Like hearing a song for the first time...

My newest toy is a new pair of headphones. Almost every review I read spoke very highly of Grado and also said the SR60s are just about the best you can do for the price. Not only do I love the retro look, but the sound is pretty damn good, too. The bass is nice and tight, but not too overwhelming. These work well the kind of music I listen to, but not sure how they'd translate to something like classical or rap. It's nice to listen to music the way you know the artist intended, with all the minute details of production and instrumentation, not to mention things the artist probably wouldn't mind you missing, like sound of a hand moving across guitar frets, or deep breaths and other odd studio sounds.

Current Music: Crush, by Dave Matthews Band
(Before These Crowded Streets is an essential headphone album!)

iPod update

Apple announced today, in conjunction with the launch of iTunes 4.9, that they will offer free Podcasting through iTunes. (Let's just hope it stays free...) Now, I'll admit, I haven't quite caught on to the whole podcasting phenomenon, in part because I was afraid I'd get completely overwhelmed by the possibilities and I also didn't want to deal with having to download new software. But this new and easier way to access thousands of different radio shows sounds like it could be very appealing and addicting; I just might have to check it out. To think, I could listen to shows like Morning Becomes Eclectic & All Things Considered, or even ESPN or BBC News, all on my iPod! Very cool.

In other news, they've simplified the iPod family. The 40 gig has been eliminated, leaving only the 20g & 60g, both boasting color screens & photo capabilities. (The mini & shuffle remain the same.) KRAZY!!

Alright, glad I could fit in another Apple/iPod pitch. It had been a while ;)


Current Music: All We Have Is Now, by The Flaming Lips

Hot & Fresh Links

At last, I have something new in the sidebar. Not only have I added some of my favorite links, but I've conveniently divided them up into categories. Based on Kim's suggestion/request, I was considering an individual blog post for my ol' buddy Mr. Nice, but then I realized he also deserved a permanent spot in the sidebar. If you're ever feeling down, he'll make your day, guaranteed!

Links will be updated as I find more worthy web distractions... Enjoy!

New Music Sundays: A Diverse Trio

This week's music downloads showcase a few diverse offerings from my collection. We start with a track from a recent album that came out earlier this year, followed by one from an older disc that is quickly become a classic for me. And finally, a little ditty by everyone's favorite original boybander, JT.


Andrew Bird :: Tables and Chairs
hxxp://s37.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2KVPURPB6RCP00ROKVQOEUE6FM

Mr. Bird is a quirky artist whose music I only just discovered on his most recent release, The Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005). On this album he uses an incredible range of instrumentation, from his trademark violin to his "professional" whistling, to create grandiose pieces that are unlike anything you've heard before. (Rather, I should say, unlike anything I've heard before.)
On "Tables and Chairs," the personal highlights are Andrew on his violin and the use of a vibraphone throughout the song, and an amazing lyrical verse and its reference to snacks. Lyrics posted below:

i know we're going to meet some day
in the crumbled financial institutions of this land
there will be tables and chairs
there'll be pony rides and dancing bears
there'll even be a band
cause listen, after the fall there will be no more countries
no currencies at all, we're gonna live on our wits
we're gonna throw away survival kits,
trade butterfly-knives for adderal
and that's not all
whoa-oh, there will be snacks there will
there will be snacks, there will be snacks.


Whiskeytown :: Jacksonville Skyline
hxxp://s46.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0CWGT5HZNYZFG3W2MHRV8S3H7M

Whiskeytown was Ryan Adams's band before he went solo. This track is off the album Pneumonia (2001), which incidentally was released after Ryan Adams's first solo album, Heartbreaker (2000), after being buried away for a few years after it was recorded. I'm sure glad it saw the light, though. This is definitely one of my favorite albums. Perfect for a certain kind of mood-- those slow living, easy going days. While I really don't like categorizing things (in part because I find it so difficult-- everything influences everything these days), this album fits solidly into the "alt-country" genre, if there is such a thing. "Jacksonville Skyline" is an excellent song and certainly one of the album highlights. While a fairly simple ballad, something about it gives me that kind of satisfying feeling inside, which I can't say for too many songs. When Ryan starts the line, Soldiers filled the hotels on the weekend..., that's when it kicks in gear for me. The best line of the song, though, is probably Well I was born in an abundance of inherited sadness, if only because you know he means it and it's probably true. It's great to hear him sing with such sincerity about his hometown; it gives you a sense of nostalgia and longing for your own past, despite the fact that he's singing about North Carolina.


Justin Timberlake :: Never Again
hxxp://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0DSALGZ3LP1D33TTZIM2YJ8EGY

Just so I'm never accused as being a little indie snob who's forgotten the good ol' stuff I listened to in my early teens, I thought I'd give a little love to Justin Timberlake, who so successfully made the transition from teenybopper to respectable artist/performer. Now, we all know the singles off Justified (2002)-- Cry Me A River, Senorita, etc..-- but I realize few people (I guess those who either didn't own the album or make it to the last track) actually heard one of my favorite songs off the album, "Never Again." Aside from heartfelt lyrics to make you want to pick up your phone and call Justin to chat about his broken heart (Britney, "all you had to do was apologize!!" Geeeeez...), this track is great because it was co-produced by Brian McKnight himself. This fact is fairly apparent after listening to the song... the piano, the killer bridge, the overall flow of the ballad. In any case, listen to this one and you'll officially turn your back on Britney. Not that both of them aren't better off in their new lives...

Enjoy! Hopefully all the yousendits work this time...


Current Music: Casimir Pulaski Day, by Sufjan Stevens

5th Year Reunion...

So last night I attended my fifth year high school reunion. Crazy, isn't it? After getting the invitation to this event a couple months ago, conversations among old friends have been dominated by the subject: Are you going? Who do you think will be there? The common response was something like "Ohhh I don't know.. I mean, I'll be in town, so..." Unless anyone had a great excuse, it looked like we'd all go. But there were several conditions involved: must not show up alone, must not show up exactly on time, must have consumed at least a couple drinks before arriving, must stick together.

Don't get your hopes up, there will be no names named in this post. I just realized how dangerous that could be, particularly because I have no idea who actually reads this.

So there I was with the handful of high school folks I actually keep in touch with, pulling into the parking lot of Kilroy's (495 & Braddock Road-- with a convenient location right in a strip mall, I might just have to become a regular there) and quickly freaking out. (Squealing like a child, actually, to be specific). But we pressed on, walked into the place and immediately saw some old faces. We made a quick trip to the bar before heading to the outdoor patio out back, where all the action was set to take place.

The first two minutes or so weren't so bad-- it was more overwhelming than anything, tons of faces passing before you, trying to acquaint yourself with the surroundings. The five to ten minutes that followed this initial settling were possibly the most awkward. This was when you realized you didn't actually want to talk to anyone you didn't already know. Ok, that's not really true, but I was definitely forced into some bizarre small-talk run-ins. Most of the conversations went something like this:

"Hey!!! What's up??"
(me:) "Not much, how are you doing?"
"Good. What are you up to?"
"_____(some exaggerated version of my life)____"
"Oh wow, that's cool."
"Yeah. How about you?"
"You know, working/school. (___insert name of consulting/IT firm/govt agency/grad school here___)"
"So are you still around the area?"
"Yeah, living at home.."
"Yeah. Me too. No shame."
"Cool."


After this it got pretty weird. And then the other person would bolt off without really ending the conversation, only so I could run into them again 15 minutes later and have the same conversation. So it was a lot of that for about 3 hours, but truth be told, this blog is making it sound more excrutiating than it actually was.

This means that there were actually some highlights. Nothing too interesting, but a couple surprising run-ins with people I didn't really know who turned out to be more interesting than people I "kind of" knew. Maybe it was just refreshing to acquaint myself with complete strangers who I recognized from the hallways but never knew knew.

Sadly, there was no big drama at the reunion. I guess all the people who got pregnant or super fat or skinny or hot didn't show up. Everything was basically as expected, some improved haircuts, some fresh beer bellies, some hoochie clothing, but nothing out of this world.

All told, it was a good time (the vodka tonics were helpful) and at the very least I was able to hang out with some friends and laugh at the entire hilarity of the situation.

The ten year reunion should definitely be more interesting. Let's hope that by then I've stopped working for free and that oh, I dunno, I have a J.Crew model for a boyfriend (current favorite is guy on far left). That would rule.

To close, let's give one final Cheers to Five Years. (So embarassing, but I can't help myself.)


Current Music: Lithium, by Nirvana
Current Mood: not bad

More birthday wishes!

Today I'd like to wish a Happy Birthday to my dearest cousin Kim (Moth). Thanks for all your sage wisdom and for being a great dining and lounging buddy. While we have plenty of sophisticated tastes, no one else shares my appreciation of American cheese singles, Carl Buddig turkey, and a good hot dog quite like you do. Not only did you keep me busy and productive in my post-graduate months as a busy little maid-of-honor bee, but you continue to put up with me as a houseguest on all my visits to your awesome apartment. (Then again, who would Swiffer if not for me?)

And since I started this blog just after your wedding, here's a lil tribute to that glorious day:

Who says Grandmas aren't hip?

Looks like the Queen has joined the iPod revolution. I would have pegged her as a pink gal though, what about you?


Current Music: Thirty-three, by Smashing Pumpkins
Current Mood: great

The Onion 2056

If you haven't seen it yet, check out the latest issue of America's finest news source, The Onion. And then imagine getting paid to do what those people do. Pretty freakin' sweet.

In other links for today, check out this amazing story of a guy who killed a leopard with his bare hands. Umm, yeah, that's about as badass as it gets.

Also, Coldplay is taking their new album promotion a step further and capitalizing on their fans who are also iPod users. I have to say, I'd feel pretty special if I had one of only 200 of these solar chargers. Not only is it totally space agey and a cool toy to show off, I'll bet it comes in handy, too.


Current Music: Mr. Ambulance Driver, by The Flaming Lips
Current Mood: just dandy

Real World: Austin

I'm not sure what world those MTV folks are living in these days, but their version of the Real World is spiralling out of control. If that's the Real World, I'm just staying right here forever! Fortunately, we all know the truth... for MTV, it's not so much about being real as it is about the booze, hot tubs and hotties...

So yes, I tuned in to the sixteenth installment of this series tonight (God, that makes me feel old!). I knew what to expect from some previews-- more cloned characters (Wes=Abram, Danny=Ace/CT) and outrageously over-the-top exhibitionist types. It's basically one big frat party, and poor little Lacey would rather be anywhere but there. Seriously, why bother casting her, MTV? She's totally going to be the outcast, despite the fact that she's probably one of the more interesting people on the show. That's right, she doesn't need the lube of a handle of liquor to interact with her roommates, and she can go longer than 10 minutes without throwing herself at somebody or talking about sex.

Ok, so nobody forced me to watch, but let's just say that after all these years, I still tune in with the hope that a new season will actually be something interesting and refreshing and at best, worthwhile to some young and impressionable MTV viewer out there.

Sadly, I don't think it's in the cards for Austin. Melinda was quick to flash her promise ring but before we even hear another word about her boyfriend she's roaming around the house like a stripper. And Johanna had some promise before the whole drunken episode. Poor Nehemiah. First Johanna breaks his necklace in a belligerent rage, then our resident hero Danny blames him for his broken face (still have chills thinking about that, by the way).

All in all, I was uncomfortable for most of the hour premiere, yet of course, I kept watching... I really miss the days of interesting people from truly diverse backgrounds (instead of all Abercrombie model types) who would actually talk about relevant issues. Think season 1: Kevin & Julie on the sidewalk. Ah, a classic real world fight, uninduced by alcohol, about a truly important issue. And then there was season 3 with Pedro (can you imagine Bill Clinton commending any of the characters you saw tonight?) and Judd & Pam, who suddenly seem like they were 10 years older and far wiser than so many of the people from the more recent shows.

Sigh. The sad part is, I'll probably keep watching to see how these folks make complete fools out of themselves and survive Austin life... we already know they aren't exactly fan favorites with the local population (again, major ouch on Danny).

Here's my last gripe-- where are the Asian people? Too prude and reserved for the Real World hot tubs? Well, you're probably right. But shame on you for not trying harder. In sixteen years of RW history, we've seen only three Asian women (Pam, Janet, Jamie), and not a single Asian man! That, I truly cannot believe. Unacceptable, really. Not that I'm sending my audition tape in anytime soon... I'd be far too boring for all the frat party antics. I mean, I'd usually like to wait until at least the second day before accepting "make out" dares in the hot tub...


Current Music: Five String Serenade, by Mazzy Star
Current Mood: tired, now that MTV has kept me up this late

Happy Birthday M&M!

Happy Birthday to the twinsies, Max & Mira, who are the big ol' 8 today! Max & Mira always keep me busy with their after school antics and energetic kid spirit! And now they're 8, I can't believe it. But what a great year... being 8 was definitely one of my all-time life favorites thus far.

In other June 21 news, it's the first day of summer and the longest day of the year! More reason to celebrate.

These kids sure have come a long way since their nude baby & diaper days...

Current Music: Half a World Away, by R.E.M.
Current Mood: excellent

Back to the basics (Now featuring downloads!!)

Starting today I'm going to attempt something new to try and spice up this ol' blog thing. At least every week, and possibly with more frequency, I'll be posting a new mp3 to my blog. This may be something I think everyone should hear, something I'm currently repeating myself, or just something to accompany my regular musical commentaries...

The files will be posted as a yousendit link. For those of you unfamiliar with this process, it's really quite simple. Just replace the hxxp with http and you'll be able to download the track to your computer. However, yousendit has a 25-downloads limit, so in the chance that you click on the link and it has already timed out, just post a comment or email me or something, and I'll make sure you get it if you want to hear it.

For starters, I'm going to do some backtracking and offer you all a chance to hear the music I've been talking about most recently.

Ryan Adams :: Let it Ride
hxxp://s51.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3EH41PW2QQF5A1MQCF8F0SYOF2

Ryan Adams? Who? Ok, only kidding. Here's "Let it Ride," which I've often said is still my favorite song off Cold Roses. Featuring Rachael Yamagata on background vocals. Insanely addicting. Favorite line: Tennessee's a brother to my sister Carolina, where they're gonna bury me...and I ain't ready to go, I'm never ready to go...


Coldplay :: Fix You
hxxp://s51.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=37IHXGNPKA6DI27U5USM5HFFT3

You might have heard it on The O.C., and if not, you've probably heard it since then, and you'll probably hear it many times again. But I still often find myself with this tune stuck in my head. It's your big summer anthem.

So now all my loyal readers will get to hear what I'm always blabbing about and can form their own opinions. My hope, of course, is that you like what you hear!! Enjoy...

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best father in the world!!
(I still remember the Chipmunks episode where Alvin, Simon, and Theodore sang that line to Dave.)

I just wanted to give a shout out to my dad, Mr. Binh, for being the greatest pop anyone could ask for. Whether it was blowdrying my hair back in the day, ironing my clothes, helping me put up shelves/assemble furniture in college, accompanying the gals on countless shopping excursions (and enjoying it), or being able to handle virtually any Mr. Handyman task or other seemingly ridiculous request or favor, my dad can really do it all--and he does! But we love you most for just being a fun guy to be around with a contagious laugh and an infectious spirit and attitude! Oh, that and being the only Dad I know who can pull off linen shirts and 7 jeans. Honestly, you've got some style...and judging by the photo below, you've really come a long way since those crazy '70s, Dad! Thanks for everything, Bô. You're the best!

P.S. For those of you still keeping score, I finally satisfied my lobster roll craving at our Father's Day brunch today. The fam went to Hank's Oyster Bar, a charming little establishment that just opened about a month ago at 17th & Q. I recommend it.


Current Music: Leif Erikson, by Interpol
Current Mood: relaxed

Brief Idol update..

Ok, so in the midst of some music web surfing (and always one to cover all my bases), I went to check out what I thought would be Carrie Underwood's official website (www.carrieunderwood.com), and instead landed upon some strange motivational speaker site. I thought I'd made a mistake, then I noticed the small disclaimer at the bottom of the page explaining the issue. (The same thing happens if you try www.ryanadams.com) Isn't it funny how a "normal" person's life can be changed overnight simply due to the fame and fortune of their namesake? In any case, what I really found bizarre and slightly eerie were the noted similarities between the two Carrie Underwoods in question. In other related news, Ms. Underwood's (the Idol) first single, "Inside Your Heaven," has been sitting atop the iTunes top songs list since it came out last week. Auddie's take: "Ohmygod, I love that song!..."

Scavenger Hunt, pt. 2

Tonight was another unexpected dinner adventure. I met up with Laura, Allison, and their new roommate Ruth at Go Sushi, a fast-food style sushi place with cheap prices and decent sushi. I ordered a roll to hold me over, but saved my stomach for my second attempt at Mary's Fish Camp and their lobster roll, which I had been denied last night. I headed back to Mary's, put my name down and was told "45 minutes, maybe an hour" which I was ready to accept. Kim, Natty, and I headed down the street to a bar to kill the time. The good thing about some of these places up here is that you can leave your cell phone number and they'll call you when your table is ready. Sure beats the lame Ruby Tuesday's buzzers with limited range, huh?

As an unexpected treat, we discovered a new favorite neighborhood bar: Absolutely 4th. The decor was a little cheesy, with leopard print walls and some other borderline-gaudy treatments, but this ultimately added to the appeal. They played fun and catchy music (Britney, Boyz II Men, Howie Day, Usher), and they served what I would consider my ideal appetizer menu: bagel dogs, fried wontons, mac & cheese bites, and pizza rolls, just to name a few. In retrospect, we should have just stayed there and sampled the menu instead of dealing with the craziness of Mary's.

After taking advantage of the happy hour buy-one-get-one martini special (highlights were Kim's Key Lime Pie martini w/ graham cracker crust rim, and my mango martini w/ marshmallow), we headed back to Mary's. Despite the fact that we'd already waited our assigned 45 minutes or so, we stuck around and waited for the chit-chatty dining parties to vacate their tables for us. I mean, after 45 minutes, what's another 10, 20... right?

Around 9:30 or so (nearly an hour and a half wait), after Natty and I had just ordered ourselves pints of Brooklyn Pilsners to pass the time, we were finally seated. As soon as our waitress got to us, she said "Hey guys, thanks for waiting. Oh, by the way, we're out the Lobster knuckles & the Lobster Rolls..."

That was all we needed to hear, really! I wasn't about to drop a pretty penny on some other mediocre seafood dish when all I really wanted was the lobster roll! Other diners who were seated shortly after us were equally dismayed upon hearing the woman's announcement. Kim, Natty, and I didn't waste any time. We backed up out of our chairs, paid for the beers, told the waitresses we were done, then we bailed. We were kinda pissed at that point, thinking that the folks there should have warned us or at least mentioned in advance that they'd run out of what I imagine to be their most popular item. Either that or at least offer an apology as we walked out of the restaurant, but we got nothing, not even a simple goodbye.

We considered heading to Gray's Papaya for what's always a satisfying hot dog, but decided instead to head back to the apartment to feast on a buffet of leftovers. This turned out to be a good idea, despite the lingering disappointment of the 0-for-2 lobster roll attempt. We sliced up some leftover steak with a delicious homemade mayonnaise sauce, which, when paired with my garlic bread from the other night made for an amazing combination, definitely worth repeating.

The exciting find of the night was a box of Pizza Rolls in the freezer, which made me forget that I was ever craving a fancy lobster roll in the first place. After all was said and done, we discovered a new, fun bar, saved some cash on dinner, and cleaned out the fridge.

For now, the Lobster Roll will have to wait, cause I sure as heck am not waiting for it again... at least not 'til my next trip up ;)

And somehow, for the second day in a row, I've managed to turn my dinner into an adventure and an essay. Thanks for reading.

Update from NYC

So I was trying to be secretive about my whereabouts and blog as usual, but I've actually been up in the big apple since Sunday. I've been doing a bit of job searching/making contacts and also hanging out with Kim & Natty, Laura, and John. But the 9-5 has me mostly hanging out around the apartment during the day with the occasional venture out around the village.

Quick wrap-up:

-You make good lasagna once, you're lucky. Make it twice, and you're Giada De Laurentiis. Hah! But seriously, after the attempted Rachael Ray 30-minute meal that no one will let me forget (or maybe it's me who is still haunted by it), it seems I've redeemed myself, at least with this lasagna. I first made it for Auddie's birthday, complete with a side of Caesar's salad and some deliciously fresh, over-garlicked bread...mmm. And the other night I thought I'd try my hand at it again to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Not to toot my own horn, but Kim, Nathaniel, and John all confirmed that indeed twasn't, and it was again a tasty meal. Ok, I'm taking far too much credit for being able to read ingredients off a box. But I will add that I altered the recipe a bit to my personal taste, and perfecting the salty taste of the lasagna is the key. Mmm, definitely one of my favorite meals.

-Kim & I enjoyed a fun scavenger hunt for our dinner last night. After deciding I had a craving for Mary's Fish Camp (their Lobster roll is perfect), I headed over hoping to put my name down. But I couldn't even get into the doorway to do so, as there were already at least a dozen people waiting to squeeze into the already tiny restaurant. We decided to pass on the hour wait, so I hopped in a cab and met Kim in the East village at Momofuku, a noodle bar where they served soft shell crab on sticky buns (a la Banh Bao). Well, this place might have been even smaller than Mary's-- literally a long bar in a very narrow space, with people sitting elbow to elbow. We decided to order the crab buns to go rather than wait for a seat, and this ended up being a good idea, as they were decent, but nothing to die for, and definitely not worth an extended wait.

Next we headed a couple blocks down to Caracas, yet another tiny NYC joint (you know, 5 tables or so, gotta love it). Luckily we were seated quickly and enjoyed some delicious arepas & empanadas. The highlight for me was the appetizer selection: tequenos. These were basically a South American version of what we know as the mozzarella stick, but far tastier, and much less likely to make you choke (the cheese wasn't as stringy). The outside covering is not breaded, but rather made with a wheat flour dough for a nice breaded, but still crisp shell. As we were leaving, Kim & I spotted (with 99% certainty) Nikki Hilton sitting down at the bar for some arepas. After all, no trip up here is complete without a celeb sighting, right?

The last stop on our meal-hopping night was to Milk & Cookies, an adorable little shop right around the corner from the apartment. You might think, milk & cookies?..Who cares, I can make that myself at home. And in fact, that's the very appeal! Who would think to open a shop devoted to such comfortable, homey delights? The chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter chocolate, and PB&J (peanut butter & cranberry) cookies-- accompanied by a cold glass of milk-- were a perfect end to the night.

-On a somewhat related note (to the Nikki Hilton comment), I have to admit, I feel very cool as I'm walking into the front door of Kim & Natty's building and there's a group of over 30 tourists across the street snapping photos and staring in awe. (For those of you who don't know, their building is directly next to the "Friends" building that they used for the outside shot of Monica & Rachel's apartment.) And this morning on my way back from the gym, I saw some model/actress doing a photo shoot on the corner. She was posing on an antique car. Also kinda cool. There's always something exciting going on up here.

Oh, and this is why I love this city. Always bustling and always packed with people, no matter what hour of the day. I love that you can walk down any ol' random street and see restaurant after restaurant packed with people sitting outside, meeting, greeting, socializing. It's great. It's too bad I'm back to the VA tomorrow! Hopefully will be back up again soon... tis been yet another great visit.

Don't blog about work. Here's why.

Your clever little blog could get you fired.

Big C'ville News!

This post is for all my C'ville/UVA peeps. Word has quickly spread that Bodo's on the corner opened this morning at 7 am. I received the news in my e-mail box from a reliable Wahoo source, and promptly forwarded it to other known Bodo's fanatics and fans of C'ville lore. A Hook article confirms the possibility that this is actually true.

For those of you not in the loop, Bodo's is a fine Charlottesville bagel establishment, with locations both on Rt. 29 as you're entering town and another on Preston Ave. For over ten years now, Bodo's has also occupied a space on the hot real estate block of the Corner, right off the edge of campus, where countless students pass by on their way to and from class. A "Coming Soon" sign has adorned the building, yet there has never been any sign that it was actually opening. The rumor mill had it that there might be some other shady dealings going on inside Bodo's, as there were often lights on and people inside, but no sign of bagels. At least one April Fool's prank during my time had folks lining up outside Bodo's thinking that it was time for the great unveiling. But alas, there was nothing. Four years came and went, and we never enjoyed a single bagel on the Corner. How long will it stay there, we wondered? How can they afford that lease without doing any bagel business?

But it appears as though today is the day! Oh, how I'm jealous of all those kids who will return back to school in the fall and see Bodo's bustling with business.

Bodo's is the best place for an egg & cheese bagel (thank goodness they switched to all-day breakfast!), or a roast beef or tuna salad sandwich, or even just straight up cream cheese (preferably the veggie variety) on your favorite kind of bagel. Let's not forget the Cleo salad which is a healthy addition to any Bodo's meal.

Other perks include: ample dining space where friends can sit and enjoy a nice meal while recounting details of the previous collegiate night, possible celebrity sightings (Dave Matthews is a known Bodo's fan), and prices that make any college student on a budget leap with delight.

This is a big day for us Wahoos. My only regret is that I missed the unveiling by only a year. I'm already planning a trip back to C'ville in honor of this great event.

Jackson Acquitted

While I didn't follow the trial closely at all, catching bits and pieces of this huge media case was basically unavoidable. I think most folks (except all his obsessed fans) are pretty surprised after hearing the jury's verdict that Jacko is not guilty of all ten counts brought against him. Guilty or not, the guy was a bit off, and sleeping with little boys in your bed? Not normal, no matter what. Well, MJ, I hope this is the last we see of your pajama-clad, umbrella-toting self for a little while... And also, it's creepy how much you and Latoya look like twins.

Free Katie!

It was only a matter of time before someone capitalized on this crazy Hollywood story (I don't even need to tell you which one, do I?). This is pretty hilarious, though. Those screen shots say it all-- Tom Cruise has gone mad.

What will they think of next?

Google & Craigslist have joined forces to bring you Housing Maps, which I have to say is pretty incredible.

Thanks, Google... I heart you. (Don't worry Craigslist, you're second in my heart.)

Read me.

Here's yet another interesting but lengthy article on those crazy people who can't live without their iPods. Falling asleep to music is one thing (this is a must for me), but listening to music during class or in the pool? That's taking it a bit far. I love my music but I don't think I'm obsessed to an unhealthy degree, like the guy in this article. But to each his own, I suppose...

And this one is particularly relevant to all my 20-something, recently graduated readers (Thanks to Laura for the reference). It seems as though David Brooks has gotten into our heads and written an article that expresses all the unspoken agony and confusion of being a youngin' on the verge of a quarter-life crisis. He doesn't offer many answers, but somehow it's comforting to hear him talk about it, because then you know it's not just you asking yourself the great big questions about life.

On a lighter note.. nothing beats $1 pints for happy hour. Cheers to that.


Current Music: Say Hello to the Angels, by Interpol
Current Mood: ready to pass out.

A Day in the Life...

Here's an update on the various things currently occupying my time:

-Television :: Alias

That's right, after four gripping seasons I've finally jumped on the bandwagon. Thanks to the magic of TV-on-DVD (seriously, my new favorite thing), I started season 1 of this series last week. It's quite good and totally easy to get hooked. I have to say, I definitely like Jennifer Garner 5x better than I ever did before after seeing her in only a handful of episodes so far. She's a royal badass, but you also want to be her friend. Hoping to catch up by the premiere of season 5 this fall, but am slightly disappointed to learn that ABC is switching the "Alias" timeslot to compete with "The O.C." on Thursday at 8 pm...

The music on this show is excellent, as well. After hearing "La Cienega Just Smiled" (Ryan Adams) in the third episode, I was sold. I'm really enjoying how great TV shows are finding a way to weave in really fantastic new music. I have to give some credit to one of my ol' favorites, "Party of Five," for being one of the pioneers of that. And then of course, "Dawson's Creek" really did a great job, and now I'd have to say "The O.C." reigns supreme.

(Edit: Meevs has just reminded me that the true pioneer for music on TV was "90210." C'mon, Brenda & Dylan in his convertible with "Losing My Religion" playing in the background? Classic.)

-Books :: One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez

Whew. I finally got through this one last night. After hearing so much about this book and seeing it on countless "favorite books" lists of friends and famous people (Oprah, of course), I decided I had to read it.

Well, I can't say it was one of my favorites. I definitely enjoyed portions of it, as indicated by over a dozen post-it notes I have sticking out of the book, but on the whole, it was a difficult book for me. And this is the other thing I'd heard about it-- it takes some work! I'd actually gotten through about half of it over the summer, but put it down for too long that by the time I resumed I didn't have a clue what was going on and completely lost of track of all the Aurelianos and José Arcadios! I should have expected this type of thing from a book that posts a family tree at the very beginning, though!

Once I picked it up again, I tried to read it as a series of short stories, rather than trying to focus so much on how each character was connected to the next. And ultimately, this is what is rewarding about the book. García Márquez has a way with words, and he made even the most seemingly mundane daily activities of a family seem like pure magic.

In describing one of the family members of the Buendía family who begins eating the earth after her lover leaves, he says:

The handfuls of earth made the only man who deserved that show of degradation less remote and more certain, as if the ground that he walked on with his fine patent leather boots in another part of the world were transmitting to her the weight and the temperature of his blood in a mineral savor that left a harsh aftertaste in her mouth and a sediment of peace in her heart.

For me, this and many other beautiful expressions of language (this was translated, mind you) is what kept me pushing 'til the end. Getting to the end is worthwhile, too, as the long and complex story of the Buendía family concludes very nicely and kind of makes you breathe this big sigh of relief. It also makes you think about your own life and family and the kind of legacy you'll leave behind, and the strange sense that there could be a time, maybe a century from now, when the town you lived in could be so vastly different from how it is currently, and how your family and your stories could become merely a myth. Incredible, really.


-Music

So I've been helping Auddie load a bunch of music onto her new mini iPod (yes, we are officially an iPod family). At first I loaded on about 500 of the obvious picks-- her "Grease" Soundtrack, various teenybopper classics, Maroon 5, and so on and so forth. But then last night she wants to edit her collection, so we're sitting over iTunes and she's picking and choosing additional songs. Let me just say, I was so delighted when we started adding Ben Folds (a few songs at a time, initially, and then.. "oh just put that whole album in..!"), and then of course some Dave Matthews classics, and then some other unexpected "Pouy" music. I can definitely get into some of Auddie's fun music (Play's first album is a singalong essential), but it makes me really excited when I know I've influenced her taste at all, and that she can appreciate some of the stuff I force her to listen to if we're cruising around in the car.


-Random thought:

I just thought of this after seeing it in an episode of "Alias." I've never eaten Chinese food out of the carton, which is the only way it's ever eaten on TV. Why is this? Do people really do this? Or is it just for TV to indicate a "take out" dinner? Am I crazy and just overly anal about my mealtime that I have to use a bowl/plate to enjoy my take out? They overstuff the Chinese food boxes with food anyway, so how can you possibly be expected to just stick your chopsticks in there and start eating? And if it's rice? Nobody, especially not non-Asian folks (sorry), eat rice with chopsticks out of a carton. Besides, the box is always dripping with some sauce or grease at the bottom.


Current Music: Landed, by Ben Folds

Late night thoughts on Coldplay.

As I was preparing what I'd hoped would be a well thought-out blog post on Coldplay, I came across this NYTimes article and thought it was a good time to post. While I don't necessarily agree with everything the guy said, I think much of his critique deserves to be considered, and he expresses, possibly better than I will attempt to do below, a lot of very valid arguments in his Case Against Coldplay. Before I begin, let me say that Coldplay is definitely one of my favorite bands.

I'm fairly certain this rant, or review, or whatever you'd like to call it, was brought on by my cringe-inducing Ticketbastard experience this morning as I purchased tickets for the Coldplay show coming here in September. I knew I should expect some ridiculous big stadium prices à la U2, but actually seeing the price pop up-- with over $10 tacked on for convenience & processing fees-- definitely left me feeling a little sick to my stomach.

And it left me with the whole day contemplating Coldplay and whether they were worth the exorbitant ticket price. I'm not going to complain because 1) obviously nobody forced me to log onto Ticketmaster at 10 am, and 2) I actually did manage to get general admission orchestra pit tickets, which give me the potential for a great view (in fact, I had decided that unless I got that close, I wasn't going to shell out anything, because for the same price or even $20 less, you're a hundred yards back or even on the lawn.).

That said, I spent some time today with X&Y, the highly anticipated album set to release this Tuesday (which of course has already been heard in full by any Coldplay fan who spends a decent amount of time on the Internet, including myself.)

So, Coldplay. They are the everyman's band. They appear on a wide range of favorite music lists, from casual radio music listener to hardcore indie music snob, to my 6th grade sister and her friends. Coldplay seems to be enjoying levels of fame/fanhood right now that remind me of DMB around the time Crash was released. With this explosion, however, also comes massive backlash (we "hardcore" fans denounced all those "Crashheads"), and for every huge fan is an even bigger critic.

Coldplay will have to fight off a lot of these critics when X&Y comes out. So far it's probably been the most anticipated release of 2005, with enough hype that it will likely end up as one of the biggest albums of the year, but probably with just enough musical sustenance to back it up.

I enjoy the album. I can't say there are any standout tracks for me the same way there was with A Rush of Blood to the Head. And I don't really think they'll ever top their Parachutes opening with "Don't Panic." In fact, on X&Y, I can't quite distinguish between the songs-- yet, that is. It may be a case of me not being familiar yet (though I've just completed the third listen, which everyone knows is a prerequisite to judgment), but it also might be that they are all starting to sound the same.

Most of the tracks seem to adopt this kind of ambient, fill-the-room with echoes, super programmed sound. It's like I'm in a bubble, or something, and the sound is being projected at me from the outside. It's almost as if it was written with a 30,000-fan concert in mind, so the band could fill a stadium with all this energy and great big sound. There's that bit of rawness missing, the stripped-down element that made Parachutes so great, so genuine. That's what gives an album its soul...in my opinion, anyway... the sense of vulnerability, of true sentiment behind each song. Songs like "White Shadow," "Talk," "Speed of Sound," and "Low" all share a similar drumbeat and while they are obviously different songs, they seem more or less indistinguishable. Each song could be a continuation of the previous one.

That being said, the original song is a good one. And this is why Coldplay should be applauded, for being able to craft a good melody and truly perfect songs. The regret, though, is that it seems to be down to a formula. Their catchy hooks present themselves immediately, then build up to a booming chorus, then an interlude/breakdown, followed by some kind of huge climax/singalong style follow-up chorus when Chris Martin hits those reeeeally high notes (he kind of goes overboard with his falsetto on this album), closed out with his calmed down normal-range voice, singing over a simple piano or guitar as the quiet resolution and fadeout.

Maybe I'm being unfair, and maybe this critique can be applied to countless acts out there now, and I'm just pinpointing Coldplay. To give proper credit, the album has its highlights.

After I heard "Fix You" on one of the last episodes of "The O.C." this season, I was truly moved; the song was used perfectly. It was the scene when Caleb falls into the pool, and Kirsten later gets the phone call about it. "Fix You" is going to be one of those songs, the song of the summer, perhaps... a song that ends up on countless mix CDs people make, a song whose lyrics will end up in many an AIM profile or will be quoted in high school yearbooks all over. It just goes to show, Coldplay's got this knack for writing that killer ballad that's totally universal and really speaks to a lot of people. And in the end, that ain't so bad, right? It's not a bad way to sell records, anyway. Call it cliché, call it cheesy, call it what you will, you'll still find yourself listening to it on repeat. Let's just hope it doesn't end up on every TV promo or movie trailer ("Clocks," anyone??). Though I'm thinking the first single, "Speed of Sound" might be the one that fits that bill, since it's basically the 2005 version of "Clocks."

Other album highlights for me are "A Message," "Swallowed in the Sea," and "Til Kingdom Come."

In any case, Coldplay is lucky enough that it doesn't really matter what this album sounds like. They're at their peak-- the album has already set records for Internet pre-sales in the UK-- and fans will pretty much enjoy whatever they have to put out. Despite ticket prices that really are unjustified, they'll sell out their concerts . And it's not like I'm sitting up here laughing at all those folks, cause I'll be there bobbing my head. X&Y will become a fan favorite even before people have heard the whole thing, based on "Speed of Sound" and "Fix You" alone. I dig it-- I can't say that it'll be on constant rotation (or one of my current fixations, if you will), but at it's best, it's Coldplay doing what they do. I just hope that they eventually show a bit of growth and/or experimentation because they can't keep mirroring themselves forever.

Yikes, sorry for the lengthy post. That was completely unexpected. Blame it on insomnia...


Current Music: Swallowed in the Sea, by Coldplay
Current Mood: restless

Apple redeems itself!

After all the bickering over battery life, Apple is finally trying to please the customer and offering $50 credits for anyone who purchased an iPod before May 2004. Now, if only I could find that old receipt... I appreciate the gesture, though!

(See www.appleipodsettlement.com for more info.)

Happy Birthday Auddie!

Happy 12th birthday to my little sister! Though only half my age (up until today, I suppose), I probably hang out with this gal more than I do anyone else. That either means she's very mature or that I definitely need to get out more (for everyone's sake, we're going to say it's the former). My personal shopper and stylist (I would never wear earrings if not for Auddie) who has surpassed me in shoe size and height, and the only 12-year-old i know who can quote Dumb & Dumber from start to finish, Auddie is an always entertaining if occasionally moody (she's a gemini, after all) barrel of laughs. Thanks for always hanging out and trusting me with your 6th grade secrets. You've given me more joy than I ever could have imagined when you showed up back in '93 and robbed me of my youngest-child status! Happy birthday, Aud! Congrats, you're a preteen!

And if you thought this post was going to happen without some old photos, you were so so wrong...

Current Music: Fix You, by Coldplay
Current Mood: nostalgic