Very Short Record Review – Dave – The Boy Who Played the Harp

A man’s dialogue with his past and present. A man determining who he is and who he wants to be with eloquent incisive voice, somnambulant flow with varied and pleasing sonic palettes.

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Multiple Viewing Movie

Daily writing prompt
What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?

When I was a child

there were a two highlights

of my tv viewing year.

One was Godzilla week

on channel 11 WPIX

Each year I would wait

and be rewarded with

glorious scenes and sounds

of kaiju

on my little tv screen

destroying Tokyo

battling each other

breathing fire

soaring in the sky

oh it was a wonder

The other was

the yearly showing

of The Wizard of Oz

Even though the flying monkeys

terrified me for the first few years

the spectacle of color and sound

made me white knuckle it

through the fear

For days after

I would think

what would it be like

to be transported

to another land

where ever big moment

had a song and dance routine

and everything was saturated

in brillant color

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Are You Superstitious?

Daily writing prompt
Are you superstitious?

As a kid

My sister liked Casper

The Friendly Ghost

She didn’t speak

But maybe she saw ghosts

And the thought of a friendly one

Made her happy

To this day

She has never said and never will

If ghosts are friendly

And give comfort to little autistic girls

I’ll be superstitious

Whether I believe or not

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Very Short Record Review – Modest Mouse – The Lonesome Crowded West

Discordant, urgent, predictive and resigned. A young band in 1997 with a record that sees the time it was recorded in and the future clearly through multiple layered songs and feedback.

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Very Short Record Review – Dug – Have At It!

A jubilant optimistic record that respects its traditional songs while managing to make the modern songs feel very much of 2026. You can sense the band’s dedication to the pursue of joy in the songs.

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Animal I Compare To

Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

I am a snuffleupagus

Of questionable origin

Maybe not event real

Searched for by many

Found by few

Notable in its absence

Yet still creating presence

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Very Short Movie Review – Train Dreams – Clint Bentley

A movie about love, time, loss, belonging, loneliness and their intersection. Artful direction that respects and refers to the history of the medium. Great performances that while subtle leave a lasting impression.

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Letter to 100-Year-Old Self

Daily writing prompt
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

Dear 100-Year-Old-Self,

Did the New York Jets ever make the playoffs again?

Did George R.R. Martin ever finish A Song of Ice and Fire?

Did Patrick Rothfuss ever come out with book 3?

Can you still drink coffee at 100?

Did it keep getting hotter and hotter?

How hot is it in the summer?

How hot in the winter?

Do we still fight constant wars?

How are any humans still alive?

Is it only you?

Do humans still laugh?

Did we learn anything at all?

Any fucking thing at all?

Please reply. We have no answers here.

Best Regards,

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026

Very Short Record Review – Ye Vagabonds – All Tied Together

A lovely, sometimes dark, sometimes romantic, sometimes amusing record of modern Irish Trad. The songs evoke much in a subtle poetic manner.

Gene G, Mclaughlin 2026

Shopping Spree

Daily writing prompt
Where would you go on a shopping spree?

I would go on a shopping spree at Toys R Us in 1980. When I was a kid I always saw the advertisements for Toys R Us on TV and couldn’t believe that such a place existed. The closest one was far away in North Jersey. How could anyone get there? North Jersey! It might as well have been Oz. It just seemed impossible. Luckily my parents eventually took me in their orange VW fan on a pilgrimage to the holy location of adolescent consumerism a few years later, but it never lived up to my imagination upon first seeing the TV ads. Locally in 2026 I would probably choose the mundane location of Barnes & Noble.

Gene G. McLaughlin 2026