The Nonlinear Time-Sequenced Autobiography of Mike Lee engineer and musician residing in San Francisco, CA

CHAPTER 1, 5/22/09

According to Benvenuto Cellini “It is a duty incumbent on upright and credible men of all ranks, who have performed any thing noble or praiseworthy, to record, in their own writing, the event of their lives; yet they should not commence this honorable task before they have passed their fortieth year”. I have read a similar comment from the drummer of the Doors, John Densmore in his autobiography regarding the artists in ancient China.

I recently wrote this commentary about “Riders on the Storm”:
significant
Comment: “It was my reading of this book in 1991, that was the event to forever alter the course of my life and continues to exert a influence to this very day.

I must describe the specific context of this influence. John Densmore was describing his experience playing late night jazz jams with “older cats” long before the Doors became a popular band. Combined with his descriptions of listening to jazz for the first time; these stories had the greatest impact I have ever received from reading anything; until today.

I was taking a summer off before attending Graduate School in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Michigan. An honorable position that came with a full scholarship and generous living stipend.

Yet I chose to give that up pursuing the study of jazz guitar at Washtenaw Community College and earn a living pulling telecommunications cable for the University of Michigan Medical Center. This despite the fact I could not even play guitar at the time (oh I knew a few chords here and there and given a moment or more get something approximating the true sound to be produced).

For two years I led the most disciplined lifestyle I have ever done (both prior and afterwards) making it mandatory, no exception to practice at minimum 2 hours per day every day and sometimes as many as 5 hours in multiple sessions. The culmination of such was the end of term performance given by the jazz ensemble in which I performed my first solo, 8 bars long, over the second set of 8 bars in the jazz standard “All of Me”. For which I received several unexpected compliments afterwards.

Point: any book that has can lead to such results seems worth reading” (

The part about “until today” refers to a bit of nearly forgotten literature I began reading two days ago: “The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini, A Florentine Artist” Spencer Press edition. And from which the quote in the first sentence derives from; which appropriately happens to be the first sentence of his autobiography as well.

I love to read science fiction. The UK novelist Ian M. Banks is my favorite author. Closely followed by US writer Linda Nagata. I rarely read autobiographies to begin with. That of a 16th Century Florentine artist would seem even more unlikely. I had never heard of the man before and actually found the book as I was looking through a stack of magazines. This book, along with others slid off the shelf and fell to the floor. This one was on the bottom, so after replacing the others back on the shelf, I opened this book and read the first sentence (the same first sentence quoted in this work). It was merely out of curiosity as I never before heard his name, yet the book was categorized as “World’s Greatest Literature” and I admit I was intrigued enough to at least open the book and read one sentence. After which I had to pause, close the book and contemplate matters for many hours.

The fuel for a life changing event had been accumulating in ever greater quantities and concentrated like fissile U235 at critical mass. The effect of reading that first sentence was akin to a stray neutron striking the pile and producing a self perpetuating chain reaction that results in a (fission) nuclear explosion. Seen in context of “Riders on the storm” it was a first stage trigger to a second stage thermonuclear (fusion) event

fission triggered fusion explosive

analogous to 200kiloton fission trigger producing a 20 megaton thermonuclear explosion with the ground zero centered in between left and right hemispheres propagating outwards as rational, intuitive, and other strange forms yet to be discovered of mutating radiation. That explosion took place last night 05/21/09.

soviet nuclear test 1960s(?)

The immediate effect is described below, however I am quite sure the fallout will continue for many years, perhaps the rest of my life, and certainly will produce weird events periodically.

This morning I decided to publicly and formally state my intentions for the future so there shall be no confusion over what I seek to acomplish. I’ll just quote it again here, with a note to the reader, the actual posting may be updated from time to time – while this was the first draft and shall remain static.

First and foremost, I declare in clear and unambiguous terms that my intention is in no way to influence the decision making process. Whether or not I am selected is of no relevance; conversely it is the action of submitting the application along with my rational for doing so that is of supreme importance which shall be expound upon shortly.

It is a higher priority to first thank Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, for inviting me be in the audience on the panel discussion on 5/05/09 in San Francisco as such was the impetus leading up to this declaration. Furthermore I would like to personally thank the honorable Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Feinstein, Dr.William Rice at the NEH, Jackie at the NEA, President Barak Obama, and any others for their continuing efforts to support the arts and humanities through such organizations as the NEA and NEH.

Despite seeming unimportant, particularly in these times of uncertainty, I know without a shred of doubt (backed by research findings, personal experience, and other data) that the arts and humanities are an inseparable and crucial component comprising what makes this nation great; additionally I have strong reasons to believe that the arts and humanities hold the key to not only current economic recovery but no less an issue as the peaceful transition to global sustainability itself.

With those priorities out of the way, I turn to the humble matter of explaining my reason behind this declaration. As a first generation US citizen, the only child of pre-1947 Chinese immigrant parents (both deceased) I do this to honor my parents, out of a sense of duty to this nation, and for the benefit of artists and musicians everywhere.

My father Jack Henry Lee served this country as a corporal in the US Army Air Corps, Pacific Theater during WWII, upon his honorable discharge he went to the University of Michigan on the GI bill and became a chemical engineer for Parke Davis. From his humble beginnings working in a launder in Brooklyn, his hard work allowed me to have at least a lower middle class start in life. My mother Amy Wang Lee served the US Peace Corps from 1999 until her death in June, 2000. Her story is far more remarkable than mine and I do far greater justice by telling it separately. I shall only add that in or around 1958, my mother, having immigrated to the US in 1947, received a BSE in Engineering Mathematics from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. when few women (especially non native english speaking Chinese immigrant women) went to engineering school. She did not work in that field; after all what sort of employment would be available at that time for an Asian woman with a BSE in Engineering Mathematics? She instead took the honorable role of substitute teacher in the Dearborn, MI school system (and I must add, as she had related this: once had Jimmy Hoffa’s son in one of her classes). At age 71, she joined the US Peace Corps and served until shortly before her passing in June 2000.

Having reached the age of 42, and having little to show for my God given talents, I feel it is my duty to my parents, to this country, and to global society at large to devote my remaining years working towards some nobler goal that surpasses self interest and is of use to the greater number of people.

My name is Michael Calvin Lee, engineer (applied physics) and musician/artist, born 3/15/1967 (Pisces in the Chinese year of the Goat) in Holland General Hospital in the city of Holland, MI around 10:20 pm EST. I have spent the past four years doing self-funded R&D leading to a very lucrative business development a few days ago. I have just given 2/3 equity in this venture to the UK and intend on using my 1/3 interest for philanthropy in this country; as I have suddenly no desire for fame or fortune in that sense. I feel the universe must have a supreme sense of irony as through an unrelated and parallel series of coincidental meetings and conversations with people,
culminating in an equally coincidental discover and reading of a near forgotten bit of literature, “The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini”, sixteenth century Florentine musician, artist, goldsmith, and jeweler. Having several means of being self-sufficient, albeit at a working class level rather than upper class; I have come to realize that such is adequate and I am sufficiently content with my condition. This does not mean I am discontinuing my practice of engineering R&D; rather any acquisition of future wealth (which seems highly probably) I choose to give away to those who need it. To quote Cellini’s father who states on page 14 “…it was a duty incumbent on us, and the command of God himself, the he who had property should share it with him who had none…”.

Having witnessed this firsthand by contemporary citizens and having taken my first tentative steps into these waters; I find them to be warm and inviting and therefore choose to immerse myself further.

Michael C Lee
On this 22nd day of May, 2009.

Appropriate to such an event is this semi-original composition, ironically quoting from the “Soft Parade” by the Doors.

The lyrics, part original and part quoted are:

there comes a time in your life
to question all you’ve done
all the myths you belied in once
packed their bags and gone

that empty thing that follows you
everywhere you run
all your money can’t save you now
that it’s begun

it digs deeper at your soul
reaching for your core
the drugs you took to kill the pain
don’t seem to work no more

the soft parade has now begun
can’t you hear the engines hum
people out to have some fun
the soft parade has begun

successful hills are here to stay…
(3 verses taken from “The Soft Parade”)

maybe we need something new
something to help get us through
what that is I just can’t say
so enjoy the soft parade

maybe we need something new
something to help get us through
one last card left to play
cash our chips and walk away

I should say, I have not described anything praiseworthy yet that would fit Senior Cellini’s criteria. I now turn to this event.

A week ago I was playing my converted nylon string electric guitar through garageband and a speaker powered by a used cell phone battery, when a stranger came over and began to speak. Out of respect, I quit my activity and gave him my entire attention, a good thing too for it was the most amazing conversation I’ve had with a first time stranger. This man was a Vietnam Veteran, an Ironworks engineer and now simply painted pictures by the Entrance to the Montgomery Bart Station, selling these pictures to passers by. He told me the most incredible stories of his experiences in the war, working as a hazmat emergency response on oil refineries, and much more. In a couple hours I learned much about the Vietnam War, how oil is refined, hazmat operations, the properties of several chemical added to gasoline and much much more. He even shared food with me, a good thing as I had not eaten all day and had no means until the following morning. I had little to offer in return save a small keychain flashlight and a picture of a tiger; which I gave to him.

I shall perhaps speak of him more, but only after asking him for permission to do so.

He had a very profound effect on me, and I felt I had not returned the favor yet. On Monday 5/18/09 I went to the bank and then to Walgreen’s to purchase some organizing and storage items. Also a small foldaway scooter (which is defective and I must exchange as the handlebars are loose) and two large radio controlled trucks 49Mhz channel for they each came with a 6V rechargeable Nicad and cost $15 each. The 6V rechargeable battery was worth that and you got a free truck so I bought two thinking now I had 12 V when wired in series. On the way to checkout I saw this foldable chair for $6 or 2 for $10. Also two widepoint pens. After paying for these items, I rushed to where he works, and was dismayed to find him gone. Knowing he would be back; yet carrying far too much to move and being late for an appointment I did the only thing I could think of.

I set up a chair, tote case and put the paper bag over the back writing a note on it
“This chair belongs to the artist who usually works here. Please do not take it. If no one is using it feel free to sit down, just leave it for the next person.” I scrawled a similar note about using the pen clipped it to the chair and hurried off to my appointment.

The chair I left for my artist friend at Montgomery BART/Muni station

note I wrote on the chair no to take it

I wrote this second note to emphasize the point

Many hours later I returned to the Bart station as I had to take the MUNI (both share the station, muni on the upper level, BART on the lower) M train out to SFSU to buy a used guitar and amp. I ran into my artist friend and was thrilled to find the chair still there. No one had taken it! I exclaimed “its still there” to which he replied how strange it was when he returned to find this chair sitting there with a note on it; as he had back pain and was in need of just such an item. I suddenly realized he didn’t know and explained I had gotten it for him as I though such would be a nice token of appreciation, that it was his chair.

Such is my praiseworthy deed. It received praise after all, it made someone’s life better, and by God’s will no one had taken the chair. I felt ridiculously happy after that while waiting to pick up the guitar I only realized where I was waiting when two trains passed by going in opposite directions at the same time and I was about a foot away from each train. Oh, duh! I’m in the crosswalk between the train tracks…

Now, I am certain that many will think such an act of giving a chair to someone petty or trivial and not worthy of merit. I feel no need to justify anything and simply respond to any such pending issues with a question

“Then, why are you still reading this?”

Lest you think I’ve become too serious in my age I will conclude this chapter, appropriately with my one and only attempt to write a punk song, as someone had requested me to do so. I still don’t know what defines that genre, being lazy at times and the first band that comes to mind is the Sex Pistols.

I wrote my song based on that name.
Improvised Puppet Amusement Park

My puppet wanted to get his thrills
so I gave him all my bottle of pills
and he wanted more of a ride so
I stuck him deep inside
a latex sex toy and just for fun
fired that from my paintball gun.

Note

I have to find the file, but I actually took these actions and made a video of the event. It was a total failure as the paintball gun was low on pressure, the puppet stuffed into the sex toy just cleared the barrel and then fell to the floor. From that failure the chorus and second verse resulted. At least there’s a still picture.

I guess things didn’t go quite as planned
If the first time fails, try again

But now it’s getting late
and I guess that’ll have to wait
Thus concludes Chapter One
Improvised Puppet Amusement Fun.