A lighter letter on the eve of Labor Day 2023. The death of a legend was just announced. Margaritaville will never be the same, and all the cheeseburgers we eat this weekend will be in Jimmy Buffet's honor. Songs and scenery are the focus today, and a quick reminisce of the past in music and games today.

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In our attention-porn world, I've spent a lot of time thinking about songs. Most follow a consistent pattern, are less than 5 minutes long, and force the listener to relate to a micro-story by letting them fill in the blanks every time they sing along. Poetry does the same thing; these are story starters and scene builders we participate in based on how it makes us feel.

Think about your favorite songs. Are they complicated? Regardless of the genre of music you prefer, most are simple and remind you of various times in your life, these are the stories you weave together with the artist. Sing your songs, dance to your music, and the stories you tell with all of it. Especially as we close out another summer.

It is even better if you can make more memories and do it with friends. Next week, I'll be at the Shadow Ridge Music Festival in the town I grew up in. Ironically, a music festival with some of my favorite bands is playing at a festival on a golf course my parents currently live on. Each band in the lineup has a song or an event I will forever hold in my memory. The first band I went and saw live with my girlfriend, who I married almost 28 years ago. Another band we missed due to a fishbowl margarita incident. In addition to the memories, we will be the friends we've known for decades. There will be drinking and dancing badly to the songs of our youth, in that order. 

The love and laughter of our past bring us together to sing along with others who have made their own stories to the music. Short songs, unlimited memories.

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Deb Amlen writes an article for the NYT about the wonderful game of Monopoly; she even mentions several long-held beliefs by parents of young children. If they ask to play at night, they are stalling bedtime. Other highlights in the article include ensuring everyone plays by the same rule; in other words, "oh, we don't play that way" must be established before you start.

Winning strategies included buying everything except hotels – a better strategy is to cause a housing shortage by buying all the houses. Another brilliant strategy includes staying in jail as long as possible toward the end of the game and collecting rent. Although it sounds somewhat political these days…

What is this? A computer circuit board, a line at the DMV, or a first-grade class? Check out the photos of the week.

From ALAN TAYLOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 35 PHOTOS IN FOCUS

Tommy Stinson on The Replacements’ Tim, Playing with X’s John Doe, and Lorde’s Cover of “Swingin Party”

Like listening to music church!

Click on the Apple Music image to listen to the song on Apple Music or on the Spotify Image to listen to Spotify.

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Thank you for spending a few minutes with us. Here’s one for the road!

With A Shout newsletter is written by Johnny Christian with the support of a thousand idea bits and the help of many people.

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