Apartment time. I had been living pretty lean for most of the summer, and last week things opened up and got more relaxed. Man, that sounds so vague. Pretty much it's that I was really broke, now a check came through and I can relax a bit and pay off my bills. I can answer the phone again - if you know what I mean. I have been getting more "moved in" over the past week. Moved stuff around, got some furniture, did some more painting. Organization. IKEA. Bloodbath & Beyond. I painted over the ugly seafoam color of my little bathroom with a super dark purple, mounted a black light above the door way and painted hundreds of tiny stars on the walls and ceiling. Good idea in theory. Now I hate it. During the day time, all the little white dots on the walls look like a giant sneeze and I am going to paint it over. I'll give the starry sky treatment to the art installation behind my desk. Created a little easel/canvas space for painting.

(Elbow / Jack Johnson / Pizzicato 5 / Dane Cook)

Not worried anymore about song writing here. I have been being more and more "myself" (making noise late at night) and the neighbors don't seem to hear me or mind. I am getting my computer recording setup all set up again, and am really relieved that I can really call this place home. Every day I like it here more and more. The trees, the flowers, the nature of the nearby hills, my neighbors, the energy, the subtle feeling of history and mystery that this old building evokes, all of it is wonderful. As the time progresses, although I live alone, I have a growing feeling of something else being here with me. Company.

...use the board?

Began a new song called "Green" last week. It's a slow, moody piece. Still needs some work.

Met with our new producer Josh Abraham today about the schedule to finish the record. Really excited to get in the studio and finish our work. I am extra excited to record some new songs, and see what we can come up with in this last stretch. It's been difficult keeping the band in idle mode during the summer, but this phase is almost done, and all the really exciting stuff is right ahead. Life is not in the habit of obeying our commands, and like an experienced surfer, it's best to just attune yourself to the wave and ride. Everything happens as it's supposed to.

Soon we will relaunch The Panic Channel.com and it is looking fantastic. Robert Chafino has been our web superhero and has built the new site in CSS from my Photoshop design. I have a lot of work to do on Flash animations for the pages, and plan on giving everyone plenty of Easter Eggs to find in the site. We call the new look the "Velvet" version. Robert just got back from Hawaii where he and his lady got married and had a tropical honeymoon. So Rad. All of our best wishes to you both.