"Almost Literally"

You had a coronary on the bleachers.
I saw your beat-red fists. 
I turned into a pumpkin.
You blew off steam, but not all of it.
You always expected to be afforded some grace.
A wide berth I give you now.
You say you had your reasons.
I said I wouldn’t let you pass them down.

Your red ink is all over my work,
and I’ve scrubbed and scrubbed to no avail.
Your presence is like a splinter under each nail.

I kept it close to the vest
that I had no desire to match or beat your personal best.
As if you’d ever be impressed…

Men of great determination and will
who don’t know the word “retreat.”
They’re preserved in the posters you hammered on my walls 
when I was trying to sleep.
You wanted to paint me something grand,
but you couldn’t work the brush.
The landscape is bombed out,
but at night, the stars still wink at us.

What’s it about getting older 
and feeling the need to backtrack? 
And to apologize for every unkind thing 
you ever said but totally meant?

I kept it close to the vest
that I had no desire to match or beat your personal best.
You still warrant a measured response one day.
But I aided and abetted this by just nodding along.
I felt like I couldn’t stop.

Look at all the colors in the sky...
I’m nearly immobilized.
You’re desperate to come around.
But I have the freedom now to be as stubborn as you.
And I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

I had to keep it close.
I had to keep it so close.
I still owe you a response one day.
But it’s partially my fault
because I nodded along.
I just sat there.
I tried to look you in the eye.
I couldn’t spit out the truth.
There was nothing I could do.

Almost Literally

We sat down with Jeff Poole, President and CEO of the Archery Trade Association, to talk about the upcoming, 2026 ATA Trade Show, Archery & Bowhunting Supershow and the Rushmore Rumble, all coming to the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis Jan. 6-11, 2026. This will be the first ATA show that's open to consumers - something the general public has been asking for for years. They will have the opportunity to see all the latest and greatest archery gear, and attend the Rushmore Rumble archery tournament, where they can watch some of the best target archers in the world compete. They can even enter the competition if they want. If the ATA Show has ever interested you, listen to our discussion with Jeff Poole.

CAM Podcast Ep 163 | Jeff Poole, ATA CEO

Two for the price one. Take it, even if you don't want both...

Public Domain/The Recital Room

Written by Nicholas O Curran (c) 2025. performed by STEREOMA. 

Nick Curran- Vocals, Electric guitar, Acoustic  guitar, Piano
Brad Topping - Electric  guitar, Bass
Mike Heller - Mellotron strings, Synth, Mellotron bells
Caleb Lewis - Drums

STEREOMA - Merry Christmas Today

Hello! On this episode, we celebrate the holiday season and wrap up the year. Larry declines to participate due to his fear of Festivus shenanigans, however the rest of the crew comes through in with good cheer and best wishes for all. Dutchy Doug presents the Night before Christmas, and we wrap with the crackle of a warm fire and sleigh bells ringing.


[00:00:00] Introductions

[00:10:35] First break, brought to you by George J. Grove and Son

[00:11:45] Segment 1

[00:25:00] Second break, brought to you by Two Pillars Apparel & Hiram & Solomon Cigars

[00:27:00] Segment 2

[00:35:35] Third break, brought to you by A Mason's Work & Pennsylvania DeMolay

[00:36:40] Segment 3

[00:43:30] Dutchy Doug

[00:51:50] Outro



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SPONSORS:
George J. Grove and Son:
www.georgejgrove.com

SJ Helm Electric:
www.sjhelmelectric.com/

Hiram & Solomon Cigars:
www.hiramandsolomoncigars.com/

The Red Serpent: By Larry Merris:
www.amazon.com/Red-Serpent-Larry…ris/dp/1466478608

Intermezzo by Stephanie, Locally Handcrafted Chocolate
www.facebook.com/IntermezzobyStephanie/
MEDIA ATTRIBUTION:



Bye Everybody!

Almost Literally

Smashing Machine

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