I’m not a fan of ATHF and The Mouse and the Mask is still in my top 5 of all time. Production and lyricism are on another level.

Oh man, speaking of Kweli, his Black Star album with Mos Def needs a mention

He’s also Ice Cube’s cousin

Those Unkle and Jeru the Damaja albums are rock solid recommendations

Hip Hop: DJ Shadow- Endtroducing… Blues: RL Burnside- A Ass Pocket of Whiskey Psychedelic Rock: The Cambodian Space Project- Whisky Cambodia Dance/Electro: The Presets- Apocalypso

And only with consent

Treating somebody poorly, purely for spite or some form of retaliation, seems like a lot of unnecessary energy to expend on somebody who may not deserve that much space in your mind. The golden rule is not about whether someone has the right to be treated better than they have you, it is about discovering grace within yourself and extending it towards all others.

As to why you should, I could use another turn of phrase- “Lead by example”. You had a poor example in how to extend grace to others in the form of your teachers, and you have the opportunity to be a positive example to others in their place.

Happy jamming!

Have you had a listen to Drive-By Truckers? Southern rock without the yee haw rebel pride.

Books!

Also books!

I hope impressionism is your bag.

All sorts of stuff. Books, trinkets, records, art. I like to hit up small regional galleries and local artists exhibits for original art, but I also have a lot of prints and posters as well.

Art gallery gift shops are a fantastic place for high quality prints and posters that don’t break the bank, and then you can spend as much or as little as you like on getting them mounted and on display.

Kiwis are seething

Genuinely, I encourage you to see a doctor first- at that rate you have a good chance of serious alcohol withdrawal. It is more dangerous than heroin withdrawal and the symptoms can range from sweats and shakes up to seizure and death.

Quitting booze will improve your life immeasurably but you need to do it with the assistance of a doctor or GP, your life depends on it. I believe in you, mate.