I'd like to take a moment to highlight a recent text thread with a friend of mine, in which he came to a rather bizarre conclusion that not only weirded me out but made me a little bit angry.  It seems like some people simply don't listen to anything you have to say.  I'm all for speaking less and listening more.  You become a better friend that way.

 

I found this part of a recently published NYTimes article to be particularly pertinent to these times... 

 

I definitely relate to the whole, I can't go out, I have to celebrate that Sha na na thing.  Also, Yosh Hashmana.  

So there is actually a lot coming out now of people slamming this as antisemitic.  Obviously, Dave Chappelle wanted to be controversial.  I personally feel pretty helpless when looking at how other people view the Jews, because although I admit to laughing at this stuff, I can see how it sort of just doubles back on all the usual stuff that Jews hear.  

I just work hard so that people don't really even look at the whole Jewish thing when they see me, but more-so just see me as someone who works hard. 

Jewish sensitivity is not something to be put down or throw aside.  Antisemitism is not just a problem for Jewish people, it is a problem for society as a whole.  

She spent 30 years in one of my favorite bands, Low.  I've had friends who just can't deal with an esoteric album or piece of art that is not for the masses, but their stuff was some of the most cherished that I own.  My favorite albums from them were probably Drums and Guns,  Things We Lost In the Fire, Double Negative, and Hey What. 

The drummer of Low passed away.  Always loved that band :(

One of those rare moments that I post something before actually watching it...Bono did a special rendition of "With or Without You".

35 albums I liked from this year....

1. Destroyer
2. Wilco
3. Spoon
4. Angel Olsen
5. Nilufer Yanya
6. Cat Power
7. Animal Collective
8. Kurt Vile
9. Florist
10. Big Thief
11. Cass McCombs
12. MJ Lenderman
13. Bartees Strange
14. Muna
15. Black Country New Road
16. Sharon Van Etten
17. Alex G
18. Mitski
19. No Age
20. Dry Cleaning
21. Plains
22. The 1975
23. Bill Callahan
24. Bjork
25. Arctic Monkeys
26. Band Of Horses
27. The Smile
28. Aldous Harding
29. Hurray For the Riff Raff
30. Charlotte Adigery/Bolis Pupul
31. Panda Bear & Sonic Boom
32. Junior Boys
33. Beth Orton
34. Lambchop
35. Dehd