Now

It’s back to school time, and my son is rapidly winding up his first ever real summer break. As befits that interstitial time between middle and high school, he’s been taking it easy. He’s going into an IT program that used to be challenging to get into but now doesn’t even have the maximum applicants. It makes me wonder if the advent of IT job uncertainty as a result of AI plays a part. 

We’re starting to see a bit of a cooldown in our corner of N.C., and I’m more than ready. August tends to be the most challenging month for me, after the fun summer events have passed, and it’s time to just endure the heat until fall arrives. 

I do have some shows on the horizon to look forward to. Coldwave/synthpop favorites Black Marble are playing their first show here in Raleigh at one of my favorite venues, the legendary Kings, where Waldorf and Stadler hold court. Indianapolis shoegazers Wishy are playing a new venue in Durham called Stanczyks. I’m looking forward to seeing the place and hoping to get some family to go with me. 

Speaking of family, we made it out to the Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival in nearby Cary yesterday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the event. There were over 250 artists with booths there, which was quite a scene. I ended up buying a picture of a one-room desert church getting a visit from a horse from a Brazilian photographer and a boba tea from a place called Bobasaur.

Galahad And The Grail by Malcolm Guite

• Black Marble – Life In Small Spaces
• Widowspeak – Roses
• Mojave 3 – Excuses For Travelers
• Hammock – The Second Coming Was A Moonrise