Gheorghemas: Day Six

On the sixth day of Gheorghemas, Big Gheorghe gave to me

Six random time wasting recommendations

Five (Green and) Golden Things

Four songs by “the Chairman of the Board” on his birthday

Three Beauties

Two Types of Stories

A Bald Guy with two Pupp-ies

I have social media accounts but I stay off most of it. I rarely post, more of a longer time lurker. But there is some good stuff out there if you are so inclined. After Arstechnica, Substack seems to be my go to for random goodness. So here are some potential worthy substackers, in my eyes, to waste some time on and other random sites. I’m a cheap bastard so I only do the free subscriptions. 

I really cannot remember how I stumbled on the first two sites but I have yet to unsubscribe from their weekly emails/posts.

1 - The Art of Noticing - Rob Walker

I like this site just to remind myself to take the time to look around. There is randomness everywhere, in my eyes, that is someone’s normal. Case in point dumpsters and opening your ears. And just saw two blue jays hanging out in my backyard in winter. No idea what that means if anything.

2 - Letters of Note - Austin Kleon

He typically reprints lost letters of famous people, art collages, mix tapes but the weekly digest “10 Things worth sharing this week” usually includes recommendations for books and music I would not normally listen to. Great for expanding the mind. And every once in a while he completes the yin/yang with a little yang with “20 Books I did not read this year”.

3 - Starship Causal

Not a fan of the name of this substack but if you are a Wilco or Jeff Tweedy fan this one is for you. His posts are sporadic but hearing acoustic covers and outtakes make my day, whenever they show up.

Most of the covers are either subscriber requests like Devo’s Freedom of Choice or song covers of the recently departed like War Pigs after Ozzy’s passing. (Might be pay-walled, sorry)

4 - Numero Group

Archival record label out of Chicago, London and Los Angeles with genres spanning 'eccentric soul', 'holiday vibes', 'for the punks', 'gospel', 'necessary new age & ambient', 'country & folk', 'for the dads, 'rock 45s', 'mid-century modern', and 'party starters'. Basically electric mishmash of music. Something for everyone.

They curate three types of releases: essential compilations, grail releases and deep dives. The album that clued me in to them was a deep dive. Husker Du, 1985: The MIracle Year. A thought lost live recording from the vault. The fury of a live band in their full glory that I never got to hear live.

More importantly, if you need to jack-up/fuck with your spotify algorithm check out their playlists. There is someone for everyone. You can also sign up for their email blast that includes links to recent playlists if you are too lazy to visit the website.

And for you yacht loving dudes: Seafaring Strangers: Numero Group Guide to Yacht Rock

5 - ArsTechnica

You do not have to be a hardcore nerd to enjoy this site. It’s got a little bit of everything and the writing is usually good, unlike this post. The stories simplify some of the more sciency topics but really the comments section has actual normal discourse with different view points. There are jackass posters but those voices get drown out pretty quick. 

You can get articles on the science of swearing, stock SUV testing in the desert, important space moments, and ads in all the streaming services. The last one makes me want to install a Pi-Hole on the home network.

6 - I was going to throw in a podcast or two but two of the three podcasts I typically listen to got cancelled this year. RIP WTF and Indiecast. Let’s hope Professor G. Truck stays strong and continues on.

So number six of my random recommendations is user generated, get to in the comments section and recommend some podcasts I should check out.

Merry Gheorghemas!