Yes, we’ve been up for hours!

And — YES! — it is my day-off (one of 3 this week, I hope!!).

And — YES! — it is payday around here, so I’ve been paying credit cards, paying the mortgage — and constantly thanking my dad for everything he did for me before he died to help keep me afloat these last couple of years…

And we also got some cleaning done around here! Meaning: the cats HELPED!!— Oops, I meant to say, the cats WATCHED. And often got underfoot.

But, now, onward!!

A fresh cup of coffee. Then post here to the blog, then work on my novel-in-progress (The Curse of Our Profound Disorder), then another chat with Sandra at some point today regarding our play, “The Guide to Being Fabulous”!

(Then yoga, a walk, a trip to the bank, a shower, another lecture in the course I’m taking about the Protestant Reformation in the 15th-16th Centuries.)

And this is why I need 3 days off each week….

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Okay!

Here’s this–

From the Copyright Alliance this morning:

“The settlement in the Bartz v. Anthropic case is a significant victory not only for book publishers and authors but for all copyright owners whose works are pirated and then used by AI companies for training or other purposes.

“The proposed settlement, which amounts to at least $1.5 billion, is one of the largest in the history of copyright. As such, the settlement is a thunderclap for AI companies and anyone else attempting to copy and use pirated works from illicit sources for AI training or other uses. The settlement confirms that AI companies that are responsible and ethical should not be copying pirated works from illicit sources and any company that does so will be subject to serious consequences.

“Because, like Anthropic, many other AI companies have also been using these so-called shadow libraries and other illicit sources to access and use pirated works for training their AI systems, the outcome of this case is likely not unique and will apply in many other cases and to many other AI companies.

“To be clear, the settlement doesn’t spell the end for Anthropic or any other AI company. While the settlement amount is very significant and represents a clear victory for the publishers and authors in the class, it also proves what we have been saying all along—that AI companies can afford to compensate copyright owners for their works without it undermining their ability to continue to innovate and compete.“

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[And just FYI — if you’re new to this blog — those AI bot thingies scrape my blog and all its many posted erotic short stories, STILL. I can see them doing it in my stats. Even after the nightmares I had with those AI eBooks on Amazon during the 5G War that basically destroyed my career because I was fighting on the side of General Flynn. Fuck you very much, AI bot- guys!!]

[And just another FYI — my art will live on in infamy!! Long after I’m dead. I don’t give a fuck about everything you took from me. I wouldn’t switch sides for any amount of $$$ in the fucking world.]

[And when I finally finish writing my novel-in-progress, the dystopian Thug Luckless: Welcome to P-Town, scrape away, AI bot-guys! It will still be dedicated, eternally, to you.] [“Thank you for your attention to this matter!” – DJ Trump]

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Here’s this!

I keep forgetting to post this link.

Adam Buxton did a podcast “with British musician and photographer Colin Greenwood about playing bass for Radiohead and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, his memories of the crumbling buildings and spooky stately homes where Radiohead recorded OK Computer, Kid A and In Rainbows, some favourite Radiohead basslines, what it’s like to play live with the band, and what people can expect from their forthcoming European shows. “

Here’s the LINK

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And here’s this!

I love this old photo. It was posted on Instagram the other day. 2 of my favorite guys in the same place, many years ago:

Iggy Pop and Nick Cave:

And here’s the great song they posted with the photo!! (I love this song. It’s been on my driving-to-town playlist for years.)

Iggy Pop, from his album Party, 1981, an album which I played with abandon on my stereo in my hellhole apartment on E.12th Street in NYC back then. The song, “Bang Bang”:

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And here’s this!!

Another one from James Tabor, to promote the upcoming New Testament Conference 9/26-9/28.

Did Jesus Reject Biblical Laws of Ritual Purity? Dr Paula Fredriksen (27 mins):

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And here’s this!

While we wait 2 more days for the conclusion of Nick Cave’s Solo Tour of Europe with Colin Greenwood on bass–

From my desktop stash!

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And that is it for now!!

I have to say, that I have been really happy with what is landing on the page as I make my way to the end of The Curse of Our Profound Disorder. Stuff comes out of my brain that I just wasn’t expecting, gang. And I couldn’t be happier. (I find myself saying out loud, “Shit, could you please repeat that?!” And then I try to write it all down.)

And as fate would have it — during my shift yesterday with the retired Minister and his lovely wife, he was telling me things about how it felt to be called to the ministry many, many years ago (he’s 81 now), and I realized: Wow, this is very helpful. (One of the main characters at the end of the novel is a Minister.)

And he also absolutely blew me away yesterday (my client, not the character in my book), when he said: “How come you’re not married? I’ll call around to a couple of my friends. You’re so pretty and so smart, they would marry to in a heartbeat.”

I thought that was so sweet, I really, really did. But considering, oh I don’t know — all of everything posted above (?), I’m guessing it would be more like a “heart attack” and not a “heartbeat”. But it doesn’t matter. He still made my night.

All right.

Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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From my drive home last night —

I decided to click on my “songs I was listening to 5 years ago” link!! That also blew me away: 5 fucking years ago??!!

This came on, and my heart melted all over the steering wheel. (Baby, I remember you and you know who you are!! Nothing has changed here since 2020 and all those letters I’ve written since then.)

From my wee bonny girlhood! Cat Stevens. “How Can I Tell You”, 1971. From his beautiful album, Teaser and the Firecat.

Okay, Enjoy, gang.

“How Can I Tell You?”

[Intro]
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

How can I tell you that I love you?
I love you, but I can’t think of right words to say
And I long to tell you that I’m always thinking of you
I’m always thinking of you, but my words just blow away
Just blow away

It always ends up to one thing, honey
And I can’t think of right words to say
Oh, oh, oh, oh

Wherever I am, girl, I’m always walking with you
I’m always walking with you, but I look and you’re not there
And whoever I’m with, I’m always, always talking to you
I’m always talking to you, and I’m sad that you can’t hear
Sad that you can’t hear

It always ends up to one thing, honey
When I look and you’re not there

I need to know you, need to feel my arms around you
Feel my arms around you like a sea around a shore
Each night and day, I pray in hope that I might find you
In hope that I might find you, because heart’s can do no more

It always ends up to one thing honey
Still I kneel upon the floor

How can I tell you that I love you
I love you, but I can’t think of right words to say
I long to tell you that I’m always thinking of you
I’m always thinking of you

[Outro]
It always ends up to one thing honey
And I can’t think of right words to say
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh

c – 1971 Cat Stevens/Yusuf