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Yes! I'm alive :) - I have had many the email wondering what the hell has happened to me. A lot has been going on really and I am very sorry I have disappeared of late. When I get into creative mode, it just seems to happen. I still don't know exactly why I tend to disappear. I think with time, it will be less abrupt - but it seems indelibly tied to my creative process. There is a lot I feel the need to block out when I am writing and recording. It is hard for me to keep the process pure I think and isolating myself is the only way I know how to make sure what I am creating is from a real place. The album is coming along well. It has become a bit larger of a project than I thought at first and that is why it is taking time. As soon as I know when the press date is - you will too :) Sometimes you don't know what you are really getting into when you start one of these things - and while I could have released something a while ago, it would not have been right. I also have to apologize for not responding to emails and such - I feel really awful about it and will be ready to join the world again soon. Can't wait to talk to and see many of you - I really miss being out on the road and am excited to hear how you are.

I also moved back to Los Angeles recently. Which was wonderful. I had been away too long. I caught a horrible flu and was knocked out for a good week after I got back - but I am full strength again. It's raining a lot outside - and is quite beautiful. I have a great view of downtown. Also, distance from LA has given me a fresh perspective on the craziness here. I am totally embracing its quirks and trying to not take things so seriously. Suddenly I feel so out of fashion and unhip, it's funny. You worry less about those sorts of things up north. I sort of laugh a lot to myself, seeing people getting away with things you could only get away with in LA. Some of the outfits and hairstyles are ridiculous but I love them for that reason as well.

I took a trip a few months ago to Italy (and stopped for a short moment in New York too), so here are those pics I promised.

Visited Ground Zero (finally) in NY and it was emotional. I was surprised actually. It really hits you in the gut with remnants from the shock of 911. I had forgotten what a visceral experience it really was that day and the following month after. Many people at the site were crying. I don't think anyone thought it would be as powerful an experience as it was since you were just seeing a vast empty construction site. Definitely worth the visit. They have a sort of temporary memorial/history lesson on one side which was poignant too. Nothing being built yet. They're still arguing about what to build I believe. Check it out if you can.

Venice is amazing. Truly freaking amazing. It was the 2nd time I got to visit it. The first thing that surprised me is that there are literally no cars at ALL in the city. It is a maze of alleyways and canals - and quite literally a maze. Most of the alleyways are only 4-5 feet across, all lined with doors leading up to various residences. You can't really use a map when you are there. You find a famous landmark, find it on the map, orientate yourself, and then haphazardly walk in the direction you think you should go. It's actually quite fun and since every corner of the city has some hidden jewel - you don't care that you are getting lost again and again... MOST of the time that is :) Pic below is of the Grand Canal (the main central winding canal).

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So I have been busy working on the new album and it's all going really well. Thought I would drop a note before I leave for the holidays. I really miss a lot of you guys and can't wait to see you again. I will be on tour again with something entirely new - which I am really looking forward to.

Things are going well in general. I am traveling to Italy for New Years which is VERY cool. Going to be in Rome for New Years Eve. Supposedly they really know how to celebrate. You would think that I would spend my down time not traveling at all with touring... but I really do get so much out of really going through other countries and tasting different cultures. It helps contextualize my life, I think. See things in starker contrast. It's been a while since I have been to Italy and I am completely looking forward to being in Europe again. I went backpacking for a whole month back in 2000 after I finished college. Will visit Venice, again, as well. Their way of life really appeals to me. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up somewhere in western Europe to grow old.

Realized I never took pics of my new piano. It's a Mason and Hamlin and a beauty. I completely love her. DON'T ask how much she set me back :)

And here it my Christmas tree. There is a little black upright piano on there too :)

I've been imbibing books lately (I have moments where I read like crazy and months where I just can't for some reason). So I thought I would share favorites from my reading list over the last few months. Sorry this entry is short. I am actually leaving at 6 am tomorrow (it's past 12 now). I will be back in business early January to finish up the album and start posting tour dates :) Wish me well. And happy holidays to all of you :) Wish you the world. I'll post some pics from my trip when I get back!

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Well the tour is officially over and I just got back home which was quite welcome. I decided to cut the tour a little short this time so I could get back to finish the next album. My last show left me stranded in upstate NY to drive all the way back to San Francisco. It took about 6 days and was actually nice (although there were times when I went entirely stir crazy). I clocked about 10,000 miles in just over a month. The weather over here is in the 70s. I think I have a better perspective on California weather. It's too hot to wear a sweater outside at the moment - and after driving clear across the country - and being rather cold doing it - I am enjoying the luxury of t-shirts again.

I played an all girls school at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. I was the only guy there which was a little strange since I was the one performing. Not that there is anything wrong with that obviously, but it did make me feel a little nervous for some reason when playing. I think I would have been the same way if everyone in the audience was blonde and blue eyed or something - or if everyone was wearing bright orange... that would definitely screw with my head

We took this after the show. Had a GREAT GREAT time hanging out with everyone!

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So! This tour has been pretty crazy and now that I am coming to the end of it, I am admittedly a little relieved. The new album has been looming over my head and I have not had the time I need to focus in on it. Regardless though - I am still thankful to have met so many awesome people. A lot of the shows have been complete successes and I remain grateful for that. The last 2 weeks have been rather whirlwind. Going from Omaha, Nebraska to the Bronx in New York basically. But the east coast is so incredible at the moment - as fall has descended in full glory. I am still full of energy and am praying the transition to studio with be easier than usual.

Below - David, Josh, and friend visited my show at Nebraska Wesleyan. The show was rather funny actually. I played smack dab in the middle of the commons. Sort of felt like a lobby at a hotel almost. It was good fun. I think the echo was extreme - not sure if you could understand a word I was saying - the place was so cavernous. Had a great time hitting the town in Omaha though. It's a quaint city from what I could tell. Was told that "Omaha" by the Counting Crows is sort of a big deal to everyone there. Before I even knew that, I began singing it unconsciously when I was driving through and suddenly realized I was singing "Omaha" in Omaha. Funny how the mind works. Recovering the Satellites still remains my fav Counting Crows album - although, August and Everything After, is making a strong bid lately. Adam Duritz has a way with words on those two albums especially.

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Get prepared for a quite a few pics. Sorry I haven't been around!! I got REALLY sick this past week. A horrible cold - my whole throat has been totally screwed for 5 days or so. I actually took antibiotics for the first time at a clinic in Kansas. Feeling a ton better now. Just have a little cough now. I have a tendency to talk too much about the state of my phlegm on any given day - but have been told to hold back on those comments - especially when I am on stage. So I will keep the details to myself. It really sucks being sick on the road. There is just no room for it with the drives and my vagabond nature.

Had a LOOOOONG 8 hour drive through Kansas. NOT the most interesting drive. I think this is about the 5th or 6th time I have done it so far. Took this pic near the end of it. The sunset was quite beautiful. Plenty of cornfields about and not one mountain to speak of.

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Hey all! I am back on livejournal after a bit of a stretch and am full of way too much energy. I haven't slept much this past week - and just ate some Grandma's oatmeal cookies (they are one of my most favorite things in the world) so if this entry comes off a little delerious, or overzealous, please forgive me - It's the damn cookies I swear.

I am so excited to be playing live again and the last 2 days have been overwhelming. I really am in love with touring. It is nice to get out and meet so many people again. Play the new songs too! I am so thankful these days...

I wanted to just say quickly - while I haven't placed reply comments on this livejournal so far, I am going to make the effort to do so a bit here and there. And it will most likely be VERY random. I genuinely would love to reply back to every comment - and am going to increase my efforts - but with this, and my space, and my email - it is getting a bit overwhelming. I do read everything though and really love to see what you are thinking. Also - please join this group on livejournal. It's a good way to get future news on what I am up to and meet new people. Also - I don't read that one on principle (thanks Elwood!) - Click HERE.

Okay - So! I basically left the San Fran bay area and took a tremendous leap over to Salt Lake City. It is actually one of the best drives. The Rockies are AMAZING. Pine trees galore sprayed upon oozing rock, Mountains ever expanding, Sapphire blue lakes... It reminds me of this water log ride in Disneyland (what was the name of it?) I think the Rockies were the inspiration anyway or was it the Appalachians? :)

Anyway - I want to live in this cottage and record an album. Isn't it incredible? Totally on it's own too in the middle of the wilderness. I love how people lead such different lives. Can you imagine waking up each day there? Just you in a 2 room (or 1 for that matter) cabin? I might be strange - but I would totally dig it.

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So...

It's been a long while since I have updated my journal - I wanted to drop a note so you all know that I am alive and well. Been working hard and writing lots of new material. Actually happy with some of it shockingly enough. There are definitely some cool things in the works at the moment but I won't comment on them until you all see for yourself. I would hate to jinx myself.

I was in Salt Lake City a few days ago and had WAY too much fun to be honest. It is definitely a BEAUTIFUL city. Something I didn't expect really. Downtown is very liberal too - almost too liberal - I think - because of it's conservative surroundings. It was an interesting and intense dynamic. Forgot to bring my camera to the show but met a lot of wonderful people. Thanks go out to Charles and Rob for having me at the Barnes and Noble there. We raised a ton of money for their library benefit (looks like there will be another show in October). I walked into the store with my face and name everywhere and me playing on the loud speakers... It was great. Convinced people at the show to go to a restaurant and cocktail party afterward too which went extremely late and was so FUN. ( Read more... )

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Staying in Salt Lake City now if you can believe it. Had an 8 hour drive today which was tiring - but I had some books on tape that kept me going. There was some beautiful country side... especially going through the Rockies. Will tell you about this awesome book I am listening to in the next post - when I get more of a chance to digest it. Completely blowing me away. (Figured out the live journal cut tags by the way!)