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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 18h

"Children! It's time to come & enjoy your Vegetable-based Patty Simulacra™!"

TVP World @tvpworld.bsky.social · 19h

EU lawmakers have voted to ban the use of the term “veggie-burger” and to restrict food descriptions such as steak, escalope, and sausage to products containing meat. The move is part of a proposed regulation intended to protect farmers.

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 1d

You might find this interesting, if you've never seen it. The big band they're trying to land throughout the documentary wasn't as talented as the biggest one they had:

Out Of The Loop (1997) (full movie)

YouTube video by Kevin Tihista

youtu.be

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 1d

I was, of course, aware of no such thing.

VS are a bit younger than me; I knew of them & had heard their music in Chi in the '90s but never did see them live. Listening & watching video now I think they're really talented & charismatic. Should have been bigger than other peers from Chicago...

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 1d

They should have been Chicago's big band of the '90s.

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Reposted by Serpent Charmer

Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks, New Yorker

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 1d

Apparently America's favorite new reality show involves forcing foreign leaders to endure the unhinged rants of America's Drunk Uncle. Hilarity ensues?

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 1d

Unfortunately this is the norm. Most musicians play music for the pure joy of doing it, not for the profits. That said, many of us would like to make a fair wage for our efforts. But it's hard to negotiate when others are willing to play for much less, or even free. It's not like other businesses...

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 1d

The music itself is the reward. Just being able to play it, in the moment, is all it takes to keep wanting to do it.

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 2d

2 games, 2 terrible starting pitcher decisions. Slumping Boyd, followed by HR-happy Shota. Is Craig Counsell still on Mil's payroll?

#Cubs

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 2d

Those are *Rock Hyraxes* in the photos. Smooth Jazz Hyraxes are a lot more easygoing.

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 2d

Your Daily Noodle™:

#Guitar #fingerpicking #SlideGuitar #Rock #Blues #Semihollow #Xaviere #Tonex #ChickenShirt

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 2d

Our whole lives we had it pounded into our brains that it was "the thought that counts." No one ever added the phrase, "...at least until we have smart computers that can be even *more* thoughtful."

Adobe predicts AI-assisted online shopping to grow 520% during the 2025 U.S. holiday season | TechCrunch

AI-assisted online shopping is still booming, new U.S. holiday e-commerce forecast shows.

techcrunch.com

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 3d

Your Daily Noodle™:

#Guitar #fingerpicking #Rock #Blues #Semihollow #Xaviere #Tonex #Introvert

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 4d

Counsell got hired to make good decisions. His very first one today, i.e. starting Matthew Boyd, was a game-killer. Hopefully not a series-killer, but really it couldn't have gone worse.

This team isn't built to win a World Series but I don't believe Mil is either. Awful start to a short series.

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 4d

Your Daily Noodle™:

#Guitar #fingerpicking #Rock #Blues #Slick #SL57 #Strat #Vibrato #Tonex #N95-in-pocket

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 4d

I do enjoy the warmth!

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 4d

Whenever I spend the day barbecuing spare ribs I walk around singing to myself, "Pork meat, it's a love meat..."

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

The 2 different incidents described in this article occurred in 2 of the neighborhoods where I previously lived. Without going into details, I would have been close to have seen the ruckus, in both cases.

I've not regretted leaving Chicago, but I didn't leave because I foresaw *this*...

Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER

In another incident caught on video Friday, federal agents inside a car randomly threw tear gas into a Logan Square street while people — including a 2-year-old — were outside nearby.

blockclubchicago.org

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

I was trying to do that. Sometimes it's glitchy on my (older) iPad.

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

(I don't love how these replies thread)

I've seen this lack of concern for the audience at clubs for a long time now. I'm just kind of stunned that it's still this way 30-40 years later. Music venues are really behind the curve.

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

And on another occasion I was with some friends at a Robert Cray show at one of Chicago's smaller theaters, again SRO & super-packed. One of our friends got light-headed & started to pass out but there was nowhere to fall! He just started slumping & we had to grab his shoulders & carry him out!

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

I once saw Bonnie "Prince" Billy (Will Oldham) on tour for the Palace album Viva Last Blues at one of Chicago's better-known classic indie venues. SRO so packed that the young woman behind me could have whispered in my ear without leaning forward. And I never even saw her face...too crowded to turn!

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

Sucks to hear it's still that way. Most of the "legendary" indie venues in Chicago were nothing more than dive bars w/ a square, brick room in back, painted all-black, w/ a stage & PA speakers on one side & PA booth on the other. Nothing else. For the better-known bands they'd get *really* packed...

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Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

For a second I thought about trying to get my phone out of my pocket, but then I quickly decided that wouldn't be possible as the visit would likely be brief. Which was correct. But still, I could see it quite well. Unlike other birds they're very still in flight. And beautiful!

Serpent Charmer @sserpentcharmer.bsky.social · 5d

Today while walking the Dog I stopped for a moment to admire some tall sunflowers in a neighbor's yard when, out of nowhere, a hummingbird flew right up within a few feet of me to dip for some nectar. I've never been so close to one before without a window between us. It was an experience...!

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