Christmas Wishes from the BRB!!!

I'm snowed in here in Indiana for Christmas, so expect some BRB creativity and song-writing over the holiday. Just got in about 2AM this morning to celebrate the holiday with my family. We are inundated with snow, so I will be spending a week inside here in the Midwest before returning home to California on the 30th. Take care and keep warm... Merry Christmas!!!

Damien Rice in my Head

Listening to:

Damien Rice: O
Mood: Tired contentment
Comments: Gearing down from my weekend and trying to gear up for the holiday

"Life is just a gradual process of compromises..." (?)

Actually, I find this phrase a bit troubling, because if this is true then there really is no hope for true happiness, and all of life will just be a continual process of "settling." How jaded!!!

Well personally, I'm not really wanting to endorse that, but apparently a lot of people probably think that's the norm, judging from the movie I saw this weekend - Closer with Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts. The movie was basically about failed relationship, of an inability to ever feel truly close to a human being and actually know and trust them... and ultimately everyone was just unhappy, realizing that they were living lies.

It was a very dissenchanting thought that "maybe we're just stuck here hoping on nothing," which isn't really anything at all... but honestly I think that is where my opinion drastically departs from the norm - because of my belief in Christ; because of my belief in an everlasting creator and shaper. I think life can be crappy, but honestly, you don't have to live in the dumps and compromise because you have "a future and a hope."

Life is really an adventure... it's colorful, it hurts sometimes... but everything fits together into the masterplan; the beautiful tapestry that God is weaving...

All I Want for Christmas...

My dad sent me this email this morning to ask me what I "wanted for X-mas," so I figured I would let all the mystery elves out there want to know what it is that I want...

All I really want for Christmas is for this guy Mark Seliger to shoot the artwork for my next album (and maybe a video or so), which I suppose would go on to sell a few million copies afterwards. Yeah, double or triple platinum wouldn't be bad.

Anyway, Mark is amazing - probably one of the most strikingly prolific photographers alive. You can check out his work by clicking on his name above and well, let me warn - you just might recognize some people.

No, seriously, I've been following a lot of his work, very striking and unique. I think working with him would be spectacular - definitely something to "shoot" for...

So, I guess I'll guess I'll have to cross my fingers, say a little prayer and see what happens... it would definitely beat the usual socks and underwear.

...Dear Santa, a new guitar would be nice addition too...

Listening to:

Coldplay: Live 2003

Can you find the wreath?

Since I'm getting in the Christmas spirit can you find the wreath in this link: http://3dfractalsbyleelane.dixiesys.com/Stereograms/Wreath.jpg

I seriously used to hate these things... Merry Christmas - from the BRB!!! And as my manager says - "CDs make great stocking stuffers!!"

How Dismal!!!

I have a whole lot of reasons to be happy, like a good job, great friends, a family that loves me... I even recorded a kickin song last night with DJ Carlos. In actuality it was amazing. We sat down and did this spontaneous tune about "Clay St." based on a few progressions and melodies I had been playing with. It turned out great and may make a future album cut - you just never know.... ::abusing the ellipsis::

Anyway despite all the blessings I have, including the song and the $129 flight I got back home, all the things I have to be happy about, I am finding myself saddened. The main reason is because of a realization that I may never get over the pain of getting over my last relationship. Yeah, in case y'all didn't know, I was in some sincere mental anguish for the majority of last year... I was honestly in love with a girl... and crushed when she decided she was not sure if she loves me.

And someone asked me if I was over her this evening, and of course I said "yeah, I'm over her..." Unfortunately I said it too quickly to sound sincere and they saw strait through me. So then I came clean... and it was depressing cause I realized NO I'm not over her. YES I still want to be with her. AND furthermore I don't think I will get over her, even though I have mentally decided to do so and to put myself out there and try.

Until I meet someone who can replace the huge void that she left in my mind and heart when she became once again only "a friend"... I don't think I will get over her. It's going to take physically moving on and then eventually finding someone else... no, in the grand scheme you don't want to... but you are forced to... how dismal!!! But I'm still lookin up... ;-)

Nothing Like the BRB: Sissel

I heard a pretty haunting song by the Norwegian artist Sissel today while watching PBS. Honestly, it was one of those moments where a haunting voice and beautiful face completely move your soul. Seriously, this ladys' voice is simply enchanting.

PS - Moments before I found myself watching the movie Airheads with an all-star cast of Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler and Chris Farley, so don't get the impression that I'm too intellectual with my PBS-watching.

Billy Riggs Plays with Gillian Welch

I had the most fantastic dream last night, that I was playing with Gillian Welch in place of David Rawlings. I only express this, because in my life many times dreams turn out to be prophetic. Turns out they had a show at some place that looked like The Fillmore, in San Francisco. Good ole David was ill, and I was tasked with filling in. So, I showed up with my trusty ole red Washburn went up there and had at it. Wasn't as unique as Mr. Rawlings' crusty Ephiphone but once we got going and I started playing with her and harmonizing on "Orphan Girl" it was sheer magnetic bliss. It was a good show and we meshed pretty well. I ended up going back stage, hanging out and then going out with them, and in the end we worked out some kind of recording/production deal that I would work with them on - particularly with David.

Maybe this was because of the New Yorker Article, I read on them recently but either way - It was spectacular and I look forward to the deja vu experience that will coincide with that dream. Life is all about fate, destiny and purposeful events that when viewed in retrospective distance wind together to form into a beautiful tapestry of colorful experience. Dreams are just the harbingers of things to come...

Such an ellipsis...

Back on the Pedestal Again

I know I should be jumping off of my soapbox someday here, but I am still finding myself very passionate about city form and development, and how that reflects on our lifestyle. Yes, let me put a disclaimer out and say that this is not scientific and very touchy-feely "planner" community development stuff, but it is still very intriguing.

New Urbanists say that suburbs are sometimes bedroom communities with no life outside the walls of the home, there is no neighborhood, and that the place is essentially devoid of soul. You have to wonder how one can write music or feel like music, art or expression have substance when there is no sense of place - when a city a place has no inspiration. I've heard suburbs called "edge cities" before but I came across a new phrase today that adds more context and might be more descriptive of what outer-ring development has become: Exurbs

So yeah, someday I'll get off my tangent and get back to writing and talking about music.

Listening to:

David Gray: A New Day at Midnight