Well, guys...

The weather was a little iffy today... and, the grass might be a little wet. But, I'm gonna head on out to "The Hill" with my guitar and see how it goes. Maybe we'll get tpo play a few songs for a feww people today. Might as well break the ice.

I know alot of people are reading this around the country and in different parts of the world. But, here in New York City, it was pouring rain earlier this morning. But, the Sun finally came out... so, what the hell... let's go to the park. It's gonna be a great summer.

Can't wait to be singing and laughing with you guys out there this summer every weekend. I've committed to playing some more songs by female artists, and a whole lotta new stuff. Maybe I'll take a run at some of them today.

There's also a political rally at the bandshell in the park today. Maybe I'll head over and see what that's all about for a few minutes, too... just as an observer, primarily. I have a little bit of a hard time with some of the marches and rallies I've been to in the past 2 years. I mean, yes, these days it's really encouraging to see people who care enough to show up for anything! But very often, people don't seem to pick ONE thing they are either protesting or trying to call attention to. I mean, you see people holding signs that say NO NUKES, standing next to people with signs that say STOP ANIMAL TESTING, next to another with one that BRING THE TROOPS HOME.

Focus, people! Focus!

Also... this particular rally is supposed to be about getting American troops out of Iraq NOW. Personally, at this time... after the mess that the Bush administration and the Senate, both Democrat and Republican, have gotten us into, I feel that immediate withdrawal from Iraq would be another catastrophic mistake. Yes, we were lied to. Yes, this administration's actions were morally treasonable to the American People and all things good and honest. And, a raging war in an unstable country is the result of their monumental miscalcualtions, historically ignorant choices, and dishonesty. Although, in this lifetime, you will probably never hear most people who voted for G.W. Bush to admit that they were wrong... about anything ...or, even acknowledge the reality of any given situation. It's doesn't seem to me to be in their mindset or the fabric of their character. And, that's sad... tragic, actually, when other people are dying and suffering because of it.

(Just my direct experience over the past 2 or 3 years.)

But anyway, I wrote a song over the winter called "I Love the Company", about all of the honest, open-minded, good-hearted people I've met over the past couple of years or so. I'll be playing it in the park this year.

I've written a bunch of new songs about all kinds of stuff. I wrote a fun song called "Reality TV", and a bunch of others that I'm anxious to play this summer. I had a nice lunch yesterday with my good friends Sid Bernstein, and Dennis Riley, (executive producer of the album "Common Ground") and David Abramowitz (The guy who produced my first CD, "People on the Hill") ...and we were all kicking around titles and ideas for new songs for me to write.

And then, last night I attended a conference about 9-11, and the 9-11 Commission. Some of the people on the panel were a little loopy if you ask me. But, ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern, was wonderful to listen to... as much for the factual things he said as his attitude, and some of the little gems he passed on. Like this quote...

During the darkest days of Nazism, Bertolt Brecht wrote a poem in which he asks. "In the dark times, will there still be singing?"

"Yes ...there will be singing about dark times."
.

There will also be singing about Love, and Life, and Sex, and Laughter, and Goodness...

.. and, "Reality TV"!

I'll see you all in Central Park for a few hours today.

Thanks for everything.