This week, as weeks go, at least personally, in this age of pandemic, protest, fascist photo ops heat wave, and bears, hasn’t been the worst of the lot. I’ve gotten some actual work done (without working too hard about it), read some books (including the wonderful The Last Emperox by John Scalzi, in the welcome form of an actual physical paper hardback library book!), and put more trail miles on the bike than I have in months; sure, it’s only about 15 miles this week so far (while I’ve been hiking regularly, the bike is something different, and my lack of conditioning and extra 25 pounds I put on over the winter and quarantine need to be overcome), but it’s a foundation for more. Mental health has been pretty okay, in spite of the current General State of Things™.

And yeah, the world’s going to shit, and I’m dealing with that, helping where I can while maintaining my own sanity as best I can. One thing that’s brought me some joy these last few weeks is this ongoing feature at Jalopnik, for which on of their writers has documented the process of buying the world’s cheapest new car off the internet and having it shipped from China to North Carolina, and doing a bunch of pieces about what the car and the process are like. The joy and fun these folks are having is infectious, and the car is just so damned cute.

Nothing huge on the agenda for the weekend, but you knew that already. We’re still in pandemic conditions (though idiots out there won’t wear their masks!), and even though most of Virginia is hitting “phase 2” today, I’m still leery of big groups, honestly.

Oh yeah – today (Friday) is another one of Bandcamp’s “waive the service fees to artists” days, so it’s a great time to buy some indie music and see that the artist gets a little extra. There are a lot of great options over there on the right in the “playlist” box, or, y’know, you could look at my record:

As it’s been through this whole pandemic business, the record is “free or name your price,”, and I’ll be donating half of Friday’s proceeds to the National Bail Fund over at ActBlue, in case you needed any additional motivation.

Finally, tunes. Very XX this week, and pretty modern indie (even the classic stuff up front and mixed doesn’t sound out of place), and all told, not a bad listen:

1. “Hero Takes a Fall” – Bangles
2. “Coming Up Close” – ‘Til Tuesday
3. “I Get Cut Lala Lala
4. “Masterpiece” – Big Thief
5. “Give It Up” – Angel Olsen
6. “Living Room” – Tegan and Sara
7. “What Do All The People Know?” – The Monroes
8. “Iceblink Luck” – Cocteau Twins
9. “You’re The Reflection of the Moon on the Water” – Grant Hart
10. “He War” – Cat Power
11. “When you Were Mine” – Cyndi Lauper
12. “Moon Over Marin” – Dead Kennedys
13. “88 Lines about 44 Women” – The Nails