The second democratic debate ended up being a lot more intense than the first, with Kamala Harris having a good night and sending some heat towards other candidates, and others having pretty good showings, including Pete Buttigieg.  I think he did fine, and showed he really deserves to be up there and considered a top tier candidate, especially with the way he called out religious hypocrisy in the Republican party.  

Anyone but Trump in 2020.

When  I was growing up, I asked my father who would win a sports game and he would often  just say "that's why they play the game" instead of speculating who would win.  It's the same thing with the election.  That's why they have the election.  I'm not speculating.


Just have to add this interesting Marianne Williamson quote to my post, even if she wasn't the most talked about candidate.  I agree with her that community, art, and nature are things of importance.  

The main causes of mental illness in America are disconnection from tribe and community, disconnection from nature & disconnection from the arts. In other words, so many of us are sick because the society itself is sick. People are just reflecting back the insanity of our times.

Last night's democratic debate was quite interesting, but who we're going to end up with as our nominee still seems very unclear to me.  

But I have to say, the candidates are generally like-able.  Elizabeth Warren seems like someone who I would have been friends with.  Beto O'Rourke's campaign seems to have lost steam and some people think he is a product of white privilege, but I still like him because he is a very smart man.   

Anyway, Kindess released more of that sophisticated electronic pop that I seem to always enjoy, this time with Jazmine Sullivan on the new track.

I danced while cooking dinner today, which is a form of multitasking, right? Hence, I can add multitasking to my Linkedin profile as a skill I have!

Bol Bol, soon to be everyone's favorite 7 foot 3 big man, somehow slipped to the 44th pick because people weren't sure about his skinny frame, attitude, and injury history.  Everyone knows that it doesn't really matter where you get picked.  You can still be an impact player at any spot or even if you go un-drafted.  Here's looking at you, the surprisingly un-drafted Tacko Fall, who at 7 foot 7, can be great insurance to backup Joel Embiid if the Sixers sign him in case Boban leaves.  

Quite a draft, hopefully the Sixers got better with trading up to get Matisse Thybulle.  

Also, I must note that LaVar Ball is basically banned from appearances on ESPN talk shows, because he told a female reporter that he'd "switch gears with her any time."

Every year, I get super excited for the NBA draft, which will happen tomorrow night.  

There's nothing as fun as listening to grown men wax poetic on these young kids' bodies as they make the jump into the NBA.  I'm really routing for Bol Bol to make it from this draft, since I worked with his brother, and since his name is Bol Bol.  He'd be a sure thing if it weren't for the injury.

"You can switch gears with me anytime"- LaVar Ball to a female reporter.  He claims that it was not what she thought he was implying. Wow.  She said she's calling HR.

Strange new video from Devendra.

Weighted blankets are great.  I'm glad I weighted.

Last night was rough for me.  But I think I am even more scared of girls than I am when I get a tornado warning on my phone...  

The Raptors and Blues won the NBA and NHL championships, respectively.  They beat some tough teams who I respect, but it is nice to see teams who have never won it before getting that taste of victory.

Silver Jews songwriter David Berman has a new project called Purple Mountains, with a full album coming soon.


They just outlawed drug testing as a hiring practice in the state of Nevada.  Except for certain jobs, like EMT, school bus drivers, firefighters, etc.  I don't know about you, but I'd like my supermarket cashier to not be stoned as they check out my groceries.

New music from Bat for Lashes is always welcome. 

Strange week so far, with Big Papi being shot in the Dominican Republic, and the loss of Bushwick Bill from the Geto Boys (yup, I actually do know who they are and have listened to them)
 

Argh so hopefully some extra caulk will help and things will be closer to normal.  It is probably just a stopgap solution, but a good start.

Madonna has new music.


Update: I was able to use our other shower, with just some minor dripping going into the garage.

This week, we lost Dr John (New Orleans music icon), and Roky Erickson (13th Floor Elevators).

Really bad day so far for me.  Our only working shower started leaking into the family room.  Plumber is on the way, so hopefully things can get fixed.  Some new tracks, in the meantime.

Wow, I can't believe it is the end for Tunes in Marlton.  I'd been going there since I was 15 or 16 maybe.  I still remember their old location, before they moved about a block away, where they had a cat that was hanging out in the store.  I still remember my senior year of high school, and some of the first albums I bought there, like Franz Ferdinand's self titled, Modest Mouse's Good News For People Who Love Bad News, and yes, the Killers' Hot Fuss when it first came out.   Also, I have to remember that time I bought Don't Tell A Soul by the Replacements (one of the few Replacements albums I didn't already own), to which the clerk got all hipster-y with me (in a playful way), and told me "that's not the good one!" to which I replied "but I'm a completist!"