The tide is a-turnin'...

Happy New Year!

Okay so I'm three & a half weeks late and I've said it to some of you individually already, but here's a nice big collective one to you all. I hope that everyone had an amazing holiday season. I spent an absolutely splendid one with close relatives and a dear friend who came from overseas, and it was so wonderful having them here with me and my family that I can't even begin to express it. We laughed soooo much and ate soooo much and had so much incredible conversation - we were truly blessed.

Before I go any further, I'd like to ask anyone who doesn't care to know about my recordings, shows, or any of the other contents of these newsletters to please scroll down and unsubscribe. For the new year I'd like to get as accurate of an idea as I can of who is genuinely interested in order to update the addresses. Even though it stings a wee bit when people unsubscribe (I can't lie), I'll understand and ultimately I'll appreciate it because it'll lead to a more streamlined list. Then again if you're not interested you're probably not reading this. (Sigh).

Let me take a moment to thank everyone who made the first show in the Friends With Benefits series so lovely. I've received fantastic feedback about the lineup and it's right on the money. To Matthew, Rebecca, Jory, The Divas, Harmony, Tyler and Kevin - thank you SO much. Thanks to Steve for calming my nerves and playing so beautifully, to Crispin for the hug and stellar sound as always, and dearest Kathrin for being herself.

Gotta give a quick plug for some of my favourite albums of '05! On a whole the year didn't move me nearly as much as '04 did but there were a few things that made my ears go "Oooh!" I love James Blunt's Back To Bedlam. I'm also still quite smitten with X&Y by Coldplay. Life In Slow Motion by David Gray is lovely, as is Glen Phillips' Winter Pays For Summer and Amos Lee's self-titled debut. The most pleasant surprise of the year for me though was Confessions On A Dance Floor by Madonna. I love it! I've already thrown it on and turned my living room into a club-for-one a few times. I was pretty poor in '05 so I didn't buy nearly as much as usual... maybe that's why I don't have as many faves this time around.

As I've mentioned in previous newsletters, last year was one of tremendous struggle for me. I'm so grateful that 2006 has gotten off to a MUCH better start (elections result aside - that's a whole other newsletter that would be too upsetting to write.) I began a new job recently that I'm already immersed in and enjoying. I am also pleased to have been cast in V-Day Toronto's benefit production of The Vagina Monologues, taking place on Sat. Feb. 25th at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. I will be performing the final piece, I Was There In The Room, and I'm so touched to have been entrusted with the show-closer by the show's directors. If I screw up, it'll be the last thing the audience sees! No pressure...

I picked up my guitar over the holidays and realized I missed her. We've been quite estranged for three years as she's just sort of been like an acquaintance who stares at me while I sleep. I've found my solace, soul and inspiration at the piano during this time; the last 75 or so songs I've written have been at the keyboard. But over the holidays I felt the need to wrap my arms around her. It felt hard to believe that at one time I had just the right mix of naivete and bravado to play solo acoustic shows, but I did and to my knowledge I was on no medication. 'Twas just me and the lovely Annabelle, who I've unfairly shunned for so long now. I'm thinking that it may be time to make up. We'll have to get to know each other again - when I played her the other night she was a bit aloof - but it's never too late to mend fences. A new year, a rekindled friendship? Definitely worth considering - for all of us.

Love, Tanisha