Phony Hatin'

I am sitting ontside the Rare Books Reading Room in Firestone Library.

I have just submitted two forms of government identification, filled out four authorized forms and been issued a special laminated Firestone photo ID.

In ten minutes, a metal box will arrive with J.D. Salinger's personal effects in it, and I will read the unpublished prequel to The Catcher in the Rye.

Not a joke.

Great article on Obama and Jackson

In my humble opinion.

We're the kids in America, whoa-oh

***A Weather Guy trash cultural investigation***

So as usual, I was out scouring Orlando's yards and garages for valuable junk at low, low prices this morning. After scoring a Florida State hoodie for $2 and an Orlando Sentinel CD case for 25 cents, I got the hot hand for some sweet 90s discs at ultimate bargain rates, eventually filling the case to the brim with these classics:

• Beck, Odelay
• Marcy Playground, Marcy Playground
• Oasis, Be Here Now
• OMC, How Bizarre
• R.E.M., Monster
• Squirrel Nut Zippers, Hot
• Sugar Ray, 14:59
• Third Eye Blind, Third Eye Blind
• Various artists, Clueless soundtrack
• Weezer, Weezer (1994)

Now, as the Orlando scene has badly stagnated, I'm leaving tomorrow at 7 AM for a two-week four-part tour of eastern U.S., first to "assistant coach" at a running camp in the North Carolina mountains, then visiting friends on Cape Cod, talking to my advisor in Princeton (!), and winding up in Jacksonville on the 27th. This is also known as abusing my standby privileges.

Anyway, inspired by this bumpin' decade-worth of trax, I'm taking the bold step of only listening to these 10 CDs for the next two weeks of travel. This means leaving the iPod at home, and dusting off a horribly scuffed Sony Discman that will probably not even work for more than an hour. This investigation hopes to address two key issues: first, what do OMC's nine other songs sound like? According to Wikipedia, no one has ever listened to the full CD. Second, the influence of catchy 90s pop-rock overconsumption on the human brain will also be probed. Speculation is that my Orbitz cravings will rise 83%, but beyond that, the effects are unknown.

At the end of the two weeks, I will file a partial report* detailing any lost gems unearthed or murderous somnambulism induced by the study treatment. Also, if you would a postcard detailing study progress from the field, leave your address in the comments.

*Wanna know the rest? Hey, buy the rights.

I am in love with this site.

It's called Cassette From My Ex, which wouldn't be a terrible name for a band, either.  All these different people contribute (some pretty well-known essayists, one of the backing vocalists from the Magnetic Fields) a couple paragraphs about mixtapes they've been given, explaining context and talking about the stories behind the songs on them, with the playlists included at the end.  Highly recommended. 

My life is complete.

You knew this was coming.  

If they're not bringing back A Shot at Love, I guess this will have to tide me over. 

Really interesting article

on Obama, attempts at urban-renewal, and the public-private partnerships. From the Boston Globe.

I love America more than you

It's not even close. I love freedom, and I'm in love with freedom.

Also, how about JOEY JAWS bringing home the title belt of the most competitive IFOCE-sanctioned event in legendary fashion?! If Joey had lost to Kobayashi, it basically would have been like going back in time and losing World War II.

And let's face it, Joey is pretty much all we have now.

Disgruntled Goat

There is nothing un-hilarious about a rogue goat with nothing to lose.

It's not just me...

Bab-ehz do not equal happiness.

Even if they're cute.  

Also, Starship Troopers 3: Marauder comes out on DVD August 5th.  Life is good.