Well it’s been a really, really, really long and hot summer. I’ve never been one to resent hot days, but apparently at 50-years old I’ve become that person. I don’t care if it’s a dry heat or a humid heat, it’s not my friend. I’m sure that once we hit that first single digit day I might get a little antsy, but all I need to think about is a couple of those 105 degree days and be like “Ehh, I’ll take this.”
October to me is the official beginning of fall. Sure, Autumn officially began back on September 22nd, but it didn’t feel like fall. It was still hot and uncomfortable. The dog was still panting when he went out to go to the bathroom, so calling it fall back then was just fall in name only. I woke up this morning and it was 45 degrees. That’s the fall I’m talking about. I’ve already been cleaning up pine needles and leaves, so it’s about time the temps fit the outdoor work.
With the coming of October comes the spooky season. And that means spinning horror soundtracks. Of course I spin horror soundtracks year round because that’s what I do, but with the shorter days and longer nights and overcast skies those spins hit a little deeper. Here’s a few of the records I’ve spun as of late:
Dark, overcast skies and windy, chilly days also means it’s Boards Of Canada weather. Yes I’ll listen to BOC 24/7 as they remain one of my most beloved bands, but their downtempo dystopian electronic music truly feels made for those slow motion grey clouds and brisk air. Fall walks soundtracked by albums like Geogaddi, The Campfire Headphase, and Music Has The Right To Children are all the more special. It’s been 11 years since the Scottish duo’s last full-length, the excellent Tomorrow’s Harvest, and I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see another album from them. I hope so. I really do.
Today is our Miniature Schnauzer Otto’s birthday. He’s officially 14-years old, so he’s basically our Yoda. He’d remained pretty spry up until the middle of 2023. That’s when he started showing his age. His back legs are a little weaker with arthritis, he’s hard of hearing and seeing, and just can’t do the excited jumping and barking that he did when he was a younger dog. But he still eats and drinks like a champ(probably where his larger gut has come from), and has no issues in the digestion and relieving himself department. Not much for playing with toys, but every time I get up to go to the kitchen he’s right behind me, walking to the rug in front of the kitchen sink waiting for his Mother Hubbard dog treats.
I do miss the rough n tumble playing and the excited sprinting out in the backyard. I remember those days well. But he’s old. We all get old; we do, our parents do, our spouses, kids, friends,…eventually we age and can’t do some of the crazy stuff we did back in the day. It’s the process, whether you find it sad or not. And of course our beloved 4-legged companions age and get old. It’s the saddest part of having that beloved cat or dog. But as much as it saddens me to see Otto become the old man that he now is, those last 12 1/2 to 13 years were a pivotal time for our family. He made our lives and our kids lives that much fuller and richer. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
And so now I take care of him for all he’s done for me. I buy him supplements to help with the his joint health and his gut health. And allergy supplements to help with his sneezing and watery eyes. When he can’t jump all the way back into the house I go outside and pick him up and bring him in. I get home everyday and get down on the floor so I know he can make sure it’s me and he wags his big butt and walks me over to the kitchen sink for his treat. He’s still my little pup, just older and wiser. He has his yearly vet check the first week of November. I might be a little nervous about it, but whatcha gonna do? As long as he’s eating, crapping, peeing, and sleeping comfortably and happy to see us when we get home(and still asks for treats) that’s the most we can ask for. He’s our Yoda for God’s sake.
So happy birthday Otto, aka Mr. Pooch McGooch.
I’ve got one more concert to end this year of concerts out. October 30th my wife and I will be heading to The Murat Theater in Indianapolis to see The Beat Tour. Adrian Belew, Steve Vai, Tony Levin, and Danny Carey will be performing the 80s albums of King Crimson. I think this may be the highlight of the year for me. I’ve been anticipating this show since I first heard of it at the beginning of the year. What clips I’ve seen of some of the previous shows have been jaw-dropping. I got some great seats as well.
This will serve as my fall break. The show is on Wednesday, October 30th. Then I took off October 31st(Halloween, natch) and November 1st. Very excited for that week. Oh, and my wife will (finally) see the Taylor Swift Eras Tour with our oldest and some of their friends in Indy on the 1st as well. Make up date for the Tennessee show that got rained out back in May of 2023.
Ooh, also…I’ve been working on some music in the new music space. I’m planning on releasing a set of autumnal, spooky tunes the week before Halloween. I finished up the first song yesterday and I’m pretty excited about it. If all goes according to plan I’ll be picking up a new analog synthesizer, the Korg Minilogue, in a week or so and as long as I can get my old man brain around it I’m going to use it on a couple tracks. Very, very excited for this. I suppose these songs are in the same vein as the ones I put out earlier in the summer, but I feel these are more fleshed out. More moody. Excited to share more when I can.
That’s all for now. You excited for fall?
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