Arthur

I saw the preview to the new ARthur movie, a remake of the one from the early 80s.

"We shouldn't get married...we have nothing in common. You love horses. I don't trust them. Their shoes are permanent. Who makes that kind of a commitment to a shoe?"

Watch the trailer here.

Paul McCartney - All things must pass (Concert For George)(HQ)

So many guitars!

David Gray - This Years Love Live in Luzern 2007

The piano goes wonky, and he has to improvise. Talk about "go with the flow."

Ferris Bueller's day off - Museum scene

Rewatched Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and I always liked this scene. Should I ever make it back to Chicago, I'll have to make sure to check this museum out. It's nice having two huge cities really close with lots to do should I ever decide to "skip school."

Dreams

I'm watching the tail end of Field of Dreams for the gazillionth time. One of my favorites quotes from it:
"It was like coming *this* close to your dreams, and then watching them brush past you like a stranger in the crowd."

Shelter - Ray Lamontagne - ACL

I love Austin City Limits. They started doing a music festival...now, that would be the one to go to!

America- Simon and Garfunkel

Spring music

So, I decided to make a new music mix tonight, seeing as how it's been a while and the mood hit. I'm not quite sure whether there's a common theme, but let's go with "spring" just for fun.

Windows Are Rolled Down--Amos Lee
Tree By The River--Iron & Wine
Come Pick Me Up--Ryan Adams
Where To Begin--My Morning Jacket
Wild Horses--The Rolling Stones
America--Simon & Garfunkel
Shelter--Ray LaMontagne
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down--The Band
Is There A Ghost--Band Of Horses
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again--Bob Dylan
June Hymn--The Decemberists
Mr. Bojangles--Jerry Jeff Walker
Roll Away Your Stone--Mumford & Sons
Old Before Your Time--Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs
Here Comes the Sun--Ritchie Havens
Homeward Bound--Ben Kweller
A Summer Song--Chad & Jeremy
Not Fade Away--The Rolling Stones

Where to Begin

These guys would be fun to see live.

The Science of Making Decisions - Newsweek

The Science of Making Decisions - Newsweek

Information overload and its effect on decision making. When I researched which new digital camera to buy, I had so many different sources for expert and consumer reviews that I had a hard time determining which critique to take more stock in. I had to stop myself and just make a decision so that I didn't fall into trap of inertia.

Shuffle

It could be argued that I'm a bit bored.

Guidelines:
1. Put your iTunes or Windows Media Player on shuffle.
2. You must write that song name down no matter how outrageous it sounds!


IF SOMEONE SAYS, “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
Everybody Knows - Ryan Adams
Nice and useless Zen answer

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Selfless, Cold, and Composed - Ben Folds Five
Interesting. At any point, at least two out of three. Not quite sure which.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
The First Cut is the Deepest - Cat Stevens
Hmm? Perhaps if she played it on guitar?

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Cannonball - Damien Rice

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Take it All - Adele
I'll take that as "being open to life's experiences" or something

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Rolling in the Deep - Adele

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
Why? - Tracy Chapman
That makes sense. I do think of the "why" of things.

WHAT IS 2+2?
The Golden Eel - Ween

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Keep it loose, keep it tight - Amos Lee

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
The Big Cats of Shambala - Matthew Sweet

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Believe Me Natalie - The Killers

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Early Morning Rain - Peter, Paul, and Mary
Sheesh. Apparently, I want to be nearly broke, heartbroken, and a long way from home while watching my woman leave as I stand in the rain. That's something to look forward to.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? (again, love)
On the Subway - Brian Reitzell and Roger J. Manning Jr.

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
I Wanna be Your Man - The Beatles
That kinda makes sense. It is the Beatles.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Promised Land - Bruce Springsteen
At least it sounds upbeat.

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Nature is the law - Richard Ashcroft
I like being out in nature. A tenuous connection.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Waiting - Norah Jones

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Thank God I'm a Country Boy - John Denver
What's wrong with being "country," iTunes-shuffle snob?

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Mr. Bojangles - Jerry Jeff Walker

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Caribbean Blue - Enya

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Testing 1,2,3 - Barenaked Ladies

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
In Ohio - Joseph Arthur

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
The Love You Save - Jackson 5
That could be taken several different ways.

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie
Death and what happens after is a fear.

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Happy Place - Sparklehorse

Traveling

I recently got back from a trip to New Orleans. I had been there only once before, and I really dug. Didn't quite think I'd make it back any time soon, but I'm happy I was wrong. It started out as a road trip between two musical cities, but since "me" and "planning the logistics" don't necessarily go hand in hand, it quickly became a trip to one city, without car. While visiting Memphis may have been fun, I can always visit there...New Orleans was just a-callin'.

Check out some photos here.

For some reason, the city suits me. Not quite sure I can nail down the reason as to why, and I do believe some of my perspective might be blurred by vacation goggles, but I would go down any time. After two trips, I haven't even begun to scratch the surface.

Moving furniture

For the past three years, I kept my computer in my already smallish kitchen, as that's where i thought i had the best available wireless internet connection. My landlord allows me to piggyback on the wi-fi as part of my rent, but the one drawback to that is that i don't have control over where i can place my router.
When I first moved in, I had tried to put my computer in the living room, but I got no signal. At the time, my kitchen was the only spot I thought I had connection. The room is kind of dark, and I wasn't really happy with it there as it was out of place, but I put up with it.
Until Saturday. I tested my computer in the living room again, and now, somehow, I have just as good connection here. I immediately moved my desk here and my kitchen to the kitchen table. Now, I actually have a living room where I feel I live. It makes this place feel totally different.
Amazing what a small change in furniture can do to how one uses their space.

Music in the summer

I've had this movie from Netflix, Pirate Radio, sitting on my coffee table for well over a month, but I'm just now getting around to watching it. While I saw it in the theater when it came out, I have a tendency of rewatching movies I like, but I needed to be in the mood. I've been in a really musical mood lately, so it fit tonight (also helped that it's 20 degrees out and I don't necessarily want to go anywhere tonight.)

Anyway, it's a great music-filled movie I highly recommend. It has some scenes within which they place the music perfectly. However, now that the movie's over, there's a bit of a vacuum, and a daydream of heading off to a music festival of some sort this summer has filled the void. I couldn't imagine anything better; several days where all you have to do is listen to music and soak up some of the summer.

There are several to choose from:
Coachella, April 15-17
Bonnaroo, June 9-12
Lollapolooza, August 5-7
Summerfest, June 29-July3, July 5-July 10.
Austin City Limits Music Festival, Sept. 16-18

Coachella has already released the line up, but the tickets are on the steep side. The others have yet to, but I am keeping a close eye. It'll be something nice to keep in the background of my mind as winter hangs around.

Bruce Springsteen - Save My Love

Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale (From "Live at the Union Chapel")

I don't go to extremes

I think I've sung in public three times *, and I use a very loose definition of public (not to mention, singing)--as in, anywhere not safely esconced in my house or car. The first was when I tried out for a chorus because the girl i had a crush on was going out for chorus. The second was when I sang something for a friend in high school. The third involves some background:

During the sophomore year at UF, I had to park my car pretty much on the opposite side of the campus from my dorm. There was a large field just across the parking area, and at the other end, was something called The Bandshell. Occasionally, huge national bands would play there and the field would be filled with people (Phish and Blues Traveler in the mid 90s come to mind). At other times, it was a quiet hangout for me, as the Bandshell was open for anyone. One evening, after parking my car, I walked there before walking back to the dorm. I stayed for a while and noticed there was no one else around (it was fairly late), so...I decided to pretend like I was a rock star and totally belt out a song. I mean, actually take it seriously, like I was performing for people. I did a song by 10,000 Maniacs (I really liked their stuff at the time) and sang it all the way through. It didn't feel half bad!

I'm not under any delusions; I couldn't sing my way out of a wet paper bag, but it's not like I don't enjoy it. I think it's kind of fun. I believe I'm just missing one key ingredient, and that is the ability to really let oneself go and put all your emotion and energy into the song without compromise. I always hold something back, as letting go in that respect makes me really uncomfortable, as when you let go and give away all your emotion and energy, the vacuum that is created is filled by vulnerability. "Being vulnerable" is right up there with wet socks as a pet peeve.

I mention this, because the songs by Amos Lee and Iron and Wine are right up my alley, and I can probably sing them if I really tried, but even today, even if no one is around, I still can't really let go. I always stop myself at those points in the song where you really have to let go and really belt it out. Unlike Billy Joel, I just don't go to extremes.

Sometimes it would be nice to be able to do so.

* I'm not counting times when I'm goofing on Elvis. Or trying to do the Bee Gees. I'm trying to get a laugh when I do that, more than anything else.

Apartment fever

I had myself a pretty large case of apartment fever earlier this evening. I think the snow and cold has finally done me in, and I'm screaming "Uncle!" I came home after work, but after floating about for a half hour or so, I really needed to get out, so I came up with an excuse.

But let me digress. This morning, we got a surprise gift of 4 inches of snow, and we were expecting another 8-inch dose this evening, so staying in during the evening would've probably been the better bet. Still, I needed to go. So, I gathered my things and walked out to my car...to see the sky alight with lightning and hear the rolling thunder. And then the ice rain started.

Undeterred, I got in the car and drove to the supermarket to do my "errand." The one closest to me had decided to close early to prepare for the next dose of snow. Crap! I still had no desire to be home, so I kept on going, travelling slowly on increasingly slick roads. I did eventually wind up at another grocery store, where I got some food, a decent bottle of wine, and a slice of apple pie. :)

I headed home satisfied, and at home, i started cooking and had me a glass of wine, topped of with the apple pie. Throw in a couple of good back n forths of 21st century conversation, and what could have been a crap evening turned out to be a pretty good one.

That being said, I'm holding off looking for flights to New Orleans for Feb tonight so that I'm not disappointed when all I find are expensive fares. I'll stick to listening to some good music and playing a bit of guitar.

Amos Lee - Arms Of A Woman

Instant Karma at Panera

So, this Sunday, me and my copy of the book Infinite Jest headed to the local Princeton Panera to find a corner to read. Naturally, it being a Sunday early afternoon, the place was jam packed, and I spent about 5 minutes wandering around the place with a tray of food in my hands.

I managed to find a place, but it was a large booth that would normally accommodate four people. I felt a little self-conscious about taking such a large spot, but the place was crowded, so whatcanyado? After about 10 or 15 minutes, a few of the two-seat tables opened up, and a couple with a new born sleeping infant where looking for a place to sit. A prime opportunity to offer my table and be nice, but I didn't take it. I did feel a tad guilty about not offering my seat.

Not 10 minutes later, I was reading something on my phone when water landed on my head and phone (iphones are dangerously allergic to water, but thankfully no damage.) A dude had accidentally hit has hand against the top part of my booth while coming back from the soda fountain, and half the contents of the cup he was carrying spilled. He was quite apologetic, but sometimes shit happens, and thankfully it was only water.

A few minutes pass by, and a family of four are now looking for a spot to sit. They had managed to get one of the two-seat tables, but were thinking they'd need to split up. I took the opportunity this time and offered them the bigger spot.

Instant karma at Panera.