The TV show Deadloch on Prime is a really great 8 episode murder mystery dramedy, women written-produced & ultimately has a unique girl powery vibe. For music, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are great for getting you out of your chair while not being sickly positive when you feel like garbage.
We started (way late to the party) Severance, and it's delightfully WEIRD AS FUCK, highly recommend. I'm reading two very different, but both very odd books right now-
I'll Put 3 Chips on God Just in Case There is One, by Preeti Gupta
Uncommon Sense, A Theory of Human Purpose, by J.R. Miller
I'm more Atheist than anything anymore, and I lean progressive left. If you pick up either of those books I'd welcome a chance to discuss. I don't read as much as I used to, and it's been a while since I read any fiction, but the Quantum Gravity series, by Justina Robson, is *very* good & I'd rec' it to anyone
I recently watched the 2014 movie Inherent Vice, set in 1970, and I'd recommend it.
It stars Joaquin Phoenix as a stoner P.I. (shades of The Big Lebowski), Katherine Waterston as his ex-girlfriend, Owen Wilson as a former heroin addict and informer, and Joanna Newsom (!) as narrator/soothsayer Sortilége. Wilson's character observes at one point – as America drafts her young men to die fruitlessly in Vietnam – that he loves his country, but it's like he would love his mama if she were on smack. You know she can be better than this, you love her fiercely, but she's got to get her shit together and there's only so much you can do to help make that happen. Maybe she'll turn it around. Maybe she won't.
That's... not too far from how I'm feeling about America in the year of our Lord 2025, and it's a comfort in some small way to know that we've been here before, and come out the other side.
Augh, exactly this, Steve. The most hope I've felt lately is holding my brother's baby — absolutely radiating peace, she jumped into my heart with a mere second of eye contact
Reading My Antonia by Willa Cather, a book I’ve been meaning to read most of my life. Bohemian immigrants in 1880s Nebraska and other colorful characters make it live up to its reputation. Listening to Wilco as we await their southeastern tour this spring. Watching Severance and getting the garden ready for spring on days the weather cooperates
I am Canadian so what I am doing is a little different...
I am going through the grocery store ensuring I don't purchase anything that is made inthe USA l, reading my Canada published SF quarterly called On Spec and writing.
I've been reading the Mick Herron's Slough House stories, fucked up British spies, depressed but unbowed. He writes like an angel, his plots are interesting and he writes good female characters. He's keep me from obsessively watching the news, and he inspires me to be a better writer for some reason. The only problem is there are only 8 novels, which I've now read and I'm desperate for #9 coming out in Sept. Hang in there.
I'm taking heart in Dafna Michaelson Jenet's "It takes a little crazy to make a difference." At the height of the Great Recession, she quit her job, cashed in her 401(k), and spent a year traveling to all 50 states to talk with people making a difference in their communities. https://www.eshaverbooks.com/book/9798989437993
I'm reading Existential Physics by Sabine Hossenfelder. When you consider questions like "what is now?" and "why is the universe?" from the perspective of physics, your brain has little bandwidth left to think about anything else!
Did I tell you I’ve been watching reruns of The Rockford Files? And the original series The Avengers. No thinking involved. The ridiculous story lines don’t bother me, because none of it is real. 🙄
The TV show Deadloch on Prime is a really great 8 episode murder mystery dramedy, women written-produced & ultimately has a unique girl powery vibe. For music, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats are great for getting you out of your chair while not being sickly positive when you feel like garbage.
I only want my murders committed and investigated by women!! ahah thank you Cori! <3
We started (way late to the party) Severance, and it's delightfully WEIRD AS FUCK, highly recommend. I'm reading two very different, but both very odd books right now-
I'll Put 3 Chips on God Just in Case There is One, by Preeti Gupta
Uncommon Sense, A Theory of Human Purpose, by J.R. Miller
I'm more Atheist than anything anymore, and I lean progressive left. If you pick up either of those books I'd welcome a chance to discuss. I don't read as much as I used to, and it's been a while since I read any fiction, but the Quantum Gravity series, by Justina Robson, is *very* good & I'd rec' it to anyone
Ooh, thank you, Sean! I will definitely shoot you a note when I check these out. It's so much better to read books with a buddy. :)
I recently watched the 2014 movie Inherent Vice, set in 1970, and I'd recommend it.
It stars Joaquin Phoenix as a stoner P.I. (shades of The Big Lebowski), Katherine Waterston as his ex-girlfriend, Owen Wilson as a former heroin addict and informer, and Joanna Newsom (!) as narrator/soothsayer Sortilége. Wilson's character observes at one point – as America drafts her young men to die fruitlessly in Vietnam – that he loves his country, but it's like he would love his mama if she were on smack. You know she can be better than this, you love her fiercely, but she's got to get her shit together and there's only so much you can do to help make that happen. Maybe she'll turn it around. Maybe she won't.
That's... not too far from how I'm feeling about America in the year of our Lord 2025, and it's a comfort in some small way to know that we've been here before, and come out the other side.
Holy shit, Matt, America as druggie mom makes too much fucking sense right now!!
Hola!!
I made this early in the morning, kinda a summary of my life looking back on it. My plan is no obituary, just a scathing playlist.
Hang in there - we’re all trying to give it a go!
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/2-16-2025/pl.u-DdANrqqCmLd6AN
This so extremely good, and how have I never heard of Paris Paloma before?!
Oh, that song is the tip of the iceberg! Take a trip down that rabbit hole!
I also feel completely lost. My wife says I have “resting grouch face”. Here are two things to listen to, depending on your tastes. Indie Favourites: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/drooling-looney-tunes/pl.u-BY3BXcoprdY. 80s dance party: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/an-evening-from-under-the-floorboards/pl.u-Ler8dIAkyB5
Resting grouch face is almost as endearing as "drooling looney tunes" — thank you for these jams, Lane :)
Thanks Lauren! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Hope you had a great birthday. We all deserve one day a year to be happy and focus on ourselves.
Playing with toddlers and dogs, my 2 1/2 year old grandson and my daughters mini schnauzer.
I spent the long weekend on my hands and knees playing with and seeing the world from the vantage point of these two joyful beings.
Augh, exactly this, Steve. The most hope I've felt lately is holding my brother's baby — absolutely radiating peace, she jumped into my heart with a mere second of eye contact
I’m reading The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton and listening to Sasha Velour’s The Big Reveal.
Ahh, now also wanting to visit The Architecture of Happiness (also works set to Sasha haha) — thank you for the inspiration :)
Reading My Antonia by Willa Cather, a book I’ve been meaning to read most of my life. Bohemian immigrants in 1880s Nebraska and other colorful characters make it live up to its reputation. Listening to Wilco as we await their southeastern tour this spring. Watching Severance and getting the garden ready for spring on days the weather cooperates
Ah, jealous of your garden (!) and relating to not having read enough Willa Cather in this life, how are you liking it so far?
I finished it and enjoyed every page. It’s often called a masterpiece and it deserves it
Damn, Paul, I might have to do it just because of this comment
In mad respect of you circling back right now, how can I NOT read it now haha
I am Canadian so what I am doing is a little different...
I am going through the grocery store ensuring I don't purchase anything that is made inthe USA l, reading my Canada published SF quarterly called On Spec and writing.
Exactly how I am going to go to the grocery story when I finally make it to Canada!!
Well it's -34 here right now, so you may want to wait...
Here's some psychill from Ukraine: https://crystal-vibe.bandcamp.com/album/change-is-the-only-constant
And from the UK: https://entheogenic-usr.bandcamp.com/album/spontaneous-illumination
Here's some psychedelic world fusion: https://orchid-star.bandcamp.com/album/merge
Max, are you the last hipster alive?! Thank you for your very good taste
If you're enjoying those, check out
https://sebtaylor.bandcamp.com/album/walking-through
https://shponglemusic.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-the-inexpressible
https://tiprecords.bandcamp.com/album/mystical-experiences
Oooh fuck yeah tales of the inexpressible!
I've been reading the Mick Herron's Slough House stories, fucked up British spies, depressed but unbowed. He writes like an angel, his plots are interesting and he writes good female characters. He's keep me from obsessively watching the news, and he inspires me to be a better writer for some reason. The only problem is there are only 8 novels, which I've now read and I'm desperate for #9 coming out in Sept. Hang in there.
"The only problem is there are only 8 novels" just made my heart swell for you ahah — thank you, Elizabeth!
I'm taking heart in Dafna Michaelson Jenet's "It takes a little crazy to make a difference." At the height of the Great Recession, she quit her job, cashed in her 401(k), and spent a year traveling to all 50 states to talk with people making a difference in their communities. https://www.eshaverbooks.com/book/9798989437993
More info, including videos from all 50 states: https://journeyinstitute.org/50in52/50-in-52-journey-story/
WHAT, the Sufjan Steven we deserve. Thank you so much, David — I can't wait to check this out.
Just starting the Leon Russell biography by Bill Janovitz. I have a feeling it's going to be a wild ride through the history of Rock & Roll.
Ooh that sounds dope! Fun facts welcomed and appreciated :P
I'm reading Existential Physics by Sabine Hossenfelder. When you consider questions like "what is now?" and "why is the universe?" from the perspective of physics, your brain has little bandwidth left to think about anything else!
Ahh, I need this! It has been a minute since I made myself make it through The Tao of Physics. May we be distracted by the infinite :P
I love the playlist from “The Day of the jackal”. Spotify has it.
The name alone! Thank you, John :)
Did I tell you I’ve been watching reruns of The Rockford Files? And the original series The Avengers. No thinking involved. The ridiculous story lines don’t bother me, because none of it is real. 🙄
Yesss! I've gotta check this out, ridiculousness is the answer (thank you, angel <3)