Dominic Armato

Est. 1976 - Alienating the people of Phoenix, Arizona, one dumb food commenter at a time.

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npub1tv2jn93vdakuyqa8ztcpj8ad02nyuszcz6g292p3yu2ykt565ymqdfu2cx

NIP-05 Address

darmato_at_idlethumbs.social@mostr.pub

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nprofile1qqs9k9ffjckx7mwzqwn39uqer7kh4fjwgpvpdy9z4qcjw9zt96d2zdspz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsyxxlqw

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relay.damus.io

nos.lol

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npub1tv2jn93vdakuyqa8ztcpj8ad02nyuszcz6g292p3yu2ykt565ymqdfu2cx

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Last Notes

2024-08-05 00:55:34

Can we add “GET BENT” to the list of text responses that will automatically unenroll you from a political phone list?

2024-08-03 23:55:21

It would really be something if outrage over someone who they thought was a transgender athlete is what led some people to inadvertently teach themselves that gender is not nearly as black and white as they thought.

2024-08-02 18:31:55

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To be clear, these places have always existed in one form or another. But it's interesting to me how social media seems to have given them license to pursue that angle in a completely unvarnished/unashamed way.

2024-08-02 18:15:31

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To be fair, these are absolutely cherry-picked examples and some of them exist in the context of a feed that is significantly more diverse, I just find the uniformity and commitment of this style of restaurant ad really interesting. Do they even make food? Who cares!

2024-08-02 18:11:12

This isn't necessarily a shot at any of these places — some I like, some I don't — but it's fascinating to me to watch the evolution of a certain breed of restaurant that tacitly embraces the notion that the actual eating and drinking is completely irrelevant.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/893/773/094/467/267/original/655524dc4b0072fc.jpg

2024-08-02 06:25:13

It is such a bizarre/sad thing we do, when people get SUPER EXCITED about a great restaurant, if it is then anything short of a life-altering experience for subsequent diners, they focus their annoyance and scorn on the *restaurant*, apparently for making people like it too much or something.

2024-08-01 18:23:34

Oh, that reminds me, I need to go screw up your comically perfect ranking.

2024-07-29 08:40:12

The "weird" label lands because the entire MAGA Republican dudebro psyche is constructed around a fear of impotence. It's a political movement based on overcompensation. They're happy to be monsters. Monsters are powerful. What they fear is being laughed at.

2024-07-28 22:46:30

I find the question over whether or not it was a play on Christian iconography FAR less interesting than the fact that so many immediately assumed that an alternative presentation of Christian iconography could only be mockery.

2024-07-27 18:23:04

Let me put this a third way: If your Italian beef sandwich is improved by the addition of cheese, it’s a bad Italian beef.

2024-07-27 17:12:30

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@npub1sx3…tghe
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/859/568/319/324/883/original/6f9f7544700bc426.jpeg

2024-07-27 17:08:20

Allow me to be less diplomatic: FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST IT ISN’T A F**KING CHEESESTEAK PLEASE STOP PUTTING CHEESE ON IT.

2024-07-27 17:01:19

I am thrilled that The Bear has sparked national interest in Italian beef sandwiches, while simultaneously horrified that the dominant strain infecting the country includes *cheese*… an extremely rare and obscure subtype in Chicago that, IMO, is absolutely atrocious.

2024-07-26 05:42:04

I really need to stop confusing nephrology and phrenology.

2024-07-25 16:01:34

For this month’s review, I decided to write about a really good little “Mediterranean” restaurant for no particular reason whatsoever.
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/eat-and-go-serves-mediterranean-iraqui-food-glendale-19420519

2024-07-25 05:03:33

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@npub1jc5…r2s6 See you Friday!

2024-07-25 03:52:41

I know @npub1v4d…cp5a used to have a lot to say about godless couchfucks, but I'd be really curious to hear his take on god-fearing couchfucks.

2024-07-24 21:03:38

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Half expecting Annie next.

2024-07-24 21:00:05

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Now transitioning to Touch of Grey. This is kind of funny.

2024-07-24 20:57:40

The Wrigley crowd files out after a 3-2 loss to the sound of Comfortably Numb. Organist game is on point, at least.

2024-07-23 14:53:39

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@npub1mc3…nkdg Wow, that didn’t take long.

2024-07-23 05:48:22

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@npub1y4h…t26u (Ebert responded to my letters a few times in his column. He, uh... didn't always represent what I said accurately, but I appreciated that he felt I had something interesting to add to the conversation :-)

2024-07-23 05:31:43

I’ve seen over 300 games from this seat. The last one was Game 5 of the 2016 World Series. Doesn’t feel like all that long ago.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/834/163/532/198/735/original/e185a0bc56d861c0.jpg

2024-07-23 05:19:35

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@npub1y4h…t26u It totally was!

2024-07-16 18:33:31

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@npub1jmh…6rdu Beyond that, it isn’t as fun as it sounds. Your third BBQ tray of the week is still pretty enjoyable. Your 15th, not so much.

2024-07-16 17:36:27

Five years full-time, a year and a half part-time, and my restaurant dish count stands at 19,713. Not seeking sympathy, but this nails a facet of dining criticism that few understand: Eating that much food is physically punishing.
Happy trails, Pete!
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/dining/pete-wells-steps-down-food-critic.html

2024-07-16 04:09:53

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@npub1mc3…nkdg I bet your windshield is SUPER clean.

2024-07-16 00:14:50

If an account executive at Leo Burnett actually loves Campbell's Soup, the TV spot they're shooting doesn't cease to be a commercial.
Influencers who take payments or free products need to stop lying about the fundamental nature of what they do.

2024-07-15 22:31:43

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https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/792/875/938/330/030/original/01054f2815c2e056.jpg

2024-07-15 22:27:08

It would be impressive how PR and advertising have trained people to watch and accept a steady stream of commercials if it weren't so destructive. Even so, I respect what PR and advertisers do. The ones who pretend they aren't, though? They can fuck right off.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/792/857/891/398/546/original/223372a8c5101c84.jpg

2024-07-15 22:23:23

https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/792/843/148/674/168/original/b39b5ba45386bb56.jpg

2024-07-08 18:36:12

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@npub1fqk…0w56 Also possible we just couldn’t SEE them because of the fog.
(Used to go for Xmas and New Year’s.)

2024-07-08 17:51:25

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@npub1fqk…0w56 Oooooooo, I really want to get back to HK. I used to be there 5-6 times a year, but it’s been over a decade since my last visit. I’ll be really curious to hear what you think.

2024-07-08 17:13:46

Well, (some of) you asked for it, so here it is!
65 favorites out of the 200-250ish spots I've visited in Japan over the years, with photos and notes.
Please don't mistake this for an authoritative work on "the best" or anything like that. But these are the places I've enjoyed enough to return to, and I can personally vouch for them.
If you ever find it useful, the best way to say thanks is drop me a line to give me some updated intel on the ones you tried.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1-_3xqV_JatArgD_dPJCnzrhsML8&ehbc=2E312F

2024-07-07 07:08:21

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@npub1fqk…0w56 I dunno, man. This one's pretty badass. I think you can stop, at least for a while.

2024-07-07 05:17:47

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@npub1fqk…0w56 This is a really good look.

2024-07-04 14:24:57

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"Basically Fry's dog" is easily the most concise and thorough explanation I've been able to give my kids for any aspect of Japanese culture this whole trip.

2024-07-04 13:55:44

*pffft*... Seymour waited for *twelve* years.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/728/561/316/526/208/original/4982b201bd94cb35.jpg

2024-06-29 11:22:45

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@npub1qpn…8xrx These are non-alcoholic! Some kind of yogurt drink. Or yogurt-flavored, at least. Which I suppose doesn’t preclude alcohol. But these weren’t in that case :-)

2024-06-29 11:16:50

Does the flavor change as you walk from room to room?
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/699/625/149/938/176/original/25b31138a57fc385.jpeg

2024-06-26 13:05:27

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My windshield is extremely clean.
(IYKYK)

2024-06-26 13:04:56

This is totally fine and not at all intimidating.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/683/063/231/772/450/original/ef03ba741fb7c40d.jpg

2024-06-25 00:38:49

Grizzled old veteran in the PR department watching the kids furiously pimping “AI” and reminiscing about the “Xtreme” salad days of the nineties.

2024-06-22 15:22:10

Anyone who was into flash cartoons in the early 'aughts read this wrong on first glance.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/660/953/740/566/229/original/ef7581e497708dac.png

2024-06-22 13:35:46

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@npub1jj0…v6hz Oh thank god.

2024-06-22 12:02:50

Holy crap, bluetooth audio quality has come a long way since the last time I bought a pair of headphones. Wish I'd done this sooner.

2024-06-21 17:02:53

Hey, just FYI, I don't have the bandwidth to post everything to 17 different platforms, so if'n you're interested, all of the Japan food recaps are taking place over at IG:
https://www.instagram.com/skilletdoux/

2024-06-20 16:25:50

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@npub1kjk…l8u8 (Also, forget trying to fly under the radar... most of them *fight* to get on the invite list.)

2024-06-20 16:20:03

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@npub1kjk…l8u8 Oh... there were plenty of terrible dishes on the visits when I know they spotted me :-/

2024-06-20 15:56:01

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Y'know what really irks me? Six months after the place opened, I have to be the first member of the food media to say this. The system is absolutely broken.

2024-06-20 15:12:14

Sushi bar in Akasaka? Late night izakaya in Shinjuku? Ritzy lunch in Ginza?
Nope. Sam Fox's new "Mediterranean" restaurant.
We interrupt this Japan trip to bring you June's review. I swear I'm not intentionally timing these for when I'm out of the country.
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/phoenix-mediterranean-restaurant-thea-looks-stunning-falls-flat-19045377
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/649/589/931/743/920/original/86f99568a84fe191.jpg

2024-06-19 23:17:46

Flipping through dumb catchy viral food videos is extra hard when you're visiting a country that takes so much care with their food. Re-entry is going to be rough this time.

2024-06-10 17:13:14

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@npub18dn…pe6y I'm batting about .400 these days.

2024-06-10 17:10:41

This week in Rating My Impostor:
I have never been suspended by Reddit for impersonating me.
0 out of 10.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/593/432/667/156/542/original/e02dc51b9e579d39.png

2024-06-07 21:13:07

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“It’s too big. It won’t fit.”
“That was some salmon!”

2024-06-07 21:12:38

A friend texted “TWSS” and my wife, unfamiliar with the acronym, replied “That Was Some Salmon?” and honestly, I think we should all just go with that from now on.

2024-06-05 14:10:01

Come to think of it, it's been a while since I watched a Cronenberg movie.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/564/410/732/145/980/original/9a12f8e3903ffdfa.jpg

2024-06-05 13:27:12

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@npub1c3d…yx5r Yup! Little Mexican butcher shop slash convenience store slash restaurant.

2024-06-05 03:54:28

My neighborhood carniceria burned down. My first thought was I hope the family’s okay. My second thought was I bet it smelled great. My third thought was I’m a terrible person.

2024-06-04 21:03:43

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@npub1gc5…9hy6 I think it’s just a troll. Nothing more complicated than that. I think the singular purpose is to annoy me, so I decided to make it fun for myself :-)

2024-06-04 16:51:25

This week, in Rating My Impostor:
Yes, No, Yes, Hard No, Hell Yes, Meh, Maybe The Worst Italian Meal I've Ever Had in Phoenix, Meh.
3 ÷ 8 = 37.5%, but I'm counting that seventh place twice on principle, so 3 ÷ 9 = 33.3%.
3 out of 10
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/559/383/113/582/216/original/9311037efbdfcf69.png

2024-06-03 21:27:03

At what point have there been so many personal info hacks that more hacks actually *increase* your safety by increasing the size of the pool?

2024-05-31 01:05:32

1. Must Try
2. Hidden Gem
3. Amazing
4. haha j/k those are the only three options

2024-05-30 23:30:33

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@npub1t0q…9a0z Hell, I can name a few right off the top of my head. Please, by all means.

2024-05-30 23:18:26

"That's it, now we're going to prosecute Democrats who commit crimes!"
Great! Got the evidence? Go for it! More accountability. Bring 'em all down. All stripes, all parties. Make politicians terrified that they might face the consequences of committing crimes. Bring it on.

2024-05-30 21:44:53

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@npub13ky…dayl True! But sriracha/hoisin in pho has been an especially pernicious pet peeve of mine for a very, very long time.

2024-05-30 19:29:04

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@npub1jmh…6rdu Pretty sure it’s the latter :-)

2024-05-30 19:23:55

YES, YES, A THOUSAND TIMES, YES.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/531/671/186/557/626/original/a9217df0658eeb30.jpeg

2024-05-30 05:03:19

Starcruiser, Schmarcruiser. My favorite part is when she tees off on influencers who take freebies and will say anything to stay on the media list. Contain your shock.

2024-05-28 09:10:50

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@npub18m5…0nk2 Thank you! High-end omakase is where I'm finding there's a dearth of data. But definitely bulking up the options for more casual and midrange as well. Adding to the list!

2024-05-28 01:47:03

Dear whoever made that yacht rock “If Nine Inch Nails was from the ‘80s” cover, NEWSFLASH… Pretty Hate Machine WAS from the ‘80s.

2024-05-27 23:15:42

Very frustrated by sushi research in Tokyo. Super famous places are completely untouchable, which is fine. I don't need to have The Best Sushi In Japan. But it's like, coverage is either "$500/pp you must know the owner" or "conveyor belts are awesome." Where does a guy go for attainable upscale?

2024-05-27 19:00:31

This week, in Rating My Impostor:
10 out of 10.
No notes.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/514/592/244/002/110/original/e97b3d3f12dc8fac.png

2024-05-24 06:40:05

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@npub15pn…mxpt ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

2024-05-24 05:23:03

A lil' Phoenix humor for ya.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/494/390/761/443/847/original/85f5a7c4d6b1928f.jpg

2024-05-23 19:04:55

I realize there is nothing we can’t politicize, but I’m getting whiplash watching some indie restaurant boosters who are suddenly Very Concerned about shitty megachains downsizing. FFS, just take the win.

2024-05-23 17:54:19

It seems almost unfathomable that Phoenix is on the bleeding edge of what I fully expect will become a trend in Thai cuisine. But if you haven't had mookata, what the hell are you waiting for?
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants/mr-baans-mookata-phoenix-thai-food-review-18875826

2024-05-22 15:45:40

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@npub1e62…chjh I am. It hurt.

2024-05-21 16:42:34

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@npub15q5…sawy Disney, schmisney. Give me more Jeunet & Caro.
(No shade directed towards Domingo.)

2024-05-21 16:40:30

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@npub1e62…chjh I was a Jeunet & Caro fanboy with a deep, deep love for the Alien franchise, and let's just say that 1997 was not a good year.

2024-05-20 22:12:15

I was obsessed with Delicatessen in high school and I DID NOT KNOW THIS.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/475/707/246/334/248/original/1c2ee7de4254af49.jpeg

2024-05-20 20:21:36

Let me be more clear.
When you say "Be quiet or that great restaurant won't be a secret anymore," what you are actually saying is "I want to hurt their business because it will be more convenient for me if they are less successful."
Now imagine saying that to the owner's face.

2024-05-20 20:08:44

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@npub14cv…u3lx It's the subtle but absolute apex of "IDGAF about you beyond the extent to which you can serve my interests."

2024-05-20 19:59:53

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@npub1gc5…9hy6 I chose to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he worked at a pizza place somewhere along the line.
Regardless, I agree, the number came directly from his ass :-)

2024-05-20 19:41:03

People who choose to reward wonderful people for opening wonderful restaurants by working to ensure they get as little business as possible are just the worst.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/475/115/474/528/073/original/2e39d1e3b2cac3be.jpg

2024-05-20 17:56:23

This week in Rating My Impostor:
Ooo, I'm torn. Listing the number of restaurants I've visited is totally the kind of pompous BS I would do, but mine would be an actual documented number rather than pulling something out of thin air.
4 out of 10.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/474/703/899/988/278/original/00bd7924998073cd.png

2024-05-15 15:45:49

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…But the theme among all of the critics I talk to, I think, is despair over the loss of that work. The work is the thing. It has value. And I can’t help but feel it’s one of those things that most people won’t miss until it’s too late. (If it isn’t too late already.)

2024-05-15 15:45:14

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Notably, this isn’t “Boo hoo, won’t someone please think of the poor dining critics.” I don’t think any of us feel that way. You make your peace with being a cartoon villain early on, or you get out and take up a role in the social media ecosystem where you can be everybody’s friend at the expense of the quality of your work…

2024-05-15 15:12:14

An embittered former dining critic lays it all out.
I’m not quite there. Yet. But I’m an endangered holdout, and it’s a struggle, man.
https://open.substack.com/pub/haterade/p/nobody-needs-a-restaurant-critic?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

2024-05-13 23:23:27

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@npub1cdw…da2f Was this via PM?

2024-05-13 18:02:31

This week in Rating My Impostor:
Oof. Bravely jumping into a thread to defend Chick-Fil-A? Not off to a good start, buddy.
1 out of 10.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/435/091/823/145/331/original/985ddfdf0df05e52.jpg

2024-05-13 17:26:19

This week, on Rating My Impostor:
P.F. Chang's a hot mess? That sounds like me, even if the comparison is hyperbolic. But, uh... I wouldn't recommmend Pete's, even at $2.
4 out of 10.
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/434/949/509/243/194/original/d584baa53b864321.jpg

2024-05-10 08:14:08

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@npub1suq…sdxk The first words out of his mouth the moment the server set the bowl on the table were:
“What is this?! This is no good. I ordered CURRY.”
Never tasted it. Barely even looked at it.

2024-05-09 22:09:27

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“It’s like egg foo young. I’ve been eating egg foo young for 50 years. If it isn’t right, I send it back.”
:-|

2024-05-09 22:07:34

Asshole at the next table sending back his curry at the mom and pop Vietnamese restaurant.
“No, this is all wrong. It needs to be thick and creamy and more golden. You know, like curry.”
Wrong fucking day, my dude. We had a little discussion.

2024-05-09 18:48:12

Sports statistics are often (if not usually) pretty inane, but good lord, some are especially idiotic. Going 5 for 6 is an 83% success rate, so the difference between Hoerner's 2023 rate and his 2024 rate is... one (1) stolen base attempt :-|
https://files.idlethumbs.social/media_attachments/files/112/412/622/052/578/775/original/5093bb09bddf8045.jpg

2024-05-09 18:39:23

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@npub12zq…fvnz (Thank you for that, BTW. Blue Valentine was exactly what I needed this AM.)

2024-05-09 18:14:16

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@npub12zq…fvnz Give it a few years and it might catch up to Hallelujah :-/

2024-05-09 18:08:37

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@npub1ftn…gy50 I dunno. I can just write that off and ignore it as drivel. I'd rather hear that than somebody earnestly butchering I Think It's Going to Rain Today, et. al.

2024-05-09 18:03:18

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Corollary: Maybe just leave that Tom Waits ballad alone.