Steve Mays @smays@mastodon.technology

After watching the first two episodes (4 hours) of Ken Burns' new documentary, I'm a little surprised at how much country music history there was before 1948.

Many of the photos were reminiscent of the groups that performed at KBOA -- the station where my father and, later, I worked. These would have been from the late 40s and early 50s.

https://kboa830.com/performers/

As a footnote… I’ve always understood the finger to mean “stick it up your ass!” but have never been clear on whose finger.

As soon as I started driving my old Land Rover I started getting the “thumbs up” gesture from other drivers. Almost always with a smile. This gesture is clearly meant to convey something positive. They like/admire the Rover.

I love getting the thumbs up and started wondering why there are not more universally recognized gestures between motorists. The only other one I can think of is The Finger. The other end of the approval spectrum, if you will.

Burning Man Art Tour 2019

https://youtu.be/7aARVwTDhd4

The Google app (iOS) purports to "customize" search, offering the option: "Not interesting in _____"

This is obviously bullshit because I've clicked this option hundreds of times with absolutely no results.

Question: why offer this 'option' if it really don't work?

"We put together a world in our mind. We carry all kinds of ideas, beliefs, notions, and prejudices -- and, for most of us, that is our reality. It's where we live. We regularly confuse what we believe with what we actually know."

-- Meditation Now or Never (Steve Hagen)

The trainer was in his 20s, the trainee 60+

As I watched the woman concentrate to figure out the register I couldn't help thinking, "This woman is not doing this because she's bored. She needs this job."

We're told the jobs that built the American Middle Class in the previous century are gone or going away. Can there be enough fast food jobs (or their equivalent) for all of the young people with only a high school education and the growing army of seniors who didn't save enough for retirement?

For better or worse, your choice of tattoo tells the world something about your decision making ability.

A question for those with a tattoo(s):

Can you think of anything in your life more permanent than the tattoo(s)?

[Yes, I know there are procedures for removing them]

“Barney Fife and Andy Taylor; Hank Kingsley and Larry Sanders: A Comparative Analysis”

https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/circumstances-in-which-i-will-not-pet-your-dog

I'm always a bit skeptical (suspicious?) when I see someone wearing a crucifix outside their shirt where the world will be sure to see it. Same for the little fish symbol on the back of the Prius.

Wouldn't the greater (more rewarding) challenge be to live your values, quietly.

"According to the AARP, 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every single day, and this is expected to continue into the 2030s. This means that nearly seven baby boomers are turning 65 every minute."

I can't find a source for this stat but if accurate, that's a lot of old folks. If you decide to put us in camps you're going to need a lot of them.

You've explained this to me before but for the life of me I can't remember...

People who have phone conversations on their phones using the speaker. Holding the phone a few inches from their mouth (rather than to their ear).

What's going on here?

“Unethical?! Jesus, Larry, don’t start pulling at that thread. Our whole world will unravel!”

— Artie (Larry Sanders Show)

"If they ever ask you to put on a pair of green tights, no matter how much they offer you, walk away. Just walk away."

-- Hank Kingsley

How many cigarettes did Matthew McConaughey smoke in True Detective? 40

As near as I can determine, McConaughey doesn't smoke. All the more remarkable. All good actors can fake laugh and pretend to smoke.

https://youtu.be/KE3AKUh5Qfw

When was the last time you saw a photo of a woman sitting on a car?

Not having stuff you don’t need
Not eating food that’s not good for you
Not being on social media (yes, I know)
Not having a tattoo
Not believing in mythical beings in the sky
Not having an opinion on things that don’t matter