This one's for Jan. I finally purchased Fables! I've never felt the need to own this album, but I saw a sealed copy of it yesterday for $5 and figured it's time. Fables of the Reconstruction (1985), or Reconstruction of the Fables as some fans (incorrectly) call it, harkens back to a time when Michael Stipe sang lyrics that only drunken college kids understood. Case in point: a little number called "Kohoutek". As I type this I'm only on song #4 ("Life and How to Live It") so I don't yet have an opinion of the full album, but so far it's a fun listen.
This is easily the record of the year for me. It has every element needed for a perfect power-pop single, all crammed into just over two minutes. No frills, all goodness.
Austin using his pooper box, looking like he could use a little privacy.
undergraduate. That part's easy. The rest is a mix of the University's long history, the beauty of its campuses, what it represents as the most important higher education instutution in the state, and other little things too numerous to mention. Whenever I hear students complaining about how huge the U is, or what a bureaucracy it can be, I can't help but think that someday they'll end up missing this place, and appreciating all of the little (and not so little) nuisances for the learning opportunities that they are. I know that the U is not perfect, but no school truly can be. If it were perfect then it would have nothing to strive for.
Each indie record store closing hurts a bit more. Leo & I went to Aardvark Records in NE this afternoon, only to learn that it closed at the end of September. This is the third Twin Cities indie store to bite the dust in less than 2 years (the others being Root Cellar and Let It Be). The sign on Aardvark's door said that the store is closed "...for now", which hopefully means there is a new location in the works. I'll be sure to post here once I hear anything.
Believe it or not, this is my first Paul Westerberg record. I've always appreciated The Replacements (although I hated when people called them "The Mats"), but never cared enough to buy their stuff. The new Songs From Open Season 10" was cheap (and cute) enough for me to take a gamble. The vinyl features four songs not on the soundtrack CD, and some really happenin' tracks like "Love You In The Fall" and "Wild As I Wanna Be". Good stuff.
Tonite I attended a surprise 40th birthday party for my lovely friend Kim. It was great to see so many of my friends in one place, many of which I've had since junior high. Here's a pic of the card Leo & I made for Miss Kim.
I just got picked up this album tonite at the Uptown Cheapos. I first bought 3rd on CD when I lived in Mankato, MN as a grad student. For some reason the album never grabbed me back then, but right now it sounds fantastic. Guess I just wasn't ready for it ten years ago like I am now.
I've recently developed a mild obsession with vintage Izod cardigans. I bought this one last week on eBay for around $8. It arrived yesterday in practically new condition, and softened up nicely after washing, as you can see from the pic.
The way our rabbit Austin was going to town on this envelope you'd think it was laced with bunny crack (or some other drug equally addictive to rabbits).
From The Telegraph (UK) 10/05/06
Not many bands have stuck it out like R.E.M. has, while retaining their integrity. My friend Jan disagrees -- she tends to believe that recent R.E.M. records just suck. Around The Sun (2004) is one of my favorite R.E.M. records (definitely top 5). From the past decade, I love ATS and Reveal (2001). 
