Thank you for this– and Endless by Ms. Nala–a palimpsest of musical memories, layers of my life. Gorgeous, and probably the last piece of music I will hear before what feels like but hopefully won’t be, doomsday. A nice moment here and now that I might soon think back on as a simpler time…
So pleased that is resonated with you. Her music envelopes you in sounds near and far, familiar yet unfamiliar, and so very comforting. I hope your owls will find comfort in her music, too. Me thinks, yes!
Powerful writing Mark. You cover a lot of points and don't skimp any of them. I was aware how close you were to David Lynch and though none of us are going to last forever, it hurts to see our friends go (including your not-so-famous ones this past year). Here's to the world waking up. No, scratch that, the world is not the problem. Here's to humans waking up. And if you're not aware of Bill McKibben's excellent Substack The Crucial Years, it's here https://billmckibben.substack.com/ and he lives upstate. Peace.
I find it ironic in the extreme that Canada and Mexico (along with a few other countries) have sent firefighters and other assistance in order to battle the fires, yet our own incoming wannabe dictator has stated that he may refuse ANY federal aid to California (including FEMA aid), preferring to blame Newsom and California itself for the fires (which means, to him, that they don't deserve any assistance; as well as the fact that they are a "blue" State - despite the fact that there are also millions of Republicans in the State).
He hasn't even taken office yet and he's already politicizing death and destruction of AMERICANS on a massive scale, and viewing "blue" States as among his "enemies."
I meant it to mean that the decent, compassionate, enlightened Americans take back our country from these Fascist Republicans. And that reset could be something profound that happens. That really shakes people to the core.
Agree about the irony of Canada and Mexico aiding the LA Fire disaster. Sad that politics have become "blame game" boxing matches, too. And feckless leaders who point fingers; leadership without compassion. How that will ever benefit us is baffling. Perhaps it is the end of our empire? Or a hard "reset" will take place in the very near future!
A lot will depend on how much he and his cronies can actually get away with, and how much damage they do to the internal workings of our democracy. It will also depend, of course, on whether a Democrat gets elected in 2028. (I put the chances at 50/50, even if the Dems take both the House and Senate in 2026.) And if we think Drumpf is bad, we at least know that he is motivated by narcissism and greed. Vance (should he run and win in 2028) is motivated by a much scarier set of "principles." And if Drumpf does not live out his term, Vance will even be more of a shoo-in in 2028.
"Hard reset?" There are several definitions of fascism. Mussolini said, "Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." This is the type of fascism we are closest to (if not already there) in the U.S. But elements of German-style fascism are also becoming slowly evident.
But even so, neither Drumpf not Vance is Mussolini or Hitler (keep in mind that Drumpf did not even get 50% of the popular vote) and the U.S. in 2025 is not Germany in 1933. So, if anything, it is unlikely to be a "hard reset" and more of a slow dribble into actual fascism. Either way, I fear for this country, the world, and myself.
Great to read you, Petracca. It has been a while, and I must admit that I enjoyed the jump in time. You have not lost that cursive edge in tone and texture. You are, and will always be, a hip voice discernable from your peers. The content of this more mature "rant" is a beacon highlighting the stuff that matters now, that mattered thirty years ago, and that should always matter to our species. I have more to share, however the spotlight is on you, old friend!!!
Well said Dusty, alot to digest and what a crazy time we finds our selves in. I’ll be looking for the rainbows where I can. Appreciate your music recommendations.
Excellent read. Thoroughly enjoyed it…glad mom and her partner are hanging in there✌🏼
Thanks, Blixa.
I am hoping that January 25th is the start of enlightenment too.
Thank you for this– and Endless by Ms. Nala–a palimpsest of musical memories, layers of my life. Gorgeous, and probably the last piece of music I will hear before what feels like but hopefully won’t be, doomsday. A nice moment here and now that I might soon think back on as a simpler time…
So pleased that is resonated with you. Her music envelopes you in sounds near and far, familiar yet unfamiliar, and so very comforting. I hope your owls will find comfort in her music, too. Me thinks, yes!
Excellent farewell to one of the worst years in modern memory!
Powerful writing Mark. You cover a lot of points and don't skimp any of them. I was aware how close you were to David Lynch and though none of us are going to last forever, it hurts to see our friends go (including your not-so-famous ones this past year). Here's to the world waking up. No, scratch that, the world is not the problem. Here's to humans waking up. And if you're not aware of Bill McKibben's excellent Substack The Crucial Years, it's here https://billmckibben.substack.com/ and he lives upstate. Peace.
I find it ironic in the extreme that Canada and Mexico (along with a few other countries) have sent firefighters and other assistance in order to battle the fires, yet our own incoming wannabe dictator has stated that he may refuse ANY federal aid to California (including FEMA aid), preferring to blame Newsom and California itself for the fires (which means, to him, that they don't deserve any assistance; as well as the fact that they are a "blue" State - despite the fact that there are also millions of Republicans in the State).
He hasn't even taken office yet and he's already politicizing death and destruction of AMERICANS on a massive scale, and viewing "blue" States as among his "enemies."
It's going to be a LONG four years.
I meant it to mean that the decent, compassionate, enlightened Americans take back our country from these Fascist Republicans. And that reset could be something profound that happens. That really shakes people to the core.
From your mouth to God's ears!
Agree about the irony of Canada and Mexico aiding the LA Fire disaster. Sad that politics have become "blame game" boxing matches, too. And feckless leaders who point fingers; leadership without compassion. How that will ever benefit us is baffling. Perhaps it is the end of our empire? Or a hard "reset" will take place in the very near future!
A lot will depend on how much he and his cronies can actually get away with, and how much damage they do to the internal workings of our democracy. It will also depend, of course, on whether a Democrat gets elected in 2028. (I put the chances at 50/50, even if the Dems take both the House and Senate in 2026.) And if we think Drumpf is bad, we at least know that he is motivated by narcissism and greed. Vance (should he run and win in 2028) is motivated by a much scarier set of "principles." And if Drumpf does not live out his term, Vance will even be more of a shoo-in in 2028.
"Hard reset?" There are several definitions of fascism. Mussolini said, "Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." This is the type of fascism we are closest to (if not already there) in the U.S. But elements of German-style fascism are also becoming slowly evident.
But even so, neither Drumpf not Vance is Mussolini or Hitler (keep in mind that Drumpf did not even get 50% of the popular vote) and the U.S. in 2025 is not Germany in 1933. So, if anything, it is unlikely to be a "hard reset" and more of a slow dribble into actual fascism. Either way, I fear for this country, the world, and myself.
Great to read you, Petracca. It has been a while, and I must admit that I enjoyed the jump in time. You have not lost that cursive edge in tone and texture. You are, and will always be, a hip voice discernable from your peers. The content of this more mature "rant" is a beacon highlighting the stuff that matters now, that mattered thirty years ago, and that should always matter to our species. I have more to share, however the spotlight is on you, old friend!!!
I thank you, my friend, and look forward to reading your writings!
Well said Dusty, alot to digest and what a crazy time we finds our selves in. I’ll be looking for the rainbows where I can. Appreciate your music recommendations.