I just had possibly the strangest moment of the year right now. Was talking with my man about a feature on a grocery app that I really didn't understand. Then, in a fit of revelation, I explained to myself why the feature existed. It was so logical and so unexpected.

Numbers of left handed people living in the country of "we kill left handed people" have dropped. What's causing it is unclear.

The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com · 2d ago

Young teenagers are less likely to identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual than a few years ago, according to a new analysis. “It really does look like a free fall,” Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology, said. “But what’s causing it is unclear.”

Hmm...this was from earlier this summer. I may have even already posted it. At any rate, here I am (was?) at home in Palm Springs. For those who want to see me at CCBC this weekend, this is it. Off-site, like at a coffeehouse? Exponentially more likely. Especially since the coffee scene in PS slaps.

Henry Rollins: Motion to rename El Niño "The First Four Black Sabbath Albums." Me: Second.

El Nino

YouTube video by Henry Rollins - Topic

youtu.be

A stack of banned books. Ma'am, my deepest respect to you. This is how it's done.

The Mouthy Renegade Writer@mouthyrenegade.bsky.social · 3d ago

Add Karen Smith to my list of badasses whose mouthy approach I respect. Actions usually speak louder than words. This is a hero, Y'all. Well done, Ma'am. You're gonna kick ass in your new position. ✊📖

Yes, righteous spleen-venting, but altrockchick is one of my favorite writers nowadays, and her idea of using the preamble of the Constitution as a yardstick by which to measure the state of the union is a great one. A very worthy read.

Music for the Midterms

With the midterm elections coming up, I thought it was a good idea to assess the State of the Union in my former homeland, and lo and behold, the Founding Fathers provided me with the perfect asses…

altrockchick.com

As promised: the evening nightcap. Hibiscus, chamomile, and lemon balm. Vivid as dragon's blood, punchy and tart, but a soothing tonic for the heart, the nerves, and the soul. A restful night's sleep is sure to follow. That sounds rather witchy, doesn't it? 😁🧙🏻🍵

In an inordinately off mood. Anxious, sad, tetchy, just...not good. Big road trip tomorrow. Just hoping it's just something I ate, since it will be temporary, and I'll be better for tomorrow. Plus, my bleh won't be founded in something I can't do anything about.

Y'all, Irkutsk. That's all I have today. My brain is having a hard time braining beyond that. Hoping beyond hope I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here. It's scary.

Just seen. Going into my cachepot of great language: Every time an editor misses a typo, the errorists win.

Turns out a pint of hibiscus, chamomile, and lemon balm tea, cold-steeped for hours, is amazing for a good night's sleep. Tastes good, too. Looks a beautiful unreal ruby red. Will try to take a pic of it tonight.

Post something random, or you’ll have an awful October.

Boy Mercury X | Joseph Mercury@boymercuryx.bsky.social · 5d ago

Post something random, or you’ll have an awful october.

It was 14 years ago, I was just reminded, that I was at the apex of my squatting prowess. 240, 5x5. Or close to that rep/set standard. Just two years after beginning to lift with a purpose. Never have gotten that high again. But I'm proud to have attained that mark.

The joy of today...well, one of them: watching a video of recommendations for worthy public domain piano exercises, finding them, downloading them for free, then beginning to go to town on them. Also, revelation: I was a bad sight reader because I was pushed to sight read too difficult pieces.

From the perspective of a paramedic-turned-journalist. What? The media lies about how Mitch is doing? You mean his press statements were fabricated? Goodness. You don't say.

The News Is Reporting What Mitch McConnell Looks Like. I'm Telling You What I See.

I’m not sure how many of you out there realize this, but I’ve become an ulcer for a lot of politicians.

nicholasjorcutt.substack.com

Innovation ys not just tech. For a bettir future we need poetrye, creativitye, historical studye, love of languages, dreames, dialogues, new storyes, & intellectual curiositye. We must fund & expand higher educacioun yn HEART: H umanityes E thiques A rtes R hetorique & the crafte of T eaching

This 👇

Wow. Vicious (and deserved) satire. ANNOUNCING CORNELL UNIVERSITY’S NEWEST WRITING COURSE: RAPE ESSAYS 101

McSweeney's (@mcsweeneys)

"Can a rapist’s prose effectively elicit remorse for sexual assault? What word count best equates to appropriate jail time? In this class, we will dissect what empathy and accountability might look li...

substack.com

I never cared for Ed Sheeran. Bland, faceless pop to appeal to the most while being the least controversial. And that bent has come through in his actions—or inactions—on his tour. He's learning that not rocking the billionaire's boat will still fuck you over. End this heinous, hoarsome genocide.

Despite the fact that the autumn equinox was observed on September 22, the actual occurrence of equal sunlight and nighttime is actually around today. Same thing happens in the spring: equal day and night occurs on March 17, not March 21. Yeah, I'm that pedantic soul.

Happy Dolly Parton Day! Yeah, you forgot it was today too? Snuck up on you too? How do we celebrate this day? Ideas, anyone?

Kinda mourning the loss of St. Mary's Glacier up in Colorado. Went there once in June to go skiing. No lifts...had to hike up to wherever we wanted to ski. Not the greatest snow, either. But loved the idea of a glacier near me. No more. Kinda doubt it will come back, too. Yay, climate change. 😔

Inspired to work on "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" and make a great arrangement of it. Guitar, synth/bass/rhythm section, and me singing. I was even coming up with a bass line for it in my dreams this morning. Appropriate song for these days, right? I mean...not to be too on the nose about it, but...

California declares statewide emergency ahead of El Niño storms

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency as California braces for what officials say could be the strongest El Niño on record.

nbcbayarea.com

I like to share things that make my life better, easier, more healthful, yummier, etc. Over my lifetime, I have had multiple experiences of people who don't appreciate my sharing and mock me or think my input is stupid. I've learned to keep things to myself. It hurts, but being mocked is worse.

I don't have anything against tattoos. I don't have a tattoo primarily because I can't decide on something that resonates with me enough to make a permanent mark on my skin. What symbol would work? At this point, maybe a tiki or palm tree. But I'm too in my head about it to decide and commit.

NGL...love the idea of Taftmaxxing (even if the whole ____maxxing thing is gonna age like curdled milk). But living in a desert doesn't lend itself to three piece suits...or much formal wear, really. Anyhoo, with hopes this link works, take it away, Chris:

Instagram

Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.

instagram.com

Happy Friday evening, y'all. Nothing outwardly exciting to report. Lots of internal work going on though. Deep stuff, somewhat dark. But for now, some Becherovka and quietude. All is good.

Okay, yes, the curmudgeon is in. Unapologetically. Get that goddamn football off the screen at the gym. I HATE football. EVERYTHING about it.* BEGONE. That is all. *okay, oversized linemen can get it, but they don't get enough air time and are far too clothed

Kinda into Dr. Bronner's soap again. I got enticed by their seasonal sandalwood jasmine soap, and bought some. All the T: ain't no jasmine in there. But it does smell nice. Warm. Yes, sandalwood, and patchouli too...but not harsh.

Got hit on hard a few days ago at the store. Like...what? I thought this stopped at...well, a much younger age. I guess chubby daddies are a thing. It wasn't pleasant, for the record. I'm more comfortable being just another guy shopping.