04:55.524-07:00

Note: This is a stream of consciousness piece written in one session and printed with minimal revisions.A gentle yet persistent breeze journeyed down the street. It made its way over, under, around, even occasionally through, each house on the block. The block, the cozy and peaceful, friendly, lovely neighborhood was quiet in the warmth of late afternoon sun.It was almost evening time. He was

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2601934097211559458.post-22728751735951685582007-02-23T16:34:00.000-08:002007-06-11T17:58:50.037-07:00

"Wow. I don't even know where to begin, but 'wow' seems like a good start. I'm still trying to absorb everything I experienced on 13's opening day." I wrote these words just a day after "13" opened at the Mark Taper Forum. I had been unable, quite honestly, to wrap my head around writing as a professional and being published up until the moment I saw the piece in print in the program for the show

J. T. Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16095233904705251364noreply@blogger.com1