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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 13h

Yeah, my kid is mostly into pop, but he's also seen "School of Rock" a dozen times so he gets the appeal. Whatever works.

Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 13h

Funny you mention that. He was just noodling around with the National Anthem and I'm almost certain he's never heard the Jimi-at-Woodstock version.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 13h

Bought my kid an electric guitar for his birthday just like he wanted and now he's playing RHCP and 3EB on it. Teenagers are the absolute worst.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 18h

Here in Arizona, there are also *lots* of books of Mormon doctrine. But I came across a nice stack of 80s Grantas once. That was a good score.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 18h

I've been around the block enough times to know that my library's "vintage book sale" is an invitation to sort through stacks of encyclopedias, Chilton car manuals, and Reader's Digest Condensed Books. Going anyway, just in case.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 19h

#franzenfreude

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 19h

Franzen has only gotten better as a novelist.

Rachel Feder @rachelfeder.bsky.social · 1d

Tell me your most unhinged literary opinion, as a little treat

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 1d

Haven't got Chicago out of my system yet...

Program page for Mavis Staples, performing tonight at the Chandler (AZ) Center for the Arts.

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Reposted by Mark Athitakis

Vanished Chicagoland @vanishedchicago.bsky.social · 2d

Hi everyone! I am back from my trip and back to Vanished Chicagoland! I heard that actress Diane Keaton has passed away. She was so lovely. Here is a screenshot of her walking by a Downtown Records, located at 921 N Rush St in Chicago. This is from the 1977 movie Looking for Mr. Goodbar. R.I.P.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

We all find places of peace and calm in our own ways these days. Me, I'm watching some dude meticulously restore the axle and differential assembly of an elderly Datsun. No voiceover, just the whirs and squeaks of precision machine work. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pasr...

Differential Restoration - Datsun 240Z Back On Wheels (Part 8)

YouTube video by my mechanics

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Mark Athitakis

Dave Itzkoff @ditzkoff.bsky.social · 2d

40 years ago today.

The opening panel of Watchmen, with an entry from Rorschach's journal dated October 12, 1985. "Dog carcass in alley this morning, tire tread on burst stomach. This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face."

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

Sorry, Cubs fans. Your team put up a good fight, and I'm glad I got to witness part of the ride in person.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

And if nothing else I hope somebody digs up the whole video.

Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

Weird. What sort of big payday are they waiting for?

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

I would love to read a good article (book?) about how the Golden Palominos became a hub for the entire college-rock universe.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

RIP Diane Keaton, who among many other things directed the video for Syd Straw's "Think Too Hard": www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkXO...

Syd Straw Think Too Hard

YouTube video by K 3

www.youtube.com

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

I'm not an expert by any means, but I enjoyed Mary Beard's SPQR.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

I did my best to pitch this, but no dice.

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 2d

RIP Tony Fitzpatrick, a Chicago great. Had the privilege of interviewing him in 2006.
chicagosuntimes.newsbank.com/doc/news/111...

"There's an old Chicago that I kind of wish would go away," he says. "It's the old Chicago of dross and heartbreak and steel mills and railroad tracks and slaughterhouses. There's also a magical Chicago, and that's the one I want shine a light on."

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Mark Athitakis @mathitak.bsky.social · 3d

Enjoyed this as the parent of a disappointed Swiftie. (Also, as I've said before, "Carouselambra" >> "Stairway to Heaven.")

bring on the headless horses @ihavethatonvinyl.com · 3d

today from me at from at IHTOV:

i wrote about what happens when a favorite band puts out a not so favorite album. the disappointment, the horror, and also the coming around later on ihavethatonvinyl.com/liner-notes/...