Most girls who come to Bloomington only come here to find husbands

I was just looking through all the MidPoint pictures in my camera tonight. There are a lot more on there than I remember. Then again, I was not always in possession of the aforementioned camera so I can't possibly be responsible for all if them. Can I?

I'll be frantically cleaning all weekend in preparation for my parents' visit the following weekend so that means lots of procrastination. Procrastination means even more blog entries so watch this space for some of those photos. Let me just tell you now that if you ever get a chance to see a band called Ballroom Dancing or Nathan Asher and the Infantry or Coltrane Motion, you should go see them. All three are awesome in totally different ways but an excellent show is sure to be coming your way.

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I guess it's time to hit the long avoided second to last "D" album. I have to admit that I picked up Drag It Up by the Old 97's quite awhile ago, but I hadn't really listened to it until last week. I'd read some disappointing reviews and I was really into lead singer Rhett Miller's solo albums (The Believer and The Instigator) at the time so I didn't feel like I was missing anything.

And, truth is, I don't think I was.

Are the Old 97's past their prime? I'm not sure. Everything just sounded a little rehashed. There were a couple of nice surprises in "Bloomington" and "Coahuila" but it wasn't an album that I adored like so many of their former releases had been. Maybe my expectations are too high these days.

That said, I was really excited to find out that Rhett Miller will be in town next weekend for Tall Stacks. I'll have the parents in town but maybe I can sneak away for a little sad & alt-country rockin'.

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Okay, one final random note. Billy Bragg has a new book coming out about Englishness and the national identity, blah, blah, blah. I'm sure it will be interesting but I won't be raring to read it. What I am excited about, though, is that he will be giving a talk and then signing copies of the book at a socialist bookstore in London while we're on the Sad & British Tour of the Motherland. That's right, Billy Bragg in his natural habitat! This is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to catch during our visit. Now, if I can run into Elvis Costello at a pub and see Oasis play an impromptu show everything will be perfect.

It takes gallons of wine to quiet the blood

I spent all day being lazy and recovering from my awesome MidPoint weekend. I really think that this year I saw some of my favorite bands ever. Too bad the weather wasn't nicer. I'm sure I'll have more to say later (including an update on a band from last year) but that's it for now.

I really just wanted to update the fund raising efforts of the Sad & British Tour of the Motherland. I'm proud to announce that I've raised $40 so far. Thanks to donations from Meggan, Summer and even Shawn we've blown right by my original goal of $5. Now, I've set a new goal of $10,000. Why not aim high, huh? So pass this link around to your billionaire friends and let's make this happen! Only seven weeks to go!

Seriously, though, you guys are great for actually sending me money. There will be toasts in your honor.

This is why I hate Nickelback

Check out the mp3 on this site and cry silently like I do. Nickelback, you really know how to write a song.

Summer, this one's for you

A dead pigeon lies on Pine Street in downtown Texarkana, Texas, Monday, Sept. 11, 2006. The city's annual festival this past weekend was marred by dead pigeons nose-diving into pavement and others dying on downtown sidewalks after they ate poisoned corn from the roof of a nearby bank branch. (AP Photo/The Texarkana Gazette, Aaron Street)

In this land of strangers there are dangers

A conversation with Josh (as remembered by Eileen)
6:47 EDT 9/6/07
re: Doolittle by The Pixies

Me: I'm kind of having a hard time figuring out what to say about Doolittle.

Josh: Two words - seminal.

Me: But that's the problem, I don't think it is.

Josh: Yes, and seminal isn't two words.

Me: Ohh, okay Mr. copy editor!

Josh: It's a good album.

Me: "Debaser" and "Here Comes Your Man" are great! Everything else - ehh.

Josh: "Tame" is a good song.

Me: Ehh

Josh: This conversation should be your review. I think it pretty much captures your opinion.


And so it does, Josh, so it does.