NEW! at R SPEEN

14 July 2025 - Monday Memoir post, from - Wednesday 18 November 1998 - on the the Notebook Journals page - under the MEMOIR tab!

12 July 2025 - Newest soap review at Soap Exotica - The Whiskey Ginger Supply Co. – Cedarwood Premium Bar Soap.

11 July 2025 - It’s Farraginous Friday once again - Mary Lou Williams “Mary Lou Williams in London” (1974) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

10 July 2025 - New “book report” - Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld (2005) - on the Books page.

9 July 2025 - New review on the Water page - Whole Foods Market – Italian Sparkling Mineral Water.

7 July 2025 - On the Notebook Journals page - a very weird entry from - 18 November 1998 – from Dream Notebook No. 1.

4 July 2025 - Farraginous Friday only falls on Independence Day every 17 years - like those cicadas - so we’ve celebrated with a review of - Brian Cadd “Moonshine” (from 1974) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

3 July 2025 - An epic (rare, 4 paragraph) water review - Jelly Belly – Chocolate Sparkling Water - on the Water page.

2 July 2025 - Guess what, another “book report” - The Mystery of the Ruby Queens by Betsy Allen - on the Books page.

30 June 2025 - “Memoir” post on the Notebook Journals page - from Monday 16 November 1998 - you might want to ask, whatever happened to the love of the cinema? Also, I try to write at least one poem a year (it’s often only one) and usually on this date - see this year’s - on the top of my “poetry blog” - called POULTRY (the poem is called June 30 June30 - it’s become kind of a tradition - referring back to a Richard Brautigan book with that name) (I think).

28 June 2025 - New soap review - Ayéya – Cheer - on the Soap Exotica page.

27 June 2025 - “North Woods” record review - Pianosaurus “Groovy Neighborhood” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 June 2025 - New sparkling water review - Polar – Pink Apple & Lemon - on the Water page.

25 June 2025 - Next “book report” - on the Books page - Brooklyn Motto by Alex R. Johnson (2024).

23 June 2025 - More embarrassing stuff from - Sunday 15 November 1998 – Later at The Hurst - that’s the title - on the Notebook Journals page.

22 June 2025 - Another water review! Vytautas – Minerals - on the Water page.

20 June 2025 - It’s 620 day - for what that’s worth! New record review - The Siegel-Schwall Band “953 West” - find it on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

18 June 2025 - Sparkling this and that review - Third Space Brewing – Citra Lemon Hop Water - on the Water page, where else.

17 June 2025 - Tonight’s book report - Life by Keith Richards and James Fox (2010) - on the Books page.

16 June 2025 - “MEMOIR” post - Sunday 15 November 1998 - on the Notebook Journals page - I’m reminded that I was in my thirties when I wrote this stuff - though I sound like I’m in my teens.

15 June 2025 - Sunday Memo - “Hi Dad, I’m in Jail. No, I’m Not.” - on the MEMO page.

14 June 2025 - On the Soap Exotica page - new soap review - Dr. Squatch – Fresh Falls.

13 June 2025 - Another kinda epic record review - I’m trying to keep them short - of someone I’d previously never even heard of - Joe Brooks and Rosko “Morning” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

12 June 2025 - On the Books page - latest “book report” - I Am Not Sidney Poitier by Percival Everett (2009). Also, new sparkling water review - Galvanina – Lemon – Naturally Flavored Mineral Water - on the Water page (under the LUNCH tab).

11 June 2025 - Happy Strawberry Full Moon! The lunar event is significant (and also a chapter title!) in my new novel, AROUND DESIRE, which is available TODAY! You can find it HERE.

9 June 2025 - Two Notebook Journals posts (they’re very short) - also, getting a bit overly cornball. From Friday 13 November 1998 and Saturday 14 November 1998.

8 June 2025 - On the Water page, please find a new review - La Croix – Peach–Pear.

6 June 2025 - I managed to not go over (much) 1000 words - Steely Dan “Gaucho” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

5 June 2025 - Another water review - Sound – Rose, Lime, Hibiscus Tea - on the Water page - trying to catch up!

3 June 2025 - New water review! Whole Foods Market – Lime Mint Elderflower Mineral Water - on the Water page.

2 June 2025 - I realized there were some errors in my “last book report,” so I just revised that a bit - embarrassing! Also, latest MEMOIR post - from Thursday 12 November 1998 - on the Notebook Journals page - also getting a little embarrassing over there! I guess it’s kind of comforting knowing that no one reads this stuff!!

31 May 2025 - Soap review - Personal Care – Raw Shea Butter Soap - on the Soap Exotica page.

30 May 2025 - I was listening to Steely Dan’s “Gaucho” and, on TV, the movie, “Way of a Gaucho,” came on! You can’t make up this kind of stuff, folks! But that’s not this week’s record review—instead it’s: Dave Loggins “Personal Belongings” - review on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

29 May 2025 - Fresh book report - Skippy Bedelle by Owen Johnson (1922) - on the Books page.

27 May 2025 - Another sparkling water review - La Croix – Cherry Blossom - on the Water page.

26 May 2025 - Off work for the Memorial Day holiday - I went out - where are all the people? I saw a cruise ship and a double-decker train, and it made me feel like traveling. I had another shelf collapse in my apartment, so what did I do? Went out and bought another record. I’m listening to it - a very romantic Barry White LP, while posting this oddly romantic MEMOIR post from - Thursday 12 November 1998 – 1 A.M. - beware, if you’re bothered by that kind of thing - on the Notebook Journals page!

25 May 2025 - Or, 5.25.25 - enjoy the date - if you’re into that kind of thing - a pleasing combination of numbers that only comes around once every… eternity, I guess. 5.25.2525. If man is still alive. Celebrate with a sparkling water—and if you need inspiration, check out the Water page for a reveiw of Polar – Blackberry Mango. It’s Water review No. 100! A real milestone, if you’re impressed by numbers. I am not. Amused, maybe—not impressed.

24 May 2025 - Catch up on some reading this holiday weekend! A “book report” - These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (2021) - on the Books page.

23 May 2025 - Take a trip back to 1962 with the Vince Guaraldi Trio - “Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

22 May 2025 - Stop by the recently revived (how? with coffee!) Coffee page for a new review of Starbucks – Downer - in Milwaukee - if you’re in town and don’t know where it is, use your Coffee App!

21 May 2025 - Under the LUNCH tab, please find the latest Water review - Kroger Seltzer – Mandarin Orange.

20 May 2025 - New Book Report! I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen by Sylvie Simmons (2012) - on the Books page.

19 May 2025 - No Substack this week, and no Memo - but now it is MEMOIR Monday and time for the next Notebook Journals entry - this one from - Wednesday 11 November 1998 - I was in Portland, Oregon - and I’m getting the feeling, there, that things were starting to “heat up” a bit!

17 May 2025 - Soap review! An unusual one - Gimbels – Hardwater Soap - on the Soap Exotica page.

16 May 2025 - A lot about the 1969 LP by The Flock “The Flock” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

15 May 2025 - New water review! This time it’s: La Croix – Berry - on the Water page.

14 May 2025 - New Book Report - Meg and the Disappearing Diamonds by Holly Beth Walker, from 1967, which is the Meg Duncan Series Book Number One - on the Books page.

13 May 2025 - See the Water page for an update on what’s going on there—kind of redefining the approach. ALSO, see the Listz-O Mania! page - new list! List of Sparkling Water Flavors We’d Like to See - a reprint of that list from the Water page (a few days ago) so I can keep track of it in my ever-exhaustive, exhausting, tireless, tire-less, ongoing pursuit of flavored sparkling water!

12 May 2025 - A big milestone in the ongoing notebook journals saga - see the Notebook Journals page, under the MEMOIR tab - this entry from Tuesday 10 November 1998 - I finally get back to writing about living in Portland, Oregon - and quit pretending I’m in Portland, Maine! What a relief!

11 May 2025 - Not quite a sparkling water - the review of SOSA – The Soda – Water Kefir – Pink Guava - is not quite a reveiw. On the Water page. Also, check out today’s LOVE ME AVENUE Substack newsletter, if you’d like - titled STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM SODA.

10 May 2025 - Lot of activity, today, under the “LUNCH” tab - a new Coffee shop review - Sip & Purr Cat Café - AND, on the Water page - a “Water Wish List” - a list of waters we’d like to see for sale at our local water store - but, for some reason, have not yet shown up!

9 May 2025 - On the Water page - Culture Pop Soda – Ginger Lemon & Turmeric - AND (twi-nite double-header) - The Archies “Catching Up On Fun” flexi-disc - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

8 May 2025 - It’s turning out to be “Water Week” at the R. Speen HQ - trying to get the water reviews off the ground - today it’s Culture Pop Soda – Strawberry & Rhubarb - on the Water page.

6 May 2025 - On the Water page - a new sparkling water review - Bubly – limebubly (about 2 months late in posting it, as you will see!)

5 May 2025 - Pretty good journal entry from - Monday 9 November 1998 – Portland - on the Notebook Journals page.

4 May 2025 - Book report - High Times, Hard Times by Anita O’Day and George Eells (1981) - on the Books page.

3 May 2025 - New soap review - La Corvette – Savon de Provence – Honeysuckle - on the Soap Exotica page.

2 May 2025 - Check out the fabulous review of The Hello People “Fusion” (1969) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

1 May 2025 - New water review, on the Water page - 365 – Grapefruit.

30 April 2025 - On the Vinyl page - review of the 1979 LP - Bonnie Nelson “Live” - also, at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

29 April 2025 - Latest “book report” - Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1955) - on the Books page.

28 April 2025 - Talking about midlife crisis - here’s a Notebook Journals page midlife crisis from Sunday 8 November 1998! Also, new home page photo - no midlife crisis there!

27 April 2025 - On the MEMO page - It Happens Every Spring - it would sound like “midlife crisis” - if…

25 April 2025 - “Yearly” visit to the “North Woods” results in an interesting LP review - The Lilac Time “Paradise Circus” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

24 April 2025 - It’s been exactly one year since a coffee shop review has appeared - on the Coffee page - so I decided to re-visit and re-write about the same place as the last review - one year ago - Alderaan Coffee. That’s the way my mind works. And hopefully it won’t be another year until the next coffee shop review!

23 April 2025 - New Water review - on the Water page - since it’s La Croix – Orange - I was worried about the ho-hum level of interest - so I resorted to a bit of fabrication.

22 April 2025 - Book Report! An old one - Billy Whiskers – The Autobiography of a Goat by Frances Trego Montgomery (1902) - on the Books page.

21 April 2025 - More horseshit on the Notebook Journals page - this from: Saturday 31 October 1998 – Renner’s Grill - near Portland, Oregon - I dont even remember that place!

20 April 2025 - Sunday Memo - under the MEMO tab - titled: The Great Honey Hunt - is most similar to this weeks substack newsletter - and you can subscribe at: LOVE ME AVENUE.

19 April 2025 - New soap review! On the Soap Exotica page - Camay Botanicals – Clásico - and then some.

18 April 2025 - Good Farraginous Friday! - Sarah Vaughan and the Count Basie Orchestra “Send In the Clowns” - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

17 April 2025 - New sparkling water review - Nixie – Watermelon Mint - on the Water page!

15 April 2025 - April 15th was once known as “National Stupidity Day” (coined by Keith Busch, and possibly me and a few others). It had nothing to do with taxes—more about going nuts in spring—I quit a job on that day, one year. Keith jumped in the river, and so forth. Anymore, I’d prefer my peers to be more responsible - and as far as blatant idiocy, we can’t keep up with you-know-who, anyway. More or less why I don’t celebrate it anymore, in case anyone is wondering. No one is. If you’re wondering what books I’ve enoyed lately, here’s a clue - a new “book report” - I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (2023) - on the Books page!

14 April 2025 - A fairly entertaining entry from Sunday 18 October 1998 - on the Notebook Journals page - it’s about mayonnaise.

13 April 2025 - Sunday MEMO post is called PINK MOON - for today’s Pink Moon - and tomorrow’s post-Pink-Moon world. It’s more or less a reprint of LOVE ME AVENUE - my Sunday Substack Newsletter - which you can subscribe to for free!

12 April 2025 - Around Desire - a novel by Randy Russell is available TODAY (the Pink Moon, 2025) as an eBook. (Paperback version will be available on June 11, 2025). See the Around Desire page, under the MEDIA tab, for more details.

11 April 2025 - Happy Farraginous Friday - with Jackie and Roy – “Storyville Presents Jackie and Roy” - on the Vinyl page - as well as at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

10 April 2025 - On the Books page - Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut - from 1973 - is the latest book report.

8 April 2025 - New sparkling water review - on the Water page - this time it’s Kroger Seltzer – Blackberry Citrus.

7 April 2025 - Notebook Journals page, under the MEMOIR tab - Saturday 17 October 1998 - entry - at the Polar King in Gresham, Oregon - some pretty good family restaurant observatioins.

6 April 2025 - Sunday Memo today is titled Betty’s Home Cooking - and it’s a reprint of this week’s Sunday Substack newsletter titled Around the Corner which you can subscribe to here: LOVE ME AVENUE.

5 April 2025 - Visit the Soap Exotica page - for a review of Knotty Pine Lodge – Cashmere Bouquet Hotel Bar Soap - well, not really a review of the soap - but a visit to Bismarck, North Dakota.

4 April 2025 - George Shearing Quintet “I Hear Music” (1955) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

3 April 2025 - See the Books page for a fresh “book report” - True Grit by Charles Portis (1968).

31 March 2025 - It’s the Monday Memoirs continuing on the Notebook Journals page - two very short entries, today: Monday 12 October 1998 and Wednesday 14 October 1998 - I know I said I was going to start editing these - but sometimes it seems interesting to present exactly what was in the notebook, even if it’s indecipherable and incoherent, like these two days.

30 March 2025 - Sunday Memo today - on the MEMO page, where else! You won’t want to miss this one, because it’s NOT OF THIS EARTH!

29 March 2025 - Saturday Soap Review - B-Pure – African Black Soap Shampoo Bar - on the Soap Exotica page.

28 March 2025 - On the Vinyl page - The Gaylords “Chow Mein” / “Poppa Poppadopolis (The Happy Locksmith Man)” - a single from 1955 - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 March 2025 - On the Books page - new “book report” - this time it’s The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell (1965) - which is the 3rd book in the Trixie Belden series.

24 March 2025 - On the Notebook Journals page - more nutso Sunday AM breakfast theories - what can I say? It was Sunday 11 October 1998 - feels like yesterday, but it wasn’t.

23 March 2025 - Sunday Memo (under the MEMO tab) - titled “50-Cup Coffee Pot” - hopes to grab your attention! It is pretty much identical to this Sunday’s SUBSTACK newsletter - please subscribe!

21 March 2025 - Buddy Cole “Buddy Cole Plays Cole Porter” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

20 March 2025 - Happy Spring Equinox! And a sparkling water review - La Croix – Passionfruit - on the Water page.

18 March 2025 - Book report - The Shark-Infested Custard by Charles Willeford (1993) - on the Books page.

17 March 2025 - On the Notebook Jouirnals page, a short and sweet entry from Tuesday 6 October 1998. Memo to self: keep the (future, yet to be written) journal entries SHORT. Short is good. Maybe consider what I’m saying. The object is not to run pens out of ink, but to write something interesting.

16 March 2025 - Chicken Country Captain - what’s it mean? Check out today’s MEMO page - or else subscribe to LOVE ME AVENUE - the, so far, weekly Sunday newsletter - it don’t cost nothin’!

15 March 2025 - New soap review! Man Bar Mini – Hair + Body – Redwood + Clove Fragrance - on the Soap Exotica page.

14 March 2025 - Frank Sinatra “Look to Your Heart” - from 1959 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

13 March 2025 - Brief “Book Report” - The Pale King by David Foster Wallace (2011) - on the Books page. Also, watch out for that “Worm Moon” - next couple of days!

10 March 2025 - Asking those profound questions (why is the clock round and the calendar square) of 14-year-olds—it’s just that I was 38, at the time, ha! And the part about the internet station installed in everyone’s brain, it’s funny I didn’t see that coming so soon. All that, as well as some talking about myself in third person - it’s all mildly funny on the Notebook Journals page, today.

9 March 2025 - New post on the MEMO page - called: Trees, Vines and Bushes. And that’s exactly what it’s about!

7 March 2025 - Review of the 1969 single by Mercy “Love (Can Make You Happy)” / “Fire Ball” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

6 March 2025 - New Sparkling Water review - PurAqua Belle Vie Sparkling Water – Strawberry - on the Water page.

4 March 2025 - Long, over-due “book report” - The Mystery of the Green Ghost by Robert Arthur (1965) (Number 4 in the “Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators” series) - on the Books page.

3 March 2025 - More half-baked Notebook Journals philosiphizin’ - from Friday 2 October 1998.

2 March 2025 - Sunday MEMO - is pretty much a read-for-free re-print of my Substack newsletter called: LOVE ME AVENUE - which you can also read for free and be sent for free via your email - why not subscribe - HERE!

1 March 2025 - New soap review - Zum Bar – Winter Pine - on the Soap Exotica page!

28 February 2025 - We wind up Farraginous February by allowing 1000 words (still not enough) on Joni Mitchell “Ladies of the Canyon” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

27 February 2025 - Yet more VINYL - Renaissance “Novella” - also, at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 February 2025 - More Vinyl! Klaatu “Sir Army Suit” - also, at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

25 February 2025 - Farraginous February in the home stretch! Willie Nelson “To Lefty from Willie” - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

24 February 2025 - Short and relatively uninspiring Notebook Journals entry from Sunday 27 September 1998. If I could go back in time and be at “The Hurst” on Sunday - I might come up with something better. No time machine, though, so I’ll try to contribute something to my Reading List.

23 February 2025 - On this evening’s MEMO page, I ask the big questions.

22 February 2025 - Rare Saturday record review - but then it’s Farraginious February - The Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts “Tell Me Why” / “A Garden in the Rain” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

21 February 2025 - Happy Farraginous Friday in February - Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five “Go Blow Your Horn” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

19 February 2025 - Yet another “book report” - Miami Blues by Charles Willeford (1984) - on the Books page.

18 February 2025 - Cold day, fell asleep early, woke up, no water (water main), so, quick Farraginous February review - Royale Orchestra “Hoagy Carmichael Songs” - 4 song EP - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

17 February 2025 - Notebook Journals entry from Sunday 20 September 1998 - it’s one where I introduce the ritual of “Sunday Project” - probably not the first time talking about it. It’s something I still do - but anymore, it is really just writing in a notebook in a diner or cafe on a Sunday morning - I forgot that it used to be specifically an Autumn thing - but that’s okay.

16 February 2025 - Sunday Memo - titled: Parry Lodge - on the Memo page. It’s a slightly altered version of my weekly Substack newsletter - Love Me Avenue - which you can subscribe to - and this week reprints my first soap review, from the archives - which was even interesting for me to read. A lot of soap under the bridge.

15 February 2025 - Another “book report” - The Happy Hollisters at Snowflake Camp by Jerry West (1954) - on the Books page.

14 February 2025 - Halfway through Farraginous February already - here’s a great 1971 record - Joy of Cooking “Joy of Cooking” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

13 February 2025 - Latest “book report” - Blood Meridian, or, The Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy (1985) - on the Books page.

11 February 2025 - Farraginous February continues with this 1968 single - The Amboy Dukes “Journey to the Center of the Mind” / “Mississippi Murderer” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

10 February 2025 - Under the MEMOIR tab - Notebook Journals page - an entry written at “The Hurst” (Portland, Oregon) from Sunday 13 September 1998.

9 February 2025 - Sunday Memo on the MEMO page - this one titled: “The Tivoli.”

8 February 2025 - New Soap review - Ayéya – Empower - on the Soap Exotica page.

7 February 2025 - Farraginous February continues with one of my favorite all-time records - Skeeter Davis & NRBQ “She Sings, They Play” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

6 February 2025 - Hey kids! Book Report time - All’s Well by Mona Awad (2021) - on the Books page.

5 February 2025 - New Sparkling Water review - Waterloo – Peach - on the Water page! One more time… water!

4 February 2025 - Farraginous February continues with a 45 RPM single from 1958 - The Four Preps “Big Man” / “Stop, Baby” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

3 February 2025 - Notebook Journals page - a continuation of last week’s entry - from Monday 31 August 1998 - though, in my notebook, there was a two week delay - so this is almost real time, but faster. More thoughts on diners and smoking in the fictional (at the time) Portland, Maine.

2 February 2025 - Ned Ryerson! New Memo (for reading) under the MEMO tab - check it out!

1 February 2025 - Welcome to Farraginous February, where I try (and massively fail) to post a record review each day of the month! Too much going on this year, but I’m sure I’ll have a few extras, anyway. To start off the month, here’s a 1979 record from a fine Akron band - Tin Huey “Contents Dislodged During Shipment” - on the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

31 January 2025 - The George Shearing Quintet with String Choir “Velvet Carpet” (1956) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

30 January 2025 - “Book Report” - The Secret of the Sand Castle by Margaret Sutton (1967) - a Judy Bolton mystery - on the Books page.

27 January 2025 - A journal entry from Saturday 15 August 1998 - on the Notebook Journals page - some interesting stuff about diners. Also, one of those notebook entries that ends with the writer either falling asleep or perishing - but I guess it wasn’t perishing, since I’m here writing this 27 years later!

26 January 2025 - The Sunday MEMO, titled “The Boulevard Room,” is an excerpt from this week’s Love Me Avenue Subtack newsletter. Please subscribe!

25 January 2025 - A new soap review - Zest – Toronja & Albahaca - on the Soap Exotica page!

24 January 2025 - Frank Sinatra “Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely” (1958) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

22 January 2025 - Latest “book report” - Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (2016) - on the Books page!

20 January 2025 - Another observational Notebook Journals entry from - Tuesday 4 August 1998 - still insisting that I’m in Portland, Maine, rather than Portland, Oregon. I’ve decided to just take that as funny, rather than annoying, but I don’t fault anyone for finding it annoying! Also, I noticed that the MEMO from yesterday didn’t post - I guess I had it in “Draft” mode, somehow. Technology! Anyway, it’s on there now. I’m trying to write a “Memo” once a week. I’ll try to include more personal stuff in the future.

19 January 2025 - On the MEMO page, there’s something about this week’s new Substack Newsletter called Love Me Avenue - which you are welcome to follow or sign up for - or totally ignore - you can make your own decisions - and all of my encouragement is just because I’m trying to be promote things more - people say you’re wise to do that - but I don’t have to listen - and neither do you!

18 January 2025 - New sparkling water review on the new Water page - it’s a good one - Aura Bora – Lavender Cucumber!

17 January 2025 - Happy Farraginous Friday - Deodato “Deodato 2” (1973) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

14 January 2025 - New page! It’s the WATER page, under the LUNCH tab - for water, sparkling water, etc. reviews. Of course, the water reviews used to be on the PIE page - which was just confusing. So now there’s a proper Water page. Also, now, the new PIE page can be just for desserts, etc., and not water. I will look over and re-edit the stuff that was formerly on the Pie page, and repost it (maybe). Also, possibly in the future, new stuff, there - the few and far between desserts.

13 January 2025 - Night of the Wolf Moon. A shorter notebook journal entry from - Monday 3 August 1998 - it’s about having jobs - on the Notebook Journals page.

12 January 2025 - On the MEMO page, Sunday Memo titled: The Bird & Bottle Inn. It’s an excerpt from my Substack post this evening. I shortened it in order not to re-post things already on this website. If you’d like to subscribe to the Substack, follow this link: it’s called LOVE ME AVENUE.

11 January 2025 - The latest soap review is another hotel bar soap, this time it’s Ivory, from: Yellowstone Park Company – on the Soap Exotica page.

10 January 2025 - “The Best of Sandy Posey” from 1967 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

9 January 2025 — A sparkling water review - Klarbrunn – Bucky’s Cherry Berry. Soon to be a “Water” page - but as of now, find this on the Pie page. Also, the latest “Book Report” - on the Books page - Major Matt Mason - Moon Mission - by George S. Elrick (1968) - “A Big Little Book.”

7 January 2025 - As is my tradition at the beginning of each year, I remember to check out Steven Soderbergh’s annual list of what he watched and read the previous year - called: SEEN, READ 2024 - from his Extension 765 website. I’m always impressed that he remembers to write it down, and I always find it fascinating.

6 January 2025 - Notebook Journals page - next entry is from Saturday 11 July 1998 - still claiming to be in Portland, Maine - which is absurd, but maybe not that funny.

5 January 2025 - New “Memo” on the MEMO page - titled: Up in Lights - about New Year’s Resolutions.

3 January 2025 - Another year, more Farraginous Fridays - The Jonah Jones Quartet “I Dig Chicks!” from 1959 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

31 December 2024 - Last post of the year! An admittedly nutty list of songs on the Listz-O-Mania! page, called: 200 Pop Songs That Made Me Cry. Happy New Year!

30 December 2024 - Another post from the Grand Cafe, Portland, Oregon (still impersonating Portland, Maine) - from Wednesday 1 July 1998 – on the Notebook Journals page.

27 December 2024 - Some odd and disconnected thoughts on the 1965 album - Marianne Faithfull “Marianne Faithfull” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

23 December 2024 - A Notebook Journals entry from Wednesday 10 June 1998 – Grand Cafe - that’s the old Grand Cafe in Portland, Oregon - though I’m still pretending that I’m in Maine. Mostly this one is about the past, with a lot of tangents - I certainly wasn’t at a loss for words back then!

21 December 2024 - Another soap review, believe it or else! Saponifico Varesino – Green Vetiver - on the Soap Exotica page.

20 December 2024 - It was a rough week - I’m not goin’ into it. Finally, a short review of the 45 RPM single, Edward Bear “Last Song” / “Best Friend” - from 1972 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

16 December 2024 - Notebook Journals page - from Friday 5 June 1998 - still pretending I’m at the Lobster Festival in Portland Maine - complaining about Starbucks.

14 December 2024 - Soap review! Organik Botanik – Orange Blossom & Manuka Honey - on the Soap Exotica page.

13 December 2024 - Michael Franks “Skin Dive” from 1985 - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

12 December 2024 - Water review - on the Pie page - Waterloo – Spiced Apple.

10 December 2024 - Another Book Report - The New Adventures of the Mad Scientists’ Club by Bertrand R. Brinley (1968) - on the Books page.

9 December 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - a visit to Denny’s - and more philosophizin’ - on Tuesday 2 June 1998 – a week later (from the last post).

7 December 2024 - Saturday soap review - Papoutsanis – Greek Pure Olive Oil Soap - on the Soap Exotica page!

6 December 2024 - Interesting record - on the Vinyl page - Toni Lee Scott “Vol. Lonely” - from 1964 - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

5 December 2024 - Book Report time! - Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney (2021) - on the Books page.

2 December 2024 - Memoir Monday - still pretending I’m in Portland, Maine - and talking about smoking - Tuesday 26 May 1998 - on the Notebook Journals page.

29 November 2024 - On the Vinyl page - 45 RPM single - Jim Lowe “Green Door” / “Talkin’ to the Blues” - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

27 November 2024 - New Water review! Noon Whistle – Hop Water - on the Pie page.

26 November 2024 - On the Books page - new “book report” - Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna (2024).

25 November 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - an entry from Friday 22 May 1998 - Guido’s Diner - a place I have no memory of - which is why we write in the old journal!

23 November 2024 - Enticing soap review - Weleda Shower Bar – Ylang Ylang + Iris - on the Soap Exotica page.

22 November 2024 - On the Vinyl page - Jalaleddin “Jalaleddin Presents Belly Dance Music” - from 1976 - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

21 November 2024 - New sparkling water review - Waterloo – Raspberry Nectarine - on the Pie page.

18 November 2024 - I’ve made the “executive decision” to start editing my old journals whenever I take the trouble to type them and post them in the MEMOIR section of this website. (I probably have edited them a little bit here and there in the past.) Kind of dumb to just now have this occur to me - or that it was important to reproduce them exactly like in the (often indecipherable) notebook - like that “undiluted expression” was important or something. Because why not edit them if I can easily make them better? And besides, I like editing! That said, I probably won’t edit much! Anyway, today, on the Notebook Journals page is an entry from 18 May 1998 – from Dream Notebook No. 1 - which required no editing - it’s just too weird to worry about. It sounds like a dream, or dreams. This dream DID have the distinction (which I’d totally forgotten about) of including the best fictional dream name I ever dreamed - which I’m going to steal to use somewhere - because it deserves more mileage. The name (in the dream, he’s an actor) is - Awful Pilgrim.

15 November 2024 - Album review - Thelonious Monk / Sonny Rollins (1956) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

14 November 2024 - Book Report: Medallion Status by John Hodgman (2019) - on the Books page.

13 November 2024 - New Sparkling Water review - on the Pie page - Hoplark Sparkling Water – with Citra Hops.

11 November 2024 - Notebook Journals entry from Wednesday 6 May 1998 – Shaker’s - not finding it very funny, sorry.

10 November 2024 - Another “book report” - The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene, 1935 version - on the Books page.

9 November 2024 - New soap review - Cremo Exfoliating Body Bar – No. 2 – Sage & Citrus - on the Soap Exotica page.

8 November 2024 - On the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS - Frank Sinatra “In the Wee Small Hours (Part 4)” EP.

5 November 2024 - It’s National Doughnut Day, today! Why didn’t anyone tell me it was Election Day? You’d think there would have been something in the news, on social media, or at least an email reminder! (Well, it’s a good thing I was able to vote early. That’s a good invention.) I didn’t have a Doughnut Day Book Give-Away on IG, as is the custom, seeing how no one responded to the last two, only serving to make me feel like a bigger loser than even conceivably conceivable. If by chance, anyone missed any of our half-dozen doughnut holidays and free book offers - and happens to be reading this - pick any one of my four books (see MEDIA page) and let me know, and I’ll mail you one! In the meantime, here’s a new “book report” - Mystery in the Pirate Oak by Helen Fuller Orton - on the Books page.

4 November 2024 - Notebook Journals post from: 30 April 1998 – from Dream Notebook No. 1 - it was a dream - relayed here - unedited (which is obvious).

1 November 2024 - Happy November and Farraginous Friday - George Shearing “My Ship” - from 1975 - an excellent record - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

29 October 2024 - Book Report! Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck (1962) - on the Books page.

28 October 2024 - Another MEMOIR post - from Tuesday 28 April 1998 - Portland (Oregon or Maine?!?) - it’s a goofy one! See the Notebook Journals page.

26 October 2024 - New Sparkling Water review - 365 Whole Food Market – Ginger - on the Pie page!

25 October 2024 - On the Vinyl page - Michael Franks “Blue Pacific” - from 1990 - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

22 October 2024 - New “book report” - Henry Reed’s Journey by Keith Robertson (1963) - on the Books page.

21 October 2024 - Monday Memoir Notebook Journals post from Saturday 25 April 1998 – Hollywood Burger Bar.

20 October 2024 - Sunday Memo, on the MEMO page - this one with the exciting title: Sobriety Anniversary (XXXI).

19 October 2024 - New soap review - right now! Pears – Pure and Gentle Bathing Bar - on the Soap Exotica page.

18 October 2024 - A fine writeup of the 1968 LP by Skeeter Davis - “Why So Lonely?” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

17 October 2024 - Review of Lagunitas Brewing Co. – Hoppy Refresher with Blood Orange - on the Pie page.

14 October 2024 - Notebook Journals post - from Sunday 19 April 1998 - under the MEMOIR tab. More adventures of the Lobster Bible - this is a goofy one.

11 October 2024 - Review of the 1958 single by The Platters - “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” / “No Matter What You Are” - on the Vinyl page - and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

8 October 2024 - Memoir post today (Tuesday) instead of yesterday - because I was sick. Still not feeling great. Anyway, I don’t think the readers are going to revolt, once they realize that this is a DREAM memoir post - from 12 April 1998 – from Dream Notebook No. 1 - and it’s a pretty good one - or a couple, really, from the basement room I rented on Beech Street, in Portland - 12 April 1998.

6 October 2024 - Check out the MEMO page for today’s Sunday Memo - titled: Packers. That would be the Green Bay Packers, the football team. The game on TV, today, figured in heavily on my excessive musings - so check it out. Or not.

5 October 2024 - Soap review! Crabtree & Evelyn – Gardeners - on the Soap Exotica page.

4 October 2024 - Maybe it is the less-than-brutally-hot weather, but I kind of got excessive with this album review - Jackie DeShannon “Laurel Canyon” - from 1968 - but at least I think I kept it under 1000 words - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

1 October 2024 - Happy October! Just 30 days to decide “what to go as!” Won’t be long now before pumpkin spiced lattes will be available! And already, a yearly, seasonal challenge is upon me: How do I resist Candy Corn—which is my biggest temptation (of things I’ve sworn off). How about a Book Report? See the Books page for: Something to Do with Paying Attention by David Foster Wallace (2011).

30 September 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - a post from Saturday 11 April 1998 - including an installment of The Lobster Bible.

29 September 2024 - New Memo - titled: Migraine - on the Memo page.

27 September 2024 - A goofy take, I suppose, on a serious record - The Monkees “Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 September 2024 - You might visit the Pie page for the latest sparkling, flavored water review - Bubly – Mango.

24 September 2024 - Latest “Book Report” - Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska - by Warren Zanes (2023) - on the Books page.

23 September 2024 - New Home Page photo (were people getting tired of that sad clown, or what?) - the scene shown here is within the vicinity of where I’m planning to move, soon, if I can pull it off! (I mean, same general location, I’m not moving to the swamp!). If anyone can NAME THE PLACE, you win the GRAND PRIZE (to be specified later) and might even be invited to visit!! ALSO, today, it being Memoir Monday, please check out the latest Notebook Journals entry (on the page by that name) - from Saturday 4 April 1998 - it’s an amusing one!

22 September 2024 - Happy Autumn Equinox! New “Memo” on the Memo page!

20 September 2024 - Happy Friday! - record review on the Vinyl page - José Melis – “José Melis Plays His TV Favorites” (from 1961) - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

19 September 2024 - after a long silence on the MEMO page (more on that later) - here’s a new entry, titled: Last Chance at the Open Mic. Enjoy!

17 September 2024 - Riddler by Henry A. Bamman and Robert J. Whitehead (1967) - is not Batman related, unfortunately, or fortunately, as the case may be - book report - see the Books page - under the LISTS tab.

16 September 2024 - “Memoir Monday” - the “Months Old Tradition” - continues on the Notebook Journals page - with a short post from Friday 3 April 1998 - that’s actually kind of interesting.

14 September 2024 - New soap review - Auromère Ayurvedic Soap – Lavender-Neem - on the Soap Exotica page.

13 September 2024 - “Spending some time” in the “North Woods” with the “Time Machine” - the 1980 album - The Frank Vlasis Trio & Friends (“Tom Halker’s Red Mill presents…”) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

12 September 2024 - How does some Pear Pie sound? Delicious, to me, yet, I’ve never seen any. You can, however, go to the PIE page and read about Jelly Belly – Juicy Pear — a fine sparking water.

10 September 2024 - Lastest “Book Report” - Silent Partner by Jinny McDonnell (1972) - which is A Kim Aldrich Mystery - on the Books page.

9 September 2024 - The Notebook Journals page - under the MEMOIR tab - continues with what I called The Lobster Bible - from Thursday 26 March 1998.

6 September 2024 - One of my favorite records ever came up via the magic 8-ball choosing system! Steely Dan “Countdown to Ecstasy” - from 1973 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS. And I managed to keep it under a thousand words!

5 September 2024 - New sparkling water review - on the Pie page - Waterloo – Ginger Citrus Twist.

3 September 2024 - Book report! On the Books page - All Fours by Miranda July (2024).

2 September 2024 - Happy Labor Day! It’s also, Memoir Monday - on the Notebook Journals page, please find the entry: Tuesday 24 March 1998 — The Lobster Bible - which is the second entry from that date - because it was the beginning me attempting a fictional diary - for better or worse!

31 August 2024 - Another Hotel Bar Soap review - on the Soap Exotica page - this time it’s from the Utah Motel Motor Park – Salt Lake City. Enjoy!

30 August 2024 - I honestly intended to write a short, one-paragraph review this week - of the 1969 Tommy Roe “Jam Up Jelly Tight” / “Moontalk” 45 - but then things got out of hand! Read about it (for free) on the Vinyl page - or at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

28 August 2024 - On the Pie page, just were it’s always been - the next, exciting, water review - Richard’s – Sparkling Rainwater.

27 August 2024 - Time for a book report! (Long title) Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip with David Foster Wallace by David Lipsky (2010) - on the Books page.

26 August 2024 - A shorter memoir post from Tuesday 24 March 1998 - on the Notebook Journals page.

23 August 2024 - Song by song review of the LP - Dory Previn “Mary C. Brown and the Hollywood Sign” - from 1972 - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

22 August 2024 - New “book report” - The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene (1930) - on the Books page.

20 August 2024 - Latest “dessert” - Lagunitas Brewing Co – Hoppy Refresher with Berry + Lemon - on the Pie page.

19 August 2024 - Monday’s MEMOIR post - the Notebook Journals page - from Portland - Wednesday 18 March 1998 - interesting, I’m describing a place called the Sandwich Experience - which I don’t remember at all. I sound really depressed - so I’m hoping I figure things out soon!

17 August 2024 - For those of you impressed by numbers, today marks Soap Review No. 200! - on the Soap Exotica page - the honorary cake belonging to - Institut Karité Paris – Almond & Honey Perfume Shea Soap.

16 August 2024 - Short (1000 word) Farraginous Friday - Dan Hill “Longer Fuse” (1977) - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

15 August 2024 - Got caught in the rain! Vibrant August day. Time for the latest “book report” - Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein (2023) - on the Books page.

14 August 2024 - Another sparkling water review - Bubly – Lemon Sorbet - on the Pie page.

12 August 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - an entry from Saturday 14 March 1998 – Hollywood Burger Bar - very little about the Burger Bar and a lot of my ideas - a little embarrasing to read now - but amusing, at least to me.

9 August 2024 - Farraginous Friday record - Barry White “Beware!” - on the Vinyl page AND at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

6 August 2024 - Good Sparkling Water review - Polar – Orange Vanilla - on the Pie page.

5 August 2024 - Once again the Notebook Journals page - entry from Wednesday 4 March 1998 - at Holman’s for breakfast - complaining about popular culture - though at this point, I’d rather hear about Holman’s.

3 August 2024 - Last-est Soap Review - on the Soap Exotica page - Alquimia Holistica – Horchata! A good one!

2 August 2024 - Record-talk - on the Vinyl page - Keith Jarrett “Mysteries” - from 1976 - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

1 August 2024 - Happy August! New “Book Report” on the Books page - Norwood by Charles Portis (1966).

30 July 2024 - Sparkling water review - Bubly – Blueberry Pomegranate - on the Pie page.

29 July 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - under the MEMOIR tab - a journal entry from Tuesday 3 March 1998 - breakfast at the Sandy Hut!

26 July 2024 - It’s good to take a week off once a year, even from something as effortless as this website! And guess what, no one noticed! But now it’s Farraginous Friday once again, so visit DJ FARRAGINOUS for a review of the 45 RPM single, Bob Beckham “Your Sweet Love” / “Just as Much as Ever” - or visit the Vinyl page.

16 July 2024 - Visit the Pie page for the latest sparkling water review - Simple Truth Organic – Pineapple Seltzer.

15 July 2024 - Another Memoir Monday - entry from Friday 27 February 1998 - on Notebook Journals page - kind of being hard on myself - but with an inspiring aside. Time to read: apx. one minute.

13 July 2024 - Nice, new soap review - Pacha Soap Co. – Jasmine Gardenia - on the Soap Exotica page.

12 July 2024 - Happy Farraginous Friday and review of Paul Smith Trio “This One Cooks!” from 1981 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

11 July 2024 - On the Books page (“book report”) - Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett (1929).

9 July 2024 - Another hopwater review - on the Pie page - this one is - Hoplark Sparkling HopTea – the Mile-High-Biscus One.

8 July 2024 - Under the MEMOIR tab, on the Notebook Journals page - the next entry from - Tuesday 17 February 1998 - reminding me about how much I used to like the Portland International Film Festival.

By the way, talking about these notebook journals (one small example why they are interesting to me) - I just happened to be reading about the novel, Infinite Jest - wondering when that came out, actually. February 1, 1996 - I didn’t even hear about it until years and years later! But it was fun to look back and see what I wrote in my notebook on that date - and it seems that my pen ran out! And then I had a weird, otherworldly epidemic of ink pen failures, all one after another, on that day! Take that any way you want to!

5 July 2024 - Peters & Lee “We Can Make It” - an album from 1973 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

4 July 2024 - Next sparkling water review now available to read - it’s on the Pie page - the water is - Nixie – Peach Black Tea!

1 July 2024 - July already - even though I kind of feel like it’s: Thursday 12 February 1998 - which is the date of the next entry on the Notebook Journals page (under the MEMOIR tab) - which is a typed version of an actual notebook entry from back then.

30 June 2024 - Latest “Book Report” - There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib (2024) - on the Books page.

29 June 2024 - New Sparkling Water review - this time it’s La Croix – Pure - on the Pie page.

28 June 2024 - I managed to keep this review of Laura Nyro “The First Songs…” (aka, “More Than a New Discovery”) under 1000 words. Ha. On the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

25 June 2024 - Go to the Pie page to check out the latest sparkling water review - or in this case, sparkling Earl Grey tea flavored with hops - called: Hoptonic – Sparkling Earl Grey Black Tea. This one includes a mystery! The funny thing is, I checked my notes (well, a spreadsheet with over 200 sparkling water entries) to see when I obtained this - it was exactly a year ago today! (A gift from Sara and Mark - thanks!) I then sampled it and wrote this review in August of last year. I’ve since had 10 months to solve the mystey (see the review) - but instead of solving anything, I just forgot about it (until now). I think I’ll just let this mystery reign!

24 June 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page, the next entry (of whatever it was I was trying to do back in 1998). The date is: Wednesday 11 February 1998. It’s a little embarrassing - but there you go. It also includes what is actually a useful Timeline of major events in my life for a ten year period - leading up to 1998. Of course, I should have ended with this entry: “1985 - Austrian rock singer Falco records Rock Me Amadeus.” But I’m not going back and making edits… or adding jokes I failed to come up with back at the time. Plus, you have to remember the Salieri Version (12-inch extended dance version) - to get that joke.

23 June 2024 - A brief and insufficient review of Preston Sturges’ Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) - on the (Ella Raines) Movie page. Better yet, if you haven’t seen this movie, find it steaming somewhere (it’s possible) and watch it - it’s a crazy movie.

22 June 2024 - On the Soap Exotica page - a review of - Royal Pine Toilet Soap – Hotel Bar Soap!

21 June 2024 - Short review for a change - The Detergents “Leader of the Laundromat” / “Ulcers” - a 1964 novelty 45 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

18 June 2024 - What’s new on the Pie page? (That’s where dessert writing goes - desserts being, lately, sparkling water.) Today - a review of La Croix – Lemon.

17 June 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - an entry from Monday 9 February 1998 - about the “Mauve Decade” writing project that I kept trying to make someting of - and kept failing at. My observations are kind of funny, kind of sad - also a bit pathetic, touching, and boring. Ha!

15 June 2024 - New soap review - Good Soap – Cherry Blossom - on the Soap Exotica page.

14 June 2024 - On the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS - a multi-artist jazz record that I did my best titling as - Europa Jazz – Dollar Brand / Bill Evans Trio / Charles Lloyd Quartet / Michael White Quartet.

13 June 2024 - Book Report - excellent kids’ book - Sky Castle by Arthur Northup (1932) - see the Books page.

12 June 2024 - Trying to catch up with the sparkling water and hop water reviews - which can be found on the Pie page, under the LUNCH tab - because they just keep coming! And even though I’m nearly a year behind with these reviews - here’s one that I found only earlier today - haven’t even finished the first can yet! - Surly Brewing Co. – Axe Man Sparkling Hop Water.

10 June 2024 - Today’s Notebook Journals entry is from: 24 January 1998 – from Dream Notebook No. 1 - which means, if I was following the rules, it’s a dream - on the Notebook Journals page.

9 June 2024 - Sparkling water, or, I should say, hopwater review - Hoplark – (Limited Edition) w/ Lemondrop Hops - on the Pie page.

8 June 2024 - Book Report Time - Traveling Sprinkler by Nicholson Baker (2013) - on the Books page.

7 June 2024 - After a rough week, it’s finally Farraginous Friday - so here’s a review of Mark Eitzel’s 2017 LP, “Hey Mr Ferryman” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGIONOUS.

3 June 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - a journal entry from: Thursday, 25 December 1997 – Portland, OR - which was a partial script voiceover for my epic video, Seafood. From this brief, two paragraph entry, you can see why Seafood was the cinematic phenomenon that reverberates even today in the greater arts community if not the global consciousness. Reminds me, as well, that I spent a Christmas at the old, Multnomah Hotel, which was awesome.

1 June 2024 - New soap review! Lirio Dermatológico – Purifica tu piel - on the Soap Exotica page.

31 May 2024 - Last Farraginous Friday in May - Sandy Posey “featuring I Take It Back” from 1967 - excellent record - and one of my more entertaining reviews (to write, at least) lately, so don’t miss this one! On the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

30 May 2024 - Next Ella Raines movie - Phantom Lady (1944) - and an interesting (to me) take on it - read about it on the Movies page (or, rather, temporarily, the Ella Raines Movies page).

28 May 2024 - It must be “Book Report” time - so go to the the Books page for: The Golden Spur by Dawn Powell (1962).

27 May 2024 - A “Sunday Project” entry from Sunday, 30 November 1997 – Holman’s, Portland, OR - on the Notebook Journals page. It’s about Holman’s, in Portland, and coincidently, I was working on a chapter of my new novel, this morning, that is set at a bar that’s based on Holman’s. Sometimes the timing works out! (Not that it needs too!) I started writing journal entries called Sunday Project as far back as the late Eighties - always written at a diner or family restaurant over breakfast on a Sunday morning. I still do these, occasionally, but the way things are going, lately, I won’t be able to afford to much longer!

24 May 2024 - A 7-inch 45 - Walter Huston “September Song” / “Lost in the Stars” - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

22 May 2024 - Finally, back the Ella Raines movies! I’m trying to watch and write about all of her feature films (at least the ones I can find). This next one - Cry ‘Havoc’ (1943) - is a war movie - but unusual in that the cast is almost exclusively women. On the Movie page.

20 May 2024 - Memoir Monday on the Notebook Journals page - 17 November 1997 – from Dream Notebook No. 1 - a relatively short but very weird dream!

19 May 2024 - Yet another “book report” - No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (2005) - on the Books page.

18 May 2024 - New (very old) Soap review - Starlite Motel – Palmolive – Hotel Bar Soap - on the Soap Exoitca page.

17 May 2024 - Arthur Lyman “Love for Sale!” 1963 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

16 May 2024 - Another Book Report - Mystery at Shadow Pond by Mary C. Jane (1958) - on the Books page.

13 May 2024 - On the Notebook Journals page - I believe this is the last of my “Fuel Tour” journal/diary - an entry from Saturday, 15 November 1997 - though I’m pretty sure there were more adventures in Seattle. Might not have documented them. Oh, well. Hopefully in the future (meaning the past, but at a time ongoing from these efforts) - I improve my journal writing a little bit. Though, I’ll probably always be somewhat unhappy with it. I can only hope there are little gems, here and there.

12 May 2024 - Check out the Steely Dan page for a review of the song, “Medical Science” - a bonus track from Walter Becker’s 1994 album, 11 Tracks of Whack.

11 May 2024 - “Book Report” time - The Divorce by César Aira (2010) - on the Books page.

10 May 2024 - Farraginous Friday review - Silver Convention “Get Up and Boogie (That’s Right)” / “Son of a Gun” - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

7 May 2024 - Next sparkling water review - Nixie – Lime Ginger - on the Pie page!

6 May 2024 - Next Noteook Journals entry - a continuaton of the Fuel Tour (written later, I guess, back home - Friday 14 November 1997 – Portland, OR).

4 May 2024 - New soap review - Dr. Bronner’s – All-One Eucalyptus – Pure-Castile Bar Soap - on the Soap Exotica page.

3 May 2024 - I’d love to say with the warmer weather comes warm weather music - but it’s still the random counter picking the next entry on DJ FARRAGINOUS and the Vinyl page - and today it’s: José Miguel Class “Trofeos Otorgados A José Miguel Class – El Gallito De Manati”

30 April 2024 - Rather long Sparkling Water review today - that’s because it’s everyone’s favorite - La Croix – Pamplemousse - and it brought up a lot of mental adventures! On the Pie page (under the LUNCH tab).

29 April 2024 - Memoir Monday - next Notebook Journals entry - from: Sunday, 9 November 1997 – Holman’s, Portland, OR - one of many over the years designated as “Sunday Project” - writing in a notebook at a diner on Sunday morning. Or, in this case, Holman’s, a dive bar. A little alarming - it sounds like I ordered the White Knuckler’s Slippery Slope Special.

28 April 2024 - A long awaited, exciting dispatch from our correspondent, Kenneth Oates - under the MEMO tab. And the latest book report - on The Botany of Desire, by Michael Pollan - on the Books page, under the LISTS tab.

27 April 2024 - Another “Hotel Bar Soap” review - this one: Tanglewood Motel – Cashmere Bouquet - on the Soap Exotica page.

26 April 2024 - The Electric Prunes “Mass in F Minor” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

24 April 2024 - Latest coffee shop review - Alderaan Coffee - on the Coffee page!

23 April 2024 - Go to the Books page - latest “Book Report” - Rupert Piper and the Dear, Dear Birds by Ethelyn M. Parkinson, from 1976.

22 April 2024 - A very short Notebook Journals entry from: Thursday, 6 November 1997 – Portland, OR - a classic example of how little can be often said to satisfy a journal entry. But that’s the way it goes - or went - it’s not easy for me not to fall into long-windedness, these days. This was nearing the end of the Fuel Tour - but not the very end. It took me a few weeks, back in Portland, to get around to writing about it.

20 April 2024 - Latest soap review - Halló Iceland – Volcanic Ash - on the Soap Exotica page.

19 April 2024 - Rough week, but as Sinatra sings in Johnny Mercer’s “Dream” - “Things are never as bad as they seem, so dream, dream, dream…” and I really have found that you can both escape and solve problems (or maybe just put things in perspective) in dreams. So why not usher in the weekend with a record ending with that song, on an album titled: “Nice ‘n’ Easy” - from 1960 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

15 April 2024 - Another Memoir Monday - a very short Notebook Journals entry titled: Monday, 3 November 1997 – Portland, OR - which describes traveling into San Francisco, by train. I remember it like it was yesterday.

13 April 2024 - It’s “Book Report” time - The Anthologist by Nicholson Baker - from 2009 - on the Books page.

12 April 2024 - Another 45 RPM single review - on the Vinyl page - The Jam “Going Underground” / “The Dreams of Children” - from 1980 - it’s also at: DJ FARRAGINOUS.

8 April 2024 - Next Notebook Journals entry - from Thursday, 23 October 1997 - pretty eventful (if too briefly described) episode! I was sure livin’ the life back then!

7 April 2024 - I apologize for the oddness of my post, today - latest Steely Dan song appreciation - this time it’s: “I Got the News” from Aja (1977) - on the Steely Dan page - I’m suffering from a rather substantial fever and am a little out of it - but still, I wanted to persist.

6 April 2024 - New (old, old) soap review! Sayman Vegetable Wonder Soap – Guest Size - on the Soap Exotica page.

5 April 2024 - On the Vinyl page - Paul Horn “Dream Machine” (from 1978) - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

4 April 2024 - Stop by the Pie page - under the LUNCH tab, above - to find the latest water review - this one, hop water, is - Fair State Co-Op – Hop Water – Citra & Galaxy Hops.

3 April 2024 - A new Coffee Shop review - 330 Eats - on the Coffee page!

2 April 2024 - Another “book report” - on the Books page - this time it’s Fairy Tale by Stephen King, from 2022.

1 April 2024 - I’ve no truck with April Fools Day pranksterism - so here’s the usual Monday Memoir post - from Saturday, 18 October 1997 - on the Notebook Journals page.

29 March 2024 - On the Vinyl page - Carly Simon “Hotcakes” - from 1974 - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

27 March 2024 - It’s “Book Report” time - Footprints Under the Window by Franklin W. Dixon (1933) - on the Books page.

25 March 2024 - Another entry from my notebook from Wednesday, 15 October 1997 - on the Notebook Journals page. How did I get from there, when I didn’t say much, to being so wordy, now. I suppose I was just tired back then.

23 March 2024 - New soap review! Nubian Heritage – Raw Shea Butter - on the Soap Exotica page.

22 March 2024 - Happy first snowy Farraginous Friday of spring - on the Vinyl page, a country and western 45 - Ray Pillow “The Waitress” / “She Knows What Love Can Do” from 1973 - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

21 March 2024 - This used to be my favorite two days of TV sports watching (first two days of “March Madness”) back when all the games were covered as best as possible by one, broadcast network - so they’d finish one game and take you to the exciting conclusion of another. Now, since 3/4 of the games are on cable TV (as is the final four and finals), what people who can’t afford cable TV get is a watered-down, half-assed, pathetic, pale fart of the former “madness.” Oh, well, at least I don’t have to endure as many commercials.

While on the negativity theme, here’s (finally) a new Sparkling Water review - Klarbrunn – Citrus Blend - and it’s… not one of my favorites. But like I said, I’m still a fan of the Klarbrunn waters, in general. At least, I hope, this review is amusing. Find it (where else but) on the Pie page (under the LUNCH tab).

20 March 2024 - Cafe review - Grace Place Coffee - on the Coffee page!

19 March 2024 - Latest “Book Report” - Books page - The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin (2023).

18 March 2024 - Another very short MEMOIR entry - the Notebook Journals page - from Sunday, 12 October 1997 - continuing on the Fuel Tour. It sounds like I was getting a little burned out. Ha!

15 March 2024 - On the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS - a review of the LP, Vern Gosdin “Never My Love” - from 1978.

11 March 2024 - More Journals from my Notebook from Friday, 10 October 1997, Providence, RI - on the Fuel Tour - under the MEMOIR tab.

9 March 2024 - New soap review! Alchimia – Bourbon - on the Soap Exotica page.

8 March 2024 - Terry Gibbs “Vibes on Velvet” - from 1956 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

7 March 2024 - New “book report” - The Case of the Ticklish Tooth by Scott Corbett - a kids book from 1971 - on the Books page.

5 March 2024 - FINALLY, a new sparkling water review - this time it’s La Croix – Razz-Cranberry - find it on the Pie page (as always).

4 March 2024 - Memoir Monday - still on the Fuel Tour - a short one from Thursday, 9 October 1997 - on the Notebook Journals page.

3 March 2024 - Book report on the Books page - Erasure by Percival Everett (2001).

1 March 2024 - Happy March 1st! Which happens to fall on Farraginous Friday - thus, a short review of Stan Kenton & His Orchestra “7.5 on the Richter Scale” (1973) - on the Vinyl page - as well as at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

29 February 2024 - For some odd reason, a bonus Farraginous February day - Gino Vannelli “The Gist of the Gemini” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

28 February 2024 - We’ve got a double-header today, folks—first, a new cafe review - Vendetta Coffee Bar - on the Coffee page. And another record - Canyon Spells “Now That We’re Gone” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

27 February 2024 - Final few days of Farraginous February - see the Vinyl page for the 1988 Brenda Russell LP, “Get Here” - or check it out on DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 February 2024 - Under the MEMOIR tab - a Notebook Journals entry from Wednesday, 8 October 1997 - on the Fuel Tour.

25 February 2024 - Another review of another 4-song EP - this time - Frank Sinatra “The Voice” EP - from 1955. Read about it on the Vinyl page - or at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

24 February 2024 - A legitimate “memo” on the MEMO page!

23 February 2024 - An extensive write-up of the 7-inch Iron Oxide “Bass Response EP” - from 2005 - on the Vinyl page - and also, at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

22 February 2024 - Farraginous February continues at DJ FARRAGINOUS - and on the Vinyl page - with Kim Carnes “Mistaken Identity” - from 1981.

20 February 2024 - Book Report! Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island by Alice B. Emerson - from 1915! on the Books page.

19 February 2024 - It's Memoir Monday - see the Notebook Journals page - to continue the Fuel Tour diary - Monday, 6 October 1997 – Washington DC.

18 February 2024 - On the Vinyl page - Mickey Newbury “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” from 1978 - as well as at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

17 February 2024 - Soap review on the Soap Exotica page - Mysore Sandal Soap.

16 February 2024 - It’s Farraginous Friday, and half-way through Farraginous February - so here’s a review of a 1970 Hilltop Sammi Smith re-issue, “Help Me Make It Through the Night” - a lot to consider - taking nuttiness to a new level (the review, not the record) (the record is great) - so, you won’t want to miss this one, fans! On the Vinyl page, and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS - where you can also use the “search” function to read about other Sammi Smith records, reviewed so far - so, why not? It don’t cost nothin’.

15 February 2024 - Review of the single - The Fireflies “I Can’t Say Goodbye” / “What Did I Do Wrong” - from 1959 - on the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

14 February 2024 - ON THE MEMO page, another check-in from our “paid” un-foreign correspondent, while holed up in Northampton, alone, with a broken car and a snowstorm. You almost can’t blame him for titling his post: Ask Me If I Care That It’s Valentine’s Day.

13 February 2024 - Book report! Bunny by Mona Awad - on the Books page.

12 February 2024 - Fuel Tour diary continues - Saturday, 4 October 1997 – En Route - on the Notebook Journals page.

11 February 2024 - Short review of Elvis Costello and The Attractions “Live at Hollywood High” - a 3 song, seven-inch promo from 1978 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

9 February 2024 - Happy Farraginous Friday! Bobby Radcliff “Early in the Morning” - from 1985 - on the Vinyl page - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

8 February 2024 - New book (report) - A Man Named Doll by Jonathan Ames - on the Books page!

7 February 2024 - Cafe review here - Colectivo Coffee – US Bank Café - find it on the Coffee page.

6 February 2024 - Farraginous February continues with - Philiac “This Appalling Ocean” - from 2015 - on the Vinyl page - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

5 February 2024 - A pretty good travelogue Notebook Journals entry from - Thursday, 2 October 1997 – Raleigh, NC - documenting the Fuel Film Tour. Under the MEMOIR tab.

4 February 2024 - For Farraginous February - see the Vinyl page for the 1964 45 RPM single from The Wildcats - “What Are We Gonna Do in ’64?” / “3625 Groovy Street” - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

3 February 2024 - The latest soap review - Carlsbad Caverns – Hotel Bar Soap - on the Soap Exotica page.

2 February 2024 - Once again it’s Farraginous February - not just a pointless challenge, but a celebration - of listening to affordable vinyl records and trying to write something coherent! The original idea was that I’d post a short review each day of the month. Well, it’s not gonna happen again this year - but it is a good exercise to try to get back to writing shorter posts. As usual, I use a random system to pick what to write about (out of my vast collection). Today, it happens to be one of my most obsessed about records of recent years (it’s from 1970, but it took me 50 years to hear it) - John Phillips “John Phillips (John, The Wolfking of L.A.)” - as usual, on the Vinyl page - as well as at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

31 January 2024 - No Wednesday cafe review today, sorry! I intended to go the the Starbucks near my house (East Pointe) and they were tearing out the insides! I don’t love Starbucks, and I know there’s tons of them, but that’s the fourth or fifth one, within my walking radius that has closed in the last few years! Like I said before, right now might be a good time to open a cafe in the downtown Milwaukee area. Hopefully I’ll have a new coffee visit up next week. What IS here today is a new “Book Report” - about the 2017 novel Less by Andrew Sean Greer. It’s on the Books page.

29 January 2024 - A long journal entry from - Tuesday, 30 September 1997 - on the Notebook Journals page. Another entry from a cross-country train trip - good for writing in the notebook - for me - at least back in 1997.

28 January 2024 - Time for a new Sparkling Water review - today it’s - Waterloo – Cherry Limeade - find it on the Pie page!

26 January 2024 - Last Farraginous Friday of the month - Dorothy Donegan “at the Embers” - from 1957 - on the Vinyl page - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

25 January 2024 - New “book report” - Liberation Day - by George Saunders - from 2022 - on the Books page.

24 January 2024 - Check out the MEMO page for the latest travelogue update from correspondent Kenneth Oates, reporting from Northampton, MA.

23 January 2024 - Memo to Self: Fix things in that sidebar —>>> (Elsewhere on this website, please find)… soon!

22 January 2024 - A Notebook Journals entry from Monday, 29 September 1997 - it’s another one from a long train trip - all about the “Smoking Lounge” - for Memoir Monday.

20 January 2024 - Fresh soap review - Florinda – Sapone Vegetale – Lime - on the Soap Exotica page!

19 January 2024 - Totally overly self-indulgent review of Mott the Hoople “The Hoople” (from 1974) - on the Vinyl page - and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

17 January - Visit the Coffee page for this Wednesday’s coffee shop review - Blooming Lotus Bakery!

16 January 2024 - Every year I check to see if Steven Soderbergh is still keeping track what he’s seen and read—movies, TV, books, plays—and then posts last year’s list (on his website, called Extension 765) around the beginning of the next year. Every year I mean to keep a list like that—and don’t. But it cheers me up that he keeps doing it—and it’s always interesting to check out. Here’s a link to Soderblog: Seen, Read 2023.

15 January 2024 - It’s Memoir Monday - and back to Notebook Journals - under the MEMOIR tab. This entry is from Sunday, 28 September 1997 - and it’s written ON THE TRAIN in Montana - at the beginning of a cross country trip - and there’s a lot about relationships, time, writing, and travel (though, nothing about time travel). Still, a pretty good one.

14 January 2024 - On the MEMO page - the first installment from our new travel correspondent, Kenneth Oates. We’ll forgive him for this one. He was stuck in a cheap motel, trying to watch… Well, you can read about it. Perhaps we should welcome him with a couple of presents. A Packers jersey. A red pencil. Welcome aboard, Kenneth!

13 January 2024 - On Soap Review Saturday, please find an assessment of - Old Spice – Sport – Barra de Jabón - on the Soap Exotica page (under the LISTS tab).

12 January 2024 - Happy Farraginous Friday! New review on the Vinyl page - Tommy Roe “We Can Make Music” (from 1970) - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS - and it looks like posts are showing up there, once again, on that site - so if you can stand the video ads, it’s worth checking out. It’s eminently searchable (there is a “search” box function) so you can have fun and spend hours there!

Also, please note, due to the inclement weather today, RSPEEN.COM is closed. Why do you need to close a website, you ask, because of snow? Just be safe, take care, and leave those kinds of questions up to the experts.

10 January 2024 - No Cafe Review this Wednesday because I didn’t make it to a cafe last week. Downtown Milwaukee needs some new coffee shops! I know… there are a lot of them… and some fine ones… and I haven’t written about them all… but, still, several have closed in the last few years, and you can’t have too many coffee shops! A particularly good spot is the old Coffee Bean location on Water Street—I think it might be available. You could even call it the Coffee Bean (there’s a good sign, up). Because that’s a great name for a coffee shop. The other thing, more coffee shops need to stay open later. I get up early, and no longer drink coffee late, but I still think that.

What IS here, today, instead, is a new post on the MEMO page (hasn’t been one for a while). And it contains some exciting news!

8 January 2024 - Two Memoir posts- from the summer of 1997 - both written at the Thai Deli, in Portland - on the Notebook Journals page. Both entries sound like I’m freaking out a bit - I should have concentrated on the delicious Thai food!

6 January 2024 - First “Book Report” of the year - Secret Sea by Robb White (1947) - on the Books page. The start of my 2024 goal to read and write about 52 books! Not as any part of those official “challenges” (which are just a way to get your email address and try to sell you things), and not to try to impress anyone (I read a lot of children's books, after all), but just for fun and as an incentive. I made a rule—I have to finish and write about a book before I can buy a new book. Also, because I’m a big geek!

5 January 2024 - For Farraginious Friday - a review of Skeeter Davis “Skeeter Sings Standards” from 1965 - on the Vinyl page. It seems that the text is still not showing up on DJ FARRAGINOUS - at least on my computer - though it shows up on my phone - so that’s weird - so I’ll include a link (above). If anyone can figure out THAT oddity, I’ll make you the honorary IT specialist of rspeen.com!

3 January 2024 - Wednesday coffee shop review - Roast Coffee Company - on the Coffee page.

1 January 2024 - Always exciting to post the first post of the new year. It’s “Memoir Monday” as well - so there’s a new notebook entry on the Notebook Journals page, under the MEMOIR tab. It’s journal entry from 17 July 1997 – The Hurst - “The Hurst” being my secret name for the Laurelthirst Public House - in Portland, Oregon - that I used to frequent in the 1990s.

31 December 2023 - On the Books page, a short “book report” of: Lee, Myself & I: Inside the Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood by Wyndham Wallace. Happy New Year!

30 December 2023 - What is likely the last sparkling water review of the year - Polar – Tart Cherry Limeade - on the Pie page.

29 December 2023 - 100 Proof (Aged in Soul) “Somebody’s Been Sleeping in My Bed” - that’s an album from 1970 - a review of it is on the Vinyl page. (Unfortunately, it seems like the DJ Farraginous site doesn’t work anymore - I was getting sick of the ads there anyway. No ads on the Vinyl page - so check it out!)

28 December 2023 - On the Books page (under the LISTS tab) - the latest “Book Report” - Masters of Atlantis by Charles Portis - a hilarious novel from 1985.

27 December 2023 - It’s Wednesday - coffee shop review - Fiddleheads Coffee – BMO Tower - on the Coffee page.

26 December 2023 - At last, another sparkling water review - Klarbrunn – Raspberry - as usual, on the Pie page.

25 December 2023 - Happy Christmas and Merry Memoir Monday! A Notebook Journals entry from 16 July 1997 – Portland, Oregon - from a place called the New Crystal Cafe. Under the MEMOIR tab.

24 December 2023 - Short “Book Report” for you - While the Clock Ticked by Franklin W. Dixon - a Hardy Boys Mystery, from 1932.

23 December 2023 - New soap review - Auromère Ayurvedic Soap – Sandal-Turmeric - on the Soap Exotica page.

22 December 2023 - Record review - Pink Floyd “Animals” - from 1977 - on the Vinyl page. It’s supposed to be on DJ Farraginous, as well, but when I looked at that sight - no words show up! (Odd for a WORDpress blog). Anyway, hopefully that gets ironed out. If and when, I’ll update here!

21 December 2023 - Happy Solstice and first day of Winter! Under the Podcast tab - new Randy Russell Podcast! Guest host Dan Dickover and Randy talk about—among other things—happiness, what makes a good life, legacy, art, religion, death, shopping, and sock monkeys!

20 December 2023 - Wednesday coffee shop review - Canary Coffee Bar - on the Coffee page!

18 December 2023 - It’s Memoir Monday - 2 new entries - on the Notebook Journals page - from a trip to Salem, Oregon. There is a longer one, and then a short entry from the next morning (free breakfast at Denny’s?!) These entries are from May and June 1997 - and the previous one was from July 1996 - apparently I write very little in my notebook for nearly a year! Unless there was some notebook that I lost. Maybe it was just a rough time for notebook journal writing!

17 December 2023 - Visit the Steely Dan page for some thoughts on the song, “The Night Belongs to Mona” - from Donald Fagen’s 2006 LP, Morph the Cat.

15 December 2023 - Farraginous Friday and another seven inch single - The Cowboys “Supermarket” / “Teenage Life” - from 1980 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

14 December 2023 - New sparkling water (or in this case, hop tea) review - Hoplark Sparkling HopTea – the Green Tea One - on the Pie page.

13 December 2023 - Wednesday coffee shop review - The Pfister Hotel – Lobby - on the Coffee page.

11 December 2023 - For Memoir Monday, a notebook entry from Wednesday, 17 July 1996 (which contains the shocking statement that I had quit drinking coffee! I certainly don’t remember that!) - on the Notebook Journals page.

9 December 2023 - New soap review - Alquimia Holistica – Greens - winner of the 2023 Soap Exotica Soap of the Year Award - on the Soap Exotica page!

8 December 2023 - Old 45 RPM single review - Johnny Cash “A Boy Named Sue” / “San Quentin” - bought when I was nine - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

7 December 2023 - New sparkling water review - La Croix – Black Razzberry - find it on the Pie page, under the LUNCH tab!

6 December 2023 - Wednesday coffee shop review - recently opened - Grace Coffee Co. - on the Coffee page.

5 December 2023 - New “Book Report” - The Mill Creek Irregulars: Special Detectives by August Derleth (1959) - on the Books page.

4 December 2023 - For Memoir Monday, I posted three entries today (they’re short) from late January 1996 - on the Notebook Journals page (under the MEMOIR tab).

1 December 2023 - Record review - Spanky & Our Gang “Anything You Choose b/w Without Rhyme or Reason” - from 1969 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

27 November 2023 - Welcome to “Memoir Monday” - a new day designation (that I’ll do my best to follow) - every Monday an old notebook post on one (or maybe more than one) of the pages under the MEMOIR tab. Today it’s the Notebook Journal page - and an entry from Friday, 26 January 1996. That’s the thing I wrote in my notebook on that day, in 1996. It’s kind of crazy to look at the past in this way, if you think about it, right?

ALSO, I changed the cover photo to remind you that my new novel, Sad as the Day I was Born is now available. You can find ordering information (paperback and eBook) at the book’s page, under the MEDIA tab. It might seem crazy to listen to me, but I’D highly recommend it - perhaps it would make a good birthday present for those born near the holidays! —Randy Russell

26 November 2023 - Latest on the Books page - How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy (2020) - also, added a lot of books to the Reading List.

25 November 2023 - New soap review - OC Men – Bay Rum - on the Soap Exotica page.

24 November 2023 - Happy Farraginous Friday - see the Vinyl page for this 1972 multi-artist compilation LP - Freddie Hart / Sammi Smith / Jerry Reed “Just Us Three” - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

21 November 2023 - New sparkling water review - Waterloo – Tropical Fruit - on the Pie page.

17 November 2023 - On the Vinyl page - Laura Nyro “Christmas and the Beads of Sweat” - as well as at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

15 November 2023 - It’s time for another Wednesday coffee shop review - Rochambo Coffee & Tea House - on the Coffee page.

11 November 2023 - Soap review Saturday - Mountain Path – Scented Soap - on the Soap Exotica page.

10 November 2023 - Another Farraginous Friday - the 1968 Tommy Roe single, “Dizzy” / “The You I Need” - on the Vinyl page - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

9 November 2023 - More activity on the Pie page - another sparkling hop water review - this time, it’s the calming Hoplark – Sparkling HopTea – The Calm One – made with Chamomile.

8 November 2023 - The Wednesday coffee shop review - Benji’s Deli, in Shorewood. On the Coffee page.

7 November 2023 - Book Report time - and continuing to re-read Clowes - Caricature by Daniel Clowes (1998) - on the Books page.

3 November 2023 - Lambert, Hendricks and Ross “The Way-Out Voices of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

1 November 2023 - Latest cafe review - Interval – Bay View - on the Coffee page.

29 October 2023 - On the Steely Dan page - a short article about the Donald Fagen song, “Trans-Island Skyway” - from Kamakiriad (1993).

27 October 2023 - On the Vinyl page - Minnie Riperton’s 1974 LP, Perfect Angel - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 October 2023 - Another “book report” - The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor (2023) - on the Books page.

25 October 2023 - New cafe review on the Coffee page - Grind – UWM Golda Meir Library.

23 October 2023 - Sparking water review - AHA – Blackberry + Lemon - on the Pie page.

20 October 2023 - New one on the Vinyl page - Hap Palmer “Movin’” (from 1973) - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

19 October 2023 - On the Pie page - Alani – Orange - latest sparkling water review - sorry this one’s a bit of a bummer.

18 October 2023 - Back to the Coffee Shop reviews - on the Coffee page - this week it’s: Anodyne Bay View Café & Pizza.

17 October 2023 - Latest on the Books page - The Dog of the South by Charles Portis (1979).

14 October 2023 - Soap review! Institut Karité Paris – Lavender Perfume Shea Soap - at Soap Exotica.

13 October 2023 - On the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS - the 1969 LP by Spirit - “Clear.”

12 October 2023 - A new hop water review - Hoplark Sparkling Water – with Sabro Hops - on the Pie page.

10 October 2023 - Brady Street Pharmacy: Stories and Sketches by Tea Krulos - on the Books page.

6 October 2023 - On the Vinyl page - a 1967 single from Milwaukee - Barbara Christian “Not Like You Boy” / “I Worry” - also on DJ FARRAGINOUS.

4 October 2023 - Fresh (do I always say that?) Sparkling Water review - on the Pie page - it’s Polar – Ruby Red Grapefruit.

3 October 2023 - I made the executive decision to change the Movies page (under the LISTS tab) to the Ella Raines Movies page - for a new project - I’m going to try to track down, watch, and write about all of the Ella Raines movies - and there are far too few - mostly from the 1940s - so it’s a do-able project - but also, some of them are hard to find! First one, today, is a war movie from 1943 called Corvette K-225, also starring Randolph Scott.

2 October 2023 - On the Books page - Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma by Claire Dederer - from this year.

1 October 2023 - Happy October! After years of working on it (off and on, of course), SAD AS THE DAY I WAS BORN is out! Paperback is $18, and eBook is roughly the price of a pumpkin spice latte. Thank you to everyone who is reading it! If you’re looking for a copy online, check the following links: BookBaby Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, thriftbooks, Bookshop.org, kobo, booktopia, Apple Books, and more! For more information, email me! (Use email address on Contacts page.)

30 September 2023 - New soap review! HOPIFICIO – White Musk - at Soap Exotica (under the LISTS tab).

Also, the new novel, Sad as the Day I was Born, by Randy Russell, is officially available (as of yesterday)! You can find a page for it, including links for ordering it, under the MEDIA tab.

29 September 2023 - The Rachel Sweet record “Fool Around” - from 1978, 1979 - on the Vinyl page, and DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 September 2023 - Latest sparking water review - AHA – Peach + Honey - on the Pie page.

23 September 2023 - On the Books page - Music Is History by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson - from 2021.

22 September 2023 - for Farraginous Friday - The Clash “Gates of the West” / “Groovy Times” - a single from 1979 - on the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

21 September 2023 - a review of Hoplark Sparkling HopTea – the Citra Bomb One - on the Pie page.

19 September 2023 - On the Books page - Patience by Daniel Clowes (2016) - the latest in my effort to re-read all the Clowes before the new one comes out. Dedicated readers of this website who also have good memories (a group whose number probably lies in the low “no ones”), may recall that I wrote about this book years ago, around when it came out. I made a point not to read my old review - but it’s there, for anyone who wants to scroll back, compare the two, and make fun of me.

17 September 2023 - Check out the new book page for SAD AS THE DAY I WAS BORN - a novel by Randy Russell (under the MEDIA tab). The book comes out on September 29, 2023 - you can pre-order from links on the book page.

16 September 2023 - New soap review! Palmolive Naturals – Suavidad Exfoliante – Con Coco Y Algodón - on the Soap Exotica page.

15 September 2023 - Either check out the Vinyl page - or DJ FARRAGINOUS - for 1000 excessive words on the 1972 Randy California LP, Kapt. Kopter and the (Fabulous) Twirly Birds.

12 September 2023 - Today’s “book report” - August Blue by Deborah Levy, from 2023 - on the Books page.

10 September 2023 - A new sparking water review - on the Pie page - this time it’s Klarbrunn Sparkling Water – Lemon.

8 September 2023 - A 1980 retrospective double album - The Patsy Cline Story - as today happens to be the anniversary of her birth - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

5 September 2023 - Sorry, but it’s still summer! New sparkling water review - Polar – Raspberry Pink Lemonade - on the Pie page.

4 September 2023 - I didn’t realize that yesterday was the anniversary of Walter Becker’s death (I have mixed feelings about noting the dates of, i.e. celebrating, anniversaries of death) when I decided to do a review (as always, picked by random system) of a Walter Becker song. I saw, later, some tributes to him on social media. Anyway, I am glad it was a song I really liked!

Today, check out the Books page for a paragraph on The Death-Ray by Daniel Clowes - from 2004.

3 September 2023 - A meditation on the song “Door Number Two” from Walter Becker’s 2008 album, Circus Money - on the Steely Dan page.

1 September 2023 - Just returned from an off-line vacation in the “North Woods” where I was at least able to record my thoughts on one of the odd LPs that turned up in the remote cabin - Gerd Zacher - Mauricio Kagel / Juan Allende-Blin / György Ligeti – “Phantasie Für Orgel Mit Obbligati” / “Sonorités” / “Volumina” and “Étude Nr.1 (‘Harmonies’)” - from 1968. Read about it on the Vinyl page, or at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

25 August 2023 - The George Shearing Quintet and Orchestra “White Satin” review on the Vinyl page under the LISTS tab, and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

24 August 2023 - The latest sparking water review - Bubly – Blackberry - on the Pie page.

23 August 2023 - If you’re suffering under the “heat dome” this evening, you might want to cool off by reading one of my mundane, complaining notebook entries from - Thursday, 25 January 1996 - on the Notebook Journals page!

22 August 2023 - New “Book Report” (Books page) - Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, from 1977.

21 August 2023 - New installment of Notebook Journals - it’s very short. I really knew how to keep it brief, back in 1996! I wonder what happened? I mean to my talent for brevity? Maybe I was just tired.

19 August 2023 - About time for a new soap review! Duke Cannon Supply Co. – Accomplishment is Our Secret Weapon! - on the Soap Exotica page.

18 August 2023 - Pay no attention to the “back to school” ads or the aisles of Halloween junk already in the drug stores—no! We’re just now in the HEART of summer—and here’s a great summer record! Skeeter Davis “Singin’ in the Summer Sun” (from 1966) - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

15 August 2023 - A series book from 1962 - Peggy Finds the Theater by Virginia Hughes - on the Books page.

12 August 2023 - A very brief entry in the “Notebook Journals” “Memoir” page from Wednesday Night, 3 January 1996 - the most depressing one yet! What was going on back then, early 1996? Well, I could try to put it all together—there are short days and lots of cold rain. Money problems. But everything else was good. I wish I had a time machine—I’d go back and say, “Cheer up!” Was I seeing my therapist, “Guru Dave” yet? This is likely before I started taking thyroid replacement medication, daily, which kind of changed my life, so maybe there’s that.

11 August 2023 - The Farraginous Friday magic counter finally landed on “Nite Creatures” - the 2020 LP from Joe Wong - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

10 August 2023 - The Pie page under the LUNCH tab is where you’ll find a review of Agua de Piedra – Natural Mineral Water - delicious mineral water from Mexico.

9. August 2023 - On the Books page - Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami (2017) .

7 August 2023 - The next entry of Notebook Journals - from 2 January 1996 - under the MEMOIR tab - it’s a little depressing, frankly.

5 August 2023 - One of the unforeseen effects of the pandemic was that I had no enthusiasm for re-typing old journals and entering them in the MEMOIR section of this website. I may try to get back to that now. I started by changing the MEMOIR page, Notebook Journals, which used to be a link to an old blog where I was typing my journals from the late Nineties. I have now changed this to a similar format as the other Memoir pages, and I’m going to start over with Notebook Journals, entering one notebook entry at a time. There are a LOT of them, so this could take me years and years. Hopefully there’s some interesting stuff there!

4 August 2023 - A double-sided 45, featuring: Swingin’ Medallions “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love)” / Sir Douglas Quintet “Mendocino” - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

3 August 2023 - Sparking water review - on the Pie page - Simple Truth Organic – Mango Grapefruit Seltzer.

1 August 2023 - Latest “book report” - Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino (2022) - on the Books page.

30 July 2023 - New entry on the Steely Dan page - this time it's “Parker’s Band”—first song, side two of Pretzel Logic (1974).

29 July 2023 - Time for another soap review! Good Earth – Cedar & Citrus Soap Bar - on the Soap Exotica page.

28 July 2023 - On the Vinyl page - Michael McDonald “That Was Then, The Early Recordings of Michael McDonald” a compilation LP from 1982 - and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

25 July 2023 - If you are curious about what my currently favorite sparkling water is, head over to the Pie page (as in, my version of dessert) and read my review of Hoplark Sparkling Water – Mosaic Hops.

24 July 2023 - The latest “Book Report” - Mister Wonderful by Daniel Clowes (2011) - on the Books page.

21 July 2023 - The Alice Cooper album “Muscle of Love” - from 1973 - long, long write-up about this one - with lots of digressions! On the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

17 July 2023 - New activity on the Pie page - a review of: Richard’s Rainwater – Still.

16 July 2023 - It’s time for a somewhat extensive Steely Dan song article - “Time Out of Mind”—second song, side two of Gaucho (1980) - on the Steely Dan page.

14 July 2023 - The 1961 LP, Norrie Paramor’s Orchestra “Amor, Amor!” - on the Vinyl page, and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

12 July 2023 - Check out a fresh “book report” - on the Books page - this time, The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis, from 1983.

8 July 2023 - Another soap review - Castelbel Porto – Exfoliating Soap – Poppy Seeds - on the Soap Exotica page.

7 July 2023 - A review of the 1979 single from the Pagans - “Dead End America” / “Little Black Egg” - on the Vinyl page - and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

5 July 2023 - New “Book Report” - Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel - on the Books page.

3 July 2023 - Review of La Croix – Tangerine sparking water - on the Pie page.

2 July 2023 - New Steely Dan song article on the Steely Dan page - “Any World (That I’m Welcome To)”—fourth song, side two of Katy Lied (1975).

30 June 2023 - Last Farraginous Friday of June already - this time it’s the 1972 LP, Billy Preston “Music Is My Life” - on the Vinyl page, and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

28 June 2023 - The Complete Eightball – 1-18 by Daniel Clowes (2022) - Book Report (I’m calling my “reviews” “Book Reports” now - on the Books page, under the LISTS tab.

27 June 2023 - Another water review already - S.Pellegrino – Sparkling Natural Mineral Water -on the Pie page.

24 June 2023 - Yay… new soap review - Crabtree & Evelyn – LaSource - on the Soap Exotica page.

23 June 2023 - Jefferson Airplane “Crown of Creation” - on the Vinyl page, and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

21 June 2023 - Coffee shop review - another hotel coffee - Kimpton Journeyman Hotel - on the Coffee page.

20 June 2023 - A new sparking water review has surfaced - right were you’d expect to find it, on the Pie page. It’s another sparking hop water review, actually - I guess I’m kind of obsessed with that stuff - this time it’s Sierra Nevada – Hop Splash.

18 June 2023 - After way too long, a new Steely Dan review—this time it’s the song, “The Last Mall” from the 2003 album, Everything Must Go. On the Steely Dan page.

16 June 2023 - New review on the Vinyl page - a hit single from 1972, Gallery “Nice to Be with You” / “Ginger Haired Man” - and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

15 June 2023 - Latest book review, on the Books page - The Mystery Hunters at the Haunted Lodge by Capwell Wyckoff, from 1934.

14 June 2023 - New cafe review! The Pfister Hotel – Starbucks - on the Coffee page.

11 June 2023 - The latest sparking water review (this one not sparkling) - Acqua Panna – Natural Spring Water - on the Pie page. Also, added some books to the Reading List.

10 June 2023 - Finally, a new soap review! Nature’s Blend – Seaweed & Tea Tree Soap - on the Soap Exotica page.

9 June 2023 - New review on the Vinyl page - Skeeter Davis “Skeeter Sings Dolly” - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

8 June 2023 - new book review - Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh - on the Books page.

2 June 2023 - It’s Friday, so new review on the Vinyl page - an odd one - Thomas Electronic Organ – “Demonstration Record” - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

31 May 2023 - New cafe review - Colectivo Coffee – Lakefront - on the Coffee page.

30 May 2023 - New book review - Dr. No by Percival Everett, from 2022 - on the Books page.

26 May 2023 - I had to change the Christmas-themed cover photo out before Memorial Day—though, still, snow is in the forecast. New photo is “The Mean Streak” - Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio - sadly turned into scrap in 2016 (though, the last time I rode it, it messed up my back, so I’m not sure how sad I am). Also, it’s Friday again, which means a new record review! And it’s an exciting day because the random magic eightball counter fell on Steely Dan. This time it’s “The Royal Scam” - from 1976 - on the Vinyl page, and also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

23 May 2023 - New sparking water review - Alani – Piña Colada - on the Pie page.

20 May 2023 - Book review - Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron by Daniel Clowes - on the Books page. Also, a new soap review - One With Nature - Lilac - Dead Sea Mineral Soap - at Soap Exotica.

19 May 2023 - Friday record review - George Shearing “New Look!” - on the Vinyl page - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

17 May 2023 - New coffee shop review! Sip & Purr Cat Café - on the Coffee page.

14 May 2023 - Book review, on the Books page - An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter by César Aira.

13 May 2023 - new soap review! Commonwealth Soap Co. – Honey Almond - on the Soap Exotica page.

12 May 2023 - Record review Friday once again - Randy Pie “Highway Driver” - from 1974 - on the Vinyl page, and, as usual, at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

11 May 2023 - New book review - Me and White Supremacy, by Layla F. Saad - on the Books page. Also, new Sparking Water review - on the PIE page - Hoplark Sparkling HopTea – the Really Hoppy One.

8 May 2023 - Another short book review - The Mystery of Morgan Castle - on the Books page.

5 May 2023 - May 5th already, and the Flower Moon - just got back from vacation. (“Vacation.”) Record review, 45 single - Royce Hall Lucky 4 “One More Glass of Wine” / “That’s My Life” from 1967 - on the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

30 April 2023 - New (long overdue) very short “blog” entry, called “Birthday Cake” on the MEMO page! Also, a book review - Wilson, by Daniel Clowes - on the Books page.

28 April 2023 - Album review - Frank Sinatra “Come Fly with Me” - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

26 April 2023 - Coffee shop review - Stone Creek – Factory Café - on the Coffee page!

25 April 2023 - Book review - Today I am a Ham by Ethelyn M. Parkinson (1968) - on the Books page. Also, attempting to redefine the Movies page! Both of those pages are under the LISTS tab.

22 April 2023 - New soap review on Soap Exotica page - Hamam – Neem – Tulsi & Aloe Vera.

21 April 2023 - Review of the Three Dog Night single, “An Old Fashioned Love Song” / “Jam” from 1971 - on the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

19 April 2023 - Mid-week coffee shop review - Full of Beans Cafe - on the Coffee page. Also, on the Movies page: Oceans 10: The Titanic (2023).

14 April 2023 - Friday record review - Julie London “Julie Is Her Name” (1955) - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

9 April 2023 - Book review! Ghost World by Daniel Clowes - on the Books page.

7 April 2023 - Friday 45 RPM single review - Bobby Rydell “We Got Love” / “I Dig Girls” - on the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

6 April 2023 - Check out the Pie page (under the LUNCH tab) for a review of Good & Gather Sparkling Water – Pomegranate Dragon Fruit.

5 April 2023 - Wednesday coffee shop review - North Shore Boulangerie - on the Coffee page.

1 April 2023 - Soap review - Tahitian Volcanic Black Sand – Aloe + Clover Exfoliating Scrub Bar - on the Soap Exotica page.

31 March 2023 - a review of the John Sebastian LP “The Four of Us” (1971) - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

29 March 2023 - New coffee shop review - Sweet Joy Brazilian Café - on the Coffee page.

28 March 2023 - New book review - The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan - on the Books page.

25 March 2023 - Time for a sparkling water review - La Croix – Lime - on the Pie page!

24 March 2023 - Record review - Ahmad Jamal “Sun Set” - on the Vinyl page and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

23 March 2023 - The latest coffee shop review - Starbucks – Hilton Milwaukee City Center - on the Coffee page.

21 March 2023 - New book review - The Literary Conference by César Aira - on the Books page.

18 March 2023 - New soap review! Seafoam Lavender – Artisanal Lavender Soap - on the Soap Exotica page.

17 March 2023 - Short bit on the record, Bent Fabric “Alley Cat” - from 1962 -on the Vinyl page, and at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

15 March 2023 - Wednesday weekly coffee shop review - Fiddleheads Coffee – Shorewood - on the Coffee page.

14 March 2023 - New book review - it’s an autobiography by the ghostwriter of the original texts of many of the early (and best) Hardy Boys series book - Ghost of The Hardy Boys by Leslie McFarlane - on the Books page.

10 March 2023 - On the Vinyl page - new review - X media – Various Artists Flexi Disc (Rocco Loco / Serious / 12 Year Olds / D. Bush) - also at DJ FARRAGINOUS.

9 March 2023 - A new sparkling water review - Lagunitas Brewing Co. – Hoppy Refresher – Sparkling Hop Water - on the Pie page.

8 March 2023 - Wednesday coffee shop review - Andiamo Coffee & Tea - on the Coffee page.

3 March 2023 - Back to normal, after many record reviews during “Farraginous February” - back to one (hopefully) a week - today it’s Carole King “Fantasy” from 1973 - on the Vinyl page - and at DJ FARRAGINOUS

1 March 2023 - Coffee shop review - Discourse Coffee – Downtown (MSOE campus) - on the Coffee page.