Hey there, everyone! Hope everyone is well out there in internets land. I’m doing all right, myself.

I’m a bit sad about the band fizzling out the way it did, but then again, I am actually quite relieved to not have to play anymore shows this year. I DO know, however, that the bug will bite again, and I will want to present new music live to people in the future, perhaps in the spring (the earliest conceivable time I expect to have anything done enough to present). So, at this moment, I am wondering if perhaps I made the worst mistake ever by bowing out of my current group. But it’s only fair to them (perhaps they will continue on and do fun exciting new things sans me) and myself. I only hope I can find musicians (who are also awesome people in general) as quickly and painlessly when I need them as I did with the Low Hello, and previously, with Tenille. Dan’s been a longtime collaborator up till now, so I’m hoping maybe he’ll want to help out on the new recording. Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself. I’ve got a lot of writing and arranging to do before then.

Anyhow, I continue along on my own, proving to myself I can create good stuff again, without the artificial constraints like “Oh, I should write an uptempo rock song, because nothing else goes over well with the audiences we play to”. Which is great. Overall, everything is looking up and positive, but the sadness remains. It’s like breaking up with someone, even if you’re the breaker-upper. It’s still kind of a sad affair. You’re left doubting your worth and abilities on your own, and doubting if you’ll ever find anyone that’ll click in the same way it clicked when the broken relationship was new and fresh. But eventually you do and life goes on. Gimme another week or so, I’ll be totally over it. But strange as it is, it’s kinda refreshing to feel sad in this way. It doesn’t happen much lately.

I’m getting awfully close to finishing the main structure of the vocal booth in the basement. I’ve got three walls up and have designed the door side. If I had a large vehicle tonight, I’d go buy the wood for the remaining parts. Might have to wait for next weekend. Or perhaps I can fit these bits into the Saturn. I should put up some photos of what I’ve got so far. The door side is going to be three pieces, two 1′ by 6′ pieces, and a middle portion (2′ x 6′) that will serve as the actual door. Add some hinges and a latch, and it should be good to go. Then a 4′x4′ piece for the ceiling. Then some kind of sound proof insulation, which I still need to look into.

I did delve into making some music this weekend. I’m stealing little bits from myself from the past (the verse chords from Recess, but played on piano, and much much slower; the bridge guitar riff to Lying Down (SOM version), transposed a step lower and being used as a motif in a completely new song). I used to somehow think that borrowing from my older ideas was plagiarism in some weird way, but obviously it isn’t. I’m not sure why I used to think that. Reuse and recycle for a greener America!

I realize these past couple entries have probably been super boring for anyone that is looking for an entry about… whatever it is I normally write about. Thanks for reading anyhow!