holiday greetings to one and all :  our Canadian and US eastern seaboard tour was as cold as expected. but we apparently dodged a pretty big bullet when an ice storm covered the midwest while we were in Canada. thanks to everyone who made it out to get rocked and/or put us up. shouts out. for now we're staying home for the majority of the winter months, save for a few one-offs tossed asunder, hither and thither.

for the benefit of Mr. Robbins : Cal Robbins is the beautiful infant son of J and Janet Robbins pictured here and has just recently been diagnosed with a severely advanced form of Muscular Dystrophy called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. he will never walk and many with this condition do not survive past the age of two. but Cal is strong and responding greatly to extra-curricular therapy. however, this therapy is very expensive and is not covered by their current health insurance. so, kim coletta and bill barbot over at Desoto Records  have started a fund to which we should all give.  please follow the link here and give what you can. it's a small thing that can make a big difference in Cals' life. J and Janet don't want us to feel sorry for them, because they don't feel sorry for themselves. but they will need a lot of help with what J and Janet call the "new normal". here is his update at Jrobbins.net.

the life and times has been asked to play the Cal Robbins Benefit at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on January 27th, 2007 with a bunch of other amazing and some possibly legendary bands. we are truly honored to participate. i urge everyone within several thousand miles to make this show. i'm only half kidding.

the Magician EP : is selling like hot flapjacks. i probably should've included a 2-4 week shipping disclaimer on the Market page, especially when we're on tour. my apologies to all who had to wait or may still be waiting. it's coming.

bu ya ka sha,

ae