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Continue reading →: Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Songs by Neil YoungFrom _Cinnamon Girl_ to _Rust Never Sleeps, Neil Young has been a constant companion. This week’s Top Ten Tuesday reflects on memories, friendship, rebellion, and the enduring power of great songs.
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Continue reading →: 1974 Part I – Let’s Slow Things DownIn 1974, soft rock, ballads, and disco ruled the charts. I remember the year fondly, but the music says otherwise. From polyester dance floors to guilty ABBA pleasures, this was the year we all learned to slow things down, maybe too much.
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Continue reading →: Birding Yorba Regional Park and the Santa Ana River TrailAn overcast morning at Yorba Regional Park offered no new species but did bring Wood Ducks, river noise, conservation surprises, and lessons in sun protection. A quiet walk turned into a memorable outing with 31 species recorded.
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Continue reading →: 1981 – A Rough Year in Pop, Saved by Steely Dan1981 was a weak year for pop, full of manufactured fluff, but gems like The Police, John Lennon, and Steely Dan’s *Hey Nineteen* stood out. For me, *Gaucho* became the true soundtrack of that year.
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Continue reading →: Birding La Jolla CoveA quiet Friday morning in La Jolla turned into an unforgettable birding experience, with two new species spotted, hundreds of seabirds, and magical coastal views, proof that even crowded tourist spots can surprise you in the right moment.
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Continue reading →: 1981 Part IV – Black FlagPunk didn’t chart in 1981, but it mattered. Black Flag’s *Damaged* was raw, angry, and groundbreaking, an album that shaped me in ways Billboard never could. Even now, Rollins and Colver’s influence lingers.
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Continue reading →: Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Songs by Steely DanFrom “Kid Charlemagne” to “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” this week’s _Top Ten Tuesday_ is a tribute to Steely Dan, and to the uncle who first dropped the needle for me. A mix of memories, music, and legacy.
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Continue reading →: Birding Newport Beach Pier and the WedgeA peaceful morning of birding at Newport Beach Pier led to a rare sighting of Brandt’s Cormorant, artistic photo opportunities, and a nostalgic return to the Wedge, where personal memories and wildlife moments beautifully intersected.
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Continue reading →: Incrementalism and the Crossword ClimbI’ve cut my NYT Mini Crossword time nearly in half, from almost four minutes to just over two, by applying an incremental learning mindset, using ChatGPT for clue support, and embracing steady, compounding improvement.






