We get there tho.
As always, hurdles on hurdles. People show up late. Lots of cancels. People don’t show up.
It happens.
That being said
You’re fucking welcome. It was a consistent crowd. It was an engaged and fun crowd. The nice intimate settings and all the wonderful love I saw and the weird but beautiful connection.
Man, I loved that room and I feel so sincerely that the work is worth it. You can just feel the love.
It’s amazing. I’m overjoyed to help my friends,
It’s weird to see my friends perform so well
I hate that people flaking.
I love the appreciation.
The world is amazing. People are amazing.
Music is great.
I have lots of the ability to see what I’m doing better or worse
And I’m trying to get better. Lights. Food. Shorter line up. People who cancel day of do not get another chance [5 minutes slots in the beginning without people, just for newbies. One reading before TB/Amy. Next. Maddie. Something like that.
You’re welcome. I threw the best fucking party I could. The line up was nearly as talented as I can possibly gather
I worked really fucking hard and delivered an amazing experience for everyone who was there. I’m so grateful for all the acts. I’m so grateful for my neighbors and friends and strangers, all who make their way out to Williamsburg on a Saturday night for my shindig.
But mostly I’m grateful to myself. I manifest things. Weird, crazy things. I can do them with effort and work. It becomes amazing. I am responsible. I’m getting better.
Maddie was as always, a real headliner of the show. She brought a lot of friends, she played outstanding music, and she got this amazing voice that’s raw and captivating and beautiful. Her guitar playing is also captivating to watch and listen.
Izzy did a very human set, which is always so much fun in the space. She’s very comfortable under the lights and it makes for an engaging and warm experience. I love the relaxed atmosphere that welcomes failures and mistakes because that’s simply how we get better at things. She’s got extraordinary talent and a Rockstar persona.
Taylor has always had consistently good shows here. He’s very tight, Pravin played extraordinary solos, and I love being able to sing along to his music. I’m more grateful for TB than I can express in words, but I’m truly hoping I can help him live his dream, and that he’ll continue to bless me with his friendship and dedication.
Jannika had a great reading. I thought her accent was adorably awesome, and she really leaned into the poetry, giving a performance art piece to the literary production. Plus the amazing dress. She’s quite the all-around artist. I’m quite proud of her work and I like introducing her at my event as one of her early performances.
Three moments.
Lilia came to the event, tapped me on the shoulder and reintroduced herself. That was just flipping crazy. I’m glad she stayed, she seems like a lovely person. I want to continue reaching out to people. Like the high fives on the Christmas Day run. Like Aubrey/Audrey, the blind subway lady. Just keep being out there.
I forgot the line “but I had my flock to lift my wings/and I could travel in their slip stream”. Totally blanking while reading. I got cheered on and applauded and doubled the line to remind myself who has my back. That was awesome. Thank you everyone. I love you and I know my line rings true.
I held Jared’s comic in my hand and could see all the art he had been diligently putting up on the walls for the last year and it was just in my physical hands and I was just blown away by how real it was. My friend wrote and published a comic series! So cool! I read it a few times! It’s a fascinating story, filled with depth and intrigue, both at the universe he creates and the characters and their relationships. Plus the art is fantastic. The coloring could be more detailed, I bet that is a cost measure.
Other thingss: Having Peruvian art, a story I didn’t tell on the mic. No donation box. Need lights for the art. Some sort of clip on light. Food. Jared to show a sketch during the show. I miss that bit. P.H.O.T.O.G.R.A.P.H.E.R. Ask Logan or Peter. Come on man.
My idea for Philly is to just have a travel show, bring out 1 or 2 music acts, 2 readers, and Peter/Fozzy as DJs. Do an early, smaller, dinner party/living room show. Then go out. Maybe bring like 8 friends. See what renting a “party van” would look like. Just like a Philly weekend, but we happen to do a thing one day. Ask Fozzy for a time and venue. Confirm with Jeff and Rob. That should be good!
Hey. Thanks. Everyone. For reading, or going to the shows, or being my friend. A huge hug for those who do all three. You’re my people, and I value each and every one of you. I hope this is doing something for ya, and if not, I hope I can pay back to support tenfold in the coming decade.
Cheers! Happy New Year!