Miscellany

mis•cel•la•ny \-nÈ\ noun pl mis•cel•la•nies [prob. modif. of F miscellanées, pl., fr. L miscellanea] (1615)

1 a pl : separate writings collected in one volume

b : a collection of writings on various subjects

2 : a mixture of various things

It may well be that the most essential thing about a life is what is not immediately obvious to the eye. All musicians know that the music actually lives in the spaces between the notes and artists know that the form of a thing is as much a result of the negative space around as it is the positive outline.

There is a nice chapter in the Tao Te Ching that sums up this sentiment:

Though thirty spokes may form the wheel,
it is the hole within the hub
which gives the wheel utility.

It is not the clay the potter throws,
which gives the pot its usefulness,
but the space within the shape,
from which the pot is made.

Without a door, the room cannot be entered,
and without windows it is dark.

Welcome to my miscellany. This is an ever changing collection of musings, links and quotes to the life that underlies my work. Explore it, comment upon it, and suggest new directions for it.

Traditional Irish Music

I am a traditional Irish musician, playing wooden flute and whistle. I have recently recorded a CD of music with a handful of Vancouver area traditional musicians. The CD should be out in the fall. If you would like to be kept up to date on my musical comings and goings drop me a line and I'll add you to my list.

Bowen Island Journal

I have recently moved to Bowen Island, which lies a couple of miles off West Vancouver in Howe Sound. Here you will find some of my journal entries detailing my life here.

The answer, according to my daughter

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, I sent a short essay to a couple of LISTSERVS to which I belong. The response has been overwhelming with literally dozens of people taking the time to write me back to agree or take issue with my ideas. The essay has been translated into a number of languages and illustrated.

If you have ever wondered what happens to the people that write those emails that get forwarded everywhere, visit this section for the story of my essay.

Open Space Weblog

In the old days, this was my Open Space commonplace book. Now Weblogging technology has made it easy to chart the swirling dance of foundational thoughts that underlie and support my practice of Open Space Technology.

Chris Corrigan

RR #1 E-3, Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada V0N 1G0

Phone/Fax (604) 947-9236

chris@chriscorrigan.com