The Wind Blew Me Back, Via Chicago...

Choosing my words carefully
Has never been my strength
I've been known to be vague
And often pointless
But you sure as shit know me
Better than anybody else
And for that in my heart I am hopeful

“Sure as Shit” – Kathleen Edwards

Memorial Day 2004:

This weekend marks a couple of anniversaries.
It was a year ago that I lost my job.
It was a year ago that I found out for sure that I needed another heart surgery.
It was four years ago this weekend that DCC and I decided to move to Chicago. I wish I could say it was a well thought out, planned and executed process, but it wasn’t. We actually decided to do it when we were drunk. Then again, that’s how we usually make our big decisions, we get plowed and go full speed ahead, but this lack of forethought was particularly egregious, even for us.
DCC and I have done a lot of traveling together, and one of our favorite things to do when we travel is park ourselves in a readily accessible tavern and mingle with the locals. And by “mingle” I mean “latch onto”, and by “latch onto” I mean “borderline stalk” Hey, we’re friendly people, so sue us. And the drunker we get, the friendlier we get, and we refuse to believe that these strangers we’ve latched onto would not for one second be interested in seeing pictures of our dog, or hearing stories about our many (mis)adventures, or discuss the age old question of Chicago vs. New York style pizza. Whatever.
At first, we lacked the self awareness necessary to identify the wrongness of this behaviour, but as time went on, it became apparent to us that our gregarious interactions were sometimes unwelcome, or at least more unwelcome as the evening would wear on. But instead of doing what normal human beings would do (which is knock it the fuck off), we started looking at these situations as an opportunity for a bit of sport. The creative ways that people will go about extricating themselves without trying to appear rude are many and varied and almost all are entertaining. Of course, sometimes people are comfortable (and boring) enough to just excuse themselves. That’s no fun. But the guy who looked like Doogie Howzer who made the mistake of buying us drinks and then gave us the slip as we walked the streets of Boston looking for a slice of pizza, now that guy was creative. 007 kind of shit. We’ll never forget him. Or the couple in New York that both went to the bathroom at the same time and never came back. That was a good coordinated effort (and they would have been lost in the alcoholic fog of the evening had we not found pictures of them on our camera, leaving us scratching our heads and saying “Who the fuck were they again?”) This is what DCC and I do when we’re on vacation, at least until the stalker laws catch up to us, and, you know, we’ve met some awesome people. Some have stuck around, and some have run away, but while we were sitting and drinking with them they were our best fucking friends in the world. Ever.
Anyways, there’s a point to this, and I’m getting to it.
Cut to 4 years ago. We were in Chicago for Memorial Day weekend. It was after a particularly satisfying evening of libations and latching onto (stalking) people that we walked (staggered) down Lakeshore Drive and …

Ext. Night, Chicago, Lakeshore Drive

Me: God damn, I’m drunk.
DCC: (Belching) Meeeee too.
Me: No, seriously, I’m fucking drunk.
(more of this, but lets skip ahead)
Me: ..and can you believe the guy went out the FIRE Exit?! Alarms and all?? That was a first for us! A classic!
DCC: (Spreading her arms wide) Don’t you wish that we lived in a city like this?
Me: Fuckin’ A!
DCC: I wish we lived in a city like this.
Me: Then we should move here.
DCC: No, really, don’t you wish we lived in a city like this?
Me: Yes. We should move here.
DCC: But we can’t.
Me: Why not?
DCC: We just bought a house.
Me: So? We can sell it.
DCC: What about your job?
Me: I’ll get another one.
DCC: What about your heart?
Me: They have doctors in Chicago.
DCC: But you want to stay in Phoenix.
Me: Not anymore. Lets do it.
DCC: We should.
Me: I know. We should.
DCC: Will we think this is a good idea tomorrow morning?
Me: Probably, we’re retarded like that.
DCC: Lets do it!
Me: Lets drink some more!
DCC: Fuckin’ A!
Me: Fuckin’ A!

And you know what? The next day it still seemed like a good idea. We sat in the food court at the top of Chicago Place and looked out at Michigan Avenue, imagining Sunday mornings and city sidewalks, as the spires of the Hancock Center reached up to the sky like our arms, outstretched towards possibilities and unknown things.
We got home on Tuesday, and we put our house on the market within the week.
Now, four years later, it still seems like a good idea.

I sure as shit do love you And I cuss because I mean it
And for that in my heart I am hopeful
And these words that I chose
I was so careful

“Sure As Shit” – Kathleen Edwards

The first 5 of shuffle mode:

“Missouri Birds” – John Stewart
“Eternity” – Lizz Wright
“Last Night” – The Strokes
“Y’all Gonna Make Me Lose My Mind” – DMX
“Love & Death” – The Stills

Time to go bye bye now. Have a great Memorial Day weekend (All three of you)

The Flowers Have Returned

Every pill I took in vain
Every meal for you I made
Every penny I put away

Asking for flowers
Is like asking you to be nice
Don’t tell me you’re too tired
For ten years I’ve been working nights

“Asking For Flowers” – Kathleen Edwards

Two years ago, while DCC was in Africa, I planted a bunch of flowers so she would be pleasantly surprised when she got back from her trip. She was. The flowers were a hit (yay). The next year, after a brutal winter, the loss of Boogie, and a whole lot of other turbulence, the flowerpots sat empty, the festive colors that hung from the front porch were gone, and the peeling paint and cracking boards on the outside of the house no longer had bright colored blooms to hide behind. It was kind of depressing really, so this year we’ve resolved to plant a gajillion flowers AND fix things up around the house. Well, we got the flowers planted (step one!) and, while we have a lot of work ahead of us, it’s felt really good to make some forward progress in regards to our home.
So, finally, the flowers have returned to our little house in the city.
Looky looky!!
Hooray flowers!

And speaking of flowers, You should go out and buy Kathleen Edwards “Asking For Flowers” CD. Now. Buy it now! Seriously. It is all kinds of awesome. My particular faves on the record so far are the title track, “Goodnight California” and “Run” I’ll wait here for you while you run to the store (or jump onto iTunes)

Well? What are you waiting for?

Okay, I’ve said enough. That is all.

Does This Guitar Make Me Look Fat?

You know what I wish?
It was just you and me,
sitting in this corner bar.
You could tell me how your are.
But I'm not gonna lie,or anything...
You don't even have to speak,
if you keep looking at me.

Well I could go all night,
but they're turning up the lights.
It would be so easy,
to do or say anything.
And I'm not gonna lie.
I'm not looking for love...
I won't let you in my heart.
But you were always on my mind

“Goodnight California” – Kathleen Edwards

During our Sunday afternoon jam session, I had Mike snap a picture of me rocking the Explorer (Because is metal to rock Explorers) and when I saw the shot, and I had to ask for a “sucking in the gut” re-take. Sadly, there wasn’t much improvement. Jesus, look at that loaf of hair.Here is Mike, demonstrating his “suck it in” technique. Clearly its superior to mine.Here is Royce watching in bemused wonderment. And playing drums.And the boys rocking out while I sat behind the kit (poorly).
Nothing usable got recorded, but we fleshed out some good ideas. (Including the sure to be a classic "Danzig Sleepy Now") There was some rock. There was some roll. The new beer fridge was inaugurated. Hooray.

The first 5 of Shuffle Mode today:

“Goodnight California” – Kathleen Edwards
“Take It On The Run” – Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
“Invincible” – Muse
“Save” – All Right Tokyo
“Lorraine” – Blue Angel

Okay. Chris go back to work now. Byebye.

Ran-Dum Stuff

You are the river,
I am just a tributary
And you run right through me
And so far beyond me
And you will still be running
When there is nothing left of me

No, I didn’t join the Village People. I work at a steel company. Hulk smash!! GRRR!!

Apparently, this person has rendered irony obsolete.

And my dog is still cute, despite his identity crisis which makes him think he’s a cat.

And PS: I still don’t like saxophones. Or harmonicas.

Seriously.

More on Saxophones, Appliances, Preachers and Chicken Wings

I've been awake all night
I've been asleep for years
I sit alone in the creeping light
And finish off my final beer
(I was once a lonely child
Now I'm just a lonely man)

You are not so special
The sun shines on everyone
I was once a lonely child
The sun shines on everyone
This is not an epiphany
The sun shines on everyone
This is not news to me
The sun shines on everyone
I am not so special
The sun shines on everyone

“The Sun Shines On Everyone” – Chris Quigley

Addendum to the previous blog entry: There are 2 notable exceptions (Besides greasy sax guy from “Lost Boys”) to my anti-sax feelings:

“Tender Years” – John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band (The closing instrumental break of this song just kills me, right down to the tinkly piano at the end)

“This Old Feeling” – The Go-Gos (Yeah, I know you’ve never heard it, so take my word for it)

Coming soon, a blog post about why I hate Harmonicas.

So, we had to buy a new fridge this week. Our old one died (And so did all of the food in it - BOO!) Oh well, we didn’t like it anyways, so fuck it. The freezer door wouldn’t open all the way because the Einstein who bought the fridge either didn’t realize it would be flush against a wall on the left, or they thought they’d never have to pull the shelves out to clean it (icky) The door was so narrow that you had to do a contortionist act everytime you had to get anything in or out of the freezer.
This is my new Fridge, being delivered tomorrow. Feel free to salivate.

I didn’t listen to Shuffle Mode today because I was in the mood for something specific. I listened to my friend’s band Left Setter. We saw them play last weekend at House of Blues, opening for Alter Bridge. Normally, you couldn’t pay me to see Alter Bridge, but when your buddy’s band is opening for them and you get to go VIP, well, it’s hard to say no, even to A Scott Stapp-less Creed. But I digress. Since there’s no Shuffle Mode today, here are the 5 CDs I plan to buy as soon as I have the cash:

“Asking For Flowers” – Kathleen Edwards
“Still” – The BoDeans
“Resolution” – The BoDeans
“Boo!” – Was (Not Was)
“Krakenhaus?” – British Sea Power
I also plan on buying some Muse.

I’m still working on various musical projects, but haven’t been writing too much of my own stuff these days. I have a lot of half-finished recordings that need to be worked on, but I’m so drained from my new schedule and the overwhelming (and ever growing) pile of crap to do around the house and in the yard that…(deep breath)..I just need to cowboy the fuck up and get it done.

Did I mention our interim fridge? We got one of those Dorm size thingys to tide us over, which means “BEER FRIDGE FOR THE STUDIO”
Oh happy day!!

Which brings to mind the amusing fact that I have to walk past the big church next door to go to the liquor store, pausing often on my way there and/or back to chat with the pastor as he stands outside and talks to whomever chances by. He’s actually a hella friendly dude, and doesn’t try to save my soul, we usually just talk about the weather as I lovingly cradle my 12 pack of Goose Island Honker’s Ale …but anyways…Its just one of those weird juxtapositions in my everyday life.
I am out of words to say now. Goodbye.

Oh, wait, here’s a recipe for Chicken Wings:

My Deluxe Chicken Wings

By Chris Quigley

Okay, you’ll need the following items to make my chicken wings. (*) means optional, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t have it (And I will probably call you names).

Chicken wings (The second most important ingredient) and none of that foofy foofy breast tender bullshit “Boneless wings” are not wings.
Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (The most important ingredient)
Butter or Margarine
Italian Dressing*
McCormicks Spicy Montreal Steak Seasoning*
Zatarains Cajun Seasoning*

I usually bake the wings, so get yerself a family pack of wings (about 16, which will be 32 when you’re done here), and with a cleaver (carefully) cut the wings up into drumette and wing pieces, cutting off the wing tips. You can save yourself the effort by buying the wings pre-cut. I recommend this if you are short on time (Or if you’re lazy like me)
I season the wings lightly with the Zatarians and then bake the wings at 400 degrees for about 40-45 minutes (until nice and brown and crispy)…and to keep them from being greasy, I bake them on a big shallow pan with one of those raised racks in it…keeps em from getting greasy and soggy (Do yourself a favor and line the pan with foil). While the wings are cooking, take a big heaping tablespoon of butter (or margarine) and melt it in the microwave (loosely covered) a plastic bowl with a lid that can be secured firmly..when the butter is melted, add about a cup of Franks Red Hot Sauce, a dash of Italian dressing (for zest) and a dash of the McCormicks Spicy Montreal Steak Seasoning (because I like to) …If you want more spice than this, a dash or two or three or four of Tabasco will heat it right up…if you want it more mild, use more butter and less sauce…..Zap the sauce in the micro again for about 45-60 seconds and then mix it up good, the stuff will want to separate if it sits too long, and if it does just zap it another 30 seconds and stir it again..no worries.
Once the wings are done, toss them in the bowl with the sauce (Make sure its warmed and stirred just before ) and then put the lid on securely and shake that mother up (Hold on tight to the lid while you do, the sauce is a bitch to clean up!!)
Remove the wings from the sauce, pouring a little over as desired when serving…Serve with Ranch Dressing or Bleu Cheese (If you’re a foofy foofy pants type)

Alternative recipe:

Google “Chicken Wings Delivery” and your zip code.
Call first establishment that comes up.
Place your order
Have checkbook ready.

Okay, I’m really done this time. Buh-bye.

I Really Don’t Like Saxophones

Well she looked at me she shook her head
“Your lines are pretty sad” she said
“You are a lonely, weak, pathetic man
If this is doing the best you can”
It was then I knew I had made my third mistake
Yes, three strikes right across the plate
And as I hollered “Honey, please wait!”
She was gone

“Her First Mistake” – Lyle Lovett

Okay, I’m saying it. I don’t like saxophones. Never have. I’m also not too crazy about saxophone players, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
My recent infatuation with bad 80’s cinema has increased my exposure to bad saxophone playing exponentially. On your average 80’s soundtrack you couldn’t escape the jazz wannabe sax player blowin’ his horn on every fucking song. Christ, I hated that. And it seemed like even the most vanilla wanna-be new wave-esque band had the ubiquitous black dude in a shiny jacket playing sax. And the sound!! Ugh!!
Hey, one of my favorite sounds in the world is the sound of geese honking. Seriously, but the sound of a saxophone?….uhhhhh…nails on a chalkboard.
And its not just the awful sights and sounds (and delusion of cool) of Rob Lowe’s Billy Hixx in “St. Elmo’s Fire” or the Clarence Clemens clone in “Eddie and the Cruisers”, no siree, it’s everywhere. For the awfullest of awful, one needs look no further than Kenny G,. or Candy Dalfur, or Sheila E’s “Glamorous Life” (Kill me) or Quarterflash. I mean, look at Quarterflash. It should have all of the ingredients that make up the inexplicable gumbo of stuff Chris likes.
Lets examine, shall we? Quarterflash had

1) Marginally good looking chick singer, and
2) …..okay, that was pretty much it.

But most of the time, that would be enough to get the thumbs up from me. But, see, she also plays the SAXOPHONE. On EVERY FUCKING SONG.
And I just can’t abide that, so fuck them.

The only exception to all of this is the greasy sax guy from “Lost Boys”

God damn, who brought up saxophones anyways? Oh. Yeah. It was me. What a dumbass.

They all sat around in a circle
They were all laughing and all telling lies
Then the tall one he bumped in a dollar
He said boys I've got nothing to hide
Now if the King and the Queen stood together
Then the ace he would not be to blame
And if the cards were all laid on the table
Then love could be more than a game
And if the stars didn't shine on the water
Then the sun wouldn't burn on the sand
And if I were the man you wanted
I would not be the man that I am

“If I Were The Man You Wanted” –Lyle Lovett

The first 5 (Sax Free!!) songs of Shuffle Mode today:

“Lola” – The Kinks
“Live and Let Die” – Guns N’ Roses
“Sway” – Bic Runga
“Hard Woman” – Mick Jagger
“You Make My Dreams Come True” – Hall & Oates

PS: Does anyone else wonder why Mark wasn’t booted off “Top Chef” sooner? Jeesus H Christ already.

I am done making words with my computer now. You are free to go.

How Far Have I Fallen?

And if I die today

Maybe I could float above you

And then in my own way

I could really love you

"The Girl Downstairs" - Chris Quigley

How Far Have I Fallen?

Well, last night I watched "Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!"

And liked it.

Look at me and my scowly "I'm wearing a tie, and hence am very important" expression

Okay, now look at this picture of my dog:

He likes his chewy sticks!

That is all, you may go now.

I Love

Live live live, live because you love love love
and love will make you give give give
and give and when you break break break
But you just want to fix yourself
Just to break again

"The Last Time He Saw Dorie" - Copeland

There's a long list of things I love.

I love the sound of my beagle snoring.

I love the sound of DCC saying "Hi" when she answers the phone (She makes it a really sing-songey 2 syllable word)

I love the sound of my Mother in Law calling the dogs to dinner (She has the cutest Swiss accent)

I love the taste of a cold beer.

I love Streets of New York Pizza

I love Tom Yum soup

I love the sleep you get after you hit snooze.

I love hockey

And Today I love Erin O' Brien, not just because she says all kinds of nice things about me, but because she is a wonderful, talented and beautiful person. I am lucky to count her among my friends.

This is a song that she contacted me personally to request. It's an old Tom T. Hall song, so I'm in full-on country mode for it ;) The back story to it is very touching and deep, and really nothing you need to know about, but I was incredibly honored by the request, and by the fact that she wanted to share it with everybody.

Here it is for your listening pleasure: I LOVE ...To see the lyrics, click HERE. And you should read Erin's blog, because she's a hoot. And buy her book, because its good, goddammit.

What A Difference A Day Makes

After my mini-meltdown on Thursday, the subsequent blog post (and the subsequent decision to take it down) I was feeling pretty low, but a few things happened to snap me out of it. Not the least of which were a couple emails from people I freakin’ adore, and an afternoon spent jamming with my pals on Saturday. Suddenly, and all was right in the world. I mean, my commute isn’t going to suddenly not suck anymore, but I need to keep things in perspective. (Read: Quit my bitching)
So, where was I? Oh yeah, Mike B., Royce (The Mad Scientist) and their friend T.J. came over bearing snacks and percussion instruments on Saturday and we worked on one of my favorite Mike B songs, “These Forces Are Real” ....Mike and I had been playing around with it for a while and had it pretty much down arrangement-wise, but of course he came to the session with a whole new approach in mind, and we were off to the races...He thought we should take the song and try to recreate the improvisational vibe of “Give Peace A Chance” ...Lots of clapping, stomping, banging on stuff and people singing off key. So, um, we did. Its not the most technically perfect recording in the world, but I do love the song, and you can’t have more fun than this with your clothes on. Beer, music, friends, and an insane beagle (you can hear him barking on the song) IT’S MAGICAL!!
Royce & TJ:
Mike B:
Me & Mike getting ready for another take:Royce & TJ in action:More vocals...The band name we chose for the day was T.J. and the T.J.s.
The lineup being:

Mike B: Songwriter, bossing people around, guitar, xylophone, lead and background vocals, inviting Mormons in for sandwiches.
Me: Pushing buttons, plugging things in, guitar, clapping, foot stomping, slightly off-key vocals, talking when I shouldn’t be, and (over)cooking of hamburgers.T.J.: Bass, shakers, tambourine, clapping, beagle wrangling.Royce: Drums, banging on plastic tubs/washing machine, clapping, Moog Synthesizer, doodling.Roogie: Lead and harmony barking. Please enjoy the tune, and remember, we weren’t going for perfection, we were just having a good fucking time. I hope its infectious:

Download “These Forces Are Real” here.

Out in the air around us
Invisible winds of nature rage
The warm whistle, the song of the ages

And not just the rain and thunder
But your mind & the spell you’re under
The same story repeating through us
Over and over

These forces are real & they’ve
Been around for a long long time
Each breath that you feel has been
Breathed by someone long before you
With nothing to fear, we can stake our claim on this
Sad sad story
And maybe give it a better ending.

(Words and Music by Mike B)

And to those who reached in to pull me out from under my own rain clouds, thank you.

Mountains and Molehills

The hammer strikes
When just a touch of love was all our problem needed
When you hurt someone so much
And still they’d die loving you
And all you want to do
Is to cry out loud
But you don’t know how

“Deep Water” – Seal


That last post was too depressing, and such a bitchfest that I broke my own rule and took it down. Fuck it, even I get sick of my own whining. My self pity wears thin.

(but here's the artwork i did for it):




Promised to myself someday I'd take the time and try to make sense

Out of all those opportunities I've lost from trying to sit on the fence

(Now you're flying)

But right now I've got no time for yesterday

(Really flying)

Yesterday's a thousand miles away.

“A Thousand Miles Away” – The Hoodoo Gurus

I Listened To This Song Three Times…

…On the way to work this morning

When you're bored
So sick of your song
When whole worlds just disappear
Swallowed up in a yawn

When you're down
Down how far can I go?
Erase the future in a wasted past
Everything unknown

Happiness
Means nothing to me

If you're gonna leave on your own
Life is in your hands
Yes, I understand
It's up to you all alone

I wish you wouldn't leave on your own
Jet black is the payback
Jet black is the payback
This fine sunrise

“Jet Black Sunrise” – The Gin Blossoms

Something about the last couple of days being kinda crappy and the overall S.A.D. that seems to be lingering while spring takes its sweet fucking time getting here, I guess this song resonates with me today even more than it usually would..

Um, well, shit, since this is allegedly a (do air quotes with fingers) "music" blog, I will answer here the burning question (which no one has asked) of “What has Chris been listening to lately?”

“Jet Black Sunrise” – The Gin Blossoms
“Georgia” – The 1900s
“Eternity” – Lizz Wright (I’m not sure how this ended up on my iPod (probably one of those random discs of MP3s that Box sends me sometimes) but the first time I heard this song, I was kind of taken aback. Very pretty, very soulful, with a hint of jazziness)
“Bridge To Nowhere” – The Like (Another one, I have no idea how I acquired it, but I'm loving it)
“Chewing Gum” – Jeremy Enigk (Which has probably one of my all time favorite lyrics – “Don’t go teary eyes golden/ I deserve it, lest I might drown in the sea / Don’t go carry my burdens / Dreams I once dreamt, lest you might remember me..”)
“Tit For Tat” – World Leader Pretend
“Half An Apple” – Trashcan Sinatras
“Bell, Book & Candle” – Eddi Reader
“Sunken Treasure” – Wilco
“Wait Wait” – Scamper
“Dark Come Soon” – Tegan & Sara (“So what? I lied / I lied to me too..)
“Happy Birthday” – The Innocence Mission (I love this fucking band)
“Look For Me As You Go By” – The Innocence Mission (“Hang my head low, so low / Every burden shall be lifted / Every stone upon your back, slide into the sea / It’s me for you and you for me, it’s me for you and you for me…)
“Fall Apart Today” – Schuyler Fisk (Baby, don’t forget you love me today..)
“Golden Porsche” – Mogwai (hypnotic, beautiful, mesmerizing…)
“Dead To Me Now” – The Good Leads (It’s one of the catchiest choruses I’ve ever written, which might not be saying much, but…)

I guess that’s all I’ve got for you today.
You may go now.

Arrivals and Departures. Tender To The Time Of Year.

Everybody loves you when you’re dying
They say they won’t forget you, but they’re lying
With hands to hold you up, feels like you’re flying
Oh, everybody loves you when you’re dying

“Everybody Loves You When You’re Dying” – Chris Quigley

Last weekend, I made my way to Detroit for a visit. It wasn’t lost on me that it was a year ago almost to the day that I made the same pilgrimage in a much different state of mind, and with much turmoil in the wake of my return. Sometimes it was hard not to dwell on, after all, it seemed like it was just yesterday, and some of the ghosts and shadows still linger on. Maybe they always will.
This has been a year for celebration, though. “The Year Of Not Sucking” as the ever eloquent Dr. Cyn put it (I opted out of the “Year Of The Hot Body” citing laziness and a love of beer and red meat) So I try to carry the “Not Sucking” with me, even into my darkest places, and lo and behold, inevitably...the light finds a way to find me.

This is what I'm talking about...
Me and the lovely platonic light o’ my life:

Rock:The gang at the Callbacks Show (Holla to Bruce and his lovely wife, Tina, and to CMD, Kris and Bridget for slogging through a fucking blizzard to spend time with me)He's the next Alex Carras:

Elmo Shocker:Everybody loves balloons, even Dave (Happy Birthday, dude!)Random shot from the bathroom at W.A.B.Me and my bitches.
(Sadly not pictured is the lovely Sara C. – Sometimes I actually forget I have a camera phone :( )
Thank you to all of my friends, who bring the light into my dark places.

Just before the thunder roars

I sense you next to me

And as I move through nature

I know where you will be

So I must keep myself apart, here is where I'll stay

With a bell, book and candle to keep your ghost away

“Bell, Book and Candle” – Eddie Reader

First 11 Shufflicious Tunes today:

“Collide” – Howie Day (So sue, me, I like the song)
“Little Martha” – Leo Kottke
“Come On Hard” - Gin Blossoms
“Jennifer” – Letters To Cleo
“Bensusan” – Michael Hedges
“Highwire” – Gin Blossoms
”She’s A Runner” – Billy Squier
“Into The Mystic” – Van Morrison
“The Absence Of God” – Rilo Kiley
“May I Have This Dance?”- Copeland
“All Of The Good Ones Are Taken” – Ian Hunter

Seven Years

Let it go,
All your fear
Let’s grow old together
We’ll find a place along the way
That’s real through the years
Each makes the other better...

“WWOZ” – Better Than Ezra
Seven years ago today, I showed up at her door with flowers and bottled water. Later, she would talk about the water more than the flowers, because she thought it was so damn thoughtful (We were going rollerblading) I washed my truck and cleaned my apartment because I cared about what she thought of me and I wanted to make a good first impression. After the skating, we went to dinner at Ah-So (A Benihana type joint where they throw knives and cook at your table) I had just enough on my credit card to pay for the date, but I would never tell her that. For some reason, I took the cash I’d set aside for groceries with me just in case. As luck would have it the credit card terminal at the restaurant was down, so my rare instance of forethought paid off.
She came over and Boogie liked her, Boogie came out and sat on the couch with her. Boogie never came out for anybody. She didn’t seem to care that I didn’t make much money and didn’t have an education. Even though I did. I was intimidated by her friends, but they were nice to me. They didn’t seem to care that I was an everyday jackoff living hand to mouth either. Maybe they liked my Moxie. Who knows.
She asked me for a CD of my music on our first date, and by the second date, she had all the songs memorized. Even the shitty ones. She came to every show I ever played after that. Well, she missed one, but that was because she had to work late. Otherwise she was there for all of them, even the ones on Wednesday night at midnight, when she had to work the next day.
A month later we were living together. A year later we got married. Three months after that, we found out about the heart problems that would plague me and hang over us like a cloud for the next six years. Her devotion was unwavering, even when mine was not.
Seven years ago today, I showed up at her door with flowers and bottled water. Seven years and an inconceivable amount of turmoil later, and still, the thing she remembers is the bottled water.Happy Anniversary DCC. I don’t deserve you, but you put up with my dumb ass anyways, and I love you for it.

Unfinished

Shoulda listened to the inner voice
That said I'd always be your second choice
If you ever chose me at all...

With winter coats still on
We will pray for summer
I could write a song for you

Your face haunts me beyond
Nights of restless slumber
I could write a song for you

- Unfinished lyric

I Know It’s A Rerun, But…

…I listened to this song a couple of times last night, and it bounced around and echoed in the hollow places in my chest.

Don't go teary eyes golden
I deserve it
This time I drown in the sea
Don't go carry my burdens
Dreams I've once dreamt
Lest you might remember me
Can't tell when the lights on
It's dark near the stars
They'll see I'm all strung out

“Chewing Gum” – Jeremy Enigk

First five:

“Starlight” – Muse
“ELT” – Wilco
“Leisure Suite” – Feist
“Black Betty” – Ram Jam
“It Takes Time” – The Stills

Happy Friday already. You may go now.

Bonus lyric:

And I still dream I will walk on the moon
If the moon isn't holding me down
Racing the future through fields
With moonlight igniting the ground

"Walk On The Moon" - John Stewart