The 500 - #321 - Pink Moon - Nick Drake

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

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Album: # 321

Album Title: Pink Moon

Artist: Nick Drake

Genre: Folk

Recorded: Sound Techniques, London, England

Released: February, 1972

My age at release: 6

How familiar was I with it before this week: Not at all

Is it on the 2020 list? Yes, at #203 (up 118 places)

Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Pink Moon

Horrifically, it was Nick Drake's mother who found his lifeless body on November 25, 1974. He had not left a suicide note. The coroner's verdict of "self-administered, acute amitriptyline poisoning" has been disputed by some, including members of Drake's family. Amitriptyline is a powerful anti-depressant Drake had been prescribed, the side effects of which are punishing.

Near his bed was an unfinished letter to his close friend, Sophia Ryde, and a copy of The Myth Of Sisyphus by French philosopher Albert Camus. The main question discussed in Camus' 1942 book: "Does the realization of the meaninglessness and absurdity of life necessarily require suicide?"

The title of this collection of essays was taken from the tale of Sisyphus. In Greek mythology, this former king was punished by the god Zeus, with the task of eternally pushing a boulder up a hill in the bowels of Hades (Hell)...only to have it roll back to the ground just as it reached the summit. Metaphorically, Sisyphus, for Camus, represents the pointless struggle we all undertake while trying to understand our purpose in, arguably, an absurd and meaningless world.

There was a time during my undergraduate years when I fancied myself a bit of a philosophy buff and even considered pursuing it as a major. Truth be told, I took a single course (The Introduction To Philosophy) in 1986. Like many twenty-something college kids I went through a somewhat insufferable phase when the idea of a philosophy degree seemed highbrow and scholarly. For me, it coincided with a decision to grow a goatee. I briefly considered wearing a sport coat with leather elbow patches. I guess I was tapping into my inner-Camus, searching for some meaning while concurrently adding to the ridiculousness of my existence.

Of the many philosophical ideas we studied in that class, it was the examination of existentialism and absurdity that fascinated me most. Since that time, I have dug a little deeper into the thinking of Camus.  My interest was rekindled by the brilliantly clever animated series Rick and Morty -- a television program well summarized as "a never-ending fart joke wrapped around a nuanced look at nihilism."

Morty, from Rick and Morty, summarizes his philosophy on life

For me, curiosity about existentialism and nihilism is not a morbid preoccupation. The diversion of spotting, questioning and then ridiculing life's absurdities is gratifying. It's why I enjoy the often ludicrous comedy of Monty Python or The Kids In The Hall so much. It's also why Rick and Morty scratches an itch I have for complex, stratified, farce...and fart jokes. Yet, much like the aforementioned Sisyphus and his eternal task, I continue to seek purpose in my own existence.

Sisyphus, doomed to unsuccessfully roll a rock up a hill for eternity.

With a running time of about 28 minutes, Nick Drake's third and final record, Pink Moon, sold only 5,000 copies when released. Drake was, by the time of this recording, a recluse, living at his family home in Warwickshire, England. He had stopped touring and no longer worked with other musicians. Accompanying himself on guitar and piano, he recorded Pink Moon over two midnight sessions with only his producer, John Wood.

After his death, at 26, Drake's music found a wider audience. He has been cited as an influence by well-respected contemporary artists, including, Beck, Kate Bush, Peter Buck, Jeff Tweedy, Lucinda Williams, Paul Weller and Robert Smith, whose band, The Cure, took their name from a lyric in one of Drake's earlier songs.

"Time Has Told Me / You're a rare rare find / A troubled cure / for a troubled mind." 

The collection of songs on Pink Moon are musically and lyrically soft, sparse and simple. His voice is breathy and beautiful and the guitar tones he achieves with his complex fingerpicking style are clean and rich. Some fans see the album as his suicide note because it explores such bleak themes. However, there are also moments of  hope. The title is taken from the first full moon of April, considered an early sign of spring and rebirth. Coincidentally, this year's pink moon lit up the sky the evening I wrote this post.

A pink moon

The album’s last track, From The Morning, contains the hopeful lyric “And now we rise/And we are everywhere,” a phrase which would appear on Drake’s headstone.

Nick Drake's tombstone

I find an element of positivity from this beautiful record. It might be a Camus-esque reflex – searching for meaning behind the absurdity in this talented young man’s death. The educator in me wonders, "what could have been done to make a difference for him?" Can I learn from him and make a difference with someone else?

I will think about him when working with students who are struggling with their own torments – perhaps emotionally, academically or socially. A pink moon shines brightly, but the light comes from a distant sun. I will try to be a sun for others. For whatever the absurdities of this life may be, I know there is meaning when one is there for those in need.

Why did Wheels on a Suitcase take so long to invent?

There are few things more frustrating than a student who is perpetually late to school. 

It seems to frustrate all the stakeholders ... 

• Teachers, who have lessons interrupted and who need to re-teach or repeat instructions.
• Office Staff, who have to fill out late slips and make changes to school attendance records.
• Administrators, Support Staff & Attendance Officers, who have to investigate and meet with parents in the hope of change.
• Parents, who may already be struggling, then feel humiliated and chastised.

But, most importantly, it seems to be an awful experience for the student... being told to "go to the office to get a late slip" or grilled with questions like "why are you always late?" or who are admonished with statements like "how are you going to be successful when you can't get here before the bell?"

There is a group, however, that shows no frustration whatsoever. In fact, this group often expresses delight when the late-comer walks through the door.  

The classmates. 

• They are happy to see their friend arrive.
• They are welcoming with their expressions, gestures and words.
• They are excited to hear about new events.
• They are thrilled to share the events that are taking place so far that day. 

"Hey Chris, I'm glad you're here. We have floor-hockey at lunch and I was afraid you wouldn't make it. Mr, Hodgkinson gave us this problem to solve - you can join our group. I'll get you a marker."

Can we borrow this strategy? 

Matt Sereda, Equity & Inclusive Education Learning Coordinator with my Thames Valley District School Board suggested the following to us at a recent workshop.

• What if the office issued Welcome Slips instead of Late Slips.
• What if Office Staff said "I'm so glad you are able to join us today - your class is waiting for you."
• What if the teachers copied their students - with smiles and positive words "Hey, look who is here - which group wants to help Chris get involved in our learning today?"
• What if the phone call home began with "It was great to see Chris arrive today, he seemed excited to see his classmates. Is there anything we can do to help him arrive before the bell so he can spend more free time with them?"

It struck me as such a simple concept - I wondered why it had taken so long. It was like wheels on suitcases - why did it take us until the 90's before that was the norm. As this article makes clear, the idea for rolling luggage was patented in 1970 - however, it took a few decades to improve the design and get consumers on board.

 

Certainly, we don't have to wait that long. Let's make the change today! 

Keep on Truckin'

On Thursday, June 29, I spent my last day at Eagle Heights Public School as a member of the staff. I walked to school in the morning, leaving early so that I would have time for a coffee and the opportunity to reflect. It was a spectacular morning, with a bright summer sun illuminating an impossibly blue sky. Perhaps, I am romanticizing a typical Ontario morning in June. In retrospect, I think I may be personifying an optimism that I needed to embrace that day.

Many teachers will agree that the final day of a school year brings with it a strange energy - a deliriously heady mix of excitement, nostalgia, anticipation, trepidation and resolution. It is a place of wild dichotomy, where a year’s worth of structure seems to come undone. Emptied desks, blank bulletin boards lead to backpacks stuffed with memories and mementos. An odd community where wild packs of exuberant ten year old boys, drunk with summer excitement, might race past hugging congregations of weeping grade 8 girls, some still clutching day old graduation bouquets.

This year, more than others, my ballasts were swayed by this turbulent sea. Unpredictable waves of wistful reflection and hopeful optimism swept over me throughout the day. At the morning assembly, two of my closest colleagues shared kind and honest words about me as I looked across an ocean of familiar faces. I was suddenly aware of how many students have passed through my class, or been on a team I have coached, during my six year stay.

My current students were wonderfully kind. Their sweet words, hand-written letters and determined hugs were a bittersweet reminder of the change that was ahead. I had a much needed laugh when one student said, “I hope you like your new job, but not too much - and you can come back and teach us in Grade 7”. My wife reminds me that I say this every year...but, they really were a great group of kids who made me a better educator.

The momentary calm after the final dismissal bell was short-lived. Staff members quickly scattered to predetermined locations where they met in groups of four. The annual Eagle Heights Road Rally was about to begin. Our team’s theme was “Sensing the Seventies” and I made the practical decision to dress as a 70’s basketball player because … shorts! My teammates rocked everything from platform shoes to tan coloured cullottes with yellow socks.  

Me and Captain Canada 

We raced around the city (respecting traffic laws, of course) guided by a list of eclectic instructions. This was, in many ways, a recipe for competitive mayhem. We were tasked with gathering as many peculiar items and intentionally choreographed, but comically ludicrous, photographs as we could before travelling to the party headquarters by the 5:30 deadline. It was the perfect distraction.

The evening featured lots of laughter, a great meal, sing-a-longs and speeches. It was a chance to reflect on the past while receiving and sharing well wishes for the future. I left at a reasonable time. A new chapter in my educational career would begin the next day and I wanted to be rested. Even though I am excited about my future, I will miss so much about Eagle Heights. I grew tremendously as an educator and a person over the past six years. I have such great respect for the wonderful colleagues with whom I worked. I am not sure if I conveyed that fully when I made a brief speech after dinner. I guess I am still not sure it has fully registered. I suppose, I'm still adrift, sailing between two ports and adjusting to the winds of change.