At Last by Etta James
The day the World Series Champion is crowded is always a bittersweet day for me. You can't help but feel a little relieved that the seven month day-in-and-day out up-and-down emotional roller coaster is finally over. But at the same time you know within a week, come the Tuesday morning, you're going to miss it all. You're going to miss seeing who went yard. You're going to miss being able to curse out—under your breath of course—the bullpen son-of-a-bitch that cost your team (The White Sox in my case) the game last night. You're going to miss checking to see how St. Carlos' stats were affected by the game the night before—or if he did something magical the night before, you gush over it every few hours and it puts you in a better mood.
See when you follow a baseball team every day for an entire six or seven month period, it's like being in love. You know the ins and outs of the team. You know what guys and in what situations those guys are going to disappoint you. And when someone surprises you, a big smile comes across your face, because when that big hit comes when your not expecting it... it's like walking in the door and your lover saying, "you want to watch a Borne movie tonight?"
A baseball team, when you really follow them, is like loving a woman with a broken nose. It's better than all other love that sports can provide because it's such a personal experience, it ain't perfect, but it's a great time. See when you follow a team over 162 games most of those nights are spent with just you and the team. Just like every lover is—in the end—an intimate relationship between you and your love that no one else can understand.
Three years ago the White Sox won the World Series. It's not the greatest night of my life, but it's one of the two or three greatest. When they won it felt so wonderful, the joy that over came me was unbelievable. It's weird to say this, epically in an intellectual manner because it is after all just a team... but to me... they are a love. A true love. And it felt good.
That night, as I was in alone in D.C. getting drunk on champagne, I must have listened to this song twenty times. It was wonderful. I was up until well past 4a.m. listening to Etta James sing about her true love.
And it was wonderful because my first love—the White Sox—and I had finally made it.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Jelly Man Kelly
Jelly Man Kelly by James Taylor
There is something so great about James Taylor, yet at the same time something so lame about him. No other artist walks the fine line between lameness and greatness. (HYPERBOLE)
But this song? This song is great if only for the kids going nuts. Here's James singing a silly but kind of pretty song and then all of a sudden we have six kids of every race and creed screaming "OH JELLY COME HOME JELLY CAN HE COME?" You can't even hear James Taylor once the kinds start chiming in. FANTASTIC. And as a child I loved this song. It was so much fun.
Childhood was awesome.
There is something so great about James Taylor, yet at the same time something so lame about him. No other artist walks the fine line between lameness and greatness. (HYPERBOLE)
But this song? This song is great if only for the kids going nuts. Here's James singing a silly but kind of pretty song and then all of a sudden we have six kids of every race and creed screaming "OH JELLY COME HOME JELLY CAN HE COME?" You can't even hear James Taylor once the kinds start chiming in. FANTASTIC. And as a child I loved this song. It was so much fun.
Childhood was awesome.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I Need You
I Need You by The Beatles
A few weeks ago I was eating at Potbelly, and the guy playing at the time broke this song out... I had forgotten how absolutely fantastic it is.
And then after a little digging, I found out it's for or about Pattie Boyd. Pattie Boyd must have been one hell of a woman and muse. Why?
Well, Harrison wrote "I Need You" and "Something" for Pattie Boyd. Eric Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" and "Layla" for her. THOSE ARE LIKE FOUR OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER!!!! AND THEY ARE ALL ABOUT THE SAME PERSON!!!!
Come on people! This is amazing! Why don't we talk about Pattie Boyd on a daily basis? Why isn't she more well known? Seriously... we had men writing some amazing songs about her. It was like the Trojan War. And yet all I can find is photo exhibition on her.
If Joe DiMaggio is the Father of Pop Culture, the George Harrison is Menelaus, Eric Clapton is Paris, and Pattie Boyd is the Helen of pop culture.
A few weeks ago I was eating at Potbelly, and the guy playing at the time broke this song out... I had forgotten how absolutely fantastic it is.
And then after a little digging, I found out it's for or about Pattie Boyd. Pattie Boyd must have been one hell of a woman and muse. Why?
Well, Harrison wrote "I Need You" and "Something" for Pattie Boyd. Eric Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" and "Layla" for her. THOSE ARE LIKE FOUR OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER!!!! AND THEY ARE ALL ABOUT THE SAME PERSON!!!!
Come on people! This is amazing! Why don't we talk about Pattie Boyd on a daily basis? Why isn't she more well known? Seriously... we had men writing some amazing songs about her. It was like the Trojan War. And yet all I can find is photo exhibition on her.
If Joe DiMaggio is the Father of Pop Culture, the George Harrison is Menelaus, Eric Clapton is Paris, and Pattie Boyd is the Helen of pop culture.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Theme from the Greatest American Hero
Theme from the Greatest American Hero by Joey Scarbury
I was criticized on Friday night getting drinks with friends that this fine little blog was a tad bit too negative... so with that in light, I went out and found a happy song.
I don't remember "The Greatest American Hero" but like pretty much everyone in the world I know the theme. And it's one of those songs that puts me in a good mood. Bad day at work? How about a little Joey Scarbury? Thoughts of the New Man or childhood dreams that have passed away? "Believe it or not I'm walking on air! I never thought I could feel so free!"
Ah yes, one of those songs that can turn a bad day into a not so bad day.
And going as the Greatest American Hero for Halloween wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. See, I'm good for something.
P.S. it's safe to say this will be Jeoy Scarbury's one and only entry to this fine little blog.
I was criticized on Friday night getting drinks with friends that this fine little blog was a tad bit too negative... so with that in light, I went out and found a happy song.
I don't remember "The Greatest American Hero" but like pretty much everyone in the world I know the theme. And it's one of those songs that puts me in a good mood. Bad day at work? How about a little Joey Scarbury? Thoughts of the New Man or childhood dreams that have passed away? "Believe it or not I'm walking on air! I never thought I could feel so free!"
Ah yes, one of those songs that can turn a bad day into a not so bad day.
And going as the Greatest American Hero for Halloween wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. See, I'm good for something.
P.S. it's safe to say this will be Jeoy Scarbury's one and only entry to this fine little blog.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wolf Like Me
Wolf Like Me by TV on the Radio
Next year, when we look at the best songs of the first decade of the 21st century, this song will make most top 50 lists... and I've got a feeling it might even be #1 on a few lists (don't you get the feeling that Pitchfork sort of wishes it made in #1 in 2006?). This is a fantastic song—a driving, hard drum beat, daunting and interesting guitars, and vocals that drive home the hardness of the song. Then they slow it down during the bridge... only to pick it up again and in the background a somewhat haunting "the how and... forever... ho ho ho..." is repeated as the song closes.
It's one of those songs that I think every musician and band wishes it could write.
Next year, when we look at the best songs of the first decade of the 21st century, this song will make most top 50 lists... and I've got a feeling it might even be #1 on a few lists (don't you get the feeling that Pitchfork sort of wishes it made in #1 in 2006?). This is a fantastic song—a driving, hard drum beat, daunting and interesting guitars, and vocals that drive home the hardness of the song. Then they slow it down during the bridge... only to pick it up again and in the background a somewhat haunting "the how and... forever... ho ho ho..." is repeated as the song closes.
It's one of those songs that I think every musician and band wishes it could write.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Lemon Grove Avenue
Lemon Grove Avenue by Mason Jennings
You can find and listen to it here.
A perfect summer time song. Lemon Grove Avenue is one of those songs that whenever I listen to it, I wish this is what life was like—there are birds in the trees, stars at night, a summer breeze, and you're living life with the one you love and you don't have to be anywhere in particular. Life is happy, it's worryless, it is carefree. In movies or while we're toiling away at work this is what we want—we want to live on Lemon Grove Avenue—a carefree life where mmm-bop-la-de-da-de-da is playing faintly from someones porch as you walk down the street, hand-in-hand, with the one you love.
It's not a sophisticated song, and honestly in the dead of a Chicago winter it's the last song you want to hear... but if I feel like getting away from reality and pretending, just for a few minutes, about a life I'll never live... we'll I might just turn this song on.
You can find and listen to it here.
A perfect summer time song. Lemon Grove Avenue is one of those songs that whenever I listen to it, I wish this is what life was like—there are birds in the trees, stars at night, a summer breeze, and you're living life with the one you love and you don't have to be anywhere in particular. Life is happy, it's worryless, it is carefree. In movies or while we're toiling away at work this is what we want—we want to live on Lemon Grove Avenue—a carefree life where mmm-bop-la-de-da-de-da is playing faintly from someones porch as you walk down the street, hand-in-hand, with the one you love.
It's not a sophisticated song, and honestly in the dead of a Chicago winter it's the last song you want to hear... but if I feel like getting away from reality and pretending, just for a few minutes, about a life I'll never live... we'll I might just turn this song on.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Your Love
Your Love by the Outfield
I had never really noticed this song until I was living in London and over the course of four months it sort of became one of the two or three official songs of my time there.
There were eight of us living in two flats on the northern edge of central London. We worked four days a week at Westminster—not only were we living together, we were also working together. The eight of us couldn't get away from each other. And since we were working, staying out until 1 or 2 in the morning was really an option most nights. There were nights when we'd all sit around and watch the BBC or even pop in a DVD.
And this is how I remember this song... it was a chilling in the flat song. I'm sure we only listened to it on a Friday or Saturday night when 'Bama wanted to get a little pumped to go out. And as that opening rift started up I too would get a little excited about what was ahead of us that night.
What's funny is that D has always said that the Strokes "Someday" reminds him of London because I listened to it all the time... but Someday doesn't bring up memories of London for me... it's the Outfield and "Your Love" because 'Bama listened to it all the time.
This is a pretty great song I might add (sorry about the video but it was the best I could do).
I had never really noticed this song until I was living in London and over the course of four months it sort of became one of the two or three official songs of my time there.
There were eight of us living in two flats on the northern edge of central London. We worked four days a week at Westminster—not only were we living together, we were also working together. The eight of us couldn't get away from each other. And since we were working, staying out until 1 or 2 in the morning was really an option most nights. There were nights when we'd all sit around and watch the BBC or even pop in a DVD.
And this is how I remember this song... it was a chilling in the flat song. I'm sure we only listened to it on a Friday or Saturday night when 'Bama wanted to get a little pumped to go out. And as that opening rift started up I too would get a little excited about what was ahead of us that night.
What's funny is that D has always said that the Strokes "Someday" reminds him of London because I listened to it all the time... but Someday doesn't bring up memories of London for me... it's the Outfield and "Your Love" because 'Bama listened to it all the time.
This is a pretty great song I might add (sorry about the video but it was the best I could do).
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Fake Palindromes
Fake Palindromes by Andrew Bird
I love this song. Love this song. Love Love Love Love this song. From the intro with the winding violin and the distant vocal nearly screaming "Ohhhhhh ohhhh oh", to the steady verse that builds and builds, back to that winding violin, then the beat and Bird's vocals build to this when it all comes crashing together:
And she says I like long walks and sci-fi movies
If you're six foot tall and east coast bred
Some lonely night we can get together
And I'm gonna tie your wrists with leather
And drill a tiny hole into your head
According to Last FM, over the last two and half years I've listened to this song more than any other song. Something like 200 times, though it's probably higher. And I never ever get sick of it. From the image of my dewy-eyed Disney bride, to the thoughts of formaldehyde and fratricide... and then that woman. Who is this woman? And why haven't I met her? Why does she sound so interesting, so perfect, so troublesome—like someone you sholdn't be involved with but can't help it because you want to know where she got that bruise? I'd love it if she said to me that she liked long walks and sci-fi movies. I'd quickly tell her that I am six feet tall and while from the Midwest, I've done my time out east. And hopefully we'd go back and she'd drill that tiny hole in my head.
I love this song. Love this song. Love Love Love Love this song. From the intro with the winding violin and the distant vocal nearly screaming "Ohhhhhh ohhhh oh", to the steady verse that builds and builds, back to that winding violin, then the beat and Bird's vocals build to this when it all comes crashing together:
And she says I like long walks and sci-fi movies
If you're six foot tall and east coast bred
Some lonely night we can get together
And I'm gonna tie your wrists with leather
And drill a tiny hole into your head
According to Last FM, over the last two and half years I've listened to this song more than any other song. Something like 200 times, though it's probably higher. And I never ever get sick of it. From the image of my dewy-eyed Disney bride, to the thoughts of formaldehyde and fratricide... and then that woman. Who is this woman? And why haven't I met her? Why does she sound so interesting, so perfect, so troublesome—like someone you sholdn't be involved with but can't help it because you want to know where she got that bruise? I'd love it if she said to me that she liked long walks and sci-fi movies. I'd quickly tell her that I am six feet tall and while from the Midwest, I've done my time out east. And hopefully we'd go back and she'd drill that tiny hole in my head.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Crazy Love
Crazy Love by Van Morrison
One of the all time great love songs... just a fantastic song. We're all looking for this person, and I wonder how often it is that we find this person. The older I get, the more I start to believe that people end up with someone they are comfortable with, someone they are compatible with, someone they like. The perfect person—someone who has a fine sense of humor, who takes away trouble and grief—who stirs the passion in our hearts and souls; it seems like people don't look for this person. They just want someone who they get along with when the time is right.
I don't think I'm being cynical here, from my point of view as a 27 year old male in 21st century America, I'm being honest and realistic. People too often only want to fall in love when they want to fall in love. Sure that sounds obvious, but at the same time it's the way it works. The person who puts his/her career before all else won't have a meaningful and real relationship until one puts the relationship first. Too often "love" is what happens when we THINK it should happen.
Immaturity and mistakes get in the way in our journey to find love... these missteps, I feel, are just part of the process. As we grow and as we stay true to ourselves and keep our sexual drives at bay (to a certain extent), we'll end up with the person that is perfect for us. Who stirs passion in our soul and makes every day even better than the one before.
My senior year of high school we were talking about our favorite songs. My teacher for that class, A, wrote down that this was her favorite song on the chalk board. I remember going to the board (it was just that type of class and I was just that type of student) and finishing it by writing "Vol. II". I never knew this song existed... I always thought the only one that existed was Paul Simon's equally fantastic "Crazy Love, Vol. II." 'A' went to the board and quietly erased my ignorance.
One of the all time great love songs... just a fantastic song. We're all looking for this person, and I wonder how often it is that we find this person. The older I get, the more I start to believe that people end up with someone they are comfortable with, someone they are compatible with, someone they like. The perfect person—someone who has a fine sense of humor, who takes away trouble and grief—who stirs the passion in our hearts and souls; it seems like people don't look for this person. They just want someone who they get along with when the time is right.
I don't think I'm being cynical here, from my point of view as a 27 year old male in 21st century America, I'm being honest and realistic. People too often only want to fall in love when they want to fall in love. Sure that sounds obvious, but at the same time it's the way it works. The person who puts his/her career before all else won't have a meaningful and real relationship until one puts the relationship first. Too often "love" is what happens when we THINK it should happen.
Immaturity and mistakes get in the way in our journey to find love... these missteps, I feel, are just part of the process. As we grow and as we stay true to ourselves and keep our sexual drives at bay (to a certain extent), we'll end up with the person that is perfect for us. Who stirs passion in our soul and makes every day even better than the one before.
My senior year of high school we were talking about our favorite songs. My teacher for that class, A, wrote down that this was her favorite song on the chalk board. I remember going to the board (it was just that type of class and I was just that type of student) and finishing it by writing "Vol. II". I never knew this song existed... I always thought the only one that existed was Paul Simon's equally fantastic "Crazy Love, Vol. II." 'A' went to the board and quietly erased my ignorance.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Daniel
Daniel by Elton John
I can't really tell you why I like Elton John so much other than he's really good. And that's a pretty darn good reason isn't it? I also like the glasses he wore in the '70s. I'm not sure a musician dressed more perfectly for the kind of music he/she played than Elton John in the '70s.
But here's my question... where the hell is the current Elton John or Billy Joel (though if I was Billy Joel, I'd drink myself under the table every night in Manhattan too if I was always thrown in the same sentence as Elton John, but that's another day)...
ANYWAYS, where was I? Oh yes, the current singer/piano player pop star... where is he? I would very much like to have one in my life. And Ben Folds does not count because he's Ben Folds. The Fray is a band and they only have that one song. Anyway if anyone has any good piano playing pop starts that I should check out, hit up the comments section.
As for this song... for reasons I can't explain to you this reminds me of a German I knew about a year ago who worked at Su Casa (a Catholic Worker house in Back of the Yards). Daniel is now long gone, I'm 99.9% sure I'll never see, hear, or talk to him again; but I'll always remember him because of this song.
Music and the mind are weird. But everyone knows that.
I can't really tell you why I like Elton John so much other than he's really good. And that's a pretty darn good reason isn't it? I also like the glasses he wore in the '70s. I'm not sure a musician dressed more perfectly for the kind of music he/she played than Elton John in the '70s.
But here's my question... where the hell is the current Elton John or Billy Joel (though if I was Billy Joel, I'd drink myself under the table every night in Manhattan too if I was always thrown in the same sentence as Elton John, but that's another day)...
ANYWAYS, where was I? Oh yes, the current singer/piano player pop star... where is he? I would very much like to have one in my life. And Ben Folds does not count because he's Ben Folds. The Fray is a band and they only have that one song. Anyway if anyone has any good piano playing pop starts that I should check out, hit up the comments section.
As for this song... for reasons I can't explain to you this reminds me of a German I knew about a year ago who worked at Su Casa (a Catholic Worker house in Back of the Yards). Daniel is now long gone, I'm 99.9% sure I'll never see, hear, or talk to him again; but I'll always remember him because of this song.
Music and the mind are weird. But everyone knows that.
Monday, October 6, 2008
So Says I
So Says I by The Shins
I love the Gilmore Girls. It's probably my second favorite show ever. I own DVDs. I watch these DVDs. The Gilmore Girls puts me in a good mood.
About a month ago I was watching an episode from Season Three—and I said to myself, I'm going to dress like Luke this winter. I am going to wear flannel shirt and a winter vest and sometimes a backwards baseball hat. This is going to be my winter gear and it's going to be great.
I mentioned this to some friends a few days after this thought. And they broke the news to me: flannel was in again, hipsters were starting to wear it. Wanna be hipsters were wearing it. People who like Sunset Rubdown where wearing it.
Read that again—people who like fucking Sunset Rubdown are wearing flannel! Sunset Rubdown is one of those indie bands that suck but everyone pretends they're good! They're the worst kind of people! They can't wear flannel! I can't stop using exclamation points!
So my winter is ruined before winter has even begun. Sigh.
As for this song... well in one of the most random Gilmore Girl episodes, Rory and Paris go to somewhere warm during spring break and at the bar they're at The Shins are playing "So Says I".
Effing hipsters and their flannel. I bet their reasoning wasn't as awesome as mine.
I love the Gilmore Girls. It's probably my second favorite show ever. I own DVDs. I watch these DVDs. The Gilmore Girls puts me in a good mood.
About a month ago I was watching an episode from Season Three—and I said to myself, I'm going to dress like Luke this winter. I am going to wear flannel shirt and a winter vest and sometimes a backwards baseball hat. This is going to be my winter gear and it's going to be great.
I mentioned this to some friends a few days after this thought. And they broke the news to me: flannel was in again, hipsters were starting to wear it. Wanna be hipsters were wearing it. People who like Sunset Rubdown where wearing it.
Read that again—people who like fucking Sunset Rubdown are wearing flannel! Sunset Rubdown is one of those indie bands that suck but everyone pretends they're good! They're the worst kind of people! They can't wear flannel! I can't stop using exclamation points!
So my winter is ruined before winter has even begun. Sigh.
As for this song... well in one of the most random Gilmore Girl episodes, Rory and Paris go to somewhere warm during spring break and at the bar they're at The Shins are playing "So Says I".
Effing hipsters and their flannel. I bet their reasoning wasn't as awesome as mine.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Your New Man
Your New Man by Mason Jennings
There is bad news, there is sad news, and then there is finding out that the girl you just broke up with is now dating another guy... yeah, she's got a new man.
This has happened to me twice and neither time was it an enjoyable experience. The New Man—no matter who he is or what you thought of him before (if you know him)—is now the biggest asshole, creep ball, son of a bitch to ever walk the Earth. No if and or buts. He just is. Everything sort of creepy that he ever said or you ever heard about him comes creeping into your head and all you want to do is to tell the—now old—girlfriend is: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH BETTER I AM THAN THIS SLIME BALL!!! HE PROBABLY KILLS BABY SEALS AND I WILL GUARANTEE YOU HE WILL CHEAT ON YOU!!!!
Of course, who knows... there might be some truth, but there's also a lot of bullshit in all this. The process of rejection and choosing someone else over yourself is an interesting one since it's completely irrational.
Over time of course, this all goes away. You wish everyone luck... since odds are you've become the New Man to someone else.
However there is a flip side: every time you think you know someone, you realize that you don't know them all that well. Or at least that's been my case. The "New Man", in my experience, I've know both times. Are they bad guys? Nah. Both moved in on the Love while the Love and I still had something going on, so that's kind of like rubbing salt in the wounds since everything because so fucking obvious in retrospect, but c'est le via. Am I shocked that the former loves choose the guys they did? Of course. Why? I'm keeping that to myself, but let's say I've found the irony both times.
There is bad news, there is sad news, and then there is finding out that the girl you just broke up with is now dating another guy... yeah, she's got a new man.
This has happened to me twice and neither time was it an enjoyable experience. The New Man—no matter who he is or what you thought of him before (if you know him)—is now the biggest asshole, creep ball, son of a bitch to ever walk the Earth. No if and or buts. He just is. Everything sort of creepy that he ever said or you ever heard about him comes creeping into your head and all you want to do is to tell the—now old—girlfriend is: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!! DO YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH BETTER I AM THAN THIS SLIME BALL!!! HE PROBABLY KILLS BABY SEALS AND I WILL GUARANTEE YOU HE WILL CHEAT ON YOU!!!!
Of course, who knows... there might be some truth, but there's also a lot of bullshit in all this. The process of rejection and choosing someone else over yourself is an interesting one since it's completely irrational.
Over time of course, this all goes away. You wish everyone luck... since odds are you've become the New Man to someone else.
However there is a flip side: every time you think you know someone, you realize that you don't know them all that well. Or at least that's been my case. The "New Man", in my experience, I've know both times. Are they bad guys? Nah. Both moved in on the Love while the Love and I still had something going on, so that's kind of like rubbing salt in the wounds since everything because so fucking obvious in retrospect, but c'est le via. Am I shocked that the former loves choose the guys they did? Of course. Why? I'm keeping that to myself, but let's say I've found the irony both times.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Direct Hit
Direct Hit by Art Brut
I have nothing to say about this song other than Art Brut is good, but I just wanted to get down a few pointless musings:
* I think the Minnesota/North Dakota is the most underrated and under appreciated rivalry in the United States. At this point we've managed to play up every state rivalry possible with Ohio/Michigan probably the biggest just because there seems to be little difference between the two places except one has the shittiest town in American (Detroit) and the other has the town everyone makes fun of (Cleveland). Anyway, for some reason we have managed to over look the Minny v. ND rivalry for far too long, it it appears to be a good natured rivalry. If Minny and ND were people, they would have one of those teasing relationships with sexual innuendo and sly smiles whenever the other person said something nearly offensive. And everyone likes those people and their relationship. This interview with Mr. Klosterman reminded me of this.
* I really want to go to the French speaking area of Maine some day. And along those lines, if dreams and goals come true, then there's a good chance I would own a house in either Maine or Minnesota.
* While I'm at it, other places I'm a fan of in these fine States that are United: Long Island, the area in between Boston and New York in Connecticut, Minnesota, western Michigan, Chicago, Savannah, California (all of it), Seattle...
* Because I've been checking it out a good amount, I should give Meet Me in Montauk a shout out. Gotta love the name of the blog and he/she is sort of doing the song a day thing too, yet another reason to give a link. I'll give them an official link one of these days.
* Currently the best blog in the world?
* I know they announced this three months ago, but I'm still pumped the Strokes are getting back together. And yes, for-all-intents-and-purposes I think they broke up two years ago.
I have nothing to say about this song other than Art Brut is good, but I just wanted to get down a few pointless musings:
* I think the Minnesota/North Dakota is the most underrated and under appreciated rivalry in the United States. At this point we've managed to play up every state rivalry possible with Ohio/Michigan probably the biggest just because there seems to be little difference between the two places except one has the shittiest town in American (Detroit) and the other has the town everyone makes fun of (Cleveland). Anyway, for some reason we have managed to over look the Minny v. ND rivalry for far too long, it it appears to be a good natured rivalry. If Minny and ND were people, they would have one of those teasing relationships with sexual innuendo and sly smiles whenever the other person said something nearly offensive. And everyone likes those people and their relationship. This interview with Mr. Klosterman reminded me of this.
* I really want to go to the French speaking area of Maine some day. And along those lines, if dreams and goals come true, then there's a good chance I would own a house in either Maine or Minnesota.
* While I'm at it, other places I'm a fan of in these fine States that are United: Long Island, the area in between Boston and New York in Connecticut, Minnesota, western Michigan, Chicago, Savannah, California (all of it), Seattle...
* Because I've been checking it out a good amount, I should give Meet Me in Montauk a shout out. Gotta love the name of the blog and he/she is sort of doing the song a day thing too, yet another reason to give a link. I'll give them an official link one of these days.
* Currently the best blog in the world?
* I know they announced this three months ago, but I'm still pumped the Strokes are getting back together. And yes, for-all-intents-and-purposes I think they broke up two years ago.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Be Here Now
Be Here Now by Mason Jennings
Mason's Video
It was going to happen at some point... today might as well be the day.
The first time I heard Mason sing this song was on a cold February night in Washington, D.C. at the Black Cat. Patty had promised to go to the show with me since she lived two blocks away... and to make a long story short we were standing there taking in the Mason show when he played this song. Both of us were, it was just one of those songs where you went, "wow" you heard it.
Fast forward 19 months—now I'm in Chicago, and the Girl surprised me with tickets to the Mason show a few weeks before. We were a few weeks removed from my birthday and something had to happen in our relationship. On our way to the show we stopped to get something to eat, but we were running late and had to do some sort of fast food. Potbelly's won out. And at some point during dinner we got in a bit of a fight about us as a relationship, as a couple.
The fight carried out onto Belmont Avenue. Walking east, The Girl and I made no progress in our situation. When we finally arrived, the theater was packed and Mason had already started playing. There was no where for us to really sit, and as we stood there trying to get comfortable, our uncomfortableness of the current situation in our relationship boiled over. She was frustrated with me, I was frustrated with her... neither one of us was enjoying the show even though we had only been there a few minutes... the night had disaster written all over it.
But then Mason started singing, "Be here now, no other place to be." The Girl and I weren't even in the seating area at this point, we were just outside the doors in the lobby talking about us but we could hear Mason clearly.
"Sun comes up and we start again..."
As Mason continued to sing, two thoughts, in this order, crossed my mind:
1) I love this song.
2) This is the perfect song to tell The Girl that I love her.
"All the doubts that linger, just set them free"
As the Girl looked at me all frustrated, wanting to leave, I decided that I had to let her know. "Don't you know?" A blank look on her face was the response. "I love you." A smile and a hug... then a kiss. "You are the love of my life," I found myself repeating Mason's words to The Girl. She loved me too.
It was like something from a movie... not the profession of our love, but rather the song Mason was playing at that moment provided a soundtrack to our lives. Had I planned to tell The Girl that I was in love with her that night at the show while Mason played "Be Here Now"? No. But it happened that way... it was like a dream... For a night, I lived a moment that I had always dreamt about—I told a girl that I loved that I loved her while Mason Jennings provided the soundtrack. Life doesn't give us very many serendipitous moments, but when one does arise, we should all take full advantage of it. Because those serendipitous moments are among the best in life.
But I was no Mr. Darcy that night, and even though this is a great love song, Mason's lyrics don't match Mr. Darcy's words, "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." But for a moment in time I lived in my very own song, my very own movie... it didn't last more than a few seconds because eventually Mason moved on to the next song. And I can't go back and rewatch or re-experience that night ever again... it's over. It is now just a memory... a memory that may even be forgotten someday later in life.
Mason's Video
It was going to happen at some point... today might as well be the day.
The first time I heard Mason sing this song was on a cold February night in Washington, D.C. at the Black Cat. Patty had promised to go to the show with me since she lived two blocks away... and to make a long story short we were standing there taking in the Mason show when he played this song. Both of us were, it was just one of those songs where you went, "wow" you heard it.
Fast forward 19 months—now I'm in Chicago, and the Girl surprised me with tickets to the Mason show a few weeks before. We were a few weeks removed from my birthday and something had to happen in our relationship. On our way to the show we stopped to get something to eat, but we were running late and had to do some sort of fast food. Potbelly's won out. And at some point during dinner we got in a bit of a fight about us as a relationship, as a couple.
The fight carried out onto Belmont Avenue. Walking east, The Girl and I made no progress in our situation. When we finally arrived, the theater was packed and Mason had already started playing. There was no where for us to really sit, and as we stood there trying to get comfortable, our uncomfortableness of the current situation in our relationship boiled over. She was frustrated with me, I was frustrated with her... neither one of us was enjoying the show even though we had only been there a few minutes... the night had disaster written all over it.
But then Mason started singing, "Be here now, no other place to be." The Girl and I weren't even in the seating area at this point, we were just outside the doors in the lobby talking about us but we could hear Mason clearly.
"Sun comes up and we start again..."
As Mason continued to sing, two thoughts, in this order, crossed my mind:
1) I love this song.
2) This is the perfect song to tell The Girl that I love her.
"All the doubts that linger, just set them free"
As the Girl looked at me all frustrated, wanting to leave, I decided that I had to let her know. "Don't you know?" A blank look on her face was the response. "I love you." A smile and a hug... then a kiss. "You are the love of my life," I found myself repeating Mason's words to The Girl. She loved me too.
It was like something from a movie... not the profession of our love, but rather the song Mason was playing at that moment provided a soundtrack to our lives. Had I planned to tell The Girl that I was in love with her that night at the show while Mason played "Be Here Now"? No. But it happened that way... it was like a dream... For a night, I lived a moment that I had always dreamt about—I told a girl that I loved that I loved her while Mason Jennings provided the soundtrack. Life doesn't give us very many serendipitous moments, but when one does arise, we should all take full advantage of it. Because those serendipitous moments are among the best in life.
But I was no Mr. Darcy that night, and even though this is a great love song, Mason's lyrics don't match Mr. Darcy's words, "In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." But for a moment in time I lived in my very own song, my very own movie... it didn't last more than a few seconds because eventually Mason moved on to the next song. And I can't go back and rewatch or re-experience that night ever again... it's over. It is now just a memory... a memory that may even be forgotten someday later in life.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Suddenly I See
Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
In this 21st century, hipster, indie music is main stream but it isn't, world that we live in I am not supposed to like KT Tunstall. But I do.
And you know why? Because she writes and sings great pop songs. I sort of touched on the entire anti-pop world that we live in the other day. (I blame Gen X and the alternative/grunge movement of the early 90s which rejected pop... in name only but another day). And I still see nothing wrong with pop. Pop is good. It's fun, it's catchy, and sure it might not mean anything beyond what it means, but what's wrong with that?
See sometimes the simplicity is the beauty. When Jeff Tweedy sings "The ash tray says/you were up all night", it's beautiful because of the simplistic image that it creates in one's mind, it's a heavy but simple image. When Mason Jennings sings "Do you think about me?" it's the same deal—the simplicity of coming out and saying what we all think all the time is great.
So when KT puts some catchy hooks (and a neat-o opening rift) to some simple lyrics it works because many of us have had that moment when suddenly we see what we want. Maybe it's love at first sight. Maybe it's a rush one gets from reading Jane Austen or buying some shares of stock. Or maybe it's just seeing Patti Smith and realizing that you want to be a musician. It is that simplistic beauty—her face is the map of the world, you can see she's a beautiful girl—that makes this song so great.
Two more things:
-This is easily one of the best songs of the decade.
-Who hasn't been left hanging on a word? And isn't that a great feeling?
In this 21st century, hipster, indie music is main stream but it isn't, world that we live in I am not supposed to like KT Tunstall. But I do.
And you know why? Because she writes and sings great pop songs. I sort of touched on the entire anti-pop world that we live in the other day. (I blame Gen X and the alternative/grunge movement of the early 90s which rejected pop... in name only but another day). And I still see nothing wrong with pop. Pop is good. It's fun, it's catchy, and sure it might not mean anything beyond what it means, but what's wrong with that?
See sometimes the simplicity is the beauty. When Jeff Tweedy sings "The ash tray says/you were up all night", it's beautiful because of the simplistic image that it creates in one's mind, it's a heavy but simple image. When Mason Jennings sings "Do you think about me?" it's the same deal—the simplicity of coming out and saying what we all think all the time is great.
So when KT puts some catchy hooks (and a neat-o opening rift) to some simple lyrics it works because many of us have had that moment when suddenly we see what we want. Maybe it's love at first sight. Maybe it's a rush one gets from reading Jane Austen or buying some shares of stock. Or maybe it's just seeing Patti Smith and realizing that you want to be a musician. It is that simplistic beauty—her face is the map of the world, you can see she's a beautiful girl—that makes this song so great.
Two more things:
-This is easily one of the best songs of the decade.
-Who hasn't been left hanging on a word? And isn't that a great feeling?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Cinderella's Daydream
Cinderella's Daydream by Zuzu's Petals
In the past week this song has hit home like a sack of bricks... but why? I don't really know what the lyrics say... I can make out the first verse and the chorus but it's not like the lyrics are hammering home like a Jeff Tweedy song. But some where in between the "I don't want to go" and "Baby I want to stay with you" on the 18th listen this week everything started to come into focus.
It was the Cinderella illusions in the song that were hitting home. We all know the story of Cinderella, she has to be home by midnight, because at that time everything she has disappears. And with that she leaves in a hurry, peacing out on Prince Charming despite the great night they were having.
And with that in mind, I thought of those nights that I have had—those perfect nights that I never wanted to end—usually involving a girl or loved one. Those were the best nights. And in retrospect those are bittersweet nights. Every night isn't a great night. And the great nights can't be frozen, at some point time takes over. The night or the day ends.
Why? Why must we toil though the mundane, the blaze of life? Sure those perfect nights make life worth tugging along... but why even have mundane moments? It's cruel. Unfair. The great moments are taken away from us by time...
We're all Cinderella. We just don't realize it. The clock will always, at some point, strike midnight. And we can only be so lucky that we left behind a glass slipper somewhere... for someone... to find and then search for us... to fit onto our foot.
In the past week this song has hit home like a sack of bricks... but why? I don't really know what the lyrics say... I can make out the first verse and the chorus but it's not like the lyrics are hammering home like a Jeff Tweedy song. But some where in between the "I don't want to go" and "Baby I want to stay with you" on the 18th listen this week everything started to come into focus.
It was the Cinderella illusions in the song that were hitting home. We all know the story of Cinderella, she has to be home by midnight, because at that time everything she has disappears. And with that she leaves in a hurry, peacing out on Prince Charming despite the great night they were having.
And with that in mind, I thought of those nights that I have had—those perfect nights that I never wanted to end—usually involving a girl or loved one. Those were the best nights. And in retrospect those are bittersweet nights. Every night isn't a great night. And the great nights can't be frozen, at some point time takes over. The night or the day ends.
Why? Why must we toil though the mundane, the blaze of life? Sure those perfect nights make life worth tugging along... but why even have mundane moments? It's cruel. Unfair. The great moments are taken away from us by time...
We're all Cinderella. We just don't realize it. The clock will always, at some point, strike midnight. And we can only be so lucky that we left behind a glass slipper somewhere... for someone... to find and then search for us... to fit onto our foot.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Here's a Telephone
Here's a Telephone by Page France
Listen here
My 26th birthday never really had a chance. In between my first and second year of grad school, the summer had been hard on me... I wasn't sure where I was going or what I wanted to be. I was suddenly entering my late 20s and I didn't necessarily want to be. Twenty-six seemed so old, too old to not have any direction other than another year of graduate school.
A crisis of faith or self or something-like-that fell upon me.
What did I want to do with my life? Where was I going? How did I get here? My birthday wasn't a day of celebration, it was a day of reflection which threw me into an existential abyss...
It was a Friday and like my previous two birthdays all I wanted was a pitcher of beer and pizza. Being in Chicago, my parents and sister took me to Piece, however when we got there the place was packed and we had to wait. I couldn't take it... the crowd, and my anxiety got the best of me. I told my family that I'd be back in a few minutes.
Unconditional love is always with us but we rarely need it. But in those times that we need it we don't necessarily appreciate it. We're too busy consuming that love that we over look the fact that we're receiving it.
And that was my case on my 26th with my family. They let me go. They let me walk. They knew that I needed this. Was I acting and being a mature 26 year old? Hard to say. But it was what I needed. I needed to walk, think things over and take in the fresh air on a beautiful day.
As I walked the streets of Bucktown searching for peace of mind, I called The Girl. She was in New York and had already wished me Happy Birthday, but I turned to her in my time of self crisis and doubt.
It's hard to say if I fell in love with The Girl over the next thirty minutes—the reality was I was already in love with her and she was in love with me but we hadn't admitted this to each other yet. Our relationship wasn't that new by that point, we had been dating for four or five months. The "newness" or "honeymoon" of the relationship had faded. It was time to get serious if we wanted to...
But none of this was going though my head as we talked. I told her of my anxiety, of my crisis, of my self doubt and wondering where I was going in life... and she listened and listened and listened. And then she added her comments, talking me down, helping me deal with my anxiety, crisis, doubt, and purpose. "You're young... and I have the same emotions from time to time, you just have to find what you want and go for it... it will work out." Maybe it's standard stuff... but the reality is it's not. Most people don't respond like this during a time of personal crisis and conflict. People are too self-absorbed, too into themselves and their feelings and their past experiences.
That evening, the Girl wasn't like that. The Girl only focused on me and was only there to help me. It was unconditional, selfless love. She calmed me down... something few people on this Earth can do. Instead of getting frustrated with me, she was there, a solid rock—someone I could lean on—at a time when I needed someone to lean on. It was wonderful.
The next day, as my crisis lifted with a night of sleep, I realized two things about the Girl:
1) We were in love. And we would profess this to each other a few weeks later when the time was right.
2) Unlike almost every other girl I had ever dated, she could handle me. She could deal with my anxiety... The Girl was good for me.
This felt really good. Really fucking good.
Listen here
My 26th birthday never really had a chance. In between my first and second year of grad school, the summer had been hard on me... I wasn't sure where I was going or what I wanted to be. I was suddenly entering my late 20s and I didn't necessarily want to be. Twenty-six seemed so old, too old to not have any direction other than another year of graduate school.
A crisis of faith or self or something-like-that fell upon me.
What did I want to do with my life? Where was I going? How did I get here? My birthday wasn't a day of celebration, it was a day of reflection which threw me into an existential abyss...
It was a Friday and like my previous two birthdays all I wanted was a pitcher of beer and pizza. Being in Chicago, my parents and sister took me to Piece, however when we got there the place was packed and we had to wait. I couldn't take it... the crowd, and my anxiety got the best of me. I told my family that I'd be back in a few minutes.
Unconditional love is always with us but we rarely need it. But in those times that we need it we don't necessarily appreciate it. We're too busy consuming that love that we over look the fact that we're receiving it.
And that was my case on my 26th with my family. They let me go. They let me walk. They knew that I needed this. Was I acting and being a mature 26 year old? Hard to say. But it was what I needed. I needed to walk, think things over and take in the fresh air on a beautiful day.
As I walked the streets of Bucktown searching for peace of mind, I called The Girl. She was in New York and had already wished me Happy Birthday, but I turned to her in my time of self crisis and doubt.
It's hard to say if I fell in love with The Girl over the next thirty minutes—the reality was I was already in love with her and she was in love with me but we hadn't admitted this to each other yet. Our relationship wasn't that new by that point, we had been dating for four or five months. The "newness" or "honeymoon" of the relationship had faded. It was time to get serious if we wanted to...
But none of this was going though my head as we talked. I told her of my anxiety, of my crisis, of my self doubt and wondering where I was going in life... and she listened and listened and listened. And then she added her comments, talking me down, helping me deal with my anxiety, crisis, doubt, and purpose. "You're young... and I have the same emotions from time to time, you just have to find what you want and go for it... it will work out." Maybe it's standard stuff... but the reality is it's not. Most people don't respond like this during a time of personal crisis and conflict. People are too self-absorbed, too into themselves and their feelings and their past experiences.
That evening, the Girl wasn't like that. The Girl only focused on me and was only there to help me. It was unconditional, selfless love. She calmed me down... something few people on this Earth can do. Instead of getting frustrated with me, she was there, a solid rock—someone I could lean on—at a time when I needed someone to lean on. It was wonderful.
The next day, as my crisis lifted with a night of sleep, I realized two things about the Girl:
1) We were in love. And we would profess this to each other a few weeks later when the time was right.
2) Unlike almost every other girl I had ever dated, she could handle me. She could deal with my anxiety... The Girl was good for me.
This felt really good. Really fucking good.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Napoleon Says
Napoleon Says by Phoenix
Editor's Note: I recently had a birthday, and for reasons I can't tell you, I like to feel sorry for myself on my birthday. It's the one day of the year were I really just let my guard down, don't try to inspire myself with cliche quotes, and allow myself to feel like shit. This requires much reflection at the same time... so in the process of evaluating the last year of my life and figuring out what I was doing five, four, three, two, and one year ago to the day... I thought, I should honor those who have played an important role in my life/birthday in the last five years.
2006--25th Birthday
A ton to cover on what turned out to be a weird birthday... I'll just bullet point it:
* I was leaving for Chicago to start grad school in about a week.
* Turning 25 felt officially old. I mean, 25, I was now officially in my mid-20s. This should have brought about a crisis of faith but...
* The night before D, his brother, JFC—who was getting married in a few days, and The Devil went to Bricks Tavern (it had been renamed by this point, but I can never remember it's new name), as a sort of 'last night with the guys doing guy things' were were drank way way way way too much. We drank so much that on the walk home we stopped at 7-11 and got hot dogs. There may have been drunk dialing taking place also.
* Needless to say, I was very very very very hungover the next day, which happened to be my second to last day of work. I was so hung over that I had to leave the office and I walked over to the White House, and took about a ten minute nap/rest on a park bench. I'm pretty sure I threw up at some point also. Luckily, productivity isn't a necessity on your last days of work.
* The office took me out for lunch as a good-bye/birthday celebration. From about 10am up until walking over to the restaurant for lunch, I was worried that I would have to throw up at some point during lunch. Thankfully, that didn't happen, and in fact I actually felt pretty good at lunch all things considered.
* The Super, who I was dating at the time, took me out for dinner. I told her all I wanted was a pizza and a pitcher of beer, in memory to the previous birthday where things were nearly perfect. But seeing that we were in D.C. and there isn't an single good pizza joint in the District [FACT], The Super took me to a burger place near GW. The hangover had made a comeback at this point and the last thing I was in the mood for was a crowded, loud burger joint and beer. Needless to say, The Super wasn't thrilled that I was still hungover. However, there was no fight (come to think of it, the Super and I never fought) and she gave me a Badger hat as a gift which was an awesome gift, only my hangover probably prevented me from fully expressing this to her (sorry Super).
* I have no clue what happened the rest of the day. But it was a good birthday... well the memory makes it a good birthday. Being hungover on your birthday isn't all that awesome, but thinking back on that hangover two years later makes it a funny story, if only for the White House park bench hang over nap.
Editor's Note: I recently had a birthday, and for reasons I can't tell you, I like to feel sorry for myself on my birthday. It's the one day of the year were I really just let my guard down, don't try to inspire myself with cliche quotes, and allow myself to feel like shit. This requires much reflection at the same time... so in the process of evaluating the last year of my life and figuring out what I was doing five, four, three, two, and one year ago to the day... I thought, I should honor those who have played an important role in my life/birthday in the last five years.
2006--25th Birthday
A ton to cover on what turned out to be a weird birthday... I'll just bullet point it:
* I was leaving for Chicago to start grad school in about a week.
* Turning 25 felt officially old. I mean, 25, I was now officially in my mid-20s. This should have brought about a crisis of faith but...
* The night before D, his brother, JFC—who was getting married in a few days, and The Devil went to Bricks Tavern (it had been renamed by this point, but I can never remember it's new name), as a sort of 'last night with the guys doing guy things' were were drank way way way way too much. We drank so much that on the walk home we stopped at 7-11 and got hot dogs. There may have been drunk dialing taking place also.
* Needless to say, I was very very very very hungover the next day, which happened to be my second to last day of work. I was so hung over that I had to leave the office and I walked over to the White House, and took about a ten minute nap/rest on a park bench. I'm pretty sure I threw up at some point also. Luckily, productivity isn't a necessity on your last days of work.
* The office took me out for lunch as a good-bye/birthday celebration. From about 10am up until walking over to the restaurant for lunch, I was worried that I would have to throw up at some point during lunch. Thankfully, that didn't happen, and in fact I actually felt pretty good at lunch all things considered.
* The Super, who I was dating at the time, took me out for dinner. I told her all I wanted was a pizza and a pitcher of beer, in memory to the previous birthday where things were nearly perfect. But seeing that we were in D.C. and there isn't an single good pizza joint in the District [FACT], The Super took me to a burger place near GW. The hangover had made a comeback at this point and the last thing I was in the mood for was a crowded, loud burger joint and beer. Needless to say, The Super wasn't thrilled that I was still hungover. However, there was no fight (come to think of it, the Super and I never fought) and she gave me a Badger hat as a gift which was an awesome gift, only my hangover probably prevented me from fully expressing this to her (sorry Super).
* I have no clue what happened the rest of the day. But it was a good birthday... well the memory makes it a good birthday. Being hungover on your birthday isn't all that awesome, but thinking back on that hangover two years later makes it a funny story, if only for the White House park bench hang over nap.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Chicago
Chicago by Sufjan Stevens
2005--24th Birthday
I had been in D.C. for about three weeks, didn't have a job, and I bought an open ended train ticket from D.C. to New Haven. I wasn't in a rush to get back to D.C. from New Haven. In fact, I would end up spending five or six amazing days in and around the town. The weather was perfect, the vibe I got from New Haven was wonderful, and things were going very well with the Lou.
But I was also a lost soul at that point. I was naive and innocent. My life was, well, headed in a downward spiral. I didn't totally know this, I was over confident and life was about to blindside me, but I felt as if I close to really getting everything in place.
The reality was that New Haven was an escape for me. It was somewhere that I didn't have to face the reality of day to day life. Things with the Lou were, good, but they weren't great. I didn't realize any of this at that time. It would only come into focus over the next few months and then upon reflection years since I left D.C.
I was to leave New Haven on the 7th, my birthday. But the night before, The Lou took me to a pizza place. We would sit in this joint, Modern APizza, eating a pizza and sharing a pitcher of beer. A few months later, after the Lou and I broke up, I would write this:
"I am, after all, forever indebted to you since you have saved me on my birthday. Call it luck or something else that I can't think of at the moment, the point is, I shall never forget. Even though that night of pizza and a pitcher of beer wasn't on September 7th, it was close enough for me to remember probably until I pass on. It was a darn near perfect night for me less than a month into my move to DC where I was alone, lost, and lacking love. It was a very nice night, I think we can both agree to that."
I spent my 24th birthday, well at least six hours of it, on a train. I'd get home to my apartment and tell my roommate that it was my birthday, he would then tell me that I should have said something and he would have gone out and gotten a drink. I told him it was okay. There were presents some where mixed in and I would then go to bed, thinking about the previous night—the worst was to come.
2005--24th Birthday
I had been in D.C. for about three weeks, didn't have a job, and I bought an open ended train ticket from D.C. to New Haven. I wasn't in a rush to get back to D.C. from New Haven. In fact, I would end up spending five or six amazing days in and around the town. The weather was perfect, the vibe I got from New Haven was wonderful, and things were going very well with the Lou.
But I was also a lost soul at that point. I was naive and innocent. My life was, well, headed in a downward spiral. I didn't totally know this, I was over confident and life was about to blindside me, but I felt as if I close to really getting everything in place.
The reality was that New Haven was an escape for me. It was somewhere that I didn't have to face the reality of day to day life. Things with the Lou were, good, but they weren't great. I didn't realize any of this at that time. It would only come into focus over the next few months and then upon reflection years since I left D.C.
I was to leave New Haven on the 7th, my birthday. But the night before, The Lou took me to a pizza place. We would sit in this joint, Modern APizza, eating a pizza and sharing a pitcher of beer. A few months later, after the Lou and I broke up, I would write this:
"I am, after all, forever indebted to you since you have saved me on my birthday. Call it luck or something else that I can't think of at the moment, the point is, I shall never forget. Even though that night of pizza and a pitcher of beer wasn't on September 7th, it was close enough for me to remember probably until I pass on. It was a darn near perfect night for me less than a month into my move to DC where I was alone, lost, and lacking love. It was a very nice night, I think we can both agree to that."
I spent my 24th birthday, well at least six hours of it, on a train. I'd get home to my apartment and tell my roommate that it was my birthday, he would then tell me that I should have said something and he would have gone out and gotten a drink. I told him it was okay. There were presents some where mixed in and I would then go to bed, thinking about the previous night—the worst was to come.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Rat
The Rat by The Walkmen
2004--23rd Birthday
To be honest, I don't really remember this birthday. I was back in Chicago, D hadn't moved in yet, so I was probably splitting my time between my parents house and our place in Hyde Park, and that being the case I'm sure I went home and celebrated by birthday with my parents and little sister. What we did... I haven't a clue. I'm sure it was a pleasant birthday as I was beginning to come out of the fog that was graduating from college.
Are uneventful birthdays a bad thing? Of course not. In fact, I could use more uneventful birthdays.
As for the song... the summer of 2004 saw me listen to this album a countless number of times. It's one of my favorite albums of the decade, and this is probably the signature song—the drums hit home and the guitar work is fantastic. A great song almost any way you slice it or want to look at it.
2004--23rd Birthday
To be honest, I don't really remember this birthday. I was back in Chicago, D hadn't moved in yet, so I was probably splitting my time between my parents house and our place in Hyde Park, and that being the case I'm sure I went home and celebrated by birthday with my parents and little sister. What we did... I haven't a clue. I'm sure it was a pleasant birthday as I was beginning to come out of the fog that was graduating from college.
Are uneventful birthdays a bad thing? Of course not. In fact, I could use more uneventful birthdays.
As for the song... the summer of 2004 saw me listen to this album a countless number of times. It's one of my favorite albums of the decade, and this is probably the signature song—the drums hit home and the guitar work is fantastic. A great song almost any way you slice it or want to look at it.
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