Kirk Israel's commonplace and blog. Quotes and links daily since 2001.
2026.04.15
Lynette has a signature farewell reminder for her kids, "Be Kind and Curious".

Not that it really needs an addendum, but it lead me to ponder what a useful addition to that might be.

For example, "...and brave" could be another good note. Though, maybe it's as much of a note to myself than what the boys need.

(A note about the bravery for me is - I'm pretty resilient so there are some fears I don't have (though general dread of future unpleasantness can still show up) but I've unpacked how what really blocks me are fears about getting my tender ego bruised - it takes me so long to steel myself up to tackle a task if there seems like a risk I'll fail, or not make it look easy, or maybe even become a reminder that the world is more of the a pain in the butt than I'd like.)

The boys' father would suggest a third part of "and have fun!" At first, to me that seemed gratuitous. Like do you really have to remind kids to have fun? Doesn't that come naturally? But maybe there's more to it than that, like if you squint you can almost get it to cover some of the bravery piece - you're not having fun if you're all worked up about success and failure.

Also I think of work with my therapist, who over the 15-odd years of off-again, on-again time I've worked with him is always encouraging me to lean into the bodily vitality of things. (Getting back to the bravery, his jokey line is learning to be "cocky without being a prick")

So what I'm left with - and I think this has grown into something too much for a signature farewell - is something like
"Be kind and curious,
live bravely and with less ego,
lean into fun and vitality."
I guess here it's more of a mantra, like when stuck in my head, start thinking about it, and which of the 6 points I need most at that point.
2026.04.13
I don't want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I'm doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History.
Trump in response to the pope writing "Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs".
I mean...
like you hope he is just taking the piss and trolling but at this stage, it is really tough to be sure
Good article on how Hegseth is the Francis character from Stripes, the very opposite of the quite professionalism that has made our military great.
I never make the same mistake twice. I make it three or four times, just to be sure.
2026.04.12
Heh.. I remember the Star Wars Storybook - now borrowable from the Internet Archive. These two bits are why so many people "remember" the deleted scenes with Biggs Darklighter.


[Holding hands] It's a nice feeling [...] It's a very positive one. Like, you don't really end anymore where you used to. You just keep on going.
"Modern Love" on the finale of "DTF St Louis"
[Holding hands] It's a nice feeling [...] It's a very positive one. Like, you don't really end anymore where you used to. You just keep on going. -- "Modern Love" on the finale of "DTF St Louis"

Intriguing little mystery series, especially in its exploration of the connection between male friends explained by the series creator here.
2026.04.11
My buddy Dan is an oceanic engineer, and sent me City Leaders Need to Make Billion-Dollar Decisions to Protect Boston from Sea Level Rise after a random conversation we had.

Like it's impressive how vibrant Seaport has become (when I worked there 10 years ago, there were so many parking lots where buildings stand now - and in terms of night life it's happening in a way people used to the pace of the 'burbs might not realize)

And yet... when the King Tides come, once or twice year, the water overflows the banks. And I really wonder how future proofed these buildings on the landfill are, if they're prepared for saltwater basements .
2026.04.10
Ok month for new music, but I'm really worried about this upcoming month. Not sure what it means that I'm not running into quite as much new music that grabs me these days.

4 star:
* Perdida (Biig Piig)
* Girls @ (feat. Chance the Rapper) (Joey Purp)
* That's All Right (Live) (Elvis Presley)
2001 theme immiedately leans into this in the Elvis live at Madison Suqare Gaarden
Heard at Temple Records, a fun Japanese Jazz bar in Boston
* Karasu (SOMELINEZ)
Japanese Shamisen plus human beatbox
found on random FB reel

3 star:
* Toxicity (Fionn)
suggested on a private slack
* The District Sleeps Alone Tonight (Sendmeyourmoney)
* Guerra e pace, pollo e brace (Ennio Morricone)
Love the raw drums on this. Could leave the kids voices.
From the movie "Secret Agent"
* Let Me Call You Sweetheart (Laurel & Hardy)
Fun use of comedy tuba. I actually like the walk down.
* Bright v1 (Original Cast of Stereophonic, Sarah Pidgeon, Will Brill, Juliana Canfield, Tom Pecinka & Chris Stack)
* Also Sprach Zarathustra / 2001: A Space Odyssey (Elvis Presley)
* Summer Breeze (Seals & Crofts)
(RIP Dash Crofts)
2026.04.09

Open Photo Gallery

2026.04.08
via