HOTEL BOHEMIA PRESENTS "THE GRATEFUL LIVE- ONE BIG SOUL" -THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS, RICH BUCKLAND AND BILL MESNIK, ATTEMPT TO NAVIGATE A CONFLICTED MAZE OF POST THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY EMOTIONS -A TIGHTROPE EXCURSION FOR ALL FANS OF GRACE & NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

Okay. No one wants to spoil the party. But according to the American Psychological Association, 89% of US adults reported feeling stressed during the 2023 holiday season. It's a good news, bad news situation much like this podcast which is truly a conflicted search for the highway to heaven, if such a utopia indeed exists. At least we make an effort to engage about the comforted and the awkward which is more than I can say for many who only pretend to do so. The holiday season can cause stress for many reasons, including: Being exposed to constant, over exposed or insipid Christmas songs everywhere from your radio to each elevator and mall assault across the USA. The Phil Spector Christmas Album is all I require. And I must admit that I have enormous affection for "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"- Family gatherings leading to the desire to drink like Ray Milland in Lost Weekend- Lack of time- The demands of hosting gatherings- The pressures of gift-giving- Navigating complex family dynamics- But here's the good news: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” —John F. Kennedy “Friendship… is not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” - Muhammad Ali And more ultimate wisdom arrives in the truths of what I consider the greatest gratitude song ever written, THE REBEL JESUS as composed by Jackson Browne "But pardon me if I have seemed To take the tone of judgement For I've no wish to come between This day and your enjoyment In a life of hardship and of earthly toil There's a need for anything that frees us So I bid you pleasure and I bid you cheer From a heathen and a pagan On the side of the rebel Jesus"- In closing I leave you with the following: "I haven't been saved but it could happen yet."- Robert Earl Keen Amen Brothers and Sisters. And The Beat Goes On- Thank You Listening Gang. -Rich Buckland