1. End-of-the-year is coming. Start planning your best-of lists. Let's try to discuss on the first Friday of the new year (rather than earlier). That will be January 6, 2012.

2. Now that I've got some of my actuarial-education blinders off for a bit, I notice that a new artist I'm listening to has a show in Minneapolis tonight. Her name is Lydia Loveless, and she plays vulgarly fun country-punk about drinking and cheaters and depression. For fans of the Waco Brothers and Miranda Lambert. Here's a live clip of what's probably my favorite song (Lyrics NSFW). She's playing at Lee's Liquor Lounge, doors at 9pm, $8 cover. If I hadn't been blindered and completely ignoring my wife and kids, I would definitely go, but my EAR seems to have been missing me, so I may favor staying home. But if you're looking for something to do tonight, consider this my recommendation.

3. I would have preferred to link first to her Daytrotter Session, which was uploaded on my birthday this year. Unfortunately, those files are no longer free as Daytrotter has had to implement a $2/month subscription fee to keep their lights on. It's definitely worth it for me, so they'll have my credit card number soon. I will miss having that site's performances as a quick way for me to link to artists I like. You can have a free seven-day trial.

4. Lydia's session is particularly good, which does have me excited about her as a live artist. Mostly songs from her first album, but recorded with more life. The session may end up on my best-of list.

5. Finally, a new track from Lana Del Ray (visuals borderline NSFW: sideboob). Just saw this, haven't listened closely. Yet.

6. Time for you to share your randomness.