Maximum Overdrive

I love my car, really I do. I'm not a huge believer in the "my car is an extension of my personality" version of thought, but my car does remind me of me. Its slow, heavy, white, and has an ugly interior. But its mine, paid for with money I made with my own two hands.

Lately though its been getting on my nerves. Tires gave out in June, though that was admittedly my fault. Then I ran over a board with a nail in it. A board with a nail in it. Jesus Christ, does Tex Avery live in my neighborhood or something? Fuck.

Then the radiator went. Then the tail lights. I got an $80 ticket for that one. Finally, I got everything fixed and all was kosher. Then, on the way home last night my instrument panel light went out. At midnight. On the interstate. This seemed like a problem so I turned on my dome light and the damn thing fell out of the roof, broken. I tried to put it back but it wasn't having it. At a point like that all you can do is laugh. Then cry.

41 Days of Music

Phew! Listened to Lifted Or The Story Is In The Soil, Keep Your Ear To The Ground and Read Music / Speak Spanish this morning. Now, I like Conor Oberst as much as the next pansy, but I wouldn't choose to listen to that much of the guy's music back to back.

Thank God* I'm now in 2002 and listening to one of my most favorite band's debut record, Camera Obscura's Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi. While it brings up the rear in my list of favorite CO records, BBHF reminded me why I love them so much. Listening to their music is like wrapping my soul in sweetness** (of the distinctly bitter variety). A lot of that comes from Tracyanne Campbell. I'm so smitten with her. I'd marry her in heartbeat. Though judging from her lyrics she's kind of a flake. But then aren't we all.

* Its weird thanking a god I don't believe in, but "Thank God" has practically lost all practical meaning. Zounds!
**If you got that reference I'll marry you.

41 Days of Music - Day 49

I'm on day 49 of my 41 days of music thing-a-majig. Resolving a logical paradox like that will take some real skill. My personal theory is that it is from some combination of laziness, traveling, Deathly Hallows, and a growing music library. Being the person who is myself, this sounds like a good theory.

So I'm late and lazy. My editor is going to kill me. I'm smack dab in the middle of 2002 with The Books' Thought for Food - a great record worth every penny. The 1999-2003 run has been particularly weird and tough since most of those records I got while in college and they bring up those twin feelings of bittersweet regret and bitter regret.

I had a horrible time getting through PJ Harvey's Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea. And not because it is a bad record, although I know at least one die hard PJ Harvey fan who may claim otherwise. Its just that, well, it manages to dredge up all the bitterest feelings laying at the bottom of my mind. Not that the time in which I bought it was unhappy. It was, I think, the happiest I've ever been; it just brings to mind all that I've lost. Which is a lot. Like I said, bitter regret. Also in that category are Oh, Inverted World and It's a Wonderful Life. Damn you association!

But its not all sad trips down memory lane. Ween's White Pepper - in all its British Invasion meets A.M. Gold glory - is still one of my favorite records. Things We Lost in the Fire is a lot better than I remember it, and I think now, my favorite Low record. Kid A and Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever still have the power to bring me back to the headspace of my 20-year old, art school attending self, and thats not an unpleasant thing. And I still love Andrew W.K.

Anyway, this whole enterprise was one way to fill my empty days. And it has. I guess that's my entertainment now, rearranging my acquired content in a way that is of passable interest to myself and no interest to anyone else. To that end I've decided to listen to 3 specific records each week on my train ride to and from work. This week its The Talking Heads More Songs About Buildings and Food, St. Vincent's Marry Me, and Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth.

"Heeeyy"

Heeeyy (click to play)

Work Me - Me Work

Working on the weekend.

Pros:
- No headphones needed
- pajamas
- no calls/e-mails

Cons:
-Working on the weekend

Suck It Dinosaur

What do you make for a friend who is leaving town like an idiot?

A wobbly-legged "Suck It Dinosaur" vegan carrot cake. That's what.

Suck it dinosaur. Suck it forever.

p.s. Its a lot harder than it looks drawing with frosting. Actually, looking at the cake now, it looks pretty goddamn difficult. Fucking bullshit leg. And is that a baguette or an arm. Fuck.