Last Friday was like a snow day, only the snow never came, but I skipped school anyway. 

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! I’m sorry I didn’t write to you last week. 

As you may have heard on the podcast, I was scheduled to have some minor surgery on my wrists last Wednesday, which was going to make it impossible for me to complete my newsletter-writing duties. However, after a change of course, the surgery was canceled. Many people -- yourself included -- probably see that as good news, which it mostly is. But it also negated my built-in excuse to knock off work early on Friday and spend the afternoon drinking Fresca and binge-watching old episodes of the X-Files.

So, I had a choice: Bite the bullet and go back to writing the newsletter with my non-surgerized hands, or just stick with the plan of starting my weekend early. 

Needless to say, I chose the latter. 

But today we are back, and it’s an exciting day in TBTL Land (which is a real place, but -- according to the humorless bureaucrats in D.C.  -- not a legally protected sovereign nation exempt from the laws and tax codes of the U.S. Government. Agree to disagree, I guess.)

We teamed up with our friends Lindy and Meagan at the Text Me Back podcast for another fun crossover episode today! If you haven’t listened yet, check it out! It’s a fast-paced, jam-packed laugh riot, and Luke and I don’t even mind that our co-hosts forgot our names. It’s cool. We’re famously thick-skinned. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for putting up with my seemingly bottomless-supply of laziness. I promise to have another newsletter out to you next Friday, and Luke and I will talk to you on the pod on Monday!

-- Alex (or maybe Arnold?)

Hey Dummies

Music For Your Weekend

Luke’s Pick: Joker Lips by MJ Lenderman

February 4th, 1999 in Asheville North Carolina probably *seemed* like just another Thursday, but what very few people could have realized was that the souls of Jeff Tweedy and Stephen Malkmus had Quantum Leapt into a small, hours-old, baby boy named Mark Jacob Lenderman. This latest song from him “Joker Lips” feels like that first really crisp fall day when the air smells a little different but you’re still getting the last leavins' of summer sun.

Andrew’s Pick: Confessions by the Violent Femmes

Last week, Luke and I were talking about the Violent Femmes, and I tried to recall the first song I heard by them that absolutely blew me away and made me realize they were so much more than their radio hits. My friend (Dave, I think?) put this epic song on a mixtape for me when I was in high school. It’s long, it’s weird, it’s dark as all hell, and it almost completely dies halfway through before screaming back to life and then shattering apart again. Admittedly, it’s probably not for everyone.

Ten Of The Week

What’s your name and where do you live? 
Jeff Lilley. Kingston, NY. 

When did you start listening to TBTL? How did you find the show?
Geez, could it really be 15 years ago??? It was the Jen and Sean days, and it was my ex-partner who introduced me to it. I think she found it because of “Wait, Wait…”, but quickly became annoyed with Luke and is now an ex-ten. I quickly became annoyed with Luke too, but 15 years and several smashed phones later here I remain.

How would your friends describe you?
I’ve often been described as a nurturer and I’m always so touched because I think of myself as kind of a mean girl.

What was your favorite cereal when you were a kid?Is it still your fav? 
It’s a tough call between Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but CTC probably takes the cake. Honestly I haven’t had any probably in decades. Ice cream takes up all of my junk food quota these days.

What food do you love to eat the most of?
See previous answer. I’m especially partial to any weather event-named treat that combines ice cream and candy.

What’s the best or worst nickname you ever had?
Jerf. It’s a current nickname, and at this point I think many of my friends just think it’s my real name.

If you could play one song on TBTL, what would it be?
“One Red Thread” by Blind Pilot

What’s a special skill that you have?
I can build things in all the ways. I built the house I’m currently living in!

What’s a skill you *wish* you had?
Starting conversations. Some people have a way with words, and others….not have way.

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?
“Don’t miss the sausage fest!”

Can other Tens find you on social media?
I don’t post much, but my lone social media account is my Instaface: @jefflillz

Hey, it’s Andrew here again. Just a reminder that you can find ourTen 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 ourTen of the Week archive here!

This Week On TBTL

#4259 Ding Dang Dongle! 
Monday, July 29
Luke and Andrew check-in after yesterday’s big bracelet-making party at Andrew’s Eagles club in North Seattle!

#4260 Kiss Me, I’m Lukish! 
Tuesday, July 30th
After two nights of counting friendship bracelets, Andrew reveals the final tally. He and Luke call up Jon to find out if it’s enough to hit their goal. They also discuss the shocking ruling by an Ohio court regarding boneless chicken wings. 

#4261 Hard To Candle 
Wednesday, July 31
Luke is dealing with the stench of a neighbor’s septic tank. Andrew realizes that an old public media colleague of his has made the BIG TIME. And they discuss the latest on Seattle’s disturbed and disturbing “Hellcat” driver. 

#4262 There’s No Crying In Politics!
Thursday, August 1
A post-game interview with a struggling baseball player has Luke feeling a bit guilty over his own fandom tendencies. It also offers him and Andrew the opportunity to talk about The Human Condition and -- somehow -- the latest jaw-dropping story from the presidential election. Plus, special drink deals are pushing Starbucks employees over the edge. 

#4263 We Texted Them Back! 
Friday, August 2
TBTL once again teams up with Lindy and Meagan at the Text Me Back podcast to bring you another installment of the supergroup famously known as “TMTBL Of The Dog.” They discuss Lindy’s post-party conundrum, Meagan’s Olympic observations, and Andrew’s obsession with a 40-year old game show. Oh, and Luke’s pans. They also talk about Luke’s pans.