Strange selection of Christmas tunes, some I don’t even know yet. And my stuff.

Where: https://youtu.be/vvU0MSAarKA

When: Monday Nite, December 21st 7:30PM EDT (“doors” open at 7 for community hang) -

Who gets 10%: The Greater Boston Food Bank www.GBFB.org. Well duh. What took me so long to get to this venerable, 81 million meals per year? A suggestion from the kitchen here. Thanks Deb.

$$$: http://paypal.me/vancevancevance or
https://venmo.com/vancevancevance or
a check to VanceFunder P.O. Box 17, Arlington, MA 02476 for this web-groovery.
Pay or not. It’s up to you. Let’s just stay connected.

This week’s pajamas: Maybe the new airplane sweats and sweatshirt of my choice

I coach voice, songwriting, performance. Contact me. I have some open spots

Good Good Man - the CD - streaming all platforms, even get it from me…
**All my CD’s for whatever you want to pay plus postage for the Holidays. Lemme know**

————————————————————————————————————

LIVING IN FORGIVENESS

So I wasn’t my best self in publicly calling someone out (no names used, however) over 2 dovetailing issues. Even if I was right, I had no right to be publicly righteous. And after some sad emojis, unfriending, and an apology from me, I felt broken and disappointed at myself for not putting good back into the world when it would have been so easy to do so. Lost sleep, self-flagellation. Today I woke up. These things helped:

1) a lovely video call with my accountant. We talked a lot more than 1099s and it smoothed my heart. Marry Passino. You need this accountant.
2) news of the death of another genius and venerable Old White Man, Bill Hannan. Time is short. Use the good wood.
3) shoveling and then running to this playlist:

~ Al Stewart - Past, Present, Future
~ Joni Mitchell & Herbie Hancock - anything that came up
~ Rahsaan Roland Kirk - The Return of the 5,000 Lb Man
~ Joni Mitchell - Blue

Suddenly I felt it was time for me to forgive me. Did you ever have that moment? I started singing my own song from an album 22 years ago. The song is Bringing Down the House Of Pain. Thats Cliff Ebehardt on the dobro.
https://youtu.be/cGiL5uHB6fg

Lock all the doors
Shut all the windows tight
'Cause I'm bringing down the house of pain
Don't look back
Everything's gonna be all right
'Cause I'm bringing down the house of pain

I didn't know
That I didn't have a good time
Till I stepped outside into the morning light
I may never be the same
But that's all right
'Cause I'm bringing down the house of pain

Bring on the wrecking ball
Let it swing, do it's thing
To this house of pain
I've got some blue-tipped matches
And a song to sing
'Cause I'm bringing down the house of pain
I'm gonna give myself
A little absolution
I'll pick and choose my sleepless nights
I may never be the same
But that's allright
'Cause I'm bringing down the house of pain

The critic's words previously
Residing in my head
Have found their way inside this house
And I've locked them there instead
Successfully forgetting all their names
And the deeds they've done
I've set the charge to blow this place
From here to kingdom come

I'll be looking back at a whole lot of
Smoke and ash
When I bring down this house of pain
A whole lot of hurt
From a raggedy dusty past
Is in the rubble of the house of pain

I can't tell the future
But if I ever build a new one
I got a strong foundation that will hold up tight
I may never be the same
But that's all right
'Cause I'm bringing down the house of pain

I'm gonna huff, and puff
And blow this house down

—————

And there’s this favorite Christmas love song of mine.
Yeah, no link for this one - tune in Monday to hear Highrise.

Last night I had a dream
I dreamt about my love
And my love was a highrise
And the highrise was on fire
As the flames were licking higher
Asking do you jump or burn
As if it was to matter
Either way this is forever

(chorus)
And I love you just like thunder
I love you like Christmas morn'
And I want you to hold me
Like I'm going off to war
And I need you like fresh water
I need you like scotch whiskey needs
A man who is addicted
I love you just like thunder

And it brought me to an altar
Where the despots are forgiven
And the charlatans come clean
And it shook my very soul
And from the outrage and the mercy
Came a simple observation
That loving you forever
Is easier than breathing

(chorus)

And as time goes rushing by
Just like water for the ocean
And my body grows diseased
My mind is sure to follow
Will you look into these eyes
And recall a finer time
For both of us?

happy holidays

-vance