Merry Christmas everyone, and big hugs to all who have lost someone they love. Things don't feel right, but we muddle on all the same....cuz what else can we do.

Cheers to Peter...and to John, and to Viv, and to Hazel and to Katherine, and to all those who have passed on as well as those left behind. Just know you are loved and missed so dearly. One day we'll all make it 'around the corner' to see you again, and how happy that reunion will be.

Thanks T! God Bless them all who have gone on before us.

We had a lovely Christmas eve. We kept our lil' mum in our thoughts all night. My pop showed up with a smile and we all made the best of it. Life is different, but it goes on. We have to keep those we've lost alive in memory and stories. They're always with us.

I bought my oldest sister two small gifts. It occurred to me that I don't think she really has any gifts to open on Christmas morning. Just two simple things that didn't cost much, but I knew she would love them. She sent me a text this morning thanking me and said it made her cry.

My kids made me a calendar, and on every page is a pic of them - then and now. It made me cry.

That's what it's all about. My heart is full. I am blessed.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dear Joe,

I have been a student of diatonic theory with my teacher Kevin Wyer here in Olympia, Washington for almost ten years.

I'm in what you call - and I concur - the "visualization stage". I can see my modes, most of my intervals, arpeggios, etc. on the neck. I am not as strong in spelling as I could be, but have a pretty well trained ear. Kevin was a student of Howard Roberts in the sixties, and he ended up teaching Kurt Cobain a few times in Aberdeen. Not the best reference for guitar teaching, yet it was Kurt himself who took the simple knowledge Kevin taught him, such as major arpeggio inversions in the bass strings, to make amazing songs such as "Heart Shaped Box". I know much more theory than Kurt ever did, yet at this time can't come up with anything to match some of the great ideas he had in his own approach.

I know all of this math, tools and rules granted by diatonic theory. But I am struggling in being able to write my own music. I am a big fan of you and Steve, yet try not to set my standards so high as to be as proficient as you guys, though I ultimately wish to be free with my instrument. I look on YouTube for lessons in writing songs, and have to wade through ten minutes of incorporated, "This finger at this fret, this finger at that fret" stuff. I can see and hear an Emin arpeggio, I don't need to be taught the simple things anymore, except for in retrospective reference. In fact, it'd be a hell of a lot easier to learn from those videos if they didn't talk at all.

My question to you is, what do you think may be a good set of things to practice so that I may become much better at being able to write? I'm on my way to getting a cheap 20-20 condenser mic so that I can hear myself through playback with actual tube tone, rather than crappy software tones through direct-in play which was at first my only option. I can often overlook good ideas as I play in the moment but can catch them in playback. I want to be able to make music with integrity and confidence - something that I enjoy and am proud of, rather than what sells. What, perhaps, did you do as a younger man to become the proficient writer you are? Of course it's all relative in a sense, but from teacher to student, what could you advise me to do? Thank you so much, Joe.

With Love and Admiration,

Did everyone see this? Foo Fighters, Kid Rock and Lenny Kravitz Perform Led Zeppelin Medley at Kennedy Center Honors

Kenny Arnoff is drumming for 3 songs. Lenny Kravitz rips the roof off. Barack-O is singing along and remembering his dope smoking days, and by the end of Stairway To Heaven Robert Plant is crying watching Jason Bonham drum behind two of the most powerful women in rock & roll and an awesome chorus.

UGH! It cuts off! Sorry folks. search for it or try to catch a rerun. Buddy Guy is on it, as well as David Letterman, a ballerina, and it's early so i forget who else.

Hi Joe,

Dear Dad, you realise you've mucked up on being the oldest Satch fan ever? Tsk tsk... christmas day with you was odd this year, but I did my best

Peace, keep up the drunken posts :-)

Guys, what shall I do with my Satch tickets for my pop? Do I, keep a seat empty for him on every show, or do I invite someone else along to share in Joe (knowing pop should be there), or just give the tickets away? I'm thinking I keep em empty, but I have plenty of time to work it out and maybe the answer will leap forward, but just thinking out loud...

Pippy, I think yer dad would want you to carry on and enjoy Joe like always. If you have a mate (or date) who would like to go in your dads place, I bet that would make your dad smile. He wouldn't want you to leave an empty memory where he was. You should fill that spot with joy and carry yer dad with you in spirit. I know it's hard hon, very hard, but it's the circle. We all have to leave here at some point, and the rest have to carry on. Imagine what you would wish for your own son, and what your dad would wish for you. They want the best for us, and we must continue to live life and make them proud. We must make new memories, and keep old ones near and dear to our hearts.

I know you have many emotions and you're probably still in a shock/daze fuzzy state of mind. Try not to make to many decisions. You have a good 6 months before Joe comes to town. That gives you about 5 months to think about it if yer already holding 2 tickets. No need to sweat it just yet. It'll come to you at some point.

It's going on almost 9 months for me, and i still find myself in various stages of wtf. Time heals bruv. Lots of time.

aww, dats poop civ, but you'll have a great time playing anyways!

CHECK THIS OUT! Led Zeppelin Honored At The 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (12-26-12) . It kicks in after a minute or 2. It brings tears to my eyes by the time it gets to the end every time I watch it.

Best band ever.

Let's not forget - the one - the only - Buddy Guy! Saw him live 2x. He blew us away!

very long time since i last posted here.

Chelly, such wise words honey, words to live by. I agree with everything you said :)

Pip, mentally cut and paste what chelle said here for me too, lol! Can't say it any better than that. Take your sweet momma to the show and if you happen to do aftershow or have passes, don't be afraid, let her give Joe a big ole' buss on the cheek. I betcha he won't mind and would wonder why not if she doesn't, lol! As to the extra seat...you'll figger it out by then. I keep sending you and momma mental hugs every day and hope you are both coping okay.

We managed Christmas here, everyone put on a good face and made the day nice for everyone else. But of course there was a huge hole where my poppa used to be. I had moments of complete breakdown but tried my best to keep it to myself. We all felt his loss keenly. But you do go on.

Much love to everyone, and hope your New Years celebrations are safe and happy.