I am writing from UC Berkeley, on the day of my mother’s birthday. My whole family is coming to the show tonight. Having family in the audience always makes it special. We are playing Zellerbach hall, an intimidating and stunning venue. Though I love San Francisco, it is nice to play in the East Bay for a change.
I had a conversation with my friend Tom last night on the phone and we were talking about karma. I am a believer in karma. I believe it on a moral level, and a metaphysical one. We were talking about how we felt like we had been taken advantage of on a project we had both worked on. We settled on the fact that everything comes back around, and we agreed that we have some good karma coming our way.
“What goes around comes around”
It’s crazy how clichés pop up and explain so much with so few words.
A couple of days ago, we were late getting into Los Angeles, where I had made a bunch of plans. I was getting frustrated and then Chad said, “A watched pot never boils”
Wow. Brilliant.
If I had invented one cliché, I would have liked to be the first person to say, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” I love that one. I am constantly remembering to not get attached to expected outcomes.
I never understood, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” That just doesn’t make sense.
“There are two sides to every coin” Does that count as a cliché?
Gavin, Missy’s tour manager, gave me an Australian coin. It felt large and heavy. On the front was Queen Elizabeth, and on the back, a kangaroo, and an emu. One side seemed to represent the colonization of Australia, and the other side represented the continent’s native history. A gentle statement I guess, because they were wild animals, not native people.
A coin, one simple piece of monetary value, has traveled further and experienced more than most people ever will.
Every coin has been in the hands of
The greedy, and the generous,
The guilty, the innocent
It has been coveted by those who have more than they need,
And by those who have far too little.
It has been exploited
Used as bribery
Used to fund great change
Sold for blood
Stolen
Traded fairly
Forgotten
Lied about
Saved
Been made into promises
It has been dirtied
Been a honest gift
Obsessed over
Been in the hands of the powerful
And in the hands of the weak
Has been blessed and cursed
Every coin has more than two sides.
Email
Hi Brett!
I saw you in Eugene on Sunday evening. Thanks for putting on such a great show!
You seem to have have great energy, a good message, as well as a heartfelt spirit. I enjoy listening to your music and thinking about your ideas.
Keep up the great work. People are listening and enjoying what you do so well.
Take care,
Amanda
Hey Brett! I cannot believe I missed your concert. Your sister lives next door to my best friend, and I thought FOR SURE we'd get tickets to your next concert in the area. I love all the messages in your music, I am even using an "Aint No Reason" analysis for an English project. Jessica also works at my school. I love all of your idea's and I am so happy that you post them
See you in July with John,
Avery
Hey Brett! This is Avery's best friend! We could not believe that we missed your concert as Avery said. I am also using your song "Blessed" for my english class' soundtrack project. My english teacher says she has met you and your family and has been to three of your concerts. We love your music. Avery and I can't wait to see you in July in concert! Make sure you look for our poster in the audience.
Until then,
Katy
Not to have a "conversation-with-my-best-friend-through-brett-dennen's-blog," Since we are actually talking on aim at the moment. Anyways, I thought, Katy, (or Brett) maybe we should mention/decide what our signs going to look like. We already have one for John, but not Brett.. though I'm fully aware that we have discussed the matter.. Just throwing idea's out there.. on Brett's blog. Oh, yea, Brett, I heard you got a hair cut! I was totally digging your long hair, but I can't wait to see it short!
-Avery (again)
very good