Hello everyone.

I’ve decided to write this public blog after receiving a few emails in the last weeks asking what exactly I was hinting at in my last few MySpace entries; you know, with all of the talk about medications and illnesses. I initially only told the people closest to me what was up because I was afraid of seeming like I was trying to “get attention” or coming off as “overtly dramatic”. Or the dreaded “whiny”. But now, I’m at the edge of doing a show next week with one of my most favorite bands, and I know I likely won’t be able to put on the type of Marc With a C show that many expect. This realization led me to the following conclusion: if I write about every little thing that happens to me on record, why can’t I just flippin’ tell people what’s wrong with me?

So here you go.

I’ve got some emotional issues, and late last year I started noticing patterns of my own behavior that weren’t very much fun to be around, and they weren’t having a positive effect on anyone at all. These new patterns were a little more insistent than the prior ones I’d previously known about, so I went and got some help. “Help” in this case being whatever modern psychiatry and their medicine had to offer. I went on a pretty gnarly cocktail of prescribed drugs, and while getting used to those I was even harder to deal with in a lot of ways. The side effects to these meds were some of the most heinous things I’ve ever dealt with – especially what they did to my judgment, hearing and heart.

I’d been physically sick since the end of November, and some of you might remember me canceling shows. That type of action is abhorrent to everything I stand for and have ever worked for, but it had to be done… and frankly, I wish I’d canceled some of the shows that I actually did show up for. Y’see, I have had a serious case of pneumonia since then that ebbs and flows. When we saw our family physician about this – as well as the side effects of my so-called “happy pills” – he ordered that some epic bloodwork took place. It was soon discovered that not only did I have a pretty gnarly case of pneumonia, but my thyroid had all but stopped working. This led to even more medication, and there is still no resolution to any of these issues. Still have the pneumonia, to boot.

To date, the health issues I’m dealing with are as follows, but are not limited to:
- mild tinnitus
- walking pneumonia
- major weight gain
- shortness of breath
- chronic fatigue and lethargy
- bipolarity

I tell you these things not for attention and sympathy cards, but mostly so that you won’t hold it against me if I’m not jumping around and windmilling at the upcoming shows. I’ve hinted that the March 12th show with Casper & The Cookies will be my last normal show for some time, and at the moment, that will likely hold true. In the spring, I’ll be appearing in a play that utilizes Marc With a C music. I hope to do some festivals and opening slots in the summer. If I feel up to it, I’ll do more. Also, I will slowly but surely be working on the seventh Marc With a C album when I can. I would really, really like to be doing more, but I’m simply unable. Instead of continuing my restless bit of radio silence, it’s all out in the open now, and I hope you’ll have some patience with me in the coming months.

I assure you that as soon as I am able, I will get right back into the swing of putting out more music than you can handle. I’ll get back to playing those unpredictable shows. For now, I’ve gotta take it easy for awhile. Thanks in advance for your support and understanding.

Love on ya,
Marc