Hmmm.

Y'ever think about running away?

Just takin' off? Disappearing?

I don't know... paint T-shirts on an island somewhere? Drop out, play songs in a Tiki Bar on a beach and...

.

.

Nah. This is where I belong. This is the city I love. I love making music in this town.

And, I've got work to do, as well.

Y'know, every time I go out of town for a gig or anything else... when I'm returning and the plane is coming in for a landing, I look out the window and get really jazzed about living in New York City all over again. I swear, I walk around this town like a tourist much of the time... my eyes wide open, taking it all in. This place constantly fascinates me. And, besides... look what I do for a living!

There are people reading this across the country and in different parts of the world, and I know they love their homes, too. Y'know, I wrote, in "City Song"...

Now, I've done a lot of travelling, from Key Biscayne to Nome.
And there's something about each place to love no matter where I roam.
But I can't wait to get back to her. I call New York my home,
And I always will.

'Cause I hear the love song you're singing in New York City
It's a symphony that sounds like rock 'n roll.
And in the subways and the streets
There's a rhythm that beats
Until it heats up every heart and every soul.
8 million different voices joining in here.
While those who've never been here
Blindly put her down.
But, I don't care what they think of her
'Cause I live her and I love her
And she's my home town.

Man! I love this town. And, I realize every day what a lucky man I am.

Oh hey, always check back here on the day I'm supposed to be playing, either on the Pier in Hudson River Park or at "The Hill" in Central Park. The weather's lookin a little unsettled heading into this weekend. But, if it rains on Saturday... I will play on Sunday. We'll call it a raindate, okay?

But, y'know? Talking about running away... y'don't hafta leave town to "run away". It can be done just as easily by a simple turn of the head. I feel like most of this country, certainly the people in Washington DC, have run away from the reality they've created by invading Iraq. I feel like so many people, with the help of the American ... um... ahem... "news" media (So many talking-head, hair-sprayed dweebs!)... spend most their energy turning their heads and running away from the reality of a war we started and the innocent people who are being hurt and killed because of it.

EVERYDAY... innocent people's lives are being destroyed. Children are being horribly hurt and orphaned.

I understand. I do. It's heartbreaking. And, it's difficult to pay attention to such a horrible reality when running away is a easy as picking up the TV remote control and flipping to "The Apprentice".

But, for me personally, it's all about balance. Awareness, accountablility, responsibility... and balance. If you're new here, do me a favor. Click on the "Archives" button over there. Some good, good friends of mine, along with some amazing artists (maybe a couple of real surprises) are putting together a very special concert to directly help as many people as we can, ordinary people helping ordinary people. We want to get help and support to the thousands and thousands of innocent civilians, men, women and children, whose lives are being destroyed by the nightmare of a war in Iraq. Look... I'm a nobody! But, we might be talking about some amazing guest artists... we're gonna try, anyway! S.C., J.T., N.J., E.L.H? Oh, you figure it out!!!

Here... I'll make it easy...

Click here to catch up.

Please take a minutes to read the update on that page and then pass it on to a couple of friends today, okay?

Yeah... yeah... I'm asking to you. C'mon, just a minute to pass this link on to a friend somewhere.

No, I'm not being cute! I'm asking YOU! You READING THIS!

And, if you care... would you please start thinking about ways you can support this project? Right now, you can just start planting the seeds. Just email a couple of friends and direct them to this update, and ask them to start thinking about ways they can help, too. Trust me... you'll feel Good doing it. You'll probably even have fun in a weird way. Hit the "Contact" button and email me, persoanally if you wanna help.

Here's a thought...

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Be a part of that small group of thoughful, committed people. If a small group can change the world... imagine what'll happen if you guys start makin' it a large group.

C'mon... get in the "Forum" and start discussing ways to help. Start waking up! Start paying attention.

Help.

Y'wanna?

Yes, okay... right now it's just "thought and discussion"... an idea. But, everything... EVERYTHING worthwhile and tangible is an idea first. Start kickin' the ideas around, okay?

I'll see you guys with a guitar on my shoulder somewhere this weekend! Hope I see you in the "Forum" later today.

Thanks for everything.