My immediate reaction is to want to argue with you about Julian Barnes, although with absolutely no concrete evidence. Calming down a bit, I perhaps agree that out of those four, he might be the least substantial, although to me that means the others are earthier and he is more ethereally philosophical. I haven't read…

I've been wondering what it's like to be in the audience there. He said something about rehearsal in one of the episodes and I couldn't tell if the audience was part of that, too. Was it hard to get tickets? I have been watching a lot of his show because it is so cheerful.

Mr. Pelt, are you spending time in the same room making videos? In any event, they made me happy and now I want to get out my wigs. (Everything okay?)

Yup, and then transfer the audio to a cassette tape. Those were the crappiest awesome mix tapes.

And did you read that the Hitchcock one has been restored and will air on British television this year (and hopefully available elsewhere)? I agree with you that there is still a lot to learn from how people respond to and record these events for contemporary news and future historic studies.

And I still haven't finished the Huxley because when I went back to it I'd lost track so started over. It's the perfect train book and I don't know why I'm hauling around heavy hardcovers instead.
The first Banks I read was Dead Air, which Wikipedia says didn't get good reviews, but I liked its unsentimental response…

Ok, I checked it out today, at least the two songs on Soundcloud, and yeah, I like it. Really intense. Thank you kindly.

Ha! I wasn't specific originally, but yeah, they are M. Banks, Matter and Hydrogen Sonata. I think I do remember you saying you were reading the Culture novels? I had it in the back of my mind to finally get around to them and here they are. Have you read any of his non-sci-fi books?

There's so much to keep up with once you start getting into it. Have fun!

F.M.: I care about you and take you seriously. I have seen some of the compassion you have received on this site. I am sorry you haven't always received it. Please call (800) 273-TALK (8255). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has trained counselors available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They will talk…

Thanks for the rec. Listening to it now, really nice Sunday morning music. Is it too cliche to say he reminds me of Will Oldham? Kind of mixed up with Gordon Lightfoot?

Bruiser, dear, you may not be looking for sympathy but you're gonna get it here, empathy, too. Keep checking in. Although we amateurs can only do so much for your mental health, we seem to be very good at generating ideas, giving specific encouragement, and offering general distraction. If you want any offline resume…

Going record shopping today. I think I've narrowed it down to the new Belle and Sebastian (of course), Leon Bridges, and Bostich+Fussible. I only like half of the new Mark Ronson and will wait for it used. Also really liked one song by Generationals and one by Jungle but the rest of both albums sound all the same.…

< b >stuff you want bold< /b > (take out the spaces)
Also works with i, strike, code, but not blink, I think we determined the other week.

I missed out on the Mo Willems tix but am taking the kiddo to The Groundlings next weekend. And My Brother My Brother And Me the following (not with kid). It will be my first Sketchfest year. Sounds like you are picking some great ones.

re: raincoats: and noisy! I tried on all the coats at Patagonia and ended up with a men's one because: hood, soft inside pockets, almost knee-length, and silent. All the women's were neon, crinkly, emergency poncho-looking things that felt cheaper and were more expensive. Good luck!

A couple of years ago I saw Tom Waits at the deli counter. Maybe I should write a song about that?

9:15 I was at the laundromat. But…SCORE! Someone left two Iain Banks novels in the magazine baskets. Yeah, exciting Saturday nights.

Liam Neeson was hilarious and appropriately self-mocking on Graham Norton's New Year's Special.

This post made me cry. Must be the cough syrup.