pj bond

hello friends, family, loved ones and those i’ve yet to meet,

so, a new year greets us, and hopefully it comes with good thoughts and positive reflections on the year passed.  i know 2010 was an interesting year for me.  it was odd, because it was involved in the passing of my “year of a thousand roommates,” which made it not really feel like the start of something new, rather the progression of a project already set in motion.  in many ways, that’s really what our lives are at any given point it seems, but i suppose the calender year allows us opportunities to segment our existence into more manageable pieces, to make sense of the trajectory of our lives, and to feel more closely related to the obvious changes in nature. 

last year i spent new years eve at three very different parties in austin, tx.  in some misviewed way it was a bit like my own version of goldilocks and the three bears; however, the extremes were not unpleasant or negative in any way (i suppose much like the temperatures of the porridges were preferred by each bear individually), just that i was trying to find the place that felt “just right.”  i spent the early evening at an all women, mostly lesbian party, with some of the sweetest, warmest people i’d met in a while.  still, i can only assume my presence was at worst annoying/invading, and at best, mildly confusing/awkward, but lovely.  like i said, it was wonderful, but i felt like perhaps i was intruding and wanted to be respectful.  i said goodbye to my amazing hosts and headed for a second party, that of a friend of a friend.  this party was packed with adults, parents, young children, fancy dresses, people with money, some women with fake boobs, and faux prom style photo sessions.  it was actually really fun and, again, the people were wonderful.  i laughed, ate good food, made some friends, but ultimately did not feel at home.  i finally made my way to the third party (lucky guy, huh?  out of towner has three parties to go to.  splendid.  oh, and i didn’t get pulled over by the cops, which everyone told me would happen.  i was glad.  though not boozed up, what a hassle that’d have been.) when i arrived my new party mates were warming themselves around a fire in the backyard, passing around drinks and cracking jokes.  everyone was around my age or a bit younger, the jokes made sense to me, the girls were cute, the boys ready with a handshake, clap on the back, flask of whiskey.  this was my place.  and so, in the new year we rang, which eventually turned into me making grilled cheese in the kitchen, or some sort of drunken snack, much to everyone’s amazement, and my delight.  a wonderful time, amazing friends and folks at all three parties, and new family made. 

still, this was austin, texas, half the country away from my “home,” and halfway through my year of travel.  and when it ended, in april, 2010, where was i?  oh, i was in europe, still traveling.  which brings me to my next point.  while i was overseas, i made some outstanding friends in austria.  one, the great cis, suggested i record some songs while there.  i did, and just yesterday, those songs saw the light of day.  i am pleased and excited to announce the release of my newest recording, “22 April:  Vienna, Austria.”  you can find, listen to, and purchase it here.  i’d love if you checked it out and let me know what you thought.  i had a great time making it and owe a great deal to cis and all of his friends in austria.  i hope they all realize how wonderful my trip was because of them. 

now, you might be wondering how i rang in the new year this time around.  it started out innocently enough on december 30th with one of my best friends, brian, of the waltz, and i joining a large group of lovely, drunken buddies from NJ and brooklyn, to go see the drive by truckers at brooklyn bowl.  the night eventually found me tumbling into a garbage can and hugging a street performer.  i told him, “i don’t have money, but i’m sending you good vibes.”  my other friend brian says this was nice of me, as “the vibe market is good right now.”  we’re a bunch of idiots, i know.  still, it was a great night, loads of friends having a blast, celebrating the end of a year together the way you’re supposed to.  new year’s eve was a much calmer affair with me heading into jersey city to see buddies from the bands banquets, static radio, torchbearer, and my island, along with a whole host of other colorful characters.   the night progressed nicely enough, despite a large amount of unsavory language and group sing-a-longs, but ended with 10 or so of us coincidentally all walking into the same next door bar, only to find that perhaps our presence was unappreciated and mumbles about us leaving before bad things happened eventually met our ears.  we obliged and headed off to make our ways home, greatly thankful for incredible friends, and at that very moment, especially for ones that didn’t drink but took safe care of the rest of us. 

with that, i’d like to send me love and thanks to all of you.  the last 20 months or so of my life have been indescribable.  i will forever attempt, but will never recapture or portray the beauty that is all of you and what you’ve shown me.  i hope you enjoy the music, and i’d like to leave you with a small tip:

if you’d like to see your life improve every day, all the time, you need to keep working for it.  i am a huge believer and often non-follower of this idea.  one man who keeps me continuously inspired and excited is my friend dan barrett.  you will be doing yourself a HUGE favor if you check out what he does and the empire of amazingness he’s built for himself.  i love you all and send you my best and warmest.

pj bond