Man In Park, Charlotte, NC, March 31, 2017

Man In Park
Charlotte, NC
March 31, 2017
Photo copyright 2017 Daniel Coston

-Daniel
April 9, 2017

Another Phrase That I Need To Work Into A larger Piece

A long night of short knives.
-Daniel
July 2, 2015

Thought For Today

The news is defeaning, and depressing today. As I’ve tried to get through today, I’ve found myself doing searches through Youtube, and playing TV and radio broadcasts of the 1981 New York Yankees. 1981 American League Playoffs? Yep. Bill White and Phil Rizzuto calling a rain delay? Oh, yeah. This is all very nice, but I eventually asked myself, “Daniel, what are you doing?"

All these years later, I still have a soft spot in my heart for baseball, and the Yankees ball clubs (and announcers) that I fell in love with as a child. I can still name the starting lineup of the ’81 Yankees. Thinking about those days, and hearing those voices reminds me of days when my worldview was not so heavy. Not so clouded by the day to day reality that we all face. But in my childlike heart, I still believe in the feeling that baseball gave me, and the hope for the future that those feelings provided. So this is where I am today, reaching out to the past, while trying to get through the present.

In times like this, we search for understanding that the world doesn’t often provide. We all do different things to make sense of it all, or find a way to get through this.  There is no one answer, just a piece of the puzzle for every individual. While I listen to broadcasts today of Yankees baseball, I hope that everyone takes some time to mourn, to heal, and to find that place of calm. As we all move through this, and life together. However long this takes. Play ball, and safe travels.

-Daniel

June 18, 2015

Thought For The Day

The world is a strange place. The friends and loved ones we treasure are often too far away, and problems are just a phone call or email message away. Hold on to, and stay in touch with those you love, wherever they are. It may take a minute to reach them, but reaching out can sometimes mean a lifetime to them, as well as you.
-Daniel
February 15, 2015

Another Random Thought

Every time that I hear Peter Wingfield's "18 With A Bullet", I start singing "Basketball Jones", by Cheech & Chong.

Ooo baby ooo.
-Daniel
November 16, 2014

A Random Thought

Some are leaves, and know that they are leaves. Others are leaves, and believe that they are rocks.

-Daniel
November 16, 2014

Overheard At An Event

"Does that beer taste like your mustache?"

-Daniel
August 10, 2014

Something I Was Saying As The Waiter Arrived At My Table

"The World needs more Van Helsing's."
-Daniel
March 3, 2013

A Random Thought

So I'm standing in a health food store, and all I want is a Snickers. Is that wrong?

Living Long Enough

Here I sit, trying to articulate something about Levon Helm, and what his life and work meant to me. It seems that much of what I've written lately is memorials and tributes to friends, or artists that I admired. It's been somewhat overwhelming, as of late.

Years ago, I was talking to my grandfather, and we were talking about those that had passed on. He outlived much of the world he had known. Family, friends, my grandmother. I said something about the sadness of dealing with such loss. He shrugged his shoulders, and said something to the effect to, "It happens, if you live long enough." I understand that feeling more, with each passing year.

I have been very lucky to see who I've seen, and met and worked with who I have. Several of those people are no longer with us, in the physical sense, but their experiences with us, and how they affected us, live on. And while saying goodbye does not get easier with age, I hope we all can stick around as long as we can. To enjoy the possibilities of this world, and our time with others.

Here's to living long enough.
-Daniel
April 21, 2012

A conversation behind me

I'm sitting at a local restaurant, and a group of young girls are in the booth behind me, ages somewhere between first and third grade. The girls are talking, giggling, having fun. They try to remember the lyrics to "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," then the oldest girl suddenly says, "Hey, have you guys heard Bob Marley?"

I about fell out of my seat. I wanted to turn around to her, and say, "Very good. Now, here's some records by the Velvet Underground, Big Star, Nick Drake and the Zombies. Take your time, but let me know what you think." I didn't, but I hope she hears those records, someday. Wherever that little girl is destined to go in her love of discovering music, I hope she gets there.