Just wanted to say that I have been listening to all the albums lately. I have been going through a tough time lately (I'm going through the big D ) and Maura's music has been helping me to deal. It may sound a bit corny, but when I am down I like to listen to many of the songs (usually the sad ones). It is king of like a coping mechanism...I have been listening to "Footsteps Fall" (her Jerry Douglas collab). Unfortunately for me, that song really sums up my situation...Some my songs of choice are: "When We Ran," and "Unwinding," from A Real Life Story. "Helpless Heart," and "Blue Train" are others that speak to me...

Just wanted to say, "Thanks, Maura for the coping mechanism"

Hey Mike, I hope these songs give you a way to articulate your pain and at the same time a window to better times.I have always used songs to help me through the hard times. Somehow , I feel, a well written song elevates our problems and fears to a nobler place. Plus, you do'nt feel so alone in your pain when you hear the pain in someone elses words.

To be completely honest though, I think they really help in the initial wallowing stage of a hurt. By that I mean, we have to face and acknowlede our pain before we can move on.

Annie Lenox's Diva, is a great c.d. to listen to in case you want to vent some anger as well. You know how I feel about people who do'nt have a safe place to vent! The least they will get is gas!!!!

I'm very proud that my work has been a help to you.
Maura.

Thanks for your kind words...For someone who cannot write songs...you do have a way with words

Anyhow..I did go out and buy the Annie Lennox Cd....I will listen to it tomorrow. I know I did have it many moons ago, but I must have misplaced my copy..

Finally, you should feel proud that your music helps heal. That is quite a powerful gift...

Thanks again

Mike;

I know you only from this board and our shared love of Maura's music (though I think we might have met at her BB King's show a year ago in NYC)-----but there is a kinship that music causes and I hope I am not being presumptuous to tell you to hang in there and trust that time will heal wounds and things WILL get better. My closest friend went through it, without talking to anyone, and it was awful to watch as a friend. To this day, I know he wished he reached out for someone to talk to and help.

When I am down I especially love to listen to Maura's rendition of "Ireland" and Warren Zevon's "Hasten Down the Wind" and Carole King's "You've Got a Freind". I don't know why but they make me feel a little better.

Mike;

I know you only from this board and our shared love of Maura's music (though I think we might have met at her BB King's show a year ago in NYC)-----but there is a kinship that music causes and I hope I am not being presumptuous to tell you to hang in there and trust that time will heal wounds and things WILL get better. My closest friend went through it, without talking to anyone, and it was awful to watch as a friend. To this day, I know he wished he reached out for someone to talk to and help.

When I am down I especially love to listen to Maura's rendition of "Ireland" and Warren Zevon's "Hasten Down the Wind" and Carole King's "You've Got a Freind". I don't know why but they make me feel a little better.

Lately I have been reaching out to many good friends. One positive thing that I have from all this is that I have a new found respect for human kind. Most people in my life are genuinely good people that really only want for everyone to be mentally well, or happy.

It took me a while to open up to people about this. My wife announced her decision in June and I could not tell anyone for a few months. I needed to get to a place in my head where I could talk about it. I finally told my closest friend in October. I knew he would be supporting and not judgmental. I finally told my family in January. I don't know if it is because the Irish tend to be more closed with their emotions, but I knew everyone would have an opinion and I couldn't let that cloud up my already screwed up head. They'd start bitching about my ex, and I needed to be strong be at a point where I was okay with things. For instance, families mean well, but there is only so many times a day I can talk about it. I just keep in mind that everyone truly does mean well....

Anyway...I digress. My point is that I did not talk about it at all for about six months. It certainly does feel much better to get it off my chest and to know that I have many wonderful friends. It is like a weight has been lifted. Yet I did need to get to that comfort level where I could talk about it.

On a lighter note, if anyone knows any cute little available bimbos.....

I swear you and my buddy (from the third grade, Jimmy), who was also part Irish American, seemed to have been totally cut from the same cloth. He was devastated but in the end came out alright! I can tell you're both good men.

On a lighter note, Jim told me after the dust settled that he related to an old hit song, " I Can See Clearly Now the Rain is gone.", but substituted the words "the Rain" with the words, "That Lisa"..is Gone!

Hey Mike;

Just came down from the mountain and checked the BB. Hang in there man! Music is a great healer. Start your day off with It's A Beautiful Life, not Sunnyshine Day.

Just wanted to thank everyone for the well wishes. Some good truly has come out of this whole experience. I have had much support from truly good friends, as well as my Maura OConnell message board friends. Maura has some pretty cool fans.

I am also very proud of how the ex and I are handling it with respect to our 3 1/2 year old son. We have both gone out of our way to make sure that he is affected minimally, and I think that we are succeeding. He thinks he is hot stuff because he has two houses. We both have tried to be as friendly as possible where he is concerned.

If I had known everyone on the board would be so supportive I would have told everyone that I had fallen on hard times and needed $20 from each of you (Just a joke....)

Thanks again

...............the dough would have been on it's way as we speak....................or, the least I could have done is to help you change the flat tire on the highway home after the concert last year, right??

I forgot about that...If it had only been a flat tire...The darn car died. I had to get it towed. walk to Grand Central, crash at my sister's house....

That was also a couple of months after the Mrs. announced she was having second thoughts. Luckily the concert was worth it. Maura was great and Teddy Thompson was a pleasant surprise.


Also, I was just thinking..The next time Maura or Mac reads the posts....Any update on the new album? Has any work begun?

Hi Mike:



Yes, there is actual work, but not the recording studio kind. She's listening, and talking to Jerry; I think they will do the tracking within the next two or three months; after that, the timetable takes on the vagueness of the music business.

In what may be a first, she's actually doing some preliminary work on the record after this one.

I've really enjoyed reading this thread. This is getting to be a pretty cool discussion board.

Glad everyone's doing OK.

Mac