Notes: If my weekly songwriting project was a human being, it would have acne and a questionable attitude. That's right, we're in the teen years now! As I listened back to this past year's songs, it was no wonder that the prevailing theme seemed to be the passage of time, and attempting to keep up with it. This week's song is no different. When I sing, "line me up in front of me," I'm referring to my previous selves, and wondering which was truest, best, most worthy--which I should move forward from. I'm pretty bewildered to look back at 13 years of songs, and 13 years of my life that never sat still even when I begged it to.

I thought about doing away with one particular tradition this year, because who downloads music anymore, anyway? But honoring my own traditions is a big part of what motivates me to keep working on this project. So it is with love of--and respect to--history that I offer you a free download of 21 of my favorite Mount Everest tracks from year 13. You can burn it to a CD-R, or synch it to your iPod, Zune, Diamond Rio, or any other compatible device. It is available today at linktr.ee/mounteverestmusic, so get on over there and have at it!

Of course, I must extend my gratitude in this moment. Thirteen years is a very long time to keep up with an idea. My friends, family, collaborators, and listeners have always made this project feel worthy of my time and dedication. I still love doing this, and I am indebted to you all for that. I am most indebted to my wife, Rebecca, and my parents, Nancy and Gene. Thank you the most.

This is a subdued entry for an anniversary song, but I hope you will hear that I approached it with appropriate care for the occasion. I'm in a big transition phase of my life, and this is a song about traveling with the insecurities that come with such times. I want it to come through that this song resolves on self-acceptance, but I'm worried that the refrain ("what if something's wrong with me?") might muddy that up a bit for some listeners. Another lyric ("the light made me") is closer to the target I'm aiming for.

Okay, time to wrap this up for the week. Thanks for listening, and see you next time!