Magical Moment 252, "A Husker and a Friend at People's Lounge"

Last night I performed a 30-minute set at People Kitchen and Lounge in New York City’s Lower East Side. I agreed to the performance very last minute and quickly invited all the people I knew who might be able to make it. I arrived at the intimate, trendy lounge to find absolutely no one I knew had come. Even Eddie was unable to make it on time. As I prepared to begin, I couldn’t help feeling a bit down about it. I looked around at the strangers' faces who were relatively uninterested, and only there to see the performer after me.

Just as the manager gave me the nod to begin, I saw someone arrive out of the corner of my eye. It was a friend and fellow pianist I had met when we did a performance months ago. We remained in touch and go to open mic nights whenever possible. And as coincidence would have it, he is also from Nebraska!!! I ran to the door, hugged him in his bright red Husker jacket, and told him how glad I was that he came. And I really was. It gave me a boost of confidence to allow me to perform my best and with relatively less nervousness than normal (a pretty big triumph for me). I was thankful that God sent me a friend when I really needed one.

Here is a video from last night of one of my favorite original songs, “You Should Be Kissed.” It will be on my upcoming EP with Modern Vintage Recordings (with someone else playing guitar!). I recently did some slight re-writes to this song that I’m really proud of. Hope you enjoy it (lyrics below).

Verse 1:

I stood next to her when she said ‘I do’ to you.

Now my feelings still burn with silent desire, it’s true.

I still long for you, Oh God, I adore you.

I’d kiss you like you should be kissed.

My love would feed all your needs. My heart bleeds.

And you alone are my only wish

Chorus:

Don’t go home to her. Stay here with me, please.

If you just whispered the word, I’m afraid you could have me.

Verse 2:
You take a piece of my soul every time you go.

Now my heartache won’t cease. Every day it just grows.

When you go away, wanna beg you to stay,

Wrap my arms ‘round your leg as I fall to my knees.

There’s nothing I won’t do, so in love with you.

Right or wrong means nothing to me.

Chorus

Don’t go home to her. Stay here with me, please.

If you just whispered the word, I’m afraid you could have me.

Bridge:

Time passes by and still I cry.

This ache in my chest, just won’t go away.

Look at me like you look at her.

I’d kiss you so tender I pray.

Tag:

I still long for you, Oh God, I adore you.

I’d kiss you like you should be kissed.

Cuz you should be kissed. Oh, you should be kissed. (repeat and fade)

Magical Moment 625, "Thailand - the Elephants"

Needless to say, my favorite part of our Thailand vacation, was our week long volunteering at Elephant Nature Park ! The logging industry was banned in Thailand in 1989, leaving thousands of elephants unemployed. These elephants are now used for tourism. You may have heard of elephant shows featuring the animals playing soccer or painting pictures with their trunks. They are no doubt amazing to watch, but the sad truth is that these elephants have gone through a series of torture and abuse to "break their spirit" by their trainers. This short clip is very hard to watch, but it will give you an idea of what the elephants in captivity in the country of Thailand go through. The only elephants in Thailand who do not endure this, are the very few baby elephants who are first generation born in "safe captivity" at places like Elephant Nature Park. Every other elephant at this park has been brutally abused. Some have been blinded by their owners, le

Magical Moment 620, "Lilac Garden"

Eddie and I visited the Lilac Gardens at Ringwood Manor in New Jersey, a pristine and beautiful state park with 8 species of lilacs and several varieties within. We went on a rainy afternoon, which turned out perfect because the rain stopped for us when we got there, and began again as soon as we left. It also decorated the plants with gorgeous rain drops, adding to their beauty. And now for a quick game of "Where's Elizabeth?" And "Where's Eddie?" ~~Have a great weekend! ~~

Magical Moment 280, "The Eleventh Hour"

The Veterans Day Parade, NYC On July 29, 2001 , five exceptional men were honored by the President of the United States for their remarkable military service. They were involved in a top secret mission that required unfathomable intelligence and as a result, literally won a battle which was instrumental in winning the war. Not the war that was happening in 2001, not even the Gulf War. It was World War II, and they were the Navajo Code Talkers who were largely responsible for winning the bloody battle of Okinawa. The only problem with the ceremony was that just 5 remained of the original 29. Our country was too late in thanking the other 24, and nearly too late in thanking those 5 men. On March 10, 2010, three hundred women won the Congressional Gold medal for their outstanding war service. Unfortunately, 800 received the award posthumously. These were the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II, who devoted themselves to flying military aircraft like the B-26 and B-

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