Just a quick explanation of why an already late episode is about to be even later. Sorry! I'm trying my best!

Just a quick note. I hit an unexpected time crunch and it's pushing back an upload of a full episode. So this is me saying sorry about that. It's barely worth your time.

After almost a month, we're BACK! This episode is mostly a tribute to my friend Jon (aka Jonco) who passed away at the end of last year. He was a great guy with a big Internet presence and I needed to talk about him and pay tribute to him. So in this episode I spend the entire time talking about stuff I'd posted on my social media that made it onto his well-known blog www.bitsandpieces.us and some related memories. I cover a TON of ground in this one...but it's all mostly about Jon.

After some debate I've decided not to post a time breakdown, because I'd really like everyone to listen to everything and get the full context. (And also because it's difficult to know where and why I'm dividing the episode.) But in brief, here are the songs that were used...and I'd also like to encourage you to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for more stuff. And of course you're free to e-mail me at [email protected] with questions and comments.

Thanks so much for joining me in this episode, which is very near to my heart.

-Uncle Derek

Songs:

Outdoor Summer ConcertsLive Your LifeMan in the MirrorSimple Things

A quick COVID update. Primarily that I definitely have it. And it's still messing up my voice and leaving me winded. So there's once again not a full episode this week. Thanks for your patience. I hope to be back next week.

I probably have COVID. I'm sick. With a fever. And there are no tests in a drivable radius. So I'll either be better or dead by the time I find out. So...y'know...no episode this week. Sorry. Wish me luck.

In this episode I talk about my album "Happy Now" which came out in May of 2021 and all of the influences and other stuff surrounding it, mostly while the album distractingly plays in the background! Enjoy!

Also visit the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for photos and more stuff! And email me at [email protected] with your questions, comments, objections, rebuttals, and spam!

Thanks for your support!

(No time index since it's all just one topic, but there will be plenty of photos at the blog!)

This episode starts with a brief tribute to a personal friend and is dedicated to Jon (aka Jonco). The episode was fully recorded prior to the tribute, so you don't have to be bummed out for long.

The other hour of it is a breakdown of 2021 in music (through my eyes) and I give you my top ten favorite albums of the year and about 40 runners up! It's a fun, high energy episode after the sad part. So dig it!No time index this week since it's just one topic. But be sure to visit http://emptychecking.blogspot.com for photos and more and e-mail me at [email protected] with anything your heart desires!

In this episode I talk about many of Neil Gaiman's books as well as music from Adele, Descendents, Jazz is Dead, and Dream Theater. I had fun doing it. Now you must have fun listening. That is the nature of the contract.

Remember to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and e-mail me at [email protected] with anything your heart desires!

Time Index:

0:00 - Intro

9:43 - Live Your Life (Music Break)

10:13 - Neil Gaiman Books

14:10 - Stardust

19:01 - The Ocean at the End of the Lane

23:35 - Coraline

27:15 - The Graveyard Books

30:30 - Fragile Things

39:03 - American Gods (and Fragile Things continued)

42:15 - Anansi Boys

46:27 - Danielle (Music Break)

46:57 - New Releases (And More!)

46:26 - Adele - 30

49:45 - Descendents - 9th & Walnut

41:07 - Jazz is Dead (Series)

53:39 - Dream Theater - A View from the Top of the World

54:34 - My Christmas listening

58:02 - Heaven Knows (Music Break)

58:36 - Outro

In this episode I talk about stuff going on in my life (including my desire to get a cat or two), then I bid farewell to Mike Nesmith, review a box of beer, and talk about new music from Floating Points/Pharoah Sanders, Mastodon, Swallow the Sun, Aimee Mann, and Modest Mouse. I had fun with it. Maybe you also will?

Remember to check out the companion blog at http://emptychecking.blogspot.com and feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] with questions, comments, and what-have-you--I almost always reply unless you called me something mean!

Time Breakdown:

0:00 - Intro

Talking about Cats - 14:51

The Beatles and My Grandma - 20:09

Rest in Peace, Mike Nesmith - 24:32

32:22 - Music Break - Fight for Peace

32:52 - Schlafly's Stout Bout

47:29 - Music Break - Malfunction

47:59 - New Music

Floating Points & Pharoah Sanders - "Promises" - 49:30

Mastodon - Hushed and Grim - 53:20

Swallow the Sun - Moonflowers - 55:52

Aimee Mann - Queens of the Summer Hotel - 59:53

Modest Mouse - The Golden Casket - 1:02:56

1:07:05 - Music Break - If It's Raining

1:07:35 - Outro

Just a quick note that there isn't a new update today but there will be Friday. Sorry! But talk to you soon.