Yesterday, I discovered that Michaels Arts and Crafts is one of the coolest stores ever. We stopped by so Eddie could pick up some paint supplies and wound up shopping for hours. I walked up and down each aisle grabbing at random items thinking, I should learn to knit or Ethan would love that train puzzle!  I made a mental list of to-do projects, including but not limited to: make my own jewelry, learn basic wood-working skills, and hand-craft my own decorative holiday wreathes. To make matters worse, they were having a major clearance sale and I decided to go ahead and start my Christmas shopping. As I made my way through the store, working my way from hand-carrying a few items, to using a store basket, to exchanging that for a cart, I thought about the things that can spark a child’s creativity (and a grown adult’s too apparently). I felt something under my foot as I took a step forward and realized it was a stray children’s book. When I bent down to pick it up and put it bac...

So, I’ve been going through the “summer slum.” That’s when everyone is on vacation and busy with other things, so they don’t need to hire a musician for holiday parties or elementary school programs (which happens to make up 90% of my paying gigs). I’ve been searching craigslist under the “talent” category for something that says, “Piano Player Needed for Beach Party” or “Major Record Label Ready to Sign the First Person to Respond to this Add Who Has Green Eyes.” So far, I’ve had zero luck. But that hasn’t stopped me from my nearly neurotic diligence in finding work. While most people these days are addicted to social media – facebook, myspace, and twitter – I seem to be addicted to the online want-ads (okay okay, Scrabble games on facebook too). I mean, you should see the job ads I have to sift through. These are NOT made up (keep in mind this is New York City)… -Nail Model -Young Japanese Girl for Commercial - Seeking Fit Female for Fun & Sexy picture - cleavage needed -Wome...

This morning I sat on the couch, drinking coffee and debating for an hour whether or not to go for a run. I had fallen out of my routine after vacation a few weeks ago and dreaded the thought of conditioning myself back into shape. It was 8 am, and already insanely hot outside. Usually when that happens, I console myself by saying that I’ll wake up earlier the next morning to get a good run in. It’s been nearly an entire year since I got out of the Army and to me, it’s a small accomplishment that I’ve been able to keep up running on my own for so long. Despite my absolute disdain for anything athletic, I really enjoy the benefits and peace of mind that I get from running. As difficult as it is to put my tennis shoes on in the morning and fight the weather, whatever time of year it may be, I know that I’ll feel better for the rest of the day if I force myself to do it. And Joy will be much better behaved if she gets her run in too. She’s gotten in the habit of running frenzied circle...

This is a video of me playing one of only two classical songs that I know. I forced myself to learn Claire De Lune for a wedding a few years ago and have struggled to retain it in my repertoire ever since. However, the most entertain part of this video is the "fan" towards the end of the song. Sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches. This was at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Enjoy. More photos from Sing for Hope 's Play Me, I'm Yours Project, click here . To see videos, click here .

As fascinating as a star, or the lights on Christmas Eve. As comforting as a doll, covered in threadbare weave. As frenzied as the marbles, scattered across the ground. As rare of a treat, as when the ice cream truck comes ‘round. A homemade lamp, a glass jar, the glowing bug swirls. A priceless ring, made with love, by grandpa for his girls. Never was there a fonder moment seen through a child’s eyes, Than the captivating magic and wonder of the fireflies.

This is another piece I played at Lincoln Center for a World Mission Foundation benefit concert, which raised $2,500 for AIDS/HIV funding. The director, Kevin Marin, asked specifically for a Jewish song and as luck would have it, I knew this piece from a Holocaust Remembrance Observance from my Army days. The song, a Jewish lullaby, is beautiful yet haunting, as it was heard among concentration camps during WWII. I apologize that the first few seconds are cut off. You can also see my video camera in the reflection - I had to get creative to get the clip from the professionally recorded DVD. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the performance.

Early Sunday morning, I walked with Joy to get a coffee before the unbearable heat set in. I walked past the neighbor’s garden, rich with color and vibrant beauty. The grass was freshly cut, and as green as it was at the peak of spring. The rising sun cast an orange haze against the gray, empty pavement and row of seemingly deserted buildings. No cars lined up for blocks past the corner intersection. There was no crowd across the street waiting impatiently for the New York City bus to take them into work. I didn’t even have to wait to order my coffee at Dunkin Doughnuts. I smiled at the thought. Living in the most densely populated area in the country, right next to the city that never sleeps, I saw that maybe on Sunday, it at least rests.