We're Number One - COVID 19 Deaths

If you're walking 'round think'n that the world owes you something 'cause you're here 
You goin' out the world backwards like you did when you first come here yeah 
Keep talkin' bout the president, won't stop air pollution 
Put your hand on your mouth when you cough, that'll help the solution 
Oh, you cuss around women and you don't even know their names, no 
Then you're dumb enough to think that'll make you a big ol' man... 

--Luther Thomas Ingram and Mack Rice,
second verse of "Respect Yourself", released in 1971, as sung by the Staple Singers.

source: Wikipedia

Statistics change rapidly, so by the time you're reading this, the numbers will have changed. I'm not a journalist, but a very concerned American.

As of this writing, the United States is number 1 with over 55,000 deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is 26.7% of ALL official deaths worldwide.

ONE IN FOUR DEATHS WORLDWIDE ARE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

I am thoroughly fed up with the bullshit from the White House. TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

To the doctors, nurses, therapists, and all essential personnel working tirelessly for what seems like an eternity, THANK YOU.

Michael Bloom and the Blues Prophecy

source: michaelbloom.com

Music lovers, take notice of this emerging blues singer-songwriter Michael Bloom.
Webpage: https://michaelbloom.com/

Me - I've been listening for the past few weeks his Tuesday and Thursday Blues Break from his Facebook page, Michael Bloom and the Blues Prophecy.

Admittedly, I didn't stumble on to Michael's music page as I have with other music I find on YouTube. Michael's wife Lisa Arthur is one of my closest friends. We've been friends for more than 40 years.

Here's a clip from Michael's last Blues Break performance. Hope you'll take a few minutes to watch and listen:

NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts - Taylor Swift

source: Variety
Taylor Swift, NPR Tiny Desk Concert
October 28, 2019

As we go into our second month of shelter-in-place, I've grown weary of what's been offered on cable TV, Netflix, and Amazon Prime.

I've resorted to watching YouTube music videos. A lot of them.

Repeatedly. 

I don't have the attention span to binge watch "must see TV" yet I can watch David Byrne's February 29, 2020 appearance on Saturday Night Live with his American Utopia group sing "Once In A Lifetime" 6 times in a row. And watch it again a week later. The same for George Michael's "Freedom '90" MTV Unplugged performance.

But that's what music does. Especially live, in an intimate setting. Real vocals that soar with emotion.

Yesterday, I found an NPR Tiny Desk Concert from October 28, 2019 featuring megastar singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. And after seeing her performance, I have gained tremendous respect for her. I will never ever refer to her a singer without including songwriter.

It was Taylor and 2 instruments, an acoustic guitar and piano. Nothing else.
We need to see more performances like this.

For Taylor's 4 song set list on Tiny Desk:

1. The Man
2. Lover
3. Death by a Thousand Cuts
4. All Too Well

The last one, All Too Well, totally gutted me. I have since played that song 5 times in the past 48 hours. 

if you find her Grammy performance of "All Too Well", don't bother. 

It's The Tiny Desk performance that you have to see.

Rockstar Rockhoppers at the Shedd Aquarium

Wellington, a Rockhopper penguin
source: Today Show

Since the shelter-in-place for most of the country, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago was one among many places closed.

Closed, but the aquarium still has visitors. Millions of them, online. Shedd Aquarium decided to feature a few of their residents wandering in and around the aquarium and exhibits.

The most popular residents there are 3 Rockhopper penguins named Wellington, Edward and Annie. Edward is Wellington's son from one of his offspring. Annie and Edward are a mated pair.

To see videos of them at the aquarium is an adorable sight of cuteness. They've brought joy and comfort to so many of us that have been cooped us during quarantine. I follow Shedd Aquarium on Twitter and Facebook. They also can be found on Instagram as well.

Here's video of their most recent field trip (make sure you have the volume on):