The USOC/BST has ended at the Toronto Zoo in what I call a perfect ending. It's been a pleasure to be with you in these pages.

I thought that in this final entry I should share with you what I've learned on the road. So here in no particular order of importance is what I've learned.

1. I've learned the wisdom of Jeff Byrd's rules of the road. a) No expectations. No disappointments (this has to do primarily with hotel rooms). b) Don't move unless you have to because you will be moving soon.
2. I've learned that there's lots to eat in America, but no food.
3. I've learned that touring is the best kind of hard work there is, and that I really love it.
4. I've learned that Dulles Airport in Chicago is the centre of the universe.

Meeting you in the roughly 25 cities we played has been a deeply satisfying experience. You've helped me to change my perspective on what playing music is all about.

When I was younger it was all about fame and fortune. If one were bold enough, one could pick up a guitar and be heard on one's own terms. That was the model presented to us, the service of self. We're schooled in it, steeped in it. It works well, or so we think.

Lately, on this big tour called My Life, I have learned that it is not about me at all, it's about us, and that success is found in the service of others. Sounds flakey and a bit perplexing I know, and for fear of sounding too preachy I won't bore you with the basis of my beliefs. The point I want to make here is that music is one of the best ways I know of serving others and, yes, reaping the rewards, the deep satisfaction of doing something that “evolves” others.

Music works its many charms. My favorite is the ennobling effect. Quite apart from how inspiring a song or a musical phrase may be, the fact that we humans will sing and play for each other and derive so much satisfaction sustains my belief, more than anything else, more than the discovery of penicillin, or the moon walk, or the I-pod that we are capable of great things.

On that note, let me leave you at the Zoo with one of my favorite quotes from Gary Snyder and thank you again for being so sexy.

“If we are here for any purpose at all (other than collating texts, running rivers and learning stories), I suspect it is to entertain the rest of nature. A gang of sexy primate clowns. All the little critters creep in close to listen when human beings are in a good mood and willing to play some tunes.”

On to Tibet.