The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. 
Alan Watts

After a long break, Pádraig had another session with the UCD PhD student using switches to play music. This time, they were trying off-the-shelve switches – although the Handscupe with the appropriate attachments was there too.

Most times, switches are used in a binary way. You press and release them to switch something on or off, perhaps to start or finish a process or an action.

Last Thursday, they were using an analog switch which had several effects. Some were obvious. Some really surprised me. All presented Pádraig with different challenges.

And for Pádraig, challenges are fun. The more, and the more interesting and diverse, the better. Pádraig also likes music. All this made for a great morning session.

I tried to capture some of the action.

Setting off a violin and then a cello, varying the speed by applying more or less pressure to the switch. This wasn’t easy: Pádraig had to hold the switch in the right way that would allow him to press harder and softer. He managed really well and the sound effects were brilliant.

The next challenge was less obvious: pressing the switch, more or less, varied the pitch of a sound. The challenge was to match that pitch with another playing in the background. This was so much more than ‘just’ an exercise in dexterity. It was an auditory and great mental challenge. I am not an expert but could come up with a long list of senses, processes, and decision-making that this exercise addressed.

Yesterday morning, I went for a walk in the park. The privilege to be able to go out and enjoy such beauty. The path ahead made me think of where we’re heading.

The river showed me how calm waters can turn into turbulences if the stream hits a few obstacles it has to navigate. The river as a metaphor for life? Is that too philosophical?

Should I plunge into it, move with it, and join the movement?