Returning to Brooklyn, I felt rather uninspired by the prospect of an immediate and harried exodus to Florida. I decided to tarry a tad, first a week, then two - marshalling my resources. Having already exchanged my appearance in St Pete for a flight to Beulah, I canceled two more Howard Alan Shows - Dunedin and IndiaAtlantic. This provided the breathing space needed to finish some of my presentation projects, like version 1 of the postcard vendomatic.

While shuttling between Kingston and Brooklyn to assemble the scattered chunks of an artist's life, I pondered the next chapters of my saga. What shape will I take, pulled by this force and that? How much influence do I really have over the outcome? Is there a plan for me? Am I the plan?

This line of thought was catalyzed by the presence of lovely women on the subway. I might share a stop or two with someone striking, exchange an electric smile and then poof! they vanish forever. Yet they stay with me somehow. Several years ago I wrote a song about this.

The amazing Jacob of the San Remo Brothers used to meet women by flagging them down on the highway. Having the ability to make instant connections would be highly useful, being that sort of person would be really fun. After blowing several golden subway opportunities, I was lucky enough to make a little progress before I left. So here's to sculpting the self, to carving the paddle and being the plan. To infinity and beyond!