My friend, this was a great read. I'd seen some posts on TikTok referencing your illness but honestly didn't know the deepness of it or your musical history or your history with running! (Im a runner too). Since we first met on TikTok, I've just had this feeling that you're such a deep soul and I'm excited to get to be here and witness and read that. I can't imagine what sort of processing you've been through these last 34 years, watching your life and body change before you, but I'm so grateful you're sharing about it and there is a lot in what you're writing about this is feeling very meaningful to me, so thank you ❤️
Thanks so much for taking the time to read, David. I'm gonna head over to "The Alchemy of Awe" after I respond to these comments. Substack is a lot slower paced than TikTok. I'm glad you're here. H
Great post, Hal. Any TikTok follower who comes over to Substack must know and admire you enough to appreciate all parts of you — not just the LKG part. Your gentle humor, honesty, and warm presence have been a big draw for many, I’m sure.
When I saw the messages about our incoming president’s involvement in restoring TikTok, I immediately deleted the app. I want nothing to do with any organization in which he holds influence. I’m happy to be connected to you here. Do keep writing and sharing your talents whenever you “khaen”!
If anyone can merge TikTok with Substack it is you. Thank you for sharing yourself, your music, your struggles with the world. I know what a great effort it was. But, so worth it for all the rest of us. Peace, my friend
I'm also a musician and I suffer from chronic pain. Unfortunately, having pain can be so stifling to creativity and it's difficult to put myself in a setting where I can record what I want to express. These conditions can teach us so much humbleness, but it also can feel so unfair good people are destined to feel this suffering for the majority of their lives. It really puts into perspective how special it is to have a healthy body and mind.
Always appreciate your words here and has given me appreciation for this platform.
I love you Uncle Hal, I’m here with you, low key gliding and power lounging, Geraldine ringing in from colorful Colorado.
I played the alto saxophone, pretty good too, and given solo parts even, I loved playing in my youth and then something “happened” and I put it down. Your fan woman, granny G
Thank you for your voice and using it to help others. Please continue to smooth our souls.
Fibromyalgia w depression turning like a snake into anxiety is my poison.
The piano is my instrument as my father would play it with his hands smoothly running across the keys changing my tremptent into peace.
Donna my friend a big church goer which I'm not nor want to be realized at last just because you don't follow or the organized paths doesn't mean you don't believe in God. She put me onto your "broadcast" showing my age here.
In the autumn of life I realize tranquility is the best medicine for me, life has been 50/50 of good and bad but Always an adventure.
Hi Hal, I discovered you through the TikTok->Instagram pipeline (rather than TikTok itself - an app I haven't used for several years, for different reasons) and this post really moved me. Low Key Gliding is one of those timeless classic songs - never new, never old (does that make it folk)? My favourite chronic illness is Parkinson's. My dad has it, and I've looked after him a lot, especially as he was grappling with coming to terms with it early on. It's the kind of experience you can't grasp in a comment, but I write about it here as well. You definitely feel like a cool music uncle to me - thankfully, my third! after my two biological uncles. Sounding out that journey with you from across the Atlantic - Jack
My friend, this was a great read. I'd seen some posts on TikTok referencing your illness but honestly didn't know the deepness of it or your musical history or your history with running! (Im a runner too). Since we first met on TikTok, I've just had this feeling that you're such a deep soul and I'm excited to get to be here and witness and read that. I can't imagine what sort of processing you've been through these last 34 years, watching your life and body change before you, but I'm so grateful you're sharing about it and there is a lot in what you're writing about this is feeling very meaningful to me, so thank you ❤️
Thanks so much for taking the time to read, David. I'm gonna head over to "The Alchemy of Awe" after I respond to these comments. Substack is a lot slower paced than TikTok. I'm glad you're here. H
Welcome TikTokers ❤️🙌. Uncle Hal with all the stories and wisdom, lays it down with his usual warmth and sincerity.
Great post, Hal. Any TikTok follower who comes over to Substack must know and admire you enough to appreciate all parts of you — not just the LKG part. Your gentle humor, honesty, and warm presence have been a big draw for many, I’m sure.
When I saw the messages about our incoming president’s involvement in restoring TikTok, I immediately deleted the app. I want nothing to do with any organization in which he holds influence. I’m happy to be connected to you here. Do keep writing and sharing your talents whenever you “khaen”!
Thanks for being one of the O.G.'s Suzanne. I'm glad the FYP introduced us. :) H
Same!!
The best always🫶🫶
Thanks so much! H
That khaen is something else! I'd like to hear more of that! Thanks for sharing more of who you are!
I love the khaen so much. I wish I could be practicing hours a day. It's a fascinating instrument. I feel like I was just getting started.
I resonate so with your desired to be noticed and I so appreciate your honest account of where that's taken you and where you are now.
Thank you Rebecca. I'm glad to be neighbors here on Substack. :) H
If anyone can merge TikTok with Substack it is you. Thank you for sharing yourself, your music, your struggles with the world. I know what a great effort it was. But, so worth it for all the rest of us. Peace, my friend
Love you. Annette. See you soon. Thanks for being there through it all. H
Hey Hal,
I'm also a musician and I suffer from chronic pain. Unfortunately, having pain can be so stifling to creativity and it's difficult to put myself in a setting where I can record what I want to express. These conditions can teach us so much humbleness, but it also can feel so unfair good people are destined to feel this suffering for the majority of their lives. It really puts into perspective how special it is to have a healthy body and mind.
Always appreciate your words here and has given me appreciation for this platform.
Hi Adam. I'm so glad to meet you. I hear everything you're saying. The limitations are so difficult to face. Thank you for being here. Hal
I love you Uncle Hal, I’m here with you, low key gliding and power lounging, Geraldine ringing in from colorful Colorado.
I played the alto saxophone, pretty good too, and given solo parts even, I loved playing in my youth and then something “happened” and I put it down. Your fan woman, granny G
Hey Granny G. Thank you for your comment. I miss Colorado. All the best. Uncle Hal
Thank you for your voice and using it to help others. Please continue to smooth our souls.
Fibromyalgia w depression turning like a snake into anxiety is my poison.
The piano is my instrument as my father would play it with his hands smoothly running across the keys changing my tremptent into peace.
Donna my friend a big church goer which I'm not nor want to be realized at last just because you don't follow or the organized paths doesn't mean you don't believe in God. She put me onto your "broadcast" showing my age here.
In the autumn of life I realize tranquility is the best medicine for me, life has been 50/50 of good and bad but Always an adventure.
It's great to have you here, Louise. I wish you a day of tranquility. Yes... what an adventure is this life... ❤️ Hal
Is substack the new TikTok?
It’s hard to compare. I’m curious what your Substack feed looks like. My FYP is such a familiar drug.
Hi Hal, I discovered you through the TikTok->Instagram pipeline (rather than TikTok itself - an app I haven't used for several years, for different reasons) and this post really moved me. Low Key Gliding is one of those timeless classic songs - never new, never old (does that make it folk)? My favourite chronic illness is Parkinson's. My dad has it, and I've looked after him a lot, especially as he was grappling with coming to terms with it early on. It's the kind of experience you can't grasp in a comment, but I write about it here as well. You definitely feel like a cool music uncle to me - thankfully, my third! after my two biological uncles. Sounding out that journey with you from across the Atlantic - Jack