BACKDATED to the 18th; TEXT, comm ID "Spider-Man"

[shutterbugged]

Funny thing is, I spent most of last year counting down to my 5th imPort anniversary, and in the end I missed it by a good month and a half. Guess that's what comes of having a significant life event close to the holidays.

[ Spider-Man red versus Goblin green… totally counts as festive, right? Of course it does. ]

You gotta love the human -- sorry, the sapient -- capacity for adaptation. Forgetting the day of my own kidnapping.

But for the sake of you patient souls who suffered through my existential moping last year -- how many of you are still here, anyway? roll call! -- let's skip it this time and go with an icebreaker for the newbies.

Two truths and a lie. For those of you who come from universes without awkward getting-to-know-you party games, (a) congratulations, (b) it's just what it sounds like. I'll start:

1. I once picked a fight with a swarm of communist bees.
2. I used to have six arms but a giant lizard helped me remove them.
3. My car once tried to murder me.

Take your guesses.

04 ♥ audio (Jan. 22)

[matadorable]

[After Newton's request, Manolo wasn't able to think about anything else, and the usual compulsion to play his guitar only grew more intense with every hour that passed.

He knows what he needs to do now, despite the way his stomach keeps doing flip-flops at the thought of broadcasting something so personal, pieces of his very heart, for everyone to hear.

Eventually, Manolo scrapes up the courage to turn on the feed.

He wants to dedicate this music to everyone who needs someone right now, whether it's because they're lonely, sad, or frightened. But Newton already cautioned him against making any sort of preamble, so without a word he begins to gently strum his guitar.

Unlike his public performance earlier this month, however, these songs have a distinct ranchera sound to them and are completely Manolo's own work. Each word, each note serves as a bridge into his soul.

The first piece (which may vaguely sound like this) is inspired by Newton's original message. An appeal for people to reach out if they need a shoulder to cry on, to let themselves be vulnerable enough to receive help, and to call on Manolo if they need someone to support them. A solid reminder of the power of friendship, of community, and the universal need to lean on somebody. His soulful words carry a strong sense of warmth, love and security that anyone listening to the live broadcast may end up sharing themselves.

The second piece has the mellow tone and rhythm of a soothing lullaby that might remind someone of this a little bit, and it includes gentle reassurances that everything's going to be alright, so please, try to relax, let your mind unwind, and allow your body to get the rest it may need. People listening to the live feed may find some much-needed calm and respite in this particular song, and anyone who's been struggling to rest lately might discover that the song has temporarily taken the edge off their stress and anxiety enough to help them finally get some shut-eye once bedtime actually rolls around.

Once both songs reach their conclusion, and the final chords fade away, Manolo quietly ends the broadcast.]