#1 - People drive like fucking maniacs.
I'm glad that my roommate is fierce as fuck on the roads. Otherwise, I'd definitely still be waiting to merge on to Hennepin at the Walgreens. I've almost been killed at least half a dozen times, but I'm slowly getting used to all the honking, swerving, and swearing.

#2 - If you say you're from "The Cities" but really live in a suburb, it's not the same.
I'm guilty of this. But seriously, if you live in the cities and want to hang out with someone in the suburbs, it becomes kind of a commute. You can't spontaneously pop over to someone's house without a half hour drive (especially with that bridge out). It's worth it most times (especially with Matz, Carissa, and Kecia), but it's the half hour drive back to your place when it's really late and you're tired that kind of sucks.

#3 - Everything is slightly less safe, less cost-efficient, and less serious.
I definitely could have walked home from work at one in the morning when I lived in Onalaska. Not here. I could get plastered for $16 in Onalaska. Not here. But the thing is.... I've noticed that most people take themselves way less seriously here. Weird.


I live in a glorious metropolis filled with culture, business, art, people, technology, and life. I really don't think I could have found a cooler place to live. School starts October first. Game on.

Come, my friends,
'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
-"Ulysses," Alfred, Lord Tennyson.



Here I go.

I've come into a lot (and I seriously mean a lot) of new music lately. When this happens, I usually set about making mixes for my friends because I find one or two or three songs that I really want everyone to have.

So I started out on this task and realized that all the mixes were beginning to look identical. I know my last post was strictly "OMG GUYS MUSIC!" but I think I'm going to do another one. You don't mind, right?



Rooster - No DiggityI don't remember exactly when it became popular for indie bands to cover hip hop songs, but there have only been a few that have really worked for me. This one is SOLID. It's funky, it's groovy, and yet still rocks my face off. Highly recommended.


Lily Allen - Oh My GodI hate Lily Allen. Really, I do. I think her attitude sucks and her songs are obnoxious. That being said, she covered the Kaiser Chiefs' song "Oh My God" with the help of DJ/producer extraordinaire Mark Ronson, and it's really quite excellent. This song is dedicated to Sarah Fuller.


50 Cent - Ayo Technology (feat. Justin Timberlake)Argh. I can't stop listening to this damn song. I generally hate 50 Cent, but I gave it a shot because Timberlake is involved. I was pleasantly surprised. 50 is status quo, but the beat is hot, and... well... it's Timberlake. (I think Timbaland is in there somewhere too.) Just listen. Or don't. (PS: That is a screen cap from last night's VMAs during Britney's performance. I think it's the funniest thing ever.)


Weezer - SuzanneI had completely forgotten about this song until I watched "Mallrats" last week. This was the first Weezer song I ever heard, and I still love it.


Loudon Wainwright III - Passion PlayYou may recognize Loudon Wainwright III as a folk singer/songwriter, as the father of Rufus and Martha Wainwright, or as the father from the brilliant Judd Apatow series "Undeclared." However you recognize him, it doesn't matter - I just hope that you do. He's wonderful.



VAST - Don't Take Your Love AwayI don't know anything about VAST. At all. I just like this song. And I may have gotten it from "One Tree Hill," which I don't watch. Really. I just saw one three episodes.


Timbaland - Come Around (feat. M.I.A.)I love shakin' my booty to this tune lately. Or in general. Whatever. M.I.A.'s getting a lot of press lately, and this is the first song I've heard her do... I like what I hear. Maybe it's just the magic touch of Timbaland.


Enjoy. And let me know what you think!

I realize that it's been quite a long time since I've shared music with my faithful readers. It's been brought to my attention that, long ago, I shared my favorite music once a week. I wish my traffic quota was higher... if that were the case, I would probably never have stopped. Oh well.

Anyway, it's time once again to give you a glimpse into music I like. Because of my uncooperative traffic quota, they're all on yousendit. Enjoy.


Wu-Tang Clan - Gravel Pit.This song is, in a word, sick. I had this one hipster friend once upon a time who would play it every now and again, and I have him to thank for introducing me to this killer track from "The W." I can't help but get lost in the rhythm and the beat. This song is sick. Highly recommended. (Also, the video is fucking sweet.)


Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4.This isn't the "You're The Inspiration" Chicago that I'm sure you're expecting if you are unfamiliar with this song. The horn section is legendary. The guitar solos are wicked. I could go on and on. If you've never heard this song, do yourself a favor and listen to it a lot.


Chris Cornell - Sweet Euphoria.A beautifully simplistic song from one of the best vocalists in modern rock.


The Grateful Dead - Ripple.Yeah......... I think I'm a closeted Dead Head. Well... looking up the definition of a Dead Head, I am not. So I'm a fan of the Grateful Dead, and I listen to "American Beauty" a lot. This is my favorite Grateful Dead song ever, and, for whatever reason, cliché as it may seem, it gives me a feeling of commonality and community. Oh god, I just choked on my own Inner Dead Head and vomited. Sorry.


The Libertines - A Time For Heroes.Ahhh yes, the Libertines. It's bands like this (along with Van Halen and the Police) that make me think that brilliant minds will never get along. Their self-titled album, along with "Up The Bracket," are fantastic albums, full of catchy songs with awesome riffs and surprising additions (like harmonicas! and fiddles!). Too bad they hate each other. Kind of a Greek tragedy, huh?

Enjoy and love, for I love you.