Good day, Karl!

"I like this, but...is it AI or a human?"

What a terrible question to have to ask when human connection is the answer to so many ills right now.

(It's one of the reasons I go hear so much live music, but I am sure the ghouls are coming for that, too...)

After all, the final event I did there, with Patrick Radden Keefe, had nearly 200 attendees before the new leadership pulled the plug. Alas, and alors.

Midweek coming on...
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The Royale: the first cup of coffee (or whatever you imbibe) of the day. Thanks so much for stopping by. (End)

Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The Royale. Day 2130.

Working a book event later tonight at Salmagundi, the venue where I had my all-too-brief author series renaissance in 2023 (which now seems a LONG time ago).

Still walk in there the few times I have with a rather massive sense of "what if?" (1/2)

(Then I saw the "USA No Way" below. I totally get it. The financials AND the environment must make it utterly impossible, which makes me very sad).

ESPECIALLY, because the previous gigs in 2012-at Irving Plaza-were a total lovefest! After the opening "Asylum Satellite #1" the first night, there was, to my recollection, like a 4-5 minute ovation where you could NOT start the second song! And that energy persisted throughout.

Fingers crossed.

So much so that at one point, H said "Is there anyone out there?" or words to that effect.

Exited the venue to a stunningly silent Times Square, the news flashing on the dozens of video screens in the cold, cold night.

I'll echo the folks also "stuck" in the U.S.

The LAST Marillion U.S. show I saw was in New York City...Election Night 2016. REALLY, really, REALLY need a show here to wipe that memory from the banks! A distracted, anxious crowd, many gazing repeatedly at their phone all night.

Jeez, these people are idiots. Making "Idiocracy" look understated in comparison.

Now, it's at my desk most days. There's a larger story there, but isn't there always?
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The Royale: the first cup of coffee (or whatever you imbibe) of the day. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The Royale. Day 2129.

It's cold again.

Having lunch out, a rare thing for me. How times have changed: I remember, even in jobs where I made NO money, going "out" for lunch, every day. (Hello, Eugene, Oregon, Red Robin; my tastes have not always been "elevated"!) (1/2)

Baker Street YouTube video by Gerry Rafferty - Topic

100%: youtu.be/6tynWSAesAo

Fucking poetry, man...

Good morning!

Lovely.

Onward to the (regular) work week. (And a return to somewhat more normal weather than the near 90s from last week!)
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The Royale: the first cup of coffee (or whatever you imbibe) of the day. Thanks so much for stopping by. (End)

...who still want to read, learn, grow (and be entertained). As one of the booksellers who did NOT work this weekend said about another conference, it kind of affirms your faith in your fellow human.

(As does this thing of ours). (2/3)

Monday, April 20, 2026. The Royale. Day 2128.

(New York City these days positively reeks of marijuana smoke; today should be [shivers]).

Really kind of a terrific weekend of books, books, books. 5 days over two conferences, over 2,300 books sold, meeting tons of people... (1/3)

For those who have heard the name "Palantir," and want an easy-to-follow yet perceptive explainer, @brianphillips.lol has it.

It clears up some misconceptions without lessening the dangers that the company presents to an egalitarian world.

(...whose tropes I learned about last night!)

There is a hunger out there, and we're glad to feed it.

Rest, a little, today. (And laundry).
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The Royale: the first cup of coffee (or whatever you imbibe) of the day. Thanks so much for stopping by. (End)

Sunday, April 19, 2026. The Royale. Day 2127.

Well, Learning & the Brain and our first day at BookCon were smashing successes. Say what you want about the world, but there are a LOT of people who still want physical books and in areas ranging from executive function to "Cosy Fantasy"... (1/2)

"This shit is BITTER. Ick."

In the end it doesn't matter. It defames those who worked to save lives; minimizes the suffering COVID caused to real people in the real world; and makes it more likely that another virus will be greeted with even LESS necessary action than the last, which will be devastating.

I vacillate between thinking these are opportunists who are cynically parroting these theories for votes (or as Drive-By Truckers sang, "I guess hell's just full of kiss-ass politicians/who pander to assholes.") or if they TRULY believe this utter nonsense. Either way, it's dreadful and dangerous.

I like talking to people, you may have heard...
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The Royale: the first cup of coffee (or whatever you imbibe) of the day. Thanks so much for stopping by. (End)

Saturday, April 18, 2026. The Royale. Day 2126.

Up for the third and final conference day. A shorter day; we should be wrapped by 1ish, which means collapsed in a heap by 3.

It's been a fun couple of days, mostly busy, but plenty of time to jaw with the other booksellers. (1/2)

N.Y.C. Doormen and Building Owners Reach an Agreement to Avert a Strike

A victory for the members of the Union, the tenants in their buildings, and our city.

and dedicated to lifelong learning for their students and themselves.

Back at it for day 2 of 3 in a bit...sorry for the lack of responding yesterday.
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The Royale: the first cup of coffee (or whatever you imbibe) of the day. Thanks so much for stopping by. (End)

Friday, April 17, 2026. The Royale. Day 2125.

A really good, albeit long, first day at Learning & the Brain Conference. It is, as I've said before, so good to spend time talking with educators; people trying to figure out a way to make a better world...(1/2)

Carol Greitzer, Tireless Defender of Greenwich Village, Dies at 101

A remarkable New York City life.