Voltron

Good to hear about your progress even though the pics have me salivating wildly.

Nice

I don't have all the details, of course, but it seems the only thing that has happened so far is that Nagra filed an opposition to Tanagra's trademark application covering its name in connection with CD sales and related business. It has nothing to do with the logos from what I can see. It is pretty standard practice for trademark holders to file oppositions to applications that might infringe on theirs to test the issue and to prove that they are protecting their rights. Sometimes, the trademark holder is really just trying to make sure the junior user of a potentially similar mark doesn't get rights to use a potentially confusingly similar mark in the same areas of commerce -- in order to prevent confusion and coexist. The applicant doesn't have to do much to respond to the opposition and the trademark office will make a ruling. I'm not sure how the trademark office will react but there is at least a colorable basis for the opposition. Without all the details, I think that the band's reaction is bizarre and unnecessary. The trademark office action is not decided and they make clear that Nagra had not even sent any kind of cease and desist demand. My cynical lawyer mind wonders whether the band is taking advantage of the situation to get some press, sell some CDs and shwag, and then maybe change their name while they have some notoriety. Regardless of the band's intentions, I don't think this case is similar at this point to Monster Cable vs. Blue Jeans but it could go there if the band doesn't cave and then Nagra overreaches.

RIP Mr Lehrer.

Sad news. As John Cleese said, "two down, four to go."

Luxman integrated amp with built in moving coil phono stage For $2795 seems pretty sweet.

I hope you can have a good time without hurting yourself, Mike (even more) Sr.! Cheers!

RIP Brother Heath.

I made a huge pot of American Chop Suey, aka beef-a-roni for the football game yesterday.

Have a great one Adam! Cheers!

Wtf? That looks goofy.

This morning there have been quite a few birds in the yard and especially in the bird bath where they have been splashing around in rain water. A few minutes ago I looked up because I heard a thud on the window and saw several birds streaking by. I went to the front door worried that one had hit the window. There was a little house finch laying on its side that was alive but stunned and maybe injured. Just as I put my hand on the doorknob to check it out, a small hawk -- probably of the short-shinned variety -- swooped down and flew off with the finch in its talons. It was very startling, but I'm assuming the finches had been fleeing the hawk in the first place. #WildKingdom

RIP to Christopher Tolkien, the famous son of a more famous father, and Rocky Johnson, the famous father of a more famous son. Each of them brought me a lot of entertainment in my youth. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/books/christopher-tolkien-dead.amp.html https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/sports/rocky-johnson-dead.amp.html

Some similar ingredients but not Chana Masala. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019772-spiced-chickpea-stew-with-coconut-and-turmeric

'Tis the season for chickpea turmeric stew

Rachel Maddow interviewing Lev Parnas. Compelling stuff.

Happy birthday Graeme! Cheers! ?

Happy birthday Mack Daddy Doc! I hope your new years resolution is to hang out with us more this year! Cheers!

Neither the prior owner nor I had even opened the shrink wrap on this one. ?

Very, very familiar with this one.

Same.

A Rush album I have owned for a few years but never sat down to listen to. RIP Neil

RIP Buck Henry. Graduate, Get Smart, SNL, and much more. ? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/buck-henry-graduate-screenwriter-who-co-created-get-smart-dies-at-89/2020/01/09/c133ffc0-3295-11ea-a053-dc6d944ba776_story.html%3FoutputType%3Damp

Happy birthday Knucklepimp! Cheers!

A couple of albums for Wilco's favorites of 2019