I described this elsewhere something like "wherein Chester See unhinges his jaw to wail longing at the cosmos" (FN: 3:43).

It's worth plagiarizing myself.

Clever, confident, mesmerizing.

#CassandraFM

"Madness" (by Muse), voice cover by Chester See and Andy Lange (who also solos on guitar):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk45N7Uto1c&list=RDpk45N7Uto1c

I keep having to argue myself into doing self care today:

Prioritize my own basic needs, like food.

Choose calm over productivity.

Be brave about human connection.

It's hard to break habits and live principles.

Be gentle with yourself, and insistent. 💜

Alexandra Stréliski, Lumières

https://open.spotify.com/track/4QQv86pVnZQeOkSva8D5Kj?si=a84a34eb5e924f04

#CassandraFM

It's been a slightly challenging evening, but I'm pleased to report I've discovered an autistic socializing trick.

Sometimes during a group conversation there's a point I want to contribute but (1) I have some doubt whether allistics will see the obvious relevance of my comment, and (2) I can't handle attempting mouth words over other nearby mouth words and also loud music.

So here is the trick: I use a regular-volume voice directed just to my partner, and then he handles allistic interpretation and (where appropriate) broadcasting.

My point gets added to the conversation with minimal effort. It's a good trick.

Currently on repeat:

Chumbawumba, Tubthumping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H5uWRjFsGc

#AutisticRelationships, #CassandraFM

Next on today's to-do list

(after having had two MORE extremely satisfying exchanges, wherein people were clear and questions were answered (!))

(and simultaneous with "EAT SOMETHING"):

I intend to listen to a friend's weird music.

Apparently he likes to fuck around with time signatures and "whole tone."

Apparently he had traction in Uzbekistan for a while.

https://auchtorok.bandcamp.com/track/rituals

#CassandraFM

I remember going on an airplane once as a kid, so this memory must have been to / from Calgary in the late 80s / early 90s. I don't remember much of the trip itself - (most of my photos were of Calgarian pigeons and squirrels) - but I remember the flight.

Specifically, I remember listening repeatedly to "Children of the Night" by Richard Marx.

Either earphones were free on this flight or my own personal pair fit in the armrest audio jack. There was also a knob to change the radio station at my own personal discretion. Extremely exciting.

My recollection is that each "station" was a specific genre program on loop, maybe a dozen songs long and then the program would restart, over and over for however long the flight.

My recollection is that once I got over the novelty of choice and control, I parked on "easy listening" because it was heavy on Richard Marx.

It seems improbable in retrospect that someone programmed an airline radio station loop to be 25 - 33% Richard Marx. I wonder if it is more likely that actually the "station" was "Repeat Offender" and my options were albums, not genres.

[This seems relevant here: https://eldritch.cafe/@Cassandra/109911744117635023]

Regardless.

The song in the loop that I craved most intensely was "Children of the Night." My parents' treatment of me was extremely confusing, and it was worsening, and this song is an affirmation that there can be community after mistreatment. There is some excellent instrumentation too. Sax *and* guitar solos. Anthemic. Worth listening to on repeat.

#CassandraFM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk-AlLYoJ9Q