“Close Call”
(song written on September 15, but published to Patreon on September 27)
Hey there!
September really whooped me. How'd yours go?
My September kicked off immediately with attending my pianist's (Jonny Geer) somewhat-impromptu backyard wedding, which was beautiful and which encouraged a gin-fueled "casual" conversation between me and Ed about our own little ceremony sometime. Not an official proposal but I was excited that that's actually a conversation we're having now.
I got to see my friend Roderick perform in a cute run of the "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" with a bunch of people from my church... kinda funny.
The following weekend, my dear friend Katherine (I only have maybe 3 super-close girlfriends) brought a gaggle of girls for a "destination" (for them) bachelorette party here in Austin, where I played mommy and tried really hard to not constantly clean and organize everything to distract me from how socially awkward I felt being stuck alone in a rental house with a bunch of young women all weekend.
Just a few days later, my music team/gospel group from church took a trek to Denver, CO to minister to the folks at Mile-Hi, which, despite the torment the altitude and dry air had on my already crappy VO2max, was really fun.
Right after the service on Sunday morning, a shocking call came in that my sweet friend and coworker of many years, Heather, had taken her own life the night before. Again, with so few girlfriends, it was a tough pill to swallow. She meant a lot to me, and we had been in close touch in recent weeks as she hit a blue spell. We were supposed to get together when I got back.
I spent the rest of the trip alone in my room eating snacks and binging on TV series... I couldn't be around anyone and I was too far from home to emotionally unpack the loss.
When I returned home I immediately started driving for Lyft to earn some extra cash and to hopefully, long-term, ease some of my driving anxiety. (I think it is working!)
Ed's childhood friend, who has never visited us in Austin before, had a trip to Puerto Rico planned, but after the storm hit, decided to use his flight credit to spend a few bro-mantic days in Texas. After a text that read, "I can be there tonight at midnight"- Eddie and I spent the rest of that day trying to prepare our place for a houseguest.
Meanwhile, my friend Brian and I have been working toward a successful residency here in Austin at Stay Gold, which I mentioned in my last post. The hard work has paid off, with great attendance and great music at each event, which we'll be continuing on throughout the rest of the year, the securing of which was the mission we sought to accomplish with the first few weeks.
Though I was able to get my song written, it's been difficult to get to my computer to put everything together for you all. Not sure why I've been in such an Elliott Smith mood with my writing lately but at least I'm writing.
I'm looking forward to the holiday season, and am feeling so grateful for my loved ones, my home, my dogs, and you. Thank you for your support and grace, as always, even when I'm super behind and overwhelmed with life stuff.
For this song I didn't have a strong story starting point, so drew from some past relationship experiences to try to forge a vignette. This song I think has some potential.
Take care - you'll be hearing from me soon with another song for September.
Those of you with access to the lyric images and typed document- those are available for this tune now.
L
rewards access:
