jonah24c
ezOP
Posts: 18
(8/22/05 10:48 pm)
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08.22.05: To be True
(Brevity is not my strength).
What a difference a year makes.
And that difference is you. Okay, probably one of the cheesiest openings ever but I’ve never denied my passions for both cheese and sincerity. I am an incredibly lucky man. I have the World’s Greatest Friends and Fans (new T-shirt idea in the works...think: “World’s Greatest Dad” but much cooler and actually accurate). Today I received the most beautiful letters and e-cards for my 24th birthday. I don’t know how I can thank all of you. Your thoughtful words of love brought me to the verge of tears. The good kind.
What a difference a year makes.
One year ago today I was playing guitar in the Red Line subway station beneath Harvard Square as it was the only venue I could “book”. Trains running every 2 minutes were greatly resented as I don’t recall finishing a single song. Further, it was only a little over a year ago that I graduated from college and decided to pursue my dream of being a full-time singing and yes, dancing (you know you love it), songwriter. It was also then in September of 2004 that my debut album “FLASHBACK” was released after too many sleepless nights.
What a difference a year makes.
It was in October when we booked our first actual shows. Andy, I am forever grateful. It was also around the Fall when then things really started to change. I won’t go through every tour date cause that would take too long, but as I look through the past journal entries and the show archive posted online, a flood of memories pour through my mind’s eye. It almost doesn’t seem real. So many beautiful faces and smiles.
What a difference a year makes.
The following is some bizarro, personalized version of a credit card commercial from this past year of my life (with the cost omitted of course).
1249 Visits to the United States Post Office (it never gets old).
1.69 Million hours on MySpace (I’m embarrassed).
2 Trips to Quizno’s (Quizno’s…need I say more).
623 Cliff Bars (Almost better than Quizno’s)
1 Broken Transmission at 1am on I-90 (Thanks Chrysler.)
94 Trips to Staples (Their rewards card is a scam).
26,432 Miles on the Minivan
154 Visits to the Mobil Station
1 Meeting with Andy Dick (Yes, we wore 3-D glasses and looked at his personal art gallery in the middle of the night)
54 Sleepovers on not-so-familiar-and-basically-uncomfortable Couches (Diana’s not included)
1 Failed New York State Vehicle Inspection (see Cohen Network Part II NYCity)
12.4887 Million outgoing emails
1 guitar, 1 microphone, 1 small oriental carpet, 1 pair of green shoes, and an opportunity to graciously open up my soul to you…
Priceless.
Once again, don’t forget my two passions mentioned in the beginning of this letter. The reason why I’m writing to you right now is because the “We Can Pretend the Summer’s Still Goin’ Strong Tour” next week may be the last one for a little while.
This coming September will mark a change in my life as I will be starting medical school. In the beginning I probably won’t be able to play many shows, but as I get into the swing of things, there will be some special surprises - I can promise you. Further, expect some brand new recordings in the not-too-distant future so stay tuned to the website for updates on shows, downloads, etc. I don’t see this change as a departure from music by any means as I will be writing songs ‘til the end of my days God-willing. I can’t help it. I find that I make sense of the world through song: it’s how I paint my dreams and how I relate to the difficulties that we all inevitably face. But more importantly, music is the how I bring optimism and peace into my world and hopefully it intersects with yours from time to time.
I imagine my journal entries about the Anatomy labs at school won’t be as interesting as life on the road, but you never know. Maybe I’ll talk MTV or FOX into making a reality show about medical school. I think it has real potential. Instead of “The O.C.” they could pretentiously call it “The M.D.”
The greatest legacy of this past year for me is the friendships that I have made with all of the amazing people that I have met. Every single letter or note that I received I have saved and will hold onto. You have all taught me so much about relationships, humility, honesty, humor, patience, and beauty.
Though this list is by no means conclusive, my deepest gratitude goes out to Andy, Jared, Ezra, Becca, Paul, Linda, Danny, Diana, Sam, Lauren, Caitlyn, Reny, Ashley, Sarah, Jessie, Jenny, Kaydee, Bob, Jason, Sara, Garrett, Katie, Bobby, Tom, Mark, Lily, Erica, Susan, Jennifer, Cara, and an extra special thanks to all of the Street Reps. You have all lent your support during some pretty dark times when I didn’t think I could play much longer.
I hope to see your beautiful faces at these final upcoming shows for the “We Can Pretend the Summer’s Still Goin’ Strong Tour”. It’s going to be a blast.
Until next time.
To be true,
Jonah
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