Happy merry whatever it is for you, my friends-
So, gigs first. I will be announcing the dates for the ‘Out of the Garage’ tour the first week of January. For now I will be at the Improv in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jan. 4-6. I will be at Goodnights in Raleigh, NC, Jan. 10-12. I will be at The Wilbur Theater in Boston on February 8th doing a live WTF and a standup show as well. Come out if you can.
My cynicism is fading. I was feeling depressed like I usually do around this time of year. I blamed it on the season and all it’s ridiculous pageantry and panicky gift hoarding. I thought I was resisting the holidays and it turns out I just wasn’t doing anything. I thought I was fighting the merry momentum but I was just detached. I have done nothing for the holidays. It is not part of me to participate. So, why should I be cynical? Why can’t I just admit that I may be jealous of people that have these family and religious traditions to participate in? It’s easy to complain and criticize the consumerism and empty iconography of the holidays but as I get older I realize that whatever gets you into the mood to give and spend time with friends and family, even if it’s grudgingly, is not all bad. Life is weird and short and disappointing. Sometimes you have to be dragged by ridiculous, tired expectations and rituals to actually connect. It’s okay. Look, what I’m saying is, sometimes you just have to shut the fuck up and try to enjoy yourself. It’s not all about you.
I love giving presents. I like it more than getting them actually. I just don’t like deciding what to get and I don’t like getting them for people I can’t hand them to. I think I did all right this year. It’s just me and Jessica and I got her some nice stuff. I only got her one gift card which is good. I think they are kind of a cop out. No tree, no singing, just a lot of downtime together. I can make it.
Fun shows this week. On Monday I had opportunity to talk to the fellas from Blues Traveler. I hadn’t thought about them in a while but I do know that John Popper is one of the greatest fucking harmonica players I have ever heard and I really wanted him to play in the garage. So, that happened. Also, he and guitarist Chan Kinchla had great stories about being a bar band, Bill Graham and New Jersey/New York. Good time. On Thursday the legendary Jonathan Katz and his production partner Tom Snyder talk about their old collaboration, Dr. Katz Professional Therapist and their new collaboration, Explosion Bus. We also meandered through music, parents, Mamet, MS and other topics.
Love to all. Seriously.
Boomer lives!
Enjoy,
Maron
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