Senses working overtime #526

1 Fun fun fun in Denver

'Our' table.

2 Listening: Pearl Jam live albums

I've listened to a load of their live albums this week for a future Goo Goo G'Joob post. They are remarkably consistent. If you want just one to try I'd recommend New York 2003 

If you just want one song (the double albums are expansive - over 30 songs) - this version of Go from Boston 2000 is incredible.

3 Reading: Human Voices - Penelope Fitzgerald

4 Watched: Sirens on Netflix

A dark comedy - weird and crazy. Had me hooked.

5 Reading: Mojo Magazine March 2025 (#376)

Overtime: 

Musician Nick Cave on cynicism and hopefulness:

"Cynicism is not a neutral position — and although it asks almost nothing of us, it is highly infectious and unbelievably destructive. In my view, it is the most common and easy of evils. I know this because much of my early life was spent holding the world and the people in it in contempt. It was a position both seductive and indulgent...

Unlike cynicism, hopefulness is hard-earned, makes demands upon us, and can often feel like the most indefensible and lonely place on Earth. Hopefulness is not a neutral position either. It is adversarial. It is the warrior emotion that can lay waste to cynicism. Each redemptive or loving act, as small as you like... keeps the devil down in the hole. It says the world and its inhabitants have value and are worth defending. It says the world is worth believing in. In time, we come to find that it is so."

(Courtesy James Clear)

Senses working overtime #524

1 Frosty feeling this week:

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

2 Reading: Iron John (A Book About Men) - Robert Bly

Re-reading this about 35 years after I read it for the first time. I found a copy while shopping with Chris and Asher in Denver. It was in a secondhand tool shop of all places.

In the meantime I lost my own father (2009) and have watched my children (including two sons) grow up and out into the world. 

All along the way I've continued to teach, currently I'm in an all boys' school again, so reading Iron John again is fascinating on whole other levels. More in Wozza's Place and Baggy Trousers in due course.

3 Listening: Ozric Tentacles - Strangeitude

4 Watching: Shutter Island

Watching this as part of my Year 13 class programme. What is sane? What is insane? What is real? What is not real? What is normal? What is abnormal? Who do you trust? Who don't you trust?

5 Reading: Penelope Fitzgerald - Human Voices

Overtime: Jeanette Winterson (author)

I have noticed that doing the sensible thing is only a good idea when the decision is quite small. For the life-changing things, you must risk it.

Senses working overtime #515

1 Essential item of the week:

 

Yes, I had a head cold all week and two days off work. Bleugh.

2 Autumn

Is there any better signal for Autumn's approach than a head cold? 

Here's a post from 2015 celebrating Autumn to get you in the mood.

Me and Bazie, 2015

The post doesn't have the clip of Dylan and Cash doing Girl From The North Country but you can listen to it here as you read the post.

3 Reading: Penelope Fitzgerald - Offshore

4 Listening: Michael Nesmith - The Prison

Pretty much a perfect record. It's beautiful and certainly suited my mood this week.

5 Watching: 1883 and 1923

Especially loved 1883, both are prequels to Yellowstone.

This article on the Dutton family tree is excellent, too.

Overtime: 

Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.

Hermann Hesse

Senses working overtime #497

1 The feeling this week:

2 Reading: The Bookshop - Penelope Fitzgerald

Savouring this book - taking it slowly.

3 Listening: Billy Joel - Piano Man

I'm listening to this album on repeat for my collection countdown on Goo Goo G'Joob. I'd forgotten how good this album is. Travellin' Prayer is an excellent opener.

4 Listening: WTWMC - Loved Ones

Joan's week is in the books. Next up is Joe Simms.

5 Viewing: Gladiator II

Looking forward to this one. Promo is here.

Overtime: Emily Dickinson 

Forever is composed of nows.

Senses working overtime #495

1 Fund raiser for men;s mental health: Movember

Photo by Disney . on Unsplash

First week of the Movember fund raiser for men's mental health is ahead. You can support me and this cause during Movember, via this link.

2 Reading: The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday

3 Reading: The Bookshop - Penelope Fitzgerald

4 Listening: WTWMC - Beasties

We've now completed this playlist - 105 awesome songs. Do try it.

5 Listening: Jan & Dean - Drag City

Try Surfin' Hearse for a laugh.

Overtime: Rubin sits like Buddha in a ten-foot cell - Bob Dylan

While reading The Obstacle is the Way, Ryan cites the 'Hurricane' Carter story superbly (Carter was falsely imprisoned, but retained his dignity and power of choice while in prison for 19 years) and Dylan's perfect phrase came to mind.