Hey there, Friendos. I won’t ask how you’re doing today. I have a feeling I already know. 

Obviously,  it’s been a very bad week for anyone who believes in democracy, the rule of law, healthcare, science, facts, objective truths, human rights and -- above all -- basic human dignity and decency. On the other hand, my fantasy football team got off to a hot start last night, so I guess you take the good with the bad. 

Sorry. I’m not trying to be glib. These are dark days indeed. And I won’t lie to you -- I’ve been wanting to stick my head in the sand all week, avoid headlines, and not think too much about the future. 

But I saw a post from a Ten on the TBTL Slack page yesterday that sort of woke me up a little. I hesitate to share it here -- not because it’s not worth sharing, but because it was written by someone who publishes their own newsletter, and I’m not sure I need more competition in this space. But I think it’s worth it. 

This comes from our friend Ciara in Cincinnati. Ciara is an amazing artist and recently launched her own newsletter called Strange Delight, which you can (and should!) sign up for here.  

Ciara, like a lot of listeners, joined the TBTL Slack channel this week, where folks are checking-in with each other and sharing their feelings. And she posted this message:

TBH, I went back & forth for a while on whether or not I wanted to say anything here. I’ve been listening to TBTL for about nine years and like others, I joined the Slack page yesterday as I searched for comfort & solidarity wherever I could find a morsel.

I hesitated to post here because I am a Black woman and I am f---ing tired. We (Black women) saw a lot of energy around resistance in 2016, and again in 2020. We also dealt with the reality of what happened when the majority of privileged folks inevitably lost that energy and left those on the margins to live with those consequences on a daily basis.

So I’m mostly here to ask that you stand on business, harness this rage/despair/shock, and organize in ways that will *truly* endure the test of time. Show up for those on the margins in tangible ways—in your everyday life, with your power, time, dollars, etc.—not just at the ballot box every 2-4 years.

I think I specifically needed to hear this because -- as someone who isn’t living on the margins, as Ciara says -- the impulse to look away, to bury my head, to essentially give up the fight is strong. We don’t just live in trying times; We also live in exhausting times. And that’s why I appreciate Ciara coming along with a strong smelling salt.

Thanks, Ciara, and thanks to all of you for reaching out to Luke and me and each other this week. We’ll be back at it on Monday. Talk to you then. 

-- Andrew 

Hey Dummies

Hey, it’s Andrew again. I’m sorry I didn’t record a Hey Dummies video for you this week. I’ve been working on some other TBTL-related projects and ran out of time. However, I’m very excited about next week’s video. I received a question from listener Russell about my dart maintenance routine: sharpening darts, replacing dart flights and stems, dartboard care…everything. So, cancel all your plans for next Friday afternoon, because this thing is likely to run 3 hours.

Music For Your Weekend

Andrew: Untrust Us (Crystal Castles cover) by Capital Children's Choir

My pal Houser posted this video to Instagram Wednesday night without comment. I spent at least an hour watching it and re-watching it, then going back to listen to the original Crystal Castles version, then coming back to watch the Children’s Choir sing it again. I don’t understand quite why it felt so fitting for the moment, but it did. And it still does.

Luke: Small Worlds by Mac Miller

Of all the intrusive thoughts this week, I’ve been having an extra weird one: “I wonder what Mac Miller would think about this shit?”

Mac’s breakout hit was a song about having a really fun, consequence-free day. It was 2011, he was looking for a title at the last second, and he called it “Donald Trump”. Like anything that even lightly contacts the amniotic sac that is Trump’s ego, Donald had thoughts. They ranged from being flattered, to claiming credit for the song, to, when Mac rejected him (saying “this song could have also been called Bill Gates”), threatening to sue him. Of course Trump didn’t sue because then, like now, he’s all hat and no cattle.

All the way back then, Mac called Trump “an egomaniacal, attention-thirsty, psychopathic, power-hungry, delusional waste of skin and bones” which I think holds up as one of the truest burns ever deployed.

I’m honestly still not over Mac Miller’s death, and maybe that’s, as we talked about this week, the price of love. I loved this guy’s music so much, and particularly this song. This album was about his sobriety, which turned out to be fragile, but I think a very genuine project for him when he was making this record.

I don’t know what Mac would have thought about this shit, but I bet he would have been a cool person to have around as we all find our ways to roast this "egomaniacal, attention-thirsty, psychopathic, power-hungry, delusional waste of skin and bones”

XO,
Luke

Ten Of The Week

What’s your name and where do you live? 

Karen (aka KJ) Jenkins. Kenmore (of Savage Moose lore.)

When did you start listening to TBTL? How did you find the show?

I happily stumbled upon it on KIRO many moons ago and have loved it ever since.

How would your friends describe you?

I just texted a few friends to ask how they would describe me. Here's what I got: Spunky, creative, athletic, artistic, kind, caring, witty, engaging, compassionate, loyal AND (wait for it) dim-witted. No one is perfect.

What was your favorite cereal when you were a kid?Is it still your fav? 

Grape Nuts! When I was a kid, I topped it with sugar, the bonus being the sweet, slightly gritty milk in the bottom of the cereal bowl.

What food do you love to eat the most of?

This is so hard! I love aged cheese (sorry Andrew) and I love wine, but I NEED chocolate. 64% Belgian, to be exact.

What’s the best or worst nickname you ever had?

Karen Doggan. A horrible spin on my maiden name of Duggan. Kids can be such assholes.

If you could play one song on TBTL, what would it be?

Black Coffee in Bed by Squeeze. This song brings me back to my high school days, feeling free and driving around with friends.

What’s a special skill that you have?

I'm a pastry chef and pastry chef instructor, so I guess that makes me good at baking. Feeding people is my love language.

What’s a skill you *wish* you had?

I wish I had more hutzpah. As a 50+ year old, is it too late to achieve this?

If you were driving down the street and you saw Luke and Andrew on the sidewalk, what would you yell at them as you drove past?

I'd be too shy (see above comment) but I would want to yell "Hey friendos, can I buy you a beer?"

Can other Tens find you on social media? If so, how?

• Full-time teaching at Edmonds College: @edmondsbaking

• Part-time boutique bakery: @kdjsthebakerie

• Personal IG: @breadandbutta

Hey, it’s Andrew here again. Just a reminder that you can find our Ten of the Week form here! If you’ve never been a TOTW before  (or if it’s been a really, really long time) fill out our little questionnaire. And check out our Ten of the Week archive here!

This Week On TBTL

#4329 A King Size Bed In A Queen Size Room\
Monday, November 4
Andrew momentarily forgets that he’s podcasting and spends much too much time talking about doormats. More importantly, he and Luke look back at the extraordinary life and career of Quincy Jones. And Ed Sheeran wins a copyright lawsuit accusing him of borrowing too heavily from Lets Get It On. 

#4330 TSK: Time Spent Kissing
Tuesday, November 5
Luke and Andrew emotionally brace themselves for election night 2024 by sharing their feelings and playing a new word game that Andrew is newly obsessed with. 

#4331 Stan By Me
Wednesday, November 6
Luke and Andrew (once again) sort through their feelings after another disheartening night in America. 

#4332 Sawdust And Swedish Meatballs
Thursday, November 7
Andrew witnessed some astounding social behavior involving seat-saving at a concert last night that he’d like Luke to weigh-in on. Luke is trying to detox from the 24/7 news addiction he developed during the election season. And one very young TBTL listener has a plan to fix the country. 

#4333 Not To Breg
Friday, November 8
Luke is dealing with a cold that seems to be getting worse. Andrew takes advantage of the situation by filibustering on his broken furnace, his plans to attend the Great Junk Hunt, and his fight with the bill collectors who have erroneously targeted him.