The Musics, October 2022
Below is what I’ve been tracking, listening to, and reading the last month. I have an email capture at the bottom if you want me to email when I post–usually once a month.
Legal blog:
In addition to this art blog, I day-job as a personal injury trial lawyer at Casey Gerry with a focus on brain injury cases. My recent CG blogs are:
Shows:
- 10/6/22, Wu-Tang at Petco Park (Gallagher Square).
- 10/20/22, Rock Out Karaoke at House of Blues San Diego, upstairs restaurant. 7pm – 10pm, no cover.
- 11/3/22, Guster at Belly Up.
- 11/17/22, Payare leads the San Diego Symphony with Brahms Symphony No. 1, at the Rady’s Shell.
- 12/11/22, Harry Connick Jr., doing a holiday show at the San Diego Civic Center. I’ve been waiting to see him play his holiday music since 1994 when I first listened to the blazing big band drumming on his When My Heart Finds Christmas .
- 4/21/23, Payare leads the San Diego Symphony with Debussy’s Prélude à “L’après-midi d’un faune”, and Fantaisie, at the Rady’s Shell.
- 5/20/23, Payare leads the San Diego Symphony with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, in B-flat Major, Op. 83, at the Rady’s Shell.
New music:
Geoffrey Keezer’s Playdate.
Brian Charette’s Jackpot (Bill Stewart on drums).
Japanese Breakfast’s Psychopomp (see below re Crying in H Mart.
…and I just started checking out Tedeschi Trucks Band I am the Moon: IV. Farewell.
Books:
Michelle Zuaner’s Crying in H Mart. This was a gut-wrenching and powerful story of the love of Zauner’s mother and the grief and sadness of her passing. I’m also glad I listened to David Sedaris’ Happy-Go-Lucky this month, as Sedaris’ told many stories about the life…um love (?)…and passing of his father. But with Sedaris’ wit and rawness.
Jennette McCurdy’s I’m Glad my Mom Died. Sheesh, I guess this was the month for deceased parents. This was also story of power, but told by way of overcoming the abuse a parent/adult can have on a child. McCurdy’s re-telling was real frustrating and sad, as memoirs her youth as a child actress. And the abuse and power can be held and misused of persons in power to their subordinates. [***SPOILER***]: I hoped the entire story she would end the book the way she did.
Basketball (and Other Things): A Collection of Questions Asked, Answered, Illustrated, by Shea Serrano. First, a huge thank you to my buddy Bryan for turning me onto Serrano with Serrano’s essays about the show Scrubs. Serrano is so playful and accurate when he writes (so many facts!). When I read/listen to his stuff, it feels like I’m hanging out with a really good college friend I have not seen in years. And laughed and told stories for hours. I’m not that into basketball, but this book was so fun.
I also love how Serrano breaks off into tangents, sometimes chapters at a time, to then dovetail the tangent with beauty and clarity into the point he makes. Delicious.
And for business/brainy books:
Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual, by Jocko Willink. Willink co-wrote Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win. First, I recommend listening to this book instead of reading. Willink’s passion is so key when intaking his concepts. As with his other books, I loved this one and connected with is concept of being able to detach and step back to assess a situation.
I’m also a fan of Adam Grant, and his Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success is great info for persons who want to get ahead in the business world…but feel good doing it in the right way by helping others, instead of stepping over or on others. This book also made me feel like I was hanging with my buddy Skipper, since he said he read this book too.
Similar inspiring listens were:
Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave, Ryan Holiday. It’s a good collections of tales of courage.
Do Hard Things Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness, by Steve Magness.
Work Tribes: The Surprising Secret to Breakthrough Performance, Astonishing Results, and Keeping Teams Together, Shawn Murphy. Good thoughts on building and fostering communities in work.
Currently listening to: Every Good Boy Does Fine, Jeremy Denk.
This month’s pic:
The sun starting to set at the Rady’s Shell…the San Diego Symphony about to take stage 10/2/22.
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- The Musics, July 2023 - June 29, 2023
- The Musics, June 2023 - June 1, 2023
- The Musics, May 2023 - April 25, 2023
