So, I forgot to mention before that I no longer have an early December gig. I cancelled it this morning. And it will likely be a long, long time before I have another one.
The Reader’s Digest version is that I’ve been doing some soul-searching/having reservations about the whole jazz thing all year; in fact, I’d already started confiding in a couple of people that the 12/1 show could well be my last one. Then this morning some issues with the booker came to a head, and I finally admitted to myself that I’ve been faking my interest/enthusiasm and shouldn’t actually be doing another show. And I think I have legitimate beefs with the booker. So, I cancelled. I’ve notified the three band members I’d hired, and am paying each of them 50% of what I’d offered (as a cancellation fee). I’ve heard from the pianist and bass player, so now I’m just waiting for the drummer to acknowledge my email before I cancel the FB event; I’ll cancel it in the morning if I still haven’t heard from him. No refunds are needed, because no tickets were sold — because no tickets were available yet (among my beefs).
Anyway, the whole situation is way more complicated and emotional than I could ever explain here, but a super simplified version is that I think I’m Done With Jazz…at least, for the foreseeable future. I still have stuff to figure out, including WTF I want to do next (after 13 years of All Jazz All The Time), but in the meantime I’m frankly relieved that this gig isn’t happening anymore. I’m still a jazz fan, though, and will keep going to friends’ gigs, Blues Alley shows, festivals, etc.
Even though I can’t begin to explain/describe everything, thanks for “listening.” 
Some of my favorite moments are coming into the house after being out in bad weather. My place is small, but it’s warm and dry and clean and well-lit and there’s a sweet doggy. I adore that cozy feeling.