Today it is dark and cold outside, yet I'm warm and cozy, coding up a storm, wallowing in my 70's and 80's-inspired AOR playlists. Call it Steely Dan-esque, or yacht rock, or blue-eyed soul, or whatever you want. But some days, when it'd be much easier to slide into hazy melancholy, this just feels comfortable and keeps me going.

https://youtu.be/RVyluE1YKcE

#cosomusic
#codesmusic

#politics

Of course, with this second trial being decided almost immediately as collateral estoppel, I can already hear TFG saying (if he hasn't already) something like "and I didn't even get a trial, can you believe that? I wasn't even allowed to defend myself..."

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/ahead-second-e-jean-carroll-trial-trump-online-meltdown-rcna132511

C'mon, let's groove.

https://youtu.be/qy3-UeeOdNM

#cosomusic
#codesmusic

I missed the airing of grievances this year, so here goes.

While I find myself internally nodding in agreement with most of the epithets and hemi-demi-semi-portmanteaus I see describing GOP extremists and Trump-loyalists (e.g. MAGAts, redumblicans, repugnicans, etc.) I can't help but feel that their use by people who disagree with them is stooping.
Degrading the discourse.

It's fun. It 'feels' good, but we promote the idiocracy by joining in.

Is it only me? Feel free to discuss/disagree.

The lead also has some interesting stuff to say on art and AI over at substack:

https://newsletter.michaelmeinhart.com/

Worth a listen, changes textures a few times and in a great way. Memorable prog.

https://youtu.be/dtF3utLZB-s

#cosomusic
#codesmusic

Would love to hear everyone's list of best movies and books of the past year.

Choices do NOT need to be from those released or published in 2023, but rather the best of what you experienced in 2023.

Example: I watched a 75 year old movie last night ("The Red Shoes") that will linger in my memory for quite some time, I'm sure. I'd never seen it before, but it was at the top of many directors' "best ever" lists. Now I can see why.

Aaand go.

#bestof2023

I've been searching YT for something even close to that, but cannot find anything.

I guess the best search term would be 'live mashup', but nothing I'm finding is even close to what this guy was able to do.

Is anybody out there familiar with the scene, or maybe know an artist like that?

The closest I can find is this, but it's not really the same:

https://youtu.be/lTx3G6h2xyA

2/2

Reaching out to those more involved with the DJ scene. A few years ago I was in a hotel in Vegas and there was a DJ who - for two straight hours - was doing the most astonishing things with older (70's and 80's) rock hits. He was not just doing simple beat-matching song transitions, but actively mixing vocals from (e.g.) ELO with beats from Fleetwood Mac. And then maybe Queen playing for Tom Petty with AC/DC thrown in as backup vocals, etc. & everything was brilliant.

1/2

Twilight Zone seems to be a recurring theme on posts today.

Just trying to do my part.

https://youtu.be/EVm6ZEQt71c

#cosomusic
#codesmusic

Helpful hint: If you are a 'taco enthusiast' but aren't squeezing a little fresh lime juice on each one just before you eat it, it will be difficult to graduate to 'taco aficionado'. 🤣

A reminder for those looking for places to send final charitable donations before the end of 2023. This organization certainly appears to be fighting for things I believe in, maybe that applies to you, too?

https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/030445391

https://www.citizensforethics.org/about/ways-to-give/

p.s. If anyone reading this knows of a reason NOT to give to them, please let me know, as I've made them my primary charity for now.

A few days ago (?) someone posted a beautiful looking mulligatawny they had made. I can't find it, does anyone remember it? Was trying to find a good recipe and that one looked splendid.