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Last year I was in Paris on my 30th … seeing Monet’s Water Lilies, having a dreamy picnic along the Seine with my friends, and singing Spice Girls to an un-impressed French karaoke crowd. Ahh... it was the perfect way to ring in the new decade and forget about the fact that I was turning “old.” Yes, I wanted to be as far away as possible for that occasion.

This year, however, it’s all different. I didn’t want hullabaloo, presents, or even all that much attention. I just wanted a quiet day at home, working on my To Do list. I know, kinda lame, right? But that’s what makes me happy. Purging. Accomplishing. Organizing. That’s what lets us move forward, after all. I read a really cool book about feng shui and clutter clearing (by Karen Kingston, if you’re interested), and it really resonated. Clearing clutter doesn’t just make things neat and tidy; it clears space for more wonderful things to come into our lives. By clearing out the old, we welcome in the new. New possibilities. New adventures. New relationships. Maybe even that new (well, used) 1972 Guild acoustic guitar I’ve been wanting.

But since I’m an uber-introspective kinda guy, it only makes sense to bring some self-reflection into the day. Yes. A blog! Let’s call it my re-commitment to updating this thing more than once a year. Hah. So, yes, please check back often, tell your friends, and alert the milkman. Ry’s blog is back.

It’s been a long road since my last entry. Let’s see if I can recap it for you. I finished the CD. Loved the CD. Hated the CD. Loved the CD again. Mastered, duplicated, and released the CD. Went back to Chicago for work. Fell in love. Went back to Colorado. Had an awesome CD Release Show November 17 in Boulder. (Thanks sooooo much to all who came!!) Went to California to promote the CD to my old film buds. Lost my regular freelance gig. Got depressed. Spent winter in Chicago. Got more depressed. Visited London. Got super-scary-depressed. Decided to move to London with my boyfriend anyways. Started the Artist’s Way. Started pulling out of depression. Went to first Folk Alliance. Got to London in springtime. Got really motivated. Started living my ideal daily artist routine for the first time. Had tons of success booking shows and festivals. Got a huge burst of energy from that. Worked on my creative recovery with my Artist’s Way group. Dyed my hair purple. Started writing a book. Ate lots of yummy London food. Broke up with boyfriend. Went to Paris for a week to get re-centered and shed all the negativity of the last 6 months. Came back to Michigan. Turned 31. Wrote this blog.

Often on my birthday, I’ll journal about my hopes for the year. It just seems like a nice time to do that. But “hope” sounds so nebulous, and implies a sort of 50/50 chance of coming true. Perhaps then, I’ll state my intentions. I intend to continue my creative path. I intend to play tons of shows, promote my music like hell, and develop my performance skills. I intend to live my life fully. I intend to find a place in Boulder to settle down for a while. I intend to clear out that storage unit, and recycle/donate/sell most of the contents. I intend to finish my book. I intend to further my “Green Musician” mission. I intend to keep dreaming big.

In 2 weeks, I’m playing a CD Release Show for my hometown Michigan crowd. Then I set off on a tour that can be described as nothing but a whirlwind. Gay pride festivals, coffeehouse gigs, an Americana fest, and Green Musician workshops. I’ll be zig-zagging from the Midwest to Pacific Northwest to Colorado and all over again. Not exactly the most eco-friendly tour. But hey, it’s my first one! So, I’m being gentle with myself. I’m seeing this as a mega-learning experience. It’s also a big ol’ gift from the universe, gently urging me forward on my creative path. Thanks, universe!

Alright. I have to go pick up Indian food for my birthday bash. Woo hoo! Sag aloo, chana masala, and naan. Life ain’t all that bad.

Peace, love, and music…
Ry