In the autumn on the ground, between the traffic and the ordinary sounds I am thinking signs and seasons while a north wind blows through I watch as lovers pass me by Walking stories - whos and hows and whys Musing lazily on love Pondering you I’ll give it time, give it space and be still for a spell When it’s time to walk that way we wanna walk it well
[CHORUS] I’ll be waiting for you baby I’ll be holding back the darkest night Love is waiting til we’re ready, til it’s right Love is waiting
It’s my caution not the cold There’s no other hand that I would rather hold The climate changes, I’m singing for the strangers about you Don’t keep time, slow the pace Honey hold on if you can The bets are getting surer now that you’re my man
[CHORUS]
[BRIDGE] I could write a million songs about the way you say my name I could live a lifetime with you and then do it all again And like I can’t force the sun to rise or hasten summer’s start, neither should I rush my way into your heart
You know what this world could really use about now? Jazz.
You're probably thinking "We already have jazz." But we DON'T have jazz, not REAL jazz anyway. Don't be deceived by the false prophets of jazz, elevator jazz, doctor's office jazz, double-decaf-skinny-latte jazz, and worst of all, jazz fusion. Simply owning a saxophone does not necessarily a jazz man make, my friends. Kenny G is not jazz. He is the anti-jazz. You may argue, "But his music is so relaxing!" Since when was jazz supposed to be relaxing? We need to get back to real jazz, true jazz, 1967 Greenwich Village type jazz, Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, Roland Kirk! And don't forget the king of jazz, the Elvis, if you will, of jazz, Miles Davis. Was Miles here to soothe you, to relax you? No way, man! Miles was here to challenge you, to expand your mind, man. And don't give me any of that "Miles played fusion" nonsense. Elvis went to Vegas, Miles went to fusion. The point is, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. But Miles rose again from the ashes of fusion and back into the loving arms of jazz.
Hey kids. I'm actually gonna attempt to blog today.
It's been an interesting past few days and weeks to say the least...both inspiring and frustrating. The American Christmas Season brings with it entirely too much baggage and drama, and I am glad that I have decided to approach it differently this year (see http://www.adventconspiracy.org for my inspiration). Work and living alone in a small town is draining the life out of me, and my so-called love life is merely a broken record called "Friend Zone" on endless loop. And it is FREAKING COLD in WI.
Even so, I still have much to be thankful for. I have employment, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my pantry, a car that runs and a few toys besides. I have enough to pay the bills and then some. I have a circle of amazing, encouraging friends like I haven't had in years, if not ever. I get to be acquaintances and friends with some of the people who most inspire me musically and spiritually. My little sis comes to stay with me for days, sometimes weeks at a time, which is probably the most time I've been able to spend with her in almost 4 years. Middle School Christmas Carolers paid me a visit tonight and gave me a handmade paper ornament. I have a massive block of cheddar cheese in my fridge because it was on sale ridiculously cheap. My furnace is running (quite possibly one of the most beautiful sounds known to man).
Most of all, I have the Greatest Gift of All...God of the Universe entered His Creation through Incarnation, and His Holy Spirit indwells me. Fully God and Fully Man. All of God in all of me. A great mystery...a wondrous gift. I have strength to face the day, knowing that Emmanuel - God With Us - is with me.
When I'm hurting or confused, music often becomes my outlet of expression and release. Tonight, instead of putting up my Christmas tree like I had planned (2 days ago ), I spent the evening recording. Spokenfor is doing "12 Days Of Christmas Carols"...a carol a day for 12 days until the holiday. I was inspired. I don't have the time or patience to do 12 songs and I'm too camera shy to video myself. However, I did take a stab at a multi-track audio recording of a modern twist on an old favorite. I ghetto-rigged my Skype headset mic and used a free recording program to capture audio for acoustic guitar, vocals and percussion. The result sounds like Christmas meets Enter The Worship Circle.
it's getting harder on us everyday...it's getting worse, but that's ok.
What a crazy week.
Northern Room is breaking up. Really out of the blue, all the fans are shocked. Obviously, I am distraught. I totally respect the band's privacy & decision, but I'm hoping at least a few questions are answered over the next few weeks in the interest of closure. Next month's show at Turner Hall in Milwaukee will be their last. NR's absence will leave a gaping hole in the local music scene for sure.
My boss's brother-in-law unexpectedly passed away over the weekend. He was only 62. The family is understandably rattled by this. Life is just so short...we never really know how much time we have left.
All these sudden losses have made me rather introspective. I've been deeply thinking (perhaps overthinking) about many things in my life. Particularly, the direction of one of my friendships. I've been exhorted by several people to step out in a way that I honestly never thought was any of my business until now...but perhaps life is just too fragile to let opportunities pass me by. I'm not really sure what the right thing to do is here. I've been asking the Father for wisdom and guidance and that, above all, He would be glorified.
I'm awake after midnight because I zonked out on the couch some time between 7 and 8. This is getting to be a bad habit.
It's not all bad...
I had a wonderful weekend in Upper Michigan and Northern Wisconsin with 4 friends from church. Their fellowship and humor is a massive blessing in my life, and the beauty of nature always brings me closer to my Creator.
I will be playing guitar (and I think singing) at all 3 services at my church this weekend. This is a big step for me, because I'm used to playing for one service of maybe 200 people tops at my old church. Playing in front of hundreds of people over the course of an entire weekend is definitely intimidating, but I know that the Lord is with me and wants me to do this.
Christina will be coming this weekend to stay with me for a few weeks. I'm really looking forward to having her around again.
I've been listening to the Briscoes' sermons from Telling The Truth almost every morning, and I feel that I've been growing tremendously because of it. I appreciate their straightforward, Biblically sound teaching.
I'm completely addicted to Pandora Radio. I hope it doesn't die.
), I spent the evening recording. 
