Mine In Mono

A personal weblog written by Robert, a Christian, aspiring minimalist, inveterate notetaker, budget audiophile and paper airplane mechanic.

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  • No Respect

    I was skimming through this Discogs article on comedy records the other day and came across the 1980 Rodney Dangerfield album No Respect. The a-side is a monologue called “No Respect” and the b-side is a monologue called “Son of No Respect.”

    Rodney Dangerfield – No Respect (1980)

    A colleague of mine, who grew up in Mumbai, India, went to see Back To School, starring Dangerfield, on the first date with her now husband. Their marriage, like many in India still, was arranged. Going to a movie with him at that point was kind of scandalous. She stopped at a bodega on the way to the theater to let her mother know of this indiscretion.

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  • Rad Dad Redemption

    I’ve temporarily lost my cool dad status. Despite my son’s well-planned and executed request (in which he invoked his “mental, physical and emotional health”) to be able to purchase Red Dead: Online, I refused to let him have anything to do with it. Red Dead: Online is the networked version of the Red Dead Redemption franchise. From everything I’ve read, its Mature rating is well deserved. Per Claude:

    The M-rating reflects several concerns for a 13-year-old: graphic violence including shootouts and brutal melee combat, strong language throughout, sexual themes and partial nudity, alcohol and drug use, and gambling mechanics. The game is set in a gritty, morally complex Wild West where players often engage in criminal activities.

    The online component adds another layer of concern – your son would be interacting with strangers online, and despite content filters, exposure to inappropriate chat or behavior from other players is common in online gaming environments.

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  • Sacred Alaska Is So Much Further Than Lincoln Nebraska

    My wife and I just finished watching the 2024 documentary Sacred Alaksa. The film was shown during family ed night at our parish a few weeks ago, but I was celebrating my brother’s birthday and couldn’t make it. I was disappointed not be to able to attend and resolved to see the film in short order.

    “Sacred Alaska” is an award-winning documentary that offers an intimate look into Native Alaskan culture and spirituality. It showcases the profound influence of Orthodoxy, introduced by Russian monks in the late 18th century, on Alaskan society. The film highlights the unique way Alaskans have woven their indigenous beliefs with Orthodox traditions, deeply influencing their worldview. Central to this is the concept of learning to become a “real person.” Through beautiful cinematography and powerful storytelling, “Sacred Alaska” underscores the profound, sacred bond between the Alaskan people, their faith, and the formidable landscape they call home.

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  • I Don’t Know

    The occasion of Ozzy Osbourne’s death should not have been surprising. In fact, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the legendary metal singer had died twenty years ago. It was something of a miracle that he lasted this long, given the state of his health for the last few decades (who would have thought Prince Nelson Rogers would repose before the Prince of Darkness). Osbourne played his final show though—just weeks ago—which was by most accounts an impressive affair, and then exited this world gracefully as if he’d done what he came to do.

    Recent events have provided the perfect opportunity for a reminder about Black Sabbath doom metal disciples Castle Rat and their new songs. Castle Rat’s upcoming album The Bestiary already has two publicly available tracks, “Wolf I” and “Wizard.” The tracks represent growth in complexity from those on their debut album as well as a more polished sound. On “Wizard,” guitarist Franco “The Count” Vittore finally gets to stretch out with an epic solo that brings to mind 80s metal maximalism.

    Castle Rat – The Bestiary
    King Volume Records | Bandcamp

    The Bestiary is set to release on September 19, 2025.

  • Laura Groves – Sky At Night

    Though Laura Groves “Sky At Night” was released as part of her album Radio Red in 2023, it may be my favorite “new to me” song this year. Groves delicate bedroom chamber pop is at once melancholy and curious. Her vocals bring to mind Natasha Khan’s Bat For Lashes project for which she was once a backup singer.

    This isn’t an “official” video, so it’s pretty simplistic, with pattern overlays, retro technology, color washes and Groves herself serving as the main visual interests. The song itself is the draw here. It’s one of those rare tracks that I can just rewind and listen to over and over.

    Laura Groves – Sky At Night (YouTube)

  • Friends of Mt. Athos

    I enjoyed this trip through Mt. Athos from the lense of an outsider. Of special interest to me were the descriptions of the icons, their history and their presence.

    I expected I was the only person in the space, until I sensed another presence emanating, inexplicably, from the icon of St. Anne. Her face was blackened from centuries of devotional candles. The instinct of an art historian might be to accurately date it, or even to clean it. This was a welcome thought that put me safely in the driver’s seat of this encounter. But then all such ambition evaporated, and it felt more like the icon wanted to clean me. I looked into Anne and Mary’s blackened faces. With enough prayer and candle smoke, I suppose every icon is on its way to becoming black.

    The story of the the Gatekeeper icon is one of those wonderous Orthodox tales of which I am so fond. The combination of the material and the spiritual lodges powerful concepts in my mind.