As it turns out, “Splinter” was in charge of this whole new-songs conspiracy, because somehow of my 125+ song collection it benefited the most from my semester of voice lessons. The once breathy and lightweight vocals have turned into howls comparable to the ones in “Hold On Me,” and the big sustained D near the end has suddenly become a note i’m not scared of (after crescendoing on a tied whole-note D all semester in “Satin Doll” my songs suddenly aren’t as intimidating to sing). So, yes, “Splinter” was hoping to get my attention and as a reward it’s going to be played tonight. Otherwise i’m still a little undecided about my set, because it’s supposed to be a short set so i’m trying to balance new material with patentedly catchy songs so i don’t simply suck. Right now it’s looking like “No Second Chance,” “Splinter,” “tired of sex,” “Up & Down,” “the trouble with poets,” “Never Say Goodbye,” which means i’m definitely not repeating any material from my first appearance (as if anyone would notice). My hope is that if i can contrive show up four different time with four radically different sets of original material they’ll have no qualms about bringing me back even though i don’t really like to play covers.

I get the feeling “Under My Skin” is going to be very jealous… this is the first time it’s been intentionally left out, ever. Life goes on, i suppose.