A weekly selection of what I was reading, drawing, writing, and doing.

I traveled back to the states last week and finally felt like I was part of two countries.

The KEXP DJs top albums of 2021 lists are out and now I will go down a rabbit hole for weeks on music that I missed despite listening to 100,000 minutes of Spotify and KEXP all year (not exaggerating). I like this list more than the listeners top 90.3 albums as each DJ list is unique and varied. I’ll start with Gabriel Teodros, DJ Morgan, Miss Ashley, and Don Slack (where is Kid Hops?!) and go from there.

I have no idea why but I read two things about Guy Fieri this week, first about how Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives became a TV mainstay and second about the real-life diet of the show host. I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of the show necessarily but I appreciate the focus on what’s local and unique and weird about the small communities we all belong too.

Do you like hearing stories about art? Check out this short video examination of The Bearded Lady by Jusepe de Ribera.

Do you like listening to an eclectic cover tunes? Check out this rendition of Philip Glass’s Etude 1 & 2 on barrel organ. The original is pretty great as well.

Some paradoxes of modern life to consider. One I was thinking about in relation to best-of lists (music, books, movies, etc) from massive groups of people:

The Abilene Paradox: Tell 10 people to get ice cream. If they have to agree on a flavor, they’ll pick chocolate or vanilla every time. Groups of people don’t agree on what’s cool or unique. Since people agree on what’s easy, “consensus” is just another way of saying
average.

Finally, I love Birds Aren’t Real. We need to fight misinformation and this is a great example.

“It basically became an experiment in misinformation,” Mr. McIndoe said. “We were able to construct an entirely fictional world that was reported on as fact by local media and questioned by members of the public.”

Mr. Gaydos added, “If anyone believes birds aren’t real, we’re the last of their concerns, because then there’s probably no conspiracy they don’t believe.”

Last but not least, check out what I’m up to now.