Gee whiz, it’s (almost) the new year.

I’ve been up to some things since October’s #fallvinylhealing (with downright swell guy, @therapyinvinyl) like, getting hopped up on Starbies and blasting Tool at school pick up on a rainy day, hiking Kauai in checkerboard Vans, almost missing the connection home because I spent way too much time in the Prince store at MSP, receiving some tits trash records from @elgringofeo, and seeing my fave gal be a Nutcracker goddess. My daughter and I were coerced to break into the senate room of the state capital building but were paid dividends in Stella’s cheesy bread so it was okay. I’ve eaten way too many Christmas cookies, almost busted my ass on the ski hill, played hide the pickle, and took a quick ride over to Titletown to pay homage to the football gods. I know playoffs are futile anyhow, so spent a real fun day skating with Lambeau as an always epic backdrop.

And gah, records…all the records and spins and songs.

From island classics, Peanuts, Herb Alpert holiday cheese, and fucking Nirvana, the revered jewel of Midwest shipping soundtracks superstar Gordon Lightfoot, NY punk Atom and this Package (respect for always noticing, @tabek1986!) to getting the Key to Gramercy Park with Deadsy, and beyond. I felt so good about low-key reconnecting with all those things.

I hope that wherever you’re at emotionally or physically, seeing December 2023 rip off the wall calendar propels you into good fortune, forward momentum, and some amazing tunes to soundtrack it all.

Mele Kalikimaka, Happy New Years. Haul ass into 2024. 🖤