Michelle, Henry Taylor, 2023.
Dear Y'all,
It was time, for a song for today, which was his song, by Hill, Lauryn; and well, you also want his other song, by Flack, Roberta; and you know, if you don't know Lauryn Hill, have this, and this. It's getting to be a dance party, so let's have this song, too! And, yes, Love, Monie, too, I think.
Dear Darlings,
This week, I have been at work. What work is, well, that is a question of serious thought here at the Dodo. Work, at least for now, shall be defined as anything, any time, that is given to another to satisfy their expectations. Let's unpack this notion further!
A definition for work. Let's say you made a date to meet a person for a meeting to discuss childcare or your living trust. That, is work. The other fellow is getting paid for that meeting, and you may not be, but either way, pay or not, that is work. You leave the meeting, and you don't have any other engagements for the day. A friend says, shall we get a coffee, walk in the park, go bowling? These three could be play. But, they might be work, too. The getting a coffee would be work if you wanted to go home and read a book, but you said, okay to the coffee, because you felt your relationship with coffee asking person needed it. Like a plant, maybe you felt this relationship begin to wilt, so you agree to water it, even when you are thinking you are sad to miss your favorite on air dj while you get this coffee and water this relationship. That, is work.
If you get up in the morning and the day is all yours, you have a shot at play. In this definition, play is that which no one else expects of you. You read a book, you wash the sink, you file your taxes, knit a hat, and you make a drawing. All play, but ONLY if no one needs you to wash the sink or get the taxes done that day. The term 'no one' here has to include yourself. See how hard it is to play, and how easy it is to work? It's going to take some discipline (travail, peut-être?) to play under these definitions.
Moreover, or more than that, or more than this, notice how time is a big part of the distinguishing factor between play and work. If it is needed at a certain time, it will probably end up being work (eg: the filing of taxes). But this can be usurped by doing a task (work; yes or no?) when it is not needed. When no one is waiting for it, or expecting it.
Sharp readers are now thinking, 'huh, sounds like I barely play at all!' Well, that is surely true for me, so it is probably true for you, too. We get now to a phrase I like, 'serving at will.' This also can modify time from work to play. Here is an example: I make a pie to give to someone. They are not expecting a pie, I made no pie(crust) promises. Pie making, in this instance is play.
Play is a pretty shy animal, it spooks at the slightest whiff of need or duty. Consider this: Fun or work? Recording it might have made it work.
Ah, but what was I telling you, anyway? Yes, I am at work this week, and so, I am writing to you from the past, from a time when writing to you was neither needed nor expected, and so, I am at play now, but when you read this, I will be at work. It is nearly the end of my work week, and I feel like a little dance party, to celebrate. See you next week, when I will be doing my best to be back at play for the remainder of the year!
Dear Feet,
It's been a while, but here is something to inspire your dancing. Let's inspect The Jerk (contemporary) a little closer. You will want a tune, or two. Or, maybe you want this. Anyway, take it all, or take none of it; the world is crammed with things you can watch, think, see, and do!
PS
One more.
Edouard Manet, Spanish Ballet, 1862.
Dear Friday Evening,
You know what you are, don't you? You are the summer dance party, and this is your song!
Dear Feet,
Here, try this dance for your Summer Dance Party this week! Oh, wait, you are going to need some music for those moves: try this. Oh, you might also want some instructions.
Dear Record Player,
Here is your Friday prescription: your summer dance tune for today!
Dear Dance Partiers,
Hey! It's your summer dance tune for the day! Brought to you by Radio Dodo; where we never have ads or donation drives, and we care about your comfort and the correct spelling of 'partiers' (not partyers).
Fabulous shoes for playing virtual dress up!
Dear Summer Fun Seekers,
Another week of fun possibilities! I know you have noticed it; the days are getting shorter, and the ideas for fun are becoming scarcer: I worry a little that I won't be able to find enough to get us all the way to the Equinox....
Play 'virtual dress up.' How? Find an outfit, but don't buy it! Here's what I'd wear!
And, here is your dance party tune for this week!
See you next week, where we can hopefully keep the fun flowing!
