Welcome to the Night Sky
by Wintersleep

Another one from my actual collection. I think this thread will only be full albums that I own and love.

"Weighty Ghost" and "Oblivion" were the singles I heard on alternative radio when this one was released. In the ~12 years since, this album is still a wellspring that I return to often, and it's all the amazing unreleased songs that give me the most joy.

I recall submitting "Dead Letter & the Infinite Yes" to at least one running of the Talossan Music Top 20, knowing full-well it wasn't the correct formula for the prize. Why? I thought you might listen to it and think, "Wow, this is dark. What the hell is this guy talking about?" In my opinion, it's probably the most beautiful and honest song about mental illness I've ever heard. Play it at my funeral.

I also hoped you might be curious enough to listen further, and in adding the Spotify link I'm doing it again. Start out with the singles, or play the whole thing all the way through without skipping. Turn the lights down. Lie still. Sip on a drink or vape or whatever. Grab the lyrics from Genius and try to follow along.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6MuADadjxQKY9P3xWdI5wT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icHiB66oeiQ

Earthly Days
by William Prince

While not a country fan by any stretch, I do love a good storyteller with folk stylings. That's William.

My wife  -- who dislikes and actively ridicules country music -- was  first to discover and recommend him to the family. We saw him live at the 2019 Ottawa Bluesfest and were utterly captivated. I bought his album because it's great, and because he deserves more than the fractional pennies that streaming services pay.

A warm baritone voice, earnest lyrics, beautiful songs. I could post an official video, but I think it's more telling to follow this up with one of his live performances. In the studio, he's the kind of artist that can nail it in one take, and it's clear that the studio offers no magic he doesn't already possess.

Stream or Download: https://sixshooterrecords.lnk.to/EarthlyDaysWE

Good speech. Thumbs up from this minion.

If you do get another, please adopt a rescue dog. Lots of people want a puppy. It's the castaways that need a loving home.

My last 8 dogs (we've generally kept a pack of 3-4 at a time) were all adopted in the age range of 9 months to 3 years and gave our family lots of love in the 3.5-13.5 years they lived.

Our 5 year old Labrador died unexpectedly at the end of September and we're still feeling the loss. We got him from a kill shelter on December 19, 2015. Probably the saddest circumstances and the most rehabilitation we've ever endured in rescuing an animal, but I'd change nothing. Sometimes you get ~4 years. Sometimes you get ~14.  Every day with each of them was a gift. Well... is. We currently have two. Both were surrendered by people who didn't realize the responsibility of large breed dog ownership until they had 70 pound, partially-trained young adults rampaging the house.

~ SP

Azul,

The Senate is in session effective today -- December 15th 2019/XL as per Standing Rule 1. However, as there is no Clark published for the month of December there is no vote this month.

Your servant,
~ SP

Luxardo Amaretto Di Saschira

...because it's been a really crappy week in what has been one of the most stressful years of my life.

I drink this out of a shotglass shaped like a human skull...

...which is a good visual reminder of what you're doing to yourself, so you stop after one.

I've never been afflicted with alcoholism, but other members of my family were (and are) less fortunate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmAaWCFlxEE

WALLS
by Kings of Leon

There isn't a standout hit song on this record, but like the previous albums I've shared in this thread, it's one that you can listen to from start to finish and enjoy throughout. It's a throwback to their earlier work, before their post-punk phase that saw songs like "Sex On Fire" dominate the charts. But a hit song doesn't make a great album. Piracy on file sharing networks took root precisely because record companies got very good at pushing artists to churn out hits on albums padded with filler.  This is just great work from beginning to end, which is why (along with the previous albums I've shared in this thread) I bought the whole record (well, CD. I'm old school).

https://open.spotify.com/album/08ibdX8K0GETv20UEku3sm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL2ZwXj1tXM

It's alright. If I'm the only one that's noticed, it's not worth changing.

One-X
by Three Days Grace

With the success of their debut album (which was imbued with telling themes of abuse and rage), vocalist and songwriter Adam Gontier spiralled headlong into self-destructive behaviour, necessitating a trip to rehab. The soul searching during that process materialized on this album. While in the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Gontier wrote "Pain", "Animal I Have Become", "Get Out Alive", "Over and Over", "Gone Forever", and  "Never Too Late", which was co-written by his then-wife, Naomi Brewer.

https://open.spotify.com/album/4ZDwEvXIKxWdwhAQK8ndBU

Azul,

I understand the benefit of reducing the margin space in the design. More concentration; less 'waste'.

But, I'm finding it more difficult to read posts now, and it's much harder to write them.

In the editor, sentences can stretch to nearly the full length of my 24" monitor.

Maybe it's just me. I'd be happy to hear from other folks on this matter.

~ SP

As I've watched the signups start to increase on this new property, it occurred to me how I know far more transgender persons in this society than I do in my outside life, and events today made me wonder why that is.

Is there something more friendly about this environment? Or safe?

Does Talossa better respect our right to personal definition or self-determination? Or is it just a place offering a certain level of anonymity where there's a decreased risk in defining yourself in a way of your own choosing, with little fear of retaliation. So, some people take that chance.

I'd like to think that we do respect privacy and individual liberties, but I don't think it in this moment. I think our long and twisted history has really altered some of us to see the negative everywhere. Assume good faith? Whatever.

I really wanted to think of this place ("NewWitt" -- not a fan of the name) as a fresh start, but the same paranoia and drama is already creeping in.

...

With every login, there's silent math at work. Is this place giving back as much as I give it? Even if I'm just logging in to read -- is it worth it?

I keep logging in. I keep running for office. I keep paying for domains and server space to host services that might be useful to the Kingdom. Not that money is the issue in my life. I'm doing okay.

The important number in the math is time. Does the time I spend here add to my life or subtract from it?

Anyway, this isn't to dissuade anyone from becoming or remaining a citizen, nor being the person that they really define themselves as, here in this space. But I do understand why some people leave in a big, dramatic exit, while others just slip away quietly forever.

I like all these ideas, but particularly #2. Media coverage might spur new immigration, which we could certainly use.