the passing of the stone

So, what started last tuesday in the very late night concluded in the evening on Sunday.

The kidney stone has passed.

During that time I had about 11 attacks, all ranging from about 25 minutes in length to a couple taking an hour. Those were just brutal.

I had a wonderful show on Thursday (the 23rd) at the Backbooth in Orlando. The main contingent of the Orlando F.O.C.’ers came out and even bestowed upon me a Christmas Gift (DVD special edition of the Iron Giant; I love that movie). Too kind.

Earlier that same evening, I had an attack at about 6 PM (weird thing: most attacks were either 6 pm ish or 1 PM ish) which made me late to load-in (no big deal though).

A new tradition, Pizza with Chance, has taken hold where all the Orlando F.O.C.’ers and myself went to Gino’s Pizza on Orange Ave. A good time had by all. I think it’s a good idea to carry this tradition to other cities as I begin to branch out. Matter of fact, whether we have pizza or not, I think I’ll call it Pizza with Chance ’til a better name comes around.

Then, I played my set:

1. Creep (Radiohead)
2. RadioFree
3. My Oh My
4. Forgive+Forget (upcoming audio release)
5. Percy’s Song
6. WBANT
7. Woke Up to Everything
8 Say What You Will
9. Closer’s Not Good Enough

My Mom, lil’ sis, nephew and step dad were in attendance along with a very kind crowd including many F.O.C.’ers I had not seen in a while.

Then my buddies in Megaphone played and got me up on stage to sing Cheap Trick’s Surrender.

At about 12:30 AM, another attack began. I had to bid quick farewell because I knew I had about 10 minutes before the pain would be unbearable. By the way, Orlando has to get its shit together concerning the length of time Stop lights take to change colors. Give me a break: they take FOREVER. Especially when you are screaming at the top of your lungs and punching the roof of the car in pain.

The rest of the holiday included lunch with mom, movie with sis and nephew, the annual bash at the bloodwells, and oh yea, a 2nd visit to the ER on Christmas Eve. But overall this holiday was—APART FROM THE PAIN—a good time.

I’m home now, and ready to begin work on 2005!

PS: thanks to all for the well wishes; I REALLY appreciate it.