(Today's post is loaded with photos, as is usual for this edition.  You might try this link if you have trouble.)

<2 Minute Read

Delusions of grandeur!  A distorted sense of self!  Fake awards for real things!  Yes, it's time for the nominees for the 2023 Portico Darwin Awards! 

And even more so than usual, and in the words of my dear, departed mother:  IT'S MY DAY.

Because today is my 60th birthday.  And I am dressed for it.

I've already thanked my friends and family, but let me thank the two that started it all and made me the insecure, yet capable, snob that I am now.

10 Seconds of Seriousness:  I of course owe it all to my parents, Bill and Jeanne.  The job they did speaks for itself.  Loudly, and often.

With that out of the way, let's take a look at this year's categories and the nominees and begin to answer the question on everyone's no one's mind:

What wins a coveted Portico this year?

And yes, the award statuette has changed.  I am so glad you noticed.

A bumper crop year for new albums - those both actually new and new to yours truly.  But albums released in 2023 are marked with an asterisk.

Of the 20 or so books I read this year, here are the ones that stand out.  It's like the albums:  many were published in earlier years, and I've marked 2023 releases with an asterisk. 

 But do you even read books?

Sorry, I don't go to many.  And unlike other categories, I'm certainly not dredging up old movies.  Otherwise, this thing would be riddled with North by Northwest and The Taking of Pelham 123 (the original, of course).

Yes.  Again - an award to myself for writing a blog about myself.

There are two new categories for this year:

The Psycho Woke:  Madison Wright

Self-Entitled Millennial:  Roy Dirwin

Spoiled Idle Rich Mom:  Catherine Carats

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As always, the awards will be decided in a completely random, wanton, and capricious manner, and announced when I feel like it.  That will likely be after a series of obnoxious show-off posts from my upcoming 3 weeks in Hoboken and Manhattan.

Award ceremony?  Killer Winter Picnic?  The dead weekend between Championship Sunday and the Super Bowl?  You tell me.  Plus, we do have a couple of January birthdays to celebrate.

Have a great weekend.

As if traveling from the suburban nether world of Walnut Creek and then staying overnight at a hotel last week for my party weren't enough, the Scarf and Walker families blew my mind with a custom birthday card, which arrived yesterday.  These are photos of the card, and wow, what a very nice gesture.

There are quite a few readers in those photos!  So this is another perfect opportunity to tell you how much I value my relationship with each of you.  Thank you for being my friend.

And thank you for reading this newsletter.  

Since it is my day, I will play my favorite song, the live version of "Sweet Jane" that opens Lou Reed's Rock and Roll Animal.  But do stay tuned to KLUF below for something slightly less selfish, although barely.

There were a lot of rock stars at my party last Friday.  But two friends attended I've known the longest:  Steven Simon (6th grade) and Arthur (1983).  I had listened to what's up next recently and was blown away.  But then Arthur had the gall to say - at my party - it's as good as my favorite song. 

You be the judge, and it's also right up Mr. Simon's alley (although there's little doubt he's seen/heard it already).

Here is a video of Rush and their Diamond Certified "R30 Overture" instrumental, recorded live in Germany on 24 September 2004.