Clutzy McClutzerson

Yesterday as I was attempting to paint my toenails, I knocked my brand new bottle of nail polish on the floor. The top shattered when it hit the floor and splattered maroon polish all over the bathroom. As I was cleaning the mess up with nail polish remover, I accidentally knocked the open bottle of remover off of the sink and all over the floor.

Please don't ask me to hold your grandma's prized punch bowl or anything, k?

a thought

Yesterday I went to a book signing of a friend and one of my very favorite authors, Brandon Sanderson. His latest book Warbreaker came out on Tuesday. Since he offered the book as a free PDF on his website before it was published (with approval from his publisher Tor), I had already read it, loved it, and have been eagerly awaiting its publication with new scenes included. (More about the book, including where to buy it here. If you're interested in buying it online, here is the Amazon link.) If you haven't heard of Brandon, you probably soon will. He is writing the concluding two novels of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, at the request of Jordan's widow. Yeah, for you fellow nerds who know what I'm talking about, that's a big deal.

As I left the signing, freshly marked book in hand, I got to thinking. Why can't the world of music be more like the world of books? In the world of literature, more emphasis is placed on the work, and less on the author. In the music business, it's all about the artist...and the songs are secondary. Why is that? Food for thought...and discussion.

my other life

In another life I am not so much a musician as a science fiction and fantasy nerd. Asimov, Heinlein, Card, Bujold, Tolkien, Rowling, Bradbury, Herbert, Dick, Whedon, Sanderson...you name it. I devour it. I have been writing short stories in the aforementioned genres since I first learned to write in the first grade. I have been reading the stuff since about the same time. I still get as giddy and excited about a good novel as I did when I was a kid. There is never a book far away from my hand...and I have about ten of them currently piled around my bed. That said, I recently saw an advertisement for a local sci fi/fantasy publication and I decided that I am going to submit one of my short stories. So I am dusting off and revising a story I wrote a couple years ago.

I've been listening to the Fleet Foxes CD non-stop in my car for the past few days. Love them.

my new toy

My latest musical instrument is a cajón. It's my new percussion joy/toy/box of awesomeness. By all accounts, it is a box...with a hole in it. But no ordinary box makes such extraordinary sounds. Mine was hand-built and custom made for me by a master wood worker...and I love it. Its fine sound was already put to use in a recording for Stephanie Smith. I stirred on it with some wire brushes. If that means anything to you, congratulations. Here is a video of me playing it with my hands for Steph's song "Until Then" at a benefit concert. This link is to a Facebook video so it may or may not work for you. Clicky! Whew, talk about a head rush. I feel like a head-banging rock star when I play it. I also may or may not have the ability to get you your own custom-made cajon from this master wood worker. Hmmm...that was cryptic. I'll be clearer. Yes, I do have that ability. Message me. I love this little box.

I am looking forward to attending the Mindy Gledhill/Thrillionaires benefit concert for Nie this Monday at The Covey Arts Center. You should go.

winter is officially here

While I sit typing, snow is gently falling outside and I am listening to the Clare College Choir singing John Rutter Christmas arrangements...on CD. (As cool as that would be, there is not a choir in my living room.) This past weekend, I flew to Arizona for a house concert. If you remember, back in September, I held an online auction to benefit the Nielson family from Arizona. The winner of the private concert was the Johnson family from Mesa, AZ. They generously donated a large sum to the charity as well as offering to fly me out for the concert. We had the concert this past Saturday in their home for friends and family. It was such a great opportunity for me to mingle with some folks from Mesa, get to know the wonderful Johnson family, and bask in the 70 degree weather. I want to thank them for their generosity not only to me but to the Nielson family as well. God bless you.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Spread some love.

I need your help

So...there's this contest going on right now at Mormontimes.com. (An online news source for us Mo Mos.) I have entered my song Across Oceans. The winner gets $5000. That's a lot of cash...cash that could be the difference between creating a new album or not creating a new album. Would you consider voting for me? Here is the direct link:

http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?nocache=1


Now, they won't let you vote unless you have an account with the site, but it's free and it takes like 2 seconds to sign up.

• You just click the Need An Account? Sign up Here link at the top right side of the page.

• Create an account.

• And then vote.

If you're ok with that...please consider voting. (You can vote once a day when you've registered.) You don't have to be Mormon to vote and have an account. I don't care if you cancel your account after you vote. I know some of you have expressed interest in a new album and have wondered how I could speed the process along...this is it. The contest will choose 4 finalists for each month for the next three months. Mine will end Dec. 15th. At the end of the three months, those 12 semi-finalists will compete. The top three get cash prizes.

Thanks for your continual support.

Much Love,
Debra

God Bless America

Land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her. Through the night something something something!

Well, you probably haven't heard so I wanted to be the first to tell you that it's Voting Day. I am sporting my "I Voted" sticker proudly. I am going to march into Starbucks, point to my sticker, and see if they'll give me a free hot chocolate instead of a coffee. Wish me luck.

But seriously, I hope everyone is taking some time today to vote. It's an historic day.

God bless America.