I believe it was a mistake to use “friend” for people you follow on social media - and was saying as much years ago. Now people without critical thinking skills and media literacy are in parasocial relationships with celebrities and politicians, and it’s bizarre.

I was just reminded of Tosh.0 and had a major flashback.

I’m doing pretty good post-layoff. Money isn’t an issue at the moment, and I’m ramping up working my connections and being very present on LinkedIn. I’m not spiraling, but when I climb into bed each night, I’m scared. Good thing I’m an expert at disassociating.

Sometimes you just need to crank Ratt. 🤘🏻

No adult today.

I understand there are a lot of neurospicy folks into record collecting, but the ones over at Super Deluxe Edition are a whole different level of entitled + delusional, bitching about every new release while puking up an entire laundry list of what THEY want, like they’re writing to Santa.

Possibly my favorite Tweet ever.

I’m reading the book from Simple Minds’ “Once Upon A Time” box set, and Jim Kerr is talking about Michael Been of The Call recording backing vocals, and the very next day Kerr and Been recorded backing vocals for Peter Gabriel’s “So,” which is also one of my desert island discs.

Has Netflix always been so pulpy? Or is it just recommending trashy stuff to me because I gave thumbs up to a couple of true crime docs? It feels like when A&E stopped showing opera and ballet and just churned out garbage.

They’re playing Suicidal Tendencies in Amoeba. 🤘🏻

I have some ridiculously talented friends.

4/25/79 - Donna Summer - Bad Girls 5/23/79 - David Bowie - Lodger 5/23/79 - KISS - Dynasty 6/1/79 - Devo - Duty Now For The Future 6/1/79 - ELO - Discovery 9/28/79 - Blondie - Eat To The Beat 10/5/79 - The Police - Regatta de Blanc All released within a 6-month period.

I wish Criteron would pick up the rights to Laurie Anderson’s Home Of The Brave.

The 2019 Watchmen series is one of the best, most satisfying stories I’ve ever watched.

Just out of curiosity: What Generation are you? A. Baby Boomer (1946-1964) B. Gen X (1965-1980) C. Gen Y/Millennial (1981-1996) D. Gen Z (1997-2012) Gen X (1970)

How TF is it November 1st?

🎃

Still adding to Discogs. Estimated high value of my collection is now 51k. There’s a new most valuable item, which is a first pressing of KISS’ 1974 debut album without the song “Kissin’ Time.” It’s sold for as much as $3,775.00 😳 I got mine used at Amoeba for $10.

There’s a fake Cruel World 2026 poster going around claiming that The Smiths are reuniting. Be skeptical. Their name isn’t the top line, and it would be. There’s also far too many big marquee acts listed. It’s someone’s wish list and nothing more.

Currently the most valuable item in my collection is this: Depeche Mode’s Violator 12” Singles box. It’s *just about* minty-mint, as it’s open, but unplayed (I downloaded hi-res files). No. 00952/3000 U.S. copies, top value over $900.

Was typing out “the most lovable chaos” and my phone autocorrected to “the most livable crisis.” I feel seen.

Got HBO’s Watchmen series on Blu-ray and started a rewatch. I’d forgotten how many clues there are just in the first episode.

I listened to the complete Carl Stalling Project (Music from Warner Bros Cartoons 1936-1958) this morning, and I’m not sure if I ever have - certainly not since it was released in 1990. It’s one of my “most college radio ever” releases.

Can’t move.

Pitchfork is currently beta testing comments and reader scores. Nothing good will come of this.

I’ve finally started adding my collection to Discogs. It’s going to take a while. It amused me to add 14 VHS tapes this evening (Cure, Depeche, New Order). www.discogs.com/user/50pound...

Counting backwards is a mental health trick to break cyclical thinking and center yourself. It’s one I’ve used for 30 years, staving off many panic attacks. 4AD’s late ‘80s trio of New England artists: Throwing Muses, Pixies, and Ultra Vivid Scene are still important to me. youtu.be/BFzCtKZo24M?...

I joined LiveJournal 22 years ago today. I’m still connected to a number of friends I met that first day and into the first week (Bruce B., Jeff C. , Pete C., Bill P., Nayland B.). It will forever be my most-missed social media.

It’s inching closer to that time of year…videos of cats attacking Christmas trees. 🎄🐈

Venus and the moon.

Plenty of artists I love have passed, but KISS was the first band that was *mine* (not my older siblings). Ace was truly one of a kind. I’m laying on the couch staring at the ceiling and blasting his ‘78 solo album.

Rest in peace, Ace.

A crazy amount of Blu-ray audio and deluxe editions I’d be interested in were all announced this morning. I’ll grab the 3 New Order ones and call it a day.

The first song I downloaded on Napster. youtu.be/cW9_ZoB0aIE?...

My homemade Darth Vader costume, Halloween 1977.

I did the gnome in 2017. It’s the most effort I ever put into a costume, and I still get mileage out of it.

Delete Everything, the new album from Pop Will Eat Itself. This one has a ‘90s vibe, with techno synths and breakbeats.

Ordered some new Criterion 4K/Blu-rays yesterday.

One thing I inherited from my dad is a deep love of westerns. We used to watch Gunsmoke together every week.

I’ve got a complete set of Chu-Bops bubblegum records released between 1981-1983. Some of these artists could only have been popular in the gulf between disco and MTV.

Good morning!

What five events defined your childhood? Oil/gas crisis Star Wars Iranian hostages Launch of MTV Challenger explosion

This was a dance club hit in late 1992, and got as high as 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s terrible. Jordy was 4 years old. youtu.be/T7seDQ-rPxk?...

Moonrise

I’m not going to yuck anyone’s yum, but the memes resulting from others *also* finding it yuck are delicious.

Today’s listening is all about the ‘70s.

Folsom Street Fair 2025

Was just talking about this with @sacredjade.bsky.social - Prog-Pop 1977-1987.

#throwbackthursday With Paul Rutherford of Frankie Goes To Hollywood in Auckland, 2010. What an utterly charming man! Coming up on 15 years since my trip to New Zealand and Australia.

Controversial take: Liverpool is a more cohesive album than Welcome To The Pleasuredome, and a better listening experience. Take the 4 monster singles away from Pleasuredome, and all that’s left is a pretty good cover of Born To Run.