It has been a while since I wrote a blog, and I guess that's due to a few factors.  Sometimes I feel that I have to say something cool or have a great story or some exciting news.  But, I've decided to relax a bit, and just write and see what comes out.  Things have been quite hectic in the Bolger household; that being said I have managed a couple of Friday and Saturday nights off lately though.  Always nice to feel like a normal couple every now and then and enjoy a weekend.

Another reason for the lack of writing has been my use of Twitter.  Most of my little thoughts or goings-on I tweet about, and it's like a mini-blog.  I feel a little drain in my creativity lately too...even learning new cover songs seems daunting at times.  I haven't written an original song for a while.  The most fruitful sessions I've had have been with Courtney at the end of last year.  We've pretty much written five songs together for a concept album we plan on doing.  That's really cool, but I'd like to write something on my own again.  I think I worry too much sounding like a song that's already written.  When things settle down a bit, I'm sure I'll perk up the new tunes a bit more.

Since July I have been back at Rosie's in Freo on a Thursday night and it has been like slipping back into a pair of your favourite jeans...and they still fit!  It was nice to be away from there for the eight odd months I was gone.  Gave me a chance to miss the place, and the people.  While a lot of familiar faces are still there, I seemed to have picked up some new regulars too.  It's my only four hour gig at the moment, and I am learning how to space the night out nicely.  I normally kick off the evening with a long first set, of mostly slow/mellow tunes.  By the time I'm back on stage at 9:45-10pm there are usually more people in the venue and things start to pick up a bit, as does the amount of requests in the request book.  Here's where I normally break out the Tenacious D and other silly songs I do.  Depending on the night, my last set is normally only 30-40min long and can see me start mellowing again.  I tend to play a lot of the same stuff to the same people, but every now and then I get thrown some curveballs.  I was asked for Daydream Believer last week, which I managed quite well, until I got to the second verse...he he he...

I was briefly back at the Deen on a Friday night, but won't be there again until October.  It was good being out in the beer garden again...particularly now as they put on a BBQ as well!  Score!  A great bunch of staff there too.  I forgot that it was winter on my first night back there.  I only had on my pants and T-shirt...and I think it hit 12 degrees before I finished at 8pm.  Always had my jacket handy after that!  The weather will only get warmer now I guess...been missing the rain this year.  I miss winter already and it's only been a week!

As well as Rosie's on a Thursday, my other regular solo gig is The Victoria Park Hotel on a Sunday.  Playing outside at that venue is weird, because if it's a sunny day I start off with the sun softly cooking the back of me as it moves down to set.  By the end of the gig, the sun has gone, and the temperature drops considerably.  Weird to start off quite warm and then really cool down in the space of three hours.  It's a very casual gig though, and I enjoy being on the roadside balcony as the dusk arrives. Always a mix of punters, who tend to be less raucous than a Rosie's crowd, but appreciative.

It's a funny job, but I'm very lucky to have it.  I stop and think every now and then and realise that I could be stuck in an office all day in a job I hate.  Even a below average gig is better than being stuck behind a desk.  I still still get to play guitar, sing, and usually have a beer or two AND get paid for it.  What's my motivation again?