Pandemic still ongoing. Still no justice for victims of systemic racism carried out by police officers against Black Americans and other persons of color. Still no answer to the real problem of privilege in our country. The COVID-19 problem is, alarmingly, growing. As the world wide number of estimated infections crosses the 10 million persons infected threshold this should give us all pause to think about the rapid acceleration of the virus. The numbers are accelerating world wide. Last week the WHO reported 183,000 new cases – the single largest number of new cases reported in one day. On average, there are approximately 150,000 new cases per day worldwide. The U.S. which accounts for 25% of those cases recorded the largest number of daily reported cases since April 23 – the peak of the New York infection. There is little doubt that the lack of leadership at the federal level is the greatest threat to the safety of our country. The response is an abysmal failure. So, as I try to be positive with these notes, here are some suggestions:

1. Always physically distance yourself from persons who are not your immediate family. This should make intuitive sense to everyone. I stay away from you and yuo stay away from me and we don’t spread the virus to each other. Why people still argue this point is a mystery to me. The large numbers of people who believe that this advice is false is a greater concern. Truly, this mystical belief that the physical distancing from each other is not effective and that the virus will disappear as if by magic (see a certain POTUS) is the very definition of idiot.]
2. Wash your hands and avoid contact with your nose, eyes and mouth.
3. When you cannot physically distance yourself from other people wear a cloth covering over your mouth and nose i.e. a face mask. [This is not a political statement – it is an objective statement based upon the best available science. Don’t be stupid – mask up].
4. Vote for leaders who understand that public health emergencies are not political theater and need to be taken seriously; react by providing responses based upon based available objective data; provide a consistent rational message including realistic probabilities of events where the data is unclear; and don’t lie to the people. [Again, this is not advocating for any particular political party. It is a statement about leadership. Don’t vote for idiots who will kill you because they are either stupid or incredibly uniformed and lazy to actually think and then take reasoned action].

As for this week’s episode of Tales From The Drop Box Episode 165, there is no real theme. I have tried for consistency over these latest episodes and this one should fit right in the pocket. I have some power pop, indie rock, pop, punk rock and hell yeah a little live Chris Isaak whose first couple of records were actually really good. So, turn it up a little bit (because you are physically distanced) so you can share it with your neighbors, think positive thoughts and stay safe until next week!

Here is what you will find in Episode 165:

1. Indian Queens – “Wanderlust” (God Is Woman)
2. Butch Walker – “Gridlock” (American Love Story)
3. Nova Twins – “Devil’s Face” (Who Are The Girls?)
4. The Whiffs – “Hey Little Anne” (Another Whiff)
5. The Wombats -“Headbutt Rock” (B-Z Sides 2003-2017 (In Rough Chronological Order))
6. Japan, Man – “I Like To Wait” ( I Like To Wait EP)
7. Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band – “Stay Away” (Nevermind)
8. Pkew Pkew Pkew – “The Polynesian” (Optimal Lifestyles)
9. Silverstein – “Coming Down” (A Beautiful Place To Dream)
10. Woods – “Where Do You Go When You Dream” (Strange To Explain)
11. My Ugly Clementine – “Don’t Talk To Me” (Vitamin C)
12. Boniface – “Dear Megan” (Boniface (Deluxe Edition))
13. Single Mothers – “Road Sick” (New Damage Switcheroo Vol. 1)
14. Chris Isaak – “Somebody’s Crying (Live)” (The World Was On Fire (Live 1995)
15. Abbey Glover – “La Nuit” (Everybody Leaves)

Counting the days ’til, ’til I run away counting the days and the nights I stay oh, waiting is a game I like to play . . . Preoccupied with life itself absorbed all the attention you need
return to the state you were born an old friend you left to die . . ..

KFR