Mandaris"Vedanta" by Clevers
A song from the last gig you went to.
My wife knows someone from the band. It was really nice to see someone play something live.
Crucial Track for March 6, 2026
"California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg)" by Katy Perry
A song from the 2010s that you like or means something to you.
This was the first single on the Teenage Dream album. I think it really cemented Katy Perry as a pop icon as it dominated the charts. When it came out, it felt like it was on the radio everywhere! I don't know if it's because I listen to top 40 stations and live in California.
It felt like song that you could just have on in the background and not cause too much fuss.
One of the things that really struck me is that this album is the first to have 5 number one singles after Michael Jackson's Bad. Good Job Katy.
John Wick 4 - ★★★☆☆
This is the fourth installment of a movie franchise that has been going on for more than a decade. There are countless memes and jokes about making sure you don't mess with John's dog. It's fun, but it has also gotten formulaic.
The formula goes a little like this:
- John is in a low point and things are really working out for him
- Things get a little better and he’s making some progress
- Big bad guy is introduced
- State that John is a unstoppable killing machine
- Big bad guy sets up a situation where lots of little bad guys go after John
- John overcomes said obstacle
- Queue something that increase the complexity of the lore around the franchise
- Big bad guy sends even more people to fight John. Maybe even a Little Big Bad guy
- John gets some help from someone
- John overcomes Little Big Bad guy and minors
- Brief reflection on how things aren’t getting better for John and he says he wants out of the game
- John Kills Big bad guy
Through it all, we would wonder how is he going to get past this?
There are variations and a couple jokes along the way. The film tries new things by adding some other characters, but I don’t know if I ever really care at this point. Maybe it was because I saw them all in the span of a couple weeks.
I would say the movie is good and it certainly brings the action, but I wouldn’t mind if this was the last one.
John deserves a rest.
Overview
With the price on his head ever increasing, John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
Crucial Track for March 5, 2026
"She Don't Have to Know" by John Legend
A song you've seen performed live, or would really like to see performed live?
I saw him preform this song and talk about this song on stage. It was a funny exchange and he interacted with playfully with the crowd.
A little down in the dumps
I was walking Lilliewhen I saw this furniture by the garbage.
It’s old but it didn’t look excessively dirty. I started thinking about how long the people who had owned this had kept it. How it had probably moved from one place to another before ultimately ending up here.
How much of my stuff have the same story or will someday in the future?
Crucial Track for March 4, 2026
"West Coast Love" by Emotional Oranges
A song that you discovered in an unusual way.
I got this song from my niece who I don't see usually. She's got pretty good taste in music.
Crucial Track for March 3, 2026
"End of the Road" by Boyz II Men
A song that reminds you of a particular friend.
This is the song that they played at my Junior High graduation. I remember feeling that I was never going to meet my friends again as we were going off to the next step in our lives.
We were done being children, we were going to High School!
I din't know it was a love song until much later. At this point, it marked the end of something else.
Crucial Track for March 2, 2026
"Are You In?" by Incubus
A song that reminds you of one of your favorite places.
My favorite place to be in is a zone of relaxation. Just chilling and having a good time with friends and family.
Crucial Track for March 1, 2026
"Sh-Boom" by The Chords
What song makes you feel like you're in a dream?
Oh man, it's good to hear this song make a little bit of a revival after the Cars movie. My wife used to have a CD of soda shop doo-wop and this was the first track.
Crucial Track for February 28, 2026
"Holiday" by Madonna
A song that reminds you of your last vacation or holiday.
I like to think of the version from The Wedding Singer where Adam Sandler's character is completely miserable while singing it.
Hopefully, I'll be able to make it somewhere nice.
