Well, so, 31 years ago, Charles Mingus died and I was born. This was:

• A huge ripoff for the world’s supply of brilliant jazz bassists and composers. I tried, I really did. But… no.
• A net zero sum for the world’s supply of people who are “eccentric” in their social skills.
• A huge gain for the world’s supply of ministers AND people who don’t punch trumpet players… if they can help it.

Nonetheless, as I am reminded every birthday, I am reminded again that I should be about the business of making something meaningful from my life. Something passionate, something that is perhaps fleeting, something that is almost certainly imperfect, and yet… something of my world and of myself.

Haitian Fight Song. Because, well, I never knew how much art could do until I heard this song… maybe I was 14? Still amazing.