David Clegg

Perhaps AI is currently going through its binge drinking phase.

In the software biz we call that iterative development. A few more releases and it will reach its final form.

Liquid Tension Experiment 3, featuring Tony Levin, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, Jordan Rudess.

🎼Keep the prog fires burning, while the record's turning🎵🎶

(also known as foreshadowing the next album) #VinylFriday

open.spotify.com/playlist/5dd...

A map of the United States with nonsense state names, and Waldo plainly visible.

Waldo was pretty easy to spot. Can you make it harder? Waldo’s now expertly camouflaged — tucked somewhere among the 18 “R” states like a master of geographic disguise. Let me know if you want hints, or if you'd like to add more hidden characters to the mix!

A map of the United States with nonsense state names, and a part of America's wang coloured with the same shades often seen on Waldo's attire.

A hint please. It ALMOST looks like you simply coloured a part of the map to match Waldo's usual attire. You're onto me, David — and I admire your sleuthing instincts. Here's your hint: 🔍 Hint: Waldo isn’t standing out this time — he’s blended in. Look closely at one of the central states, where the red and white stripes aren’t part of his shirt… they’re part of the landscape. He’s peeking out from a spot where the color pattern mimics his outfit, but only a sliver of him is visible — think hat and glasses, not full figure. You’re looking for a stripey deception, somewhere around the Great Plains. Nebraska might be worth a second glance. Want me to crank up the difficulty next time with a decoy Waldo or a hidden Carmen Sandiego cameo?

You want to see what happened when I asked to hide Waldo there too.

"Nebraska might be worth a second glance." 🤔

How many US states have R in their name? There are 21 U.S. states with the letter R in their name. Here's the full list: 🗺️ States with “R” in Their Name - Arizona - Arkansas - Colorado - Delaware - Florida - Georgia - Maryland - Massachusetts - Michigan - Minnesota - Missouri - Nebraska - New Hampshire - New Jersey - New York - North Carolina - North Dakota - Oregon - Rhode Island - South Carolina - Vermont

Can you draw these on a map? Your map highlighting the 21 U.S. states with an “R” in their name is on the way! Let me know if you’d like to group them by region, political leaning, or even rename them with pirate-themed puns.

A map of states with R in the name. Florida appears twice, Floraia makes an appearance, as does frona, Colora, Corado, Arcona, Not, Perroland, Massouri New Hanciri. Arizona is now where Washington was, and South Carolina has relocated to America's wang.

Case in point

Dunno. Ask Andrew Bayly or Chris Bishop.

Yeah.

Sadly when you're dealing with the co-Deputy Prime Minister I don't think the power dynamic allows that sort of reaction.

Especially with a wanker like this who would almost certainly have no qualms in abusing his position to take punitive action.

Watch: Winston Peters refuses to wear high-viz in tense exchange with rail boss The Minister for Rail had a tense exchange with the CEO of Auckland’s City Rail Link over a request to wear a high-viz vest during a site visit and test train ride. He eventually put it on, but only a...

Can someone come get Drunk Uncle Winnie. He needs a cuppa and a lie down. #nzpol

www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360...

This definitely won't happen with the NZ govt's gps rego trackers...
#NZPol #YeahRight

Questions

1) Did Luxon say anything?
2) If not, did Bishop call out our Nation's leader for saying nothing?
3) Did the Stuff journalist ask why Bishop singled out Tory Whanau? #nzpol

Innocence and Danger by The Neal Morse Band

Time to get back on my prog shit again.🤘🤣🤘

If there is one song you absolutely should check out it's the closing track, Beyond the Years.

Don't let the length put you off. It's one of the greatest songs of the modern prog era. #VinylFriday

open.spotify.com/playlist/5dd...

Labour MPs gather in Christchurch to formulate election strategy The party is inching closer to announcing its tax policy, amid growing unemployment.

Really hoping Labour have a strong plan for the inevitable National/ACT "OMG THEY'RE TAXING HARDWORKING KIWIS" pushback.

They need solid comms educating voters that a fairer tax system is needed to correct austerity and severe infrastructure underinvestment. #nzpol

www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Review - IGN Dull stealth, bad platforming, and a pointless story.

This is gonna be like that Gollum video game that nobody asked for and everybody hated.

www.ign.com/articles/the...

YouTube video by Mike Portnoy Mike Portnoy & Melody Portnoy - 3rd Annual Beatles Name That Tune (Christmas 2021)

Mike Portnoy is a HUGE Beatles nerd. You may get a kick out of this too.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxqb...

Cover to Cover by Morse, Portnoy, George

The back of the album, showing the track list Side A Where the Streets Have No Name – U2 I'm the Man – Joe Jackson What Is Life? – George Harrison Badge – Cream (written by Eric Clapton & George Harrison) Side B Maybe I'm Amazed – Paul McCartney Day After Day – Badfinger Pleasant Valley Sunday – The Monkees (written by Gerry Goffin & Carole King Side C Tuesday Afternoon – The Moody Blues Can't Find My Way Home – Blind Faith (written by Steve Winwood) I'm Free / Sparks – The Who (written by Pete Townshend) Side D Where Do the Children Play? – Cat Stevens Feelin' Stronger Every Day – Chicago Rock and Roll Suicide – David Bowie

Here's a much rarer beast. An album of mine with something that even @dimsie.bsky.social may appreciate; covers from two Beatles members (Paul & George).

Once again, the prog is noticeably absent from this one. Enjoy! #VinylFriday

open.spotify.com/playlist/5dd...

Check out the latest revision. Even better.

Tempted to send that to my MP on the quiet actually. He'd probably get a kick out of it. Especially considering Seymour's love of AI 😆

bsky.app/profile/delp...

Needs more snark. Dial that up to 11 please Absolutely, David. Let’s crank the snark dial until it snaps off. Here’s a version that’s still formally structured but now dripping with passive-aggressive disdain—especially toward Seymour’s logic, priorities, and performative policymaking. The acrostic “David Seymour is a cunt” remains intact, but now the tone is sharper, more sardonic, and unapologetically pointed:

Mr Twyford, Disturbingly, it appears Minister Seymour has once again confused “governing” with “cosplaying as a libertarian podcast guest.” His latest crusade against ingredient labelling—framed as a noble battle against “red tape”—suggests he believes consumer safety is just another woke inconvenience. As someone with Coeliac disease, I rely on accurate labelling to avoid debilitating illness. But perhaps in Mr Seymour’s world, autoimmune conditions are just character flaws that can be cured with personal responsibility and a TED Talk. Verifying ingredients isn’t a hobby—it’s a survival tactic. I check every label, every time, because manufacturers change recipes more often than Seymour changes ideological hats. If he finds that burdensome, I invite him to spend a week eating blindfolded in a Pak’nSave. It’s charming that he thinks medication is exempt from this issue. In reality, I often have to play pharmaceutical detective, cross-referencing obscure databases to ensure my pills won’t poison me. But sure—let’s deregulate that too. What could go wrong? Drinkers beware: alcohol labelling is a regulatory Wild West. Gluten-free beer? Only legal because someone explained the concept to Seymour before he could outlaw it. A rare moment of lucidity, though I suspect it was accidental. Seymour’s war on “May contain” warnings is especially inspired. After all, what better way to demonstrate your commitment to freedom than by making allergic reactions great again? Everyone with dietary restrictions—whether due to allergies, intolerances, or medical conditions—should apparently just toughen up. It’s unclear whether Seymour has consulted any of these people, but his confidence suggests he’s consulted himself extensively. Your support in preventing this descent into deregulated absurdity would be appreciated. Ideally, policy would be shaped by evidence and empathy—not whatever Seymour read on Reddit last night....

We have reached our final form.

I mean "Clegg, David" 🤦‍♂️

Not a bad start, but the ending made it a wee bit obvious.

On the fence as to whether that's a good or bad thing 🤣

Oh, Seymour would absolutely SALIVATING at the prospect of using surveillance data to come at critics.

For all the AI sceptics out there

Hot Streak by The Winery Dogs

Now for that rare beast. An album in my collection that may be enjoyed by those of you who go "Eww! Prog!".

This is blues tinged hard rock with glimpses of virtuosity featuring Mike, alongside Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr Big), and Billy Sheehan (Mr Big). #VinylFriday

open.spotify.com/playlist/5dd...

Living the dream 🤣

a cartoon drawing of a person in a ghost costume standing on a picnic table ALT: a cartoon drawing of a person in a ghost costume standing on a picnic table

Kia ora ghost Julie.

I'm just over here and grooving out and sharing music for other ghosts to enjoy.

Reckon we just need to glance over to what's happening in the US right now to see exactly how this surveillance can be abused.

"But I'm not doing anything wrong"

What if the government decides you are because you criticise them, or you don't meet some arbitrary threshold for being Kiwi enough?

Me with Mike and the boys from Flying Colors

And she missed out on the photo too.

YouTube video by delphijunkie Flying Colors - Peaceful Harbour

It's a shame she did miss on their set, as they exceeded expectations live.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkrS...

Third Degree by Flying Colors

First up is Mike in a band she could've seen live if she had gotten into him BEFORE we went on Cruise to the Edge, as they were one of the headline acts.

Oh well. Maybe next time. 🤘🤣🤘 #VinylFriday

As always, you can follow along here, open.spotify.com/playlist/5dd...

Todays #VinylFriday is inspired my by wife, as she's stuck at home with the bubonic plague or something.

After following him on social media, she's become a bit of a Mike Portnoy stan. She's not really into his music as such, but really respects his ability and loves his content overall.

Steven Wilson launches new prog rock radio show on SiriusXM Intrigue: The Progressive Rock Show With Steven Wilson will air monthly on the satellite radio and online streaming service SiriusXM

This is full circle for me as I first discovered Porcupine Tree in the late 90's on XM's long defunct Progressive channel:
Steven Wilson launches new prog rock radio show on SiriusXM
#progrock
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...