And the Strangest Things Seem Suddenly Routine

O the shortest day came, and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing
To drive the dark away... ✨

Our friend T is in town for the traditional Rush show visit. The show was last night, and it was fantastic, as always. More so, actually, thanks to the addition of an 8-piece string ensemble for the second half of the show. The new album hadn't really grabbed me yet, but now that I've heard it live with string accompaniment I see why everyone loves it so much. And the cellos were a great addition to "Red Sector A," too.

It was a pretty long performance, though, and as fun as it was I was ready for it to be over well before the encore. So of course the encore was like half of 2112. I stayed upright for it, but then fell asleep in the car before we were even out of the parking lot.

**********************************
Some really fascinating long reads for this rainy Friday afternoon:

• I want to read this guy's book: I hold the Guinness World Record for the longest breath hold of 22 minutes, AND for the longest freedive under ice on a single breath of air (236 feet) in speedos. My name is Stig Severinsen, I am a four time freediving world champion, and hold a PhD in Medicine. Ask me anything.
  
  
• Why Coke Cost a Nickel for 70 Years
  
  
• What Scientologists Actually Believe (at least according to this one guy), part 1 and part 2

Also, who wants to help me set up a 501c3 of some sort so we can try for a chance to spend the night on Alcatraz?