I’m an AA member. I was also an ACT-UP member and a medical marijuana activist. Cannabis is the ONLY medication for nerve pain. My AA sponsor knows I use it for Peripheral Neuropathy, (PN.) My doctor knows my AA status and my cannabis treatment. My recovery is not from pot. Alcohol is my problem.

Batteries are toxic waste, not trash. You need to dispose of them properly. Pass it on.

Think a Burmese Python in Florida can’t eat a deer?

I don’t think, unless you have something like an Apple Watch, you realize how much walking you do in a day. Yesterday I did my normal routine then went to The Who concert. At the end of the night I’d walked over 12 miles. My average is 7-8 miles a day. I’m an active person so maybe I’m not the mean.

My throat hurts and my legs and feet are aching from singing, dancing and cheering at The Who concert last night at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View. Roger sounded great at 80 and Pete.. well Pete is a god. They didn’t have to do this tour. It was a gift to their fans.

1/2 I’m seeing The Who tonight for the third & final time. Roger is 80 & Pete is 81, and the name of the tour is, “This Song Is Over,” after a famous Pete song. Townsend is one of my rock demigods. This is concert #4 this year and the one I’m most excited about. (Don’t tell Steven Wilson.) (Cont!)

The Ankh is the Egyptian symbol for Life. The ancient Egyptians would say; “I hope you’re healthy and alive.” That’s an affirmative expression, I guess.

My husband did something I didn’t expect. He asked me if I was watching anything on Disney+. I said no. We’re canceling our subscription because of their blatant censorship and capitulation to a wannabe autocrat. I’m usually the political one. (He’s the cute one on the right.)

This is deeply troubling. And as David Serota says it’s about more than the firing of a late-night comedian. It’s an assault on our first amendment rights.

You might ask what keeps me healthy. Believe me I see a lot of 60 year old guys who are in shit shape. I don’t drink (any more) but that’s not it. I walk at least five miles a day. (FYI - This photo was taken on the island of Mykonos in April 2025.)

I heard someone ask another person who’s the best team in baseball. I now have an answer. The Mariners. I don’t want to see Raleigh break Willy’s record but records are made of be broken.

I heard this song watching “The Blacklist” and it has to be the 7th or 8th musician that show has introduced me to. Radical Face’s “Family Tree” folk rock opera, and Keane. I love Keane. Frankie Miler is well respected in the music world and this song I want played at my funeral. Far from now.

This arrived in the mail today, my 6th or 7th Keane album. These guys could do no wrong. I’ve collected everything they released. I just got a 7-CD compilation of Frankie Miller and he was incredible. “Storm Corrosion” arrives later today. So much music, so little time.

I was potentially exposed to COVID. I can’t test until Sunday morning. I’m isolating to keep my partner and others safe. It was a brief encounter and I’m probably clear. Fortunately we own the 1-bedroom unit next to our condo so it’s almost like being at home. A hotel would have sucked.

I have my obligatory concert t-shirt and I’m ready. I bought my ticket for Steven Wilson months ago so I’m psyched. Row nine on the floor at the Masonic in San Francisco. Beautiful venue. 15 minutes until show time!

Six hours before Steven Wilson comes onstage at the Masonic in San Francisco. I’ve been looking forward to this show for months, ever since I bought my ticket. Nobody in my personal life shares my passion for Porcupine Tree and SW solo work but that’s okay. My enthusiasm cannot be dampened.

Another self-portrait taken in 2023 at TeamLab Planet in Tokyo. I’m actually closer to the mirror than it looks. We walked through those strands of lights like a curtain gently moving, brushing them. I lost visual perspective. If not for being guided by the lights I could have wandered around lost.

This self-portrait was taken in 2023 at TeamLabs Planet in Tokyo. It’s a difficult place to describe. I’d say it’s an interactive experience that plays on the senses. Japan has some incredible traditional shrines etc and some very cool new places. Plus, the food is amazing. Go. Visit. Experience!

This coming Tuesday! I’m seeing SW live in San Francisco at the Masonic. I bought my ticket months ago and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the show. What’s extra cool is that Adam Holzmann is on keyboards. Adam and Steven were band mates in Porcupine Tree, the British progressive rock band that I love.

He’s so stupid he thinks euthanasia is a Chinese student movement group.

The first Keane CD arrived today. It’s excellent. I have three more of their albums coming in addition to a compilation album. Their music reminds me of a mix between early Coldplay and Maroon 5 although they have a unique sound. “Reminds me of” statements can be a trap.

Crypto boosters like to say that oppressed human rights groups can use crypto to bypass their oppressors. What they fail to mention is that sanctioned dictators and criminals are already using it for things like drug trafficking and human trafficking. This is not hypothetical.

Hypocritical Question: If there were a female pope and she got pregnant, and if the pregnancy were to destroy her life or cause a power vacuum and/or spark a major crisis or conflict, would she get an abortion?

When we were in New Zealand we hiked on a tropical glacier. On the way to the ice a guy passed us wearing flip-flops. Our guide (and us) told him that was a bad idea. He didn’t listen and guess what happened. His dumb ass had to be rescued by one of the guides. A future Darwin Award winner.

There’s a “Dominos” pizza. Shouldn’t there be a “Subinos” pizza?

A Jewish neighbor who is a gynecologist invited us over for a little get together. She served bagels and a pap schmear.

Occasionally, rarely really, do I feel like I’m that guy.

We just had our master bathroom remodeled and it has inspired me. I think I’m going to start a bathroom remodeling company and I already have a name picked out: “Golden Showers”

This bell is on the grounds of a local church where my Tuesday AA meeting is held. I’ve heard it ring. I tried to make it ring today. I didn’t work too hard on the project so it didn’t ring today. It’s really heavy.

When I saw Peter Gabriel two years ago there was a couple in front of me. I didn’t give them any thought until the end of the show when I heard them comment to each other about how they thought the new album was good. I thought; “You didn’t listen to the new album before the show?” Who does that?

I don’t want to disturb anyone, but I think it might be possible that German is not a Romance language. I know!

It’s time for part three to drop, Dan. We’ve been waiting for six months. (Sometimes it’s longer.) I know you have the best and oldest history podcast. I know each episode is four to five hours long. I know I have other history podcasts and books waiting. I’m looking at my watch..

18,600 Steps today. None of it was from exercise, just walking around taking care of business, oh and walking the dog.

Top 10 Clothes: 1. Tommy John underwear. 2. Bombas socks. 3. Adidas shorts. 4. Crazy Shorts cotton pants. 5. Shoes: Hoka, Vans, Ecco. 6. Sayulita Shirt Company button down shirts. 7. Kangol hats. 8. Tommy Hilfigger polo shirts. 9. Ororo heated jackets. 10. Arc’teryx raincoats/windbreakers. (More)

1/2 I was reminded today of this book. It’s really good. It details the ineptitude and the fucked up stuff the CIA has done. It’s also a compelling read, not dry or monotonous at all. Tim Weiner is a very good writer and adept at crafting a narrative that makes you want to keep reading. (Cont)

Organizational Tip of the Day: Purging. (Not the eating disorder:) My partner and I have lived in the same condo for over 27 years. On a regular basis we go through our stuff and purge things we’re not using anymore. We give items in good condition to our cleaning lady and she takes them to Mexico.

In the military there’s a term; “general offensive.” Personally, I like to be specifically offensive and in addition intentionally offensive. In fact I wish to be every flavor of offensive with the exception of generally.

I’m thinking of trying a new look. The clothing would be easy but the cosmetic surgery could get expensive. Still..

I wonder why this piece of testimony, and that of over 20 more victims, does not carry as much weight as that of Maxwell, a convicted child trafficker.

One of my strengths is organization so here’s my organizational tip of the day: “A place for everything and everything in its place.” It’s an old quote but useful. If you always put something in the same place consistently, from keys to screwdrivers, you save yourself time and aggravation.

1/5 A week from this coming Tuesday I’m seeing this show in San Francisco, (which is near my hometown and near where we live currently.) I was introduced to Wilson as an audio engineer then discovered he’s an incredible musician with three projects in addition to his solo career. (Cont)

Self-portrait with dog.

As an exercise in spiritual discipline I’m quitting using vulgarity. I grew up around people who weren’t vulgarians but did swear occasionally and my brothers and friends swore casually. The only problem is situational. When a person does something cruel I want to use certain words to describe them.

It’s 4am PST and I haven’t slept. These type of nights don’t happen often but it sucks when they do. I have never been capable of napping unless I was so exhausted I crashed. Today one night of zero sleep isn’t enough to nap. So I’ll start my day “early” and sleep at the end of that day.

My partner and I have a number of lesbian friends. (I’m referring only to three of them and two are married.) I removed them from any of my social media accounts because they lecture. That’s an automatic disconnect. I can handle constructive criticism but try lecturing me and you’re friggin out.

My brother’s wife in Thailand wants to come & visit & I’d like to meet her in person, but her visa application was denied & you know why. I don’t have to spell it out. As an exercise in spiritual growth I’m trying to abolish vulgarity in my speech and writing. These people are making it difficult.

When the British empire collapsed their attempted face-saving term was “splendid isolation.” Of course, it was ludicrous on its face and no one bought it. The late great Warren Zevon wrote a song with that title but it’s not about history, though he did write historical referenced songs.

Word of the Day: Nostrodufus.