BruceH

At one time I had the first four British albums as vinyl imports. Then, during one of my periodic draconian sweeps of my collection, sold them. I came to regret that. Oh well.

Thank-you Berigan! I had no idea that there were records changers back in 1931; such a pleasure to watch it in operation. So clever!

I finally read some Elmore Leonard: The novel "Pagan Babies" and short story collection "Fire In the Hole." I liked them both.

There are a few really good episodes, especially the "Sophie B. Hawkins Dance" and the rest are entertaining enough. I like the cast so much and admire how well they held everything together despite the insane behind the scenes drama. Looking forward to season 5, but I wonder if it can live up to the insanely high expectations.

Unseasonably warm and sunny here, but we do have to worry about catastrophic earthquakes.

First six or so episodes of the much-maligned fourth season of Community. Not as bad as I was expecting.

Just finished "The Legend of Korra" season 2. My kids told me it was a good show, but not as good as "Avatar: The Last Airbender" so I wasn't expecting a lot, but I actually found the new series really interesting. Can't wait for season 3.

RIP

Yes; I call them season 5A and season 5B, but maybe that's just me.

You mean season 5A? BTW, what did you think of the 4th season finale?

A very Happy Birthday to you!!

I managed to get through Dune somehow, in High School, but didn't much care for it. Haven't been tempted to read any others ever since. I've just finished re-reading The Hydrogen Sonata. The better Culture novels are very fun indeed. The rest are a mixed bag. But I'd have to count Banks as one of my favorite sf writers of the last 30 years or so. I'd be interested in reading some of the Culture novels. Which ones would you suggest and what order should they be read in ? I would suggest "The Player of Games" and "Look To Windward" in that order. But I very much suggest first reading an essay by Banks titled "A Few Notes on the Culture" before any of the novels. It will give you the lay of the land. It's in the story collection "The State of the Art." Then you might read the title story in that collection, "The State of the Art," a novella about a Culture Contact ship visiting Earth in 1977. I read the story first and THEN the essay and wished I'd done it the other way 'round. I remember finding some terms a little obscure (such as 'Orbital' as a name for a type of habitat) but then the essay made them clear. If you read the essay and don't like it, then you need go no further. Then if you don't like the novella, you need go no further. I went on to read everything, but I really wish I'd read "A Few Note on the Culture" FIRST, although reading it second certainly didn't kill things for me.

I managed to get through Dune somehow, in High School, but didn't much care for it. Haven't been tempted to read any others ever since. I've just finished re-reading The Hydrogen Sonata. The better Culture novels are very fun indeed. The rest are a mixed bag. But I'd have to count Banks as one of my favorite sf writers of the last 30 years or so.

I love Harry Nilsson. Such a talent.

RIP

After what he went through, to not fall prey to bitterness and revenge; well, it's remarkable to say the least. RIP

Very, very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences and sympathies go out to you.

In California, Amazon started charging sales tax one or two years ago. And that sucks because our sales tax in high.

Bill Bryson, "One Summer: America, 1927" Just finished it, actually. Fun, undemanding reading.

Only $3.99?? What a bargain! I've had this for years and like it a lot.

Similar story with me, though I was already an Art Pepper fan from way back.

Best wishes for a full and quick recovery.

Maker's "46"

Walking might help. I know it tends to calm my jabbering mind.

The Fluffernutter for Massachusetts?? NO.