I had an epiphany the other day at my piano lesson. (Yes, I take piano lessons. And no, I’m not a good student.) (Or a good pianist.)
She asked if I wanted any Christmas music for homework. I quickly said no. “Why not?!”
Hmmm…
In that brief instant, I realized why I’m not a fan of premature Christmas music:
By the time Christmas is upon us, I’ve been subjected to so much holiday music that I don’t want to hear anym0re. (I know – the blasphemy!) I’m tired of it before the day ever arrives. It’s been profaned by the immeasurable amount of commercialism in our country. Profaned by radio stations who want to increase listeners. Profaned by the stores who start playing it before Thanksgiving even hits. Profaned by TV, movies, etc etc etc… All in a cultural push for shopping and Santa and stuff. Thanks to the blatant commercialism of one of Christianity’s most holy days, THE day isn’t as enjoyable for me. By then, I’ve had enough of the music.
What does all this have to do with the title for this post? I try to avoid the music on the radio and in the stores for as long as I can, in an effort to preserve the music for the big day. Because I love it so much, I try not to listen to it until its time.
Does this make me crazy? Probably.
But those of you who like to listen to Christmas music year round? Y’all are a bit crazy, too. 
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Ya!
Just go here, right click the one you want, and hit ’save as’…
Then, come back & tell me which one you picked!
Happy Holidays.
Seasons Greetings.
Bah Humbug.
For some strange reason, when typing out the title of this post, I hit the date as ‘07.
Something’s wrong. Maybe too much songwriting here lately.
Ok!
Hi!!!
Let’s get this party started, shall we?
Rules: Answer the last, ask the next. First commenter will answer the starting question below, then leave one for the next person. mkay?
STARTING QUESTION: Have you been naughty or nice?
Pic by Desiree Delgado
…wrote ALL of them yesterday!!
In something that is best described as a 4 hour mind vomit.
I’m done.
I’ve been thinking about next year’s goal. It’ll definitely be a bit “less.” Maybe something like, 25 re-writes & 25 new ones. Somebody gave me that idea. And it stuck.
While the countdown has drawn to a close, I’ve reflected on what this whole writing experience has meant for me this year.
I can say one thing with complete assurance: It’s changed my life.
Period.
Aside from that, I’ve learned so much about my own brain. About my personality. About what I’m passionate about – how I handle stress – how I face the “impossible” in my life.
And I’ve learned a massive humongous gigantic quantity about songwriting. Namely, that I have a lot more to learn. 
So… We’re in the last month of the year. Time to reflect on the last year, and look forward to the next.
Let’s do some reflecting: What have you learned about yourself this past year? I can’t wait to find out!
We tried to have a little fun to make the chore less of a bore:
This song will go down as one of my favorites of the year. Right up there with 40 More Falls and a few others. That’s ok to say, isn’t it? I mean, I’m not saying it’s a good song. I’m just saying I think it’s one of my not-so-bad ones. Let’s try again: This song isn’t nearly as crappy as most of the songs I’ve written this year. It sits on the “less-crappy list” right up there with 40 More Falls and a few others.
There. That’s better.
The song surprised me. It became more than I thought it would. I’ve wanted to write a song like this for a while – a song about the depravity of man – about the general brokenness of our souls – about how we’re all messed up in some way. All of us. Undeniably. It’s darker than I thought it would be, but dark enough to get the point across. Maybe this is an Ash Wednesday song. Maybe.
If I had time, I’d bring in a few other elements of sound to amp the pre-bridge section. Maybe I’ll put that on the to-do list for 2010.
Love to hear your thoughts:
(And if any of you are wondering: No, I haven’t finished a single song this week. I’ve been fighting a head cold that has left me stranded on the couch watching an entire season of Survivor. And I think that’s ok. My mind is resting, and I expect to bury these last 5 very soon. VERY soon.)
(This has been one of those weeks where Monday felt like Tuesday. TODAY feels like Tuesday. But Tuesday did NOT feel like Tuesday. Go figure.)
Hi.
I don’t think there was an ending question last week.
So… I’ll just give the rules and we’ll get this party started – fashionably late! Answer the last, ask the next. Come back as often as you like.
Let’s start with this one: What did you think of Adam Lambert’s performance at the AMA’s?
Last night I went to my final “worship committee” meeting to plan Sunday’s service at our church. It’s the last one where I’ll lead worship.
We’ve already seen our last beautiful colorful breath-taking fall up here.
I’ve *probably* already attended my last Wives’ Small Group meeting – which started in my own 500 sq ft apartment 3 years ago.
When I went to the grocery store, I thought “I may not have to buy this again before we move.”
I hung out with one of my closest seminary friends on Saturday night – and I told myself that would NOT be the last time we hang out.
I know when my last day of work will be.
My last Tuesday of leading worship at our Seminary Chapel service will happen next week.
We’ve already got plans to spend a bit of time with a few of our favorite seminary couples. My calendar shows our last dinner date with them… Ugh.
And, then, there’s the going-away party, which we can’t skip………
The “lasts” are upon us.
So. Help me here. How do you handle moving and packing and stressing and goodbyes? What can I do to get through this?
