MySpace a place for friends

a while back i unplugged. no phone, computer, newspaper, radio, television. it was a bet with a friend. more a challenge. a challenge that i could live without the fear and confusion of these distractions. it does seem to be working. my reoccurring despair for the state of the world seems to dissolve in my not contributing fear and anxiety to the universe. not so much that ignorance is bliss... but that believing in goodness and passion and humanity still seems to work wonders with a weary heart. without my daily dose of medicine to stunt my spiritual outlook, i create happiness and opportunity without much effort. just breathing... this is what i always forget to do. my karate teacher, my opera coach, my medicine woman... they all say the same thing. "you never breathe". so many little steps to create a funny life. this summer was lovely for music and friends and inspiration. every time i play a festival my faith in our times is strengthened a little. they were wonderful and the sharing between audiences and artists was beautiful to behold. i even got to sing with my hero, bruce cockburn, in edmonton. the backstage of these festivals is the other amazing thing... so many musicians, who are normally all busy with their own lives and careers, backstage chit chatting and connecting... very lovely. part of my stay sane regime has been to be writing and making music as much as possible... i was in the studio writing and producing alot through july... a short stint with sarah slean, jully black, tyler hilton, and jeremy fisher, who i will continue to work with on a new record in the autumn. he's a brilliant and direct songwriter with a bright soul. he's also an avid cyclist... and bicycles always do a good bit to restore my faith in humanity... we're planning some bike trips between studio sessions. staying found is tricky. i get lost and then found and certainly lost again... funny movement. i guess the voice and the connection is my gravity. i truly thank for the opportunity to communicate through music. through september i will be playing shows with the wolves again... it'll be amazing to make a loud noise after the starling tour. i don't believe much in borders... but i did spend a good bit of time this year driving through canada... most recently in the western provinces... and have been reminded what an astonishing amount of beauty is contained within canada. i took the long way this time and savoured every moment. i wouldn't say it makes me proud... because it certainly isn't mine... but definitely i am blessed to behold such a thing and to have my very essence be influenced by the grand architecture and sky of such a vast and wandering land. i feel autumn outside. i see a stack of firewood that needs to come inside. i have been away from home for a long time... i missed my tiger lilies in july. maybe next year. till then, my friends... may peace and wisdom be yours. h.