On Sunday I looked at my phone and saw this text from my Internet service provider:

Dear __________ customer, your payment promise has been registered.  If you have not made the payment yet, please pay the amount of 538,94 euro to account number BE00 0000 0000 0000 using the reference 735/0392/11428.  Bear in mind that your telephone, Internet and TV will be suspended if you do not honor this promise to pay.

Oi!

“How could this happen?” I agonized.  “I pay by automatic debit.”  I phoned the company but the billing department was closed on Sunday.  And my mind continued to slump overnight with “What does it mean?”

On to Monday, talking on the phone to a company rep.

“I can’t find any reference to 538 euros, sir.”

“That’s strange.  I’ll look it up.”  I opened my text screen, and there was a text from the company on Sunday.  Google Translate told me it said “We will call you back as soon as an employee is available.”

Huh?

I ran my finger down the screen.  The third message indeed talked about 538 euros.  The date?

December 9, 2023

Silly not-paying-attention me

The rep and I laughed.  All was well, with the possible exception of my having tossed and turned for hours overnight.

***

On to the next:

I sang two songs at Minard last night.  And now, determined to avoid the scourge of false modesty, I will say this:

I nailed it!

I invited the audience to join me in the chorus of “Day Is Done”.  And now, determined to avoid the scourge of vanilla description, I will say this:

They sang!

Barely perceptible during the first chorus, softly during the second, and full-throated during the third.  I was so happy.  Having people sing with me is my favourite part of performing.

Then I sang one of my top five songs of all time … “The Rose”.  Some of the best lyrics I’ve heard.  What is love?  The pain of not having any.  Hope for the appearance of the beloved.

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong

Many in the audience “got it”

I was happy

I am happy