The Prog Digest – an Xperience Column

The Prog Digest – an Xperience Column – by Klyde Kadiddlehumper.

Wow – how did another year manage to get away from us? Seriously, seems like only yesterday we were getting ready for outdoor shows and festivals and sitting on the deck somewhere enjoying a cold adult beverage.

Well – it is time to say Merry Christmas Holiday, Happy Chanukah Festival, and greetings to those who celebrate the Festivus For The Restofus.  This month, just call me Santa Klyde! You know, old, white hair, beard, and still believing reindeer using magic dust can fly!

This year, let’s make a big old wish list for filling our holiday booty. I said booty – not bootay … geez, you people.

Now, when Klyde says wish list, he’s going way back – to the days when Sears used to send out this giant Christmas catalog of all the cool stuff. There were, of course, pages of robes and comfy clothes and all that. But the giant toy section was what every kid went straight for. For those of you reading this who are too young – you missed out on the coolest way to get the stuff you asked for. Cut the picture out, tape it somewhere – or leave the catalog strategically opened to the right page somewhere discreet. Like on your father’s pillow.

So – Klyde’s Big Wish List suggestions for 2024.

Music magazine subscriptions.  When your better half (known as Constant Companion in my case) is into music, find a magazine that fits their likes. Here, it’s Prog Magazine. Not only does it keep you up on the bands you have known and loved all these years, it also intro’s you to the new bands out and about. Plus, Prog Mag has a link every month to a free download of new music.

Real physical music. If you hear a track streaming you like – BUY THE BLOODY ALBUM! Support artists and expand your mind – after all – Dr. Timothy Leary is no longer with us. Most artists these days have to tour to death to make any coin. Supporting them with the purchase of a CD or, better yet, a vinyl album. There are even places where, when you buy the album, it is pre-ripped for you to download.

Tickets! Tickets! Tickets! Start getting ready now for all the shows you want to see. Start getting ready for the shows you don’t know you want to see. Visit a small venue; they have some of the coolest stuff playing, and odds are, you’ll see something about it in these pages. Be the first on your block. Avoid future regret. Now how much would you pay? Seriously. Local musicians deserve the love. These are folks working their butts off, being paid very little to provide so much. Buy their merch, really like ‘em – buy a round. The big shows are what they are, and we all like to go as well.  Heck – Klyde will be looking to catch the 2025 AC/DC tour – if possible.

Finally, and perhaps most important. For those of us who are reasonably healthy, both physically and financially, please take the time to consider folks less fortunate than we. If you can, adopt a family in need for the season, ‘cause every little kid deserves something under the tree – a toy or two, a coat, socks to keep warm. Make a donation to the Regional Food Bank – and, yes, the dollars go much further than foodstuffs – they can leverage the dollars into far more.

These ought be things we do every day – be nice, be kind, be thoughtful.

A comment was made once regarding a person who was about to have heart surgery.  The conversation went something like this: “Shirley is having heart surgery.”  Response: “Exploratory?”

Don’t be that person.

Until next time.

Klyde

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