skullguise

Brother came up this morning on his way to his place in NH. Dropped off 2 bottles of Ardbeg 25, plus additional surprises! The Ardbeg 25's come in a lovely Russian Doll type box set, the inner box has a nice metal design on it. The top of that inner box looks to click open and close on a hinged cover. The Smokiverse is another limited edition, this was an open bottle from a sampling day that one of his clients had. Looking forward to trying it, there's only a tiny bit left.

Happy Birthday Antonio!!

Next up on "doing good shit for family" agenda: just gifted Karen's car (2018 Toyota RAV4) to my nephew and niece. Came up in a conversation last night that my brother was helping the kids look for a car. I asked what they were interested in, and based on his reply offered it up. Filled out the title paperwork and tax exemption for gift (though depending on blue book value I may have to pay a bit for being over the gift threshold). Kids came by and grabbed it today. The payback is "future considerations," but after chatting a bit my brother will get me a pair of Ardbeg 25 bottles he recently scrounged up at work. Yum!

A few of a real kitty. My son and GF's cat June, looking in on her while they are on vacation. You can see it a bit in the pics, the kids have a hot dog pillow that is awesome!

Paid a lot of money for a condo. Final closing paperwork tomorrow. Son and his GF will do some painting and maybe minor work, then move in ~mid-August. Thinking/hoping a ring is next!!

Holy shitballs! He found those in the trash...???!!! I've owned a couple Legacy speakers in my days: The Legacy Classic (Kevlar midrange edition, I think that was the second version of it), Karen actually got it for me as our engagement gift! Then very briefly the Signature 3's, and then the Studio HD's. I also remember going to a Head-Fi'er acquaintances place south of Boston, he had a pair of Legacy Focus (Focii?), driven by Krell KMA-100 mono's and a nice VAC preamp. Don't even remember his front end. That combo filled a small room surprisingly well! Such full sound, top to bottom; but still very relaxed and effortless sounding. The Whispers are nice-looking, would love to hear them. Also had read about a less deep bass response....

Few more....

More found fun....

(Edited for pronouns) RIP to poet (and more) Andrea Gibson. I hadn't really listened to them, only HEARD OF them. But with their death, I watched and listened. And....they were STUNNING! I watch several of their talks/poems and often times I cry, for their pain & beauty. Examples:

Heather Nova - Breath and Air. Been a huge fan for years, she has an inner passion that I just love. Even though I don't think all her newer music is as strong as much of her earlier work, she still has that passion I love. I FINALLY got to see her live in a small setting, a semi-acoustic set with her brother (who goes by Misha); this was maybe 2-3 years ago, after having 2 different shows cancelled before that. A wonderful experience, got to chat a tiny bit after the show, she is very nice and gracious, really appreciates her fans. Example:

Reminds me of some of the Steel Panther stuff..... EDIT: D'oh! Didn't read that one of the Steel Panther guys is in it! Makes sense....

No words other than I'm so sorry, Dan. That's just horrible.....

Carina Messier - Nowhere And No When. Lovely dream-pop with a tiny Psych injection. The band behind her (some? all?) are members of The Lost Patrol, a band an acquaintance manages/managed. Example:

Spent the 4th up in Maine, our condo association had a mini-parade of kids and golf carts (~ a dozen carts, several made up quite well); also a pic of my next-door neighbor Michelle and her two - used to have 4 - Samoyeds, beautiful pups! Also visited one of Karen and my favorite places, Cape Porpoise....sat and contemplated life a bit there.

Was going to put these in the Slow Forum thread but figured we could use some kitty posts

More HDD cleanup

RIP to a good one. Such a beautiful tribute by Virginia, who is beautiful herself.

^^ Started listening to this the other night, thought the same (nice, nothing special) and didn't finish it....

No pics of the actual dinner (last night) and lunch (today), but had some very yummy sausage. Standalone last night, and in a wrap with apple BBQ sauce today for lunch.

One of my best friends manages a CA East Bay Punk band called Stay Out. They made their first East Coast visit this weekend. Lots of fun, but shit did I feel old! Another "old" local punk band, the FU's, also played (and their age was showing as they didn't want to headline, as that would be too late 🤣). Great fun, energetic and often melodic music, and weary bones and muscles. Stay Out did a REALLY good version of Green Day's "Welcome To Paradise" as an encore.... Stay Out is the second/longer video, FU's are the shorter one. FU's lead singer reminds me of Gibby Haynes from Butthole Surfers.... IMG_6003.MOV IMG_6006.MOV

Holy shitballs! That Dream Academy cover gave me the chills! Thanks, Stretch! And thanks too for the Cowboy Junkies post. I lusted big time for Margo in those days.....glad I finally saw them live after many many years. The Sun Comes Up It's Tuesday Morning video is wonderful too (my favorite song by them, followed closely by 'Cause Cheap Is How I Feel; two great noir-like narratives).

Belated Happy Birthday! Hope it was great!

Got the mole....🤣

Andrew & Amy took me out for a Father's Day celebration last night, since we'll see my dad today. A nice restaurant in Burlington MA called The Treasury. Restaurant sub-title is Indian and Greek Restaurant (!) but 1) on the online order form there is little to no Greek food, and 2) last night was a limited menu anyway, all Indian. Everything was delicious though! Beet w/Goat Cheese appetizer, 3 variations on curry dishes (2 chicken, one paneer), garlic naan, a mango lassi, and rasmalai dessert. Good food, great company.

A few more from cleaning the drive.....