I’m playing a very dangerous newsletter game today, friendos. A dangerous game, indeed. 

Hello, by the way. This is Andrew, from TBTL. I hope you are doing well!

I’m writing to you from Mike’s Chili Parlor, one of Seattle’s oldest institutions. It’s a classic neighborhood dive bar housed in a tiny building tucked between a couple of shiny, modern monstrosities in a scrappy corner of Ballard. It’s like a physical manifestation of the refusal to change with the times. Obviously, it speaks to me.

It’s probably unwise, though, to try to get much work done in a place like this, where the food is heavy, the beer is cold, and a fresh bottle of Coors Light hits your table before you’ve quite finished your last. I’m already one chili dog, half a basket of fries, and two beers into this situation, folks. In other words, the clock on my productivity is ticking down quickly. 

So let me just use this space today to invite you to take part in the newsletter process with me! We are always looking for more folks to sign-up to be our Ten of the Week, which you can do here. And if you have a song you’d like to share with us and the Tens of Listeners, please send me your suggestions.  Just email me a link to the song and a quick blurb about why you’re recommending it. 

Okay, Mike the chili cook just started a bar-wide singalong to a song that I believe to be by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, although I can’t swear by its origins. Either way, I think that might be my cue to wrap things up for the week. 

I hope you all have a great weekend. Luke and I will talk to you on Monday! 

-- Andrew 

Andrew: Head Underwater - Jenny Lewis

Way back in 2006, when I was a young man living in New Hampshire, I fell in love with Jenny Lewis’ then-new album, Rabbit Fur Coat. Genevieve and I would listen on repeat while throwing darts in our old barn behind our house. Some 15 years later, during the darkest days of the pandemic, we became even more obsessed with her 2019 record, On the Line. We listened on repeat again, this time while playing Gin Rummy on our makeshift roof deck, waiting for the world to begin again.

But somehow, unbeknownst to me, we totally skipped the album that Jenny Lewis released in between those two favs.

I stumbled on a copy of The Voyager at a record sale a few weeks ago, and once again, Vieves and I have been listening on repeat, this time while throwing darts in the basement of our own home and generally enjoying our middle age. Something feels full circle about all this, especially since Jenny Lewis’ songs tend to make you think about age and aging and living and dying and all the stuff in between. 

By my math, we’re on schedule for another Jenny Lewis album to drop sometime in the next couple of years. I don’t know exactly where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing while I listen, but rest assured, I will be listening.

What’s your name and where do you live? 

Kelley Jones. Belltown, Seattle.

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

My mom kept telling me I'd like it during the KIRO radio days, and I finally got sucked in around the Prom episodes. (Also my mom is Mary, the prolifically-published Rant and Raver!)

How would your friends describe you?

A goofy stoner with Big Aunt Energy.

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

I loved Oh's so much. They're still good but I'm always looking for new ridiculous sugary cereals to try.

What food do you love to eat the most of?

I have always wondered, if I had an unlimited supply and no shame, how much of two things I could eat in one sitting: salt water taffy and Rice Krispy treats.

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

I gave myself a nickname as a very little kid, and I just kept adding to it for awhile: Treetop Pokaroo Red Dead Peter Pan Bubble Cow Jones

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

Anitra's Basement Tapes by The Coup has brought me a lot of dancy joy lately

What’s a special skill that you have?

I'm really good at carving pumpkins.

What’s a skill you *wish* you had?

Decorating cakes. But I haven't figured out how to learn without markedly increasing my cake intake

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?

A hoy hoy boys! What you do is so special!

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

I’m on Bluesky @kelleyjones.bsky.social I mostly post photos from walks around town

And look for Umpire Pants if you need a multi generational goofy podcast. It's not sports related.

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!

#4355 Somebody (Barry) Somewhere (Manhattan, Kansas)
Monday, December 9
TBTL Friendo Broadcast Barry travelled 9 hours to Manhattan, Kansas this weekend to hang out with the cast of Somebody, Somewhere. He joins Luke and Andrew to tell the tale. Plus, Luke’s eye saga continues and continues…but is there maybe an end in sight?

#4355 We’re Going To Need A Bigger Eye Clamp
Tuesday, December 10
Luke finally had his eye surgery today, but he wasn’t allowed to record the procedure. But don’t worry, he shares all the details, including the ones Andrew doesn’t want to hear. They also discuss the arrest of the man suspected of killing a health insurance exec in broad daylight. 

#4356 Routing Interest 
Wednesday, December 11
Andrew is excited by a “Spotify Wrapped” for local bus routes. Luke’s eye is beginning to heal, but looks nastier than ever. And they carefully break down all the bumper stickers on the back of an SUV that Andrew snapped a photo of this weekend. 

#4357 Rutabaga #5
Thursday, December 12
Luke and Andrew celebrate the life (and lies?) of The Amazing Kreskin, whom Andrew is just learning about. They also wonder why nobody is booking Stefan Fatsis to talk about the Justin Tucker’s kicking issues. And they discuss the man who recently won the world Spanish Scrabble tournament, even though he doesn’t speak Spanish. 

#4358 Tis The Treason 
Friday, December 13
TBTL Friendo Cassie swings by to tell us about the time her family stole a Christmas tree…and what happened when the cops showed up.