Heartland Hipster

An obvious move

2010-05-04T14:14:00.003-05:00

Colin Meloy, the lead singer of the Decemberists, was already the most literary man in rock'n'roll, one need look no further than the lyrics to any of his songs.

Now, he's the most rock'n'roll man in literature (this is actually probably not true).

Either way, Meloy and his wife have just signed a three-book contract with Harper Collins, and no, I do not think the name "Colin/Collin" has anything to do with it.

The first book "Wildwood is a classic tale of adventure, magic, and danger, set in an alternate version of modern-day Portland, Oregon."

This sounds like it could just be Meloy's lyrics put into book form.

My top 10 Albums of ALL TIME

2010-04-21T09:32:00.001-05:00

Top 10 Albums on Dipity.

A little about my history

2010-04-14T09:35:00.003-05:00

Since I was 15 years old, I have been obsessed with live music. Partially this is because I have always been friends with people in bands, but also because I enjoy the crush of sweaty, drunken people.

I'll admit this upfront, my first concert was the Warped Tour 2003. I was 15, and boy did I love The Suicide Machines, The Used and Tsunami Bomb. My love affair with pop-punk quickly faded and I became a jaded little indie kid soon enough (and I had the sideways white belt and vintage t-shirts to prove it!)

What began innocent enough (Tomorrow Twice Gone at the Effingham Rec, Stealing Second playing on the tennis court in T-Town) started to evolve. My next non-local concert came in the spring of 2004, I was 16. Death Cab for Cutie and Ben Kweller were coming to St. Louis (they played at the now-closed Mississippi Nights on the Landing). The place was filled to capacity, and it was hot! Five songs into DCFC's set.... I fainted. Bummer.

The summer I was 16 I saw Murder By Death (I have since seen them three more times) in Champaign and St. Louis (they played with Minus the Bear!) My friends continued to play shows, and I went to every one of them. At some point, TTG and Stealing Second joined forces to become Hollace, a Thursday-ish screamo band, the style of the times. We'd hardcore dance at a karate dojo in St. Elmo and shotgun warm, stolen-from-our-parents Busch Lights in the Effingham Legion Hall parking lot.

When my friend Tascha, three years my senior, graduated high school and moved to Edwardsville, the St. Louis indie scene started to interact with us Effingham-area kids. So Many Dynamos and Target Market started playing the Legion, and we'd go to house parties in Edwardsville. The Dynamos even brought Emperor X to play at Tascha's E-Ville Apt!

I decided to go to the Target Market album release on the Loop in St. Louis on my 17th birthday. The Snake The Cross The Crown played at the University of Illinois union, I was there. Husband and Wife and Anathallo played at the Black Room in Greenville (Greenville! I've only since been back to patronize their Taco Bell/KFC en route to/from STL/E-Ville), and I went, who cared if it was a school night?

If I attempted to list every concert, every city, every venue, every crazy-as-hell night, I just couldn't do it. Suffice it to say, I never quite going to shows throughout high school. When I entered college it died off slightly (because I was broke and had no car and was stuck in the dorms), but it came back with a vengeance when I turned 21.

I was invited to attend a journalism conference in Kansas City in October 2008. It wasn't until we had already gotten there that I learned TV on the Radio would be playing a free show (free!!) the last night of our trip. It still stands as my favorite concert (and I became immediately close friends with Em that night). Charleston's music scene started taking off not long after. Now, if a weekend goes by without live music.... I fret.

Thankfully, I am still friends with many local musicians (Andy Van Slyke! Little Boy Jr.! MugWump Specific! and so on), and if they aren't playing a show, I can just go watch them practice.

A second live music map

2010-04-14T09:30:00.002-05:00

The first map was created just from the Google Maps page. Today, we learned how to create maps using ZeeMaps. ZeeMaps uses a .csv file (an industry-standard spreadsheet file) to import addresses. You can also indicate colors, photos, videos and notes.

I, obviously, did not do this. Partially because I didn't have relevant photos and videos and partially because I'm doing this in class.

Overall, I would say I found creating a map directly through Google to be much easier. And we all know why, Google is just great and simple and user-friendly.

Sarah Ruholl's favorite places to see live music

2010-04-12T10:12:00.000-05:00

View Favorite Music Venues in a larger map

2010-02-07T19:48:00.003-06:00

Pitchfork Media's annual festival just started announcing its lineup. Pavement is headlining Sunday night! So, I bought a ticket as soon as I found out.

I have already turned my planner into a Pavement countdown. 161 days to go!

2010-01-26T13:22:00.003-06:00

As predicted, Joanna Newsom's new stuff is starting to leak. And she sounds like a beautiful, little indie bird. The album is out on 2/23, and it's title is "Have One on Me," which I now know was taken from the lyrics to "'81" which leaked today.

Streaming from Stereogum.

2010-01-19T15:57:00.002-06:00

The new Beach House album, "Teen Dream," is streaming at NPR.

I'm pretty sure that this is what Brian Wilson would write if he was a dreamy goth.

2010-01-12T18:42:00.002-06:00

Looks like Joanna Newsom's new album is coming out on February 23. And something on it is almost certainly named "Have One On Me." At least that's the impression Drag City is giving.

Either way, I'm going to the show in Bloomington on March 31.

2010-01-11T10:17:00.001-06:00

I like to learn about things whilst being entertained. It's why I enjoy reading and watching documentaries.
My love for documentaries aside, I'd see this film just to check out the score.

Some new-ish things.

2010-01-09T11:47:00.004-06:00

This blog sums up all of the reasons I wish I were European. But, it also it reminds me of all the ways I am obviously not European, living in Illinois is just the beginning of the issues.

Did I tell you, Mr. Blog, that I went to see the Flaming Lips, Phoenix and Pete Yorn about a month ago? About three days before the concert, my buddy Marco posted that he had two tickets for sale. My room mate, Miss Boots, already had a ticket, so Charles in Charge and I decided to purchase the other two. And now all three of us girls are going, and we bring Jon Gitchoff along for the ride. Jon's a freelance concert photog and was shooting the concert for a paper or magazine or something, I can't remember exactly which. Here's a link to Jon's flickr. Boots is also a photog, and Jon somehow wrangled her an extra photo pass! So she was up on the stage, shooting the concert. The photos are awesome, and can be found here. Charles and I didn't have the best seats in the house, but we did manage to get drunk, rip off some teenagers who asked me to purchase them alcohol and cause a pretty decent scene in the balcony. The Lips were as surreal and fun as everyone always says. And, they played songs that the whole crowd recognized. Personally, I hate when I pay pretty decent money for a concert and the band only plays new stuff. Odds are, it isn't the new stuff that made me love that band. So, thank you, FLips for playing songs everyone could sing to. Sometimes, it felt a little bit like church.
After the concert, the five of us went to all night diner in a hotel and had a dance party and a food fight. It was great fun.

2010-01-08T17:55:00.001-06:00

My New Year's resolution is to blog more. Boots-y and I are probably getting the Internets asap, so it's looking up.

2009-12-16T09:54:00.000-06:00

I have a Twitter now.

Follow me.

2009-10-08T15:17:00.001-05:00

Overheard in the Newsroom #1924: Reporter: “I’m going to go as a journalist for Halloween. All I need for my costume is an empty bottle of vodka and my shattered dreams.

Also, Austin, Texas in 20 days! What to pack, what to pack...

Heartbreaking

2009-09-21T18:02:00.001-05:00

In honor of Ben and Zooey tying the knot, and breaking my poor little indie heart.

2009-09-21T12:59:00.000-05:00

Probably the best blog on the 'net.

2009-09-21T12:17:00.003-05:00

Soon, I'll write a nice long post about my Friday adventure to see Wavves, The Antlers, and Maps and Atlases. But I don't have time just yet for that.

Instead, check out the new Devendra Banhart on his Myspace. His new album, "What Will Be", the first on a major label (Warner Bros), will be out on 10/27.

If this first song's any indication (and I'd assume it is), Devendra hasn't changed much.

It's not all Pavement from this corner.

2009-09-17T13:14:00.004-05:00

I do care about things other than just Pavement, for real.

Like this new Kings of Convenience video. So cute, such a beautiful pop folk ditty. It's off their new disc "Declaration of Dependence."

Check it out. I want the first hitchhiker's wings soooooo badly.

I'm losing my goddamned mind.

2009-09-17T13:05:00.003-05:00

Out of excitement. Multiple Pavement shows for 2010!

Check it out at Matador's blog.

Now to decide if I should pre-order tickets for the NYC Central Park show when the presale starts tomorrow or if I should see what other places they'll be playing and go somewhere closer.

Either way, death is the only thing that could keep me from seeing this tour.

OMG

2009-09-16T19:11:00.005-05:00

My life has just been made.

PAVEMENT SHOW IN 370 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a new computer a few weeks ago, but I was waiting for the perfect reason to start blogging about indie rock again.

Perfect. Fucking. Reason.

2009-08-19T17:41:00.001-05:00

Oh my, how long has it been? The newspaper is starting back up, new job, new house, new roommate, and the possibility of a second job. That'd be THREE paychecks. How fuckin' cool would that be?

Maybe someday I'll get a new computer. Someday.

2009-08-02T15:56:00.002-05:00

Hey blog,

It's been a while. I just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about you. We'll meet up again soon. Maybe when school starts.

I'm enjoying my summer very much.

Love,
Sarah

2009-06-09T14:35:00.001-05:00

Disappearance largely successful. De-stressing complete.

I love summer.

2009-06-03T13:51:00.000-05:00

I am currently preparing to drop off the face of the Earth for a couple of days.

I can't wait.

2009-05-14T13:52:00.001-05:00

It's been a while, but I've been busy, what with moving and finishing the semester and job hunting for the summer.

Still no job, but I'm holding out hope.

No internet at the new apartment, but I am apparently getting a new computer soon. It'll be nice, since mine has not worked since January or so.

2009-04-30T18:56:00.000-05:00

You know, I wish this surprised me more than it does.

New Boy Least Likely To!

2009-04-27T10:32:00.002-05:00

This just made my day.

Some good news

2009-04-27T10:19:00.000-05:00

On a personal front, I had some pretty cool things happen this weekend.

I won The Terry McCullough Memorial Community Press Scholarship at the J Banquet Saturday night, $750 sounds good to me.

Also, we found out our positions at the DEN for Fall, I'll be the administrations editor. Should be interesting.

2009-04-22T10:36:00.000-05:00

Jesus, I'm good at being a fuck-up.

2009-04-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

New stuff from The Streets!

Do I seem excited? I was, but its not really that good. Worth a listen though, if for no other reason than Mike Skinner writes funny lyrics.

2009-04-14T19:04:00.000-05:00

I feel like I can't breathe.

Today may have been the worst day of the last ten years.

Some new things.

2009-04-08T10:06:00.003-05:00

The new Yeah Yeah Yeahs is good. Which is surprising, as I figured it would be total crap (because that is what just about every other Brooklyn band from that era is producing these days.)

Thumbs up to the YYYs.

Another new thing is a cover of "Womanizer" by Franz Ferdinand (I realize that anyone who reads Stereogum is already aware of the things I put on here.) But, its kind of awesome.

BOTB

2009-04-01T18:17:00.003-05:00

It's back! The Verge's Battle of the Bands. Find it at www.dennews.com

I don't care if you are an Eastern student or not. Check it out. Vote for the one you think is best.

2009-03-26T14:48:00.001-05:00

Still without a computer. This blows.

I feel incredibly disconnected from the outside world. Its frustrating.

I have a lot of catching up to do!

2009-03-15T12:50:00.001-05:00

I really miss having a working computer.

But, I'm home for the week, so expect some actual blog updates soon.

Vintage!

2009-02-27T17:43:00.001-06:00

I've been bored/unmotivated (and drinking PBR) all afternoon. So, I decided to read a lot of old Xanga entries. I just came across the part where I told people what song reminded me of them and why and also a favorite memory.

I am sort of impressed with my ability to read people.

Personally,

2009-02-27T17:27:00.002-06:00

I really feel Narrow Stairs is (at least) 10x better than Plans. Regardless, my love for Death Cab is unlikely to ever die.

Here's their new video.

Kanye.

2009-02-27T11:55:00.002-06:00

Man, what that guy won't say. In his VH1 Storytellers he apparently told the crowd that we should give Chris Brown a break. Because letting public figures off when they brutally attack their girlfriends is totally cool.

Well, at least he isn't defending people who murder the women they sleep with.
"O.J. Simpson, amazing. Is he not? What he did, when he did, what he did. Was he not amazing though?"
Oh. Never mind.

Also, he considers Radiohead to be one of his "few creative rivals." Sorry Kanye, but I think you have a long way to go before you are anywhere near their league.

hehehe

2009-02-26T16:06:00.002-06:00

Barack! You shouldn't speak like this.

2009-02-25T18:42:00.000-06:00

It is driving me crazy to not have a computer.

I hate the library.

Tinted windows.

2009-02-23T16:52:00.003-06:00

Did you know a band called Tinted Windows exists? And, did you know this band consists of James Iha (former Smashing Pumpkin), Taylor Hanson (former member of Hanson, current actual Hanson), Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick!) and some dude from Fountains of Wayne (reportedly named Adam Schlesinger).

I haven't listened to it yet.

I'm not sure I can bring myself to.

Mardi Gras

2009-02-23T10:30:00.002-06:00

Was a pretty good time.

Friday night, after some redneck karaoke with Joe and T-Bone, some delicious diner food, and a song about chocolate milk, I stumbled into Boots' brother's house around 3 a.m. only to wake up at 8 and begin drinking immediately.

We eventually made our way to the actual celebration (this was after we'd all consumed somewhere between 3-5 beers) around noon. We walked around, drinking the beers we'd brought in with us for a few hours. Eventually, Emily, Angela and Boots decided to leave, but I stayed on, having just met up with Holly. We drank some more and saw some snuggies and saw plenty of boobs.

It was a very successful trip.

2009-02-18T12:06:00.000-06:00

I think its about time to rip that proverbial band-aid off.

Sex.

2009-02-16T13:46:00.000-06:00

I am trying to write a sex column for The Verge. This is difficult, to say the least.

Some plans.

2009-02-16T09:38:00.002-06:00

This coming weekend I intend to travel in a general West/South direction with a small group of friends. These friends and I will then be getting excessively inebriated for the vast majority of the next 36 hours.

This, of course, is because I am going to St. Louis' Mardi Gras celebration because, well, why not?

I am pretty excited, but I really wish the weather forecast looked a little warmer, as I am certain to freeze my ass off in the below freezing weather the city is expected to have Saturday.

St. Louis (area) friends, what are you doing this weekend? If you aren't interested in Mardi Gras, what about hanging out Friday night?

Congrats.

2009-02-15T17:29:00.000-06:00

M.I.A. and baby boy.

Abe.

2009-02-12T10:05:00.003-06:00

As most people know, Abe Lincoln is my favorite president. He is probably my favorite person to ever be in Illinois, actually.

And, as you surely know, today is his 200th birthday. And, there is no school tomorrow (for this exact reason.) So, I intend to celebrate, of course (because it would be insulting to not honor one of the most impressive men in America's relative short history.)

So, I might go out to the Lincoln Log cabin site just south of Charleston. I might also go to the 72 foot tall Lincoln statue just East of Charleston. Maybe I'll hit up the Lincoln-Douglas debate museum, located on the fairgrounds in Charleston. Perhaps I will make some cornbread and other old fashion-y foods. Making a stovepipe hat out of black construction paper doesn't sound like a bad idea, either. I know I will definitely drink copious amounts of alcohol and probably attempt to dance. I will certainly drunkenly admire the large Abraham Lincoln poster (a photo of the statue at the aforementioned museum taken for the newspaper for a story about Lincoln's ties to Charleston) Hiltner gave me.

I am fascinated by the man, clearly.

Happy birthday, Abe.

Also, happy birthday Darwin, but I'm really not particularly concerned with him.

A few things while I'm away

2009-02-12T09:46:00.003-06:00

Still no computer, but here are a few interesting things you may have missed.

TV on the Radio, on Colbert.

They also performed.

Also, Ryan Adams and Mandy Moore are engaged. WTF?

Another WTF-moment Santogold is now Santigold. This is probably because she was sued by Santo Gold, a cult musician from the 1980s. Personally, I feel that because her music is so badass, and (I am assuming) his is not so spectacular, she should have the rights to the name. But, you know, whatever.

I will possess your heart.

2009-02-10T09:19:00.002-06:00

You know, I don't care what people say, I do actually like the new Death Cab album, for the most part. Talking Bird is probably my favorite.

Still no computer. I don't even know how I am surviving.

A moment of silence, please.

2009-02-08T21:54:00.001-06:00

Did you know it was the two year anniversary of Anna Nicole Smith's death?

Yeah, me neither, but it's true.

---- I really wish Radiohead's performance would have lasted a little longer. Such a disappointment.

hahahaha.

2009-02-08T20:27:00.001-06:00

Does Kanye's hair remind anyone else of Rockwell? (You know he sang that song about being stalked in the 1980's "I always feel like somebody's watching me....")

2009-02-08T20:16:00.002-06:00

I am drinking and watching the Grammy's with Heather. I cannot fucking wait for the Radiohead performance.

Also, fuck Coldplay.

Also, I like their outfits anyway.

I am very curious as to whether or not M.I.A. will perform, as scheduled, or if she is off giving birth, as also scheduled.

Can you believe Blink 182 is reuniting?!?!

Yeah, I don't give a fuck either.

P.S.--- Computer is still in the shop. I miss you, blog.

2009-02-02T15:43:00.000-06:00

Currently, my laptop is out of commission. Hopefully it will be fixed soon, and I can return to blogging four times a day.

To Gov. Quinn

2009-01-29T16:40:00.002-06:00

Don't fuck this up.

You've seen what we do to governors who fuck the state up.

I hope Blago and Ryan both get ass raped in the same shower daily

It's a Bird!

2009-01-29T08:51:00.000-06:00

You know, I liked Andrew Bird, I thought he wrote lovely guitar rock/pop songs. (Basically, he does indie rock the way it is supposed to be done.)

But, then I caught his performance from Late Night with David Letterman, and, now, I am a certifiable Andrew Bird fan.

Like I mentioned yesterday, his latest album is sitting pretty on the Billboard chart right now.

Impressive showing, indie rock.

2009-01-28T13:35:00.002-06:00

FYI---- Billboard's 200 looks a little like this
12. Andrew Bird- Noble Beast
13. Animal Collective- Merriweather Post Pavilion

16. Bon Iver- Blood Bank E.P.

Not too shabby.

OH.

2009-01-26T18:50:00.000-06:00

By the way, a little band called Radiohead is playing at the Grammy's.

Bleh.

2009-01-26T18:33:00.001-06:00

I haven't found anything worth writing about the last couple days.

BRB.

Masquerading.

2009-01-24T16:04:00.001-06:00

Tonight is the Megan's masquerade party! I'm super stoked. I have a mask with feathers and such from the last masquerade party, but I kind of want to make a mask.

No idea what to make, though.

Hangover.

2009-01-23T13:35:00.003-06:00

It's been a while since I drank until five in the morning with people I don't really know, but damn it was fun.

Also, I guess I'm not so bad at beer pong, after all.

Dark Was the Night

2009-01-21T14:19:00.002-06:00

Every year, The Red Hot Organization releases an album of exclusive tracks to raise money and awareness for HIV/AIDS. The album has some really sweet tunes by some really sweet artists. And, they are streaming one song a day until the album comes out Feb. 12th.

Check it out.

Today is Yeasayer, tomorrow My Brightest Diamond, to give you an idea of the caliber of this double album.

YYY.

2009-01-21T14:04:00.004-06:00

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs announced they are working on an album to be released this spring, and it's called Its Blitz, at least according to a bleeding mouthed raccoon.

Whooo.

2009-01-21T08:32:00.000-06:00

I'm glad our president can boogie.

Best dancer since Thomas Jefferson, no question.

Do you know what I love?

2009-01-21T01:23:00.001-06:00

Copy editing.

Also, blogging, hot tea, good books, thunderstorms and cute shoes.

Lupe. Again.

2009-01-20T14:19:00.003-06:00

The University Board announced its choice for the spring concert on Friday. (It ran in today's paper.) And it's..... Lupe Fiasco!

Of the four choices, Ben Folds, Lupe, T. Payne, and Jack's Mannequin, Lupe was my number one choice.

I am very excited for this.

Its April 4th!

Nuts.

2009-01-20T13:54:00.000-06:00

Peanuts if it were written by Charles Bukowski. Awesome.

Grammy Commercial.

2009-01-19T21:20:00.002-06:00

Here's that Thom York commercial I mentioned a few days ago.

Animal Collective.

2009-01-19T12:32:00.002-06:00

I was just reading an interview on Pitchfork with Animal Collective. I came across a quote that made me laugh. They are comparing the difference between Merriweather Post (the latest album) and Here Comes the Indian(From several years ago).

"We do significantly less drugs, we live different lifestyles, and I don't feel any urge to return to that lifestyle."

Haha.

2009-01-18T13:03:00.003-06:00

That Microsoft Songsmith makes some sweet tunes. Check out this update on "Wonderwall."

You can check out some others here.

Its a hot topic.

2009-01-18T11:52:00.002-06:00

The Little Boy Junior show was canceled at the last minute. That kind of sucked.

But the Mugwump Specific and Staff Blues Band show Friday night made up for it.

I have probably seen both of these bands five times in the past few months, but it is always a good time.

In other news, I think I need a nap.

Current music: Black Kids- Hurricane Jane
Current mood: Introspective, infinite, sad
Drink: Chamomile

I want it to be warm so I can be on a boat.

Long weekends always make me feel weird on Sundays.

Muzak.

2009-01-15T14:10:00.003-06:00

I rather enjoy that Charleston once again has a music scene worth paying at least some attention to.

Tonight, Little Boy Junior is playing at Mad Hatters, and tomorrow Staff Blues and Mugwump hit the same stage. Obviously, I will be at both.

Tomorrow the first issue of the Verge comes out!

Also.

2009-01-14T14:17:00.001-06:00

This is kind of awesome.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Cut Your Hair

2009-01-14T13:54:00.002-06:00

Consider this video a crash course in all things Pavement.

PAVEMENT!!!!!!

2009-01-14T13:24:00.003-06:00

Suddenly, Radiohead is the furthest thing from my mind.

A few years ago, I developed a personal theory, and that theory was that Pavement would do a reunion tour in 2009. Now, I feel I must warn you, I consider myself to be somewhat of an amateur Pavement scholar (meaning, I read "Perfect Sound Forever" and googled them tons of time reading random stuff). I probably know more about this band than anyone else in East Central Illinois right now (this may or may not be true.)

My reunion theory has a very solid base in facts. For instance, they have been releasing all of their albums ten years after the album was originally released as deluxe, double disc sets. The releases featured all sorts of crazy, previously unreleased material, and, as a general rule, they are pretty sweet and not bloated pieces of crap (as deluxe reissues have a tendency of being.) Also, the band is known to be on good terms with one another.

So, when you consider that the band broke up in 1999, it would be entirely logical for the band to reunite in 2009 and go on that oh so lucrative indie rock reunion tour that so many bands seem to be doing these days (My Bloody Valentine, notably.)

And now, there are all sorts of reunion talk flying around the interwebs.

I really love being right.

Stereogum is theorizing the reunion will start at Coachella, which is a pretty reasonable assumption, as this is where most bands reuniting (Rage Against the Machine, anyone) make their debut and the band is from SoCal.

My hope is that a tour will follow, so I can see them in Chicago or St. Louis or Indy or wherever they play (maybe I'll go to all three.) Ok, I probably will go to as many as I can afford.

But, if the reunion is Coachella only.... Well, I'm going to find a way to be there. I would not miss this for the fucking world.

HOLY CRAP!!

Also, Ryan Adams claims to be retiring from music. Yeah, sure, Ryan. I doubt anyone is taking this seriously at all.

More Radiohead.

2009-01-14T13:16:00.004-06:00

It seems they are allllll over the indie news circuit these days.

From a commercial about homelessness to an unlicensed set to be released by their old label and now.... Thom Yorke is starring in an advertising campaign for the Grammy's?!?!?!?!

Check it!

Oh, and here's that commercial.

Call me old fashioned, but...

2009-01-12T13:42:00.001-06:00

I really think January is a bit early to be naming something the 2009 album of the year, Stereogum.

I must admit, the new Animal Collective is pretty excellent, though.

Spring Semester!

2009-01-12T12:00:00.002-06:00

Now that the first day of classes has arrived, I am actually quite excited. Last night, I was dreading today, but now I am over caffeinated (I am on my third cup of Earl Gray, usually I cannot handle one dose of caffeine) and excited as hell for the coming days.

It is now official, though, I am an idiot. I thought my first class was at 9:30, and it was not until 9:25 that I realized it started at nine. So, I missed day one of Advanced Editing, and I am sad. I have a feeling that will be my favorite class this semester.

Nothing like a love of copy editing to show my true nerd colors.

School.

2009-01-12T08:59:00.000-06:00

I was not ready for today to be here just yet.

I want my break back!

2009-01-11T15:18:00.002-06:00

I feel very betrayed. I saw this coming, why do I feel like someone knocked the wind out of me?

Bitch.

Radiohead!

2009-01-09T12:55:00.002-06:00

It is so easy to think of Radiohead just as they are today. Elite, artistic, aloof. But, back in the day, even Radiohead was "alternative." Just look at that ponytail!

The song of my life, right now at least.

2009-01-09T01:32:00.000-06:00

I wish I could tell you how much the song "Carry Me Ohio" (by Sun Kil Moon) means to me at this point in my life.

Go listen to it.

Whoa! Cool, 2009 is actually 2001!

2009-01-06T15:01:00.001-06:00

New song! Eminem! Featuring Dr. Dre and 50 Cent.

Talk about a time warp.

Lupe? wtf.

2009-01-06T14:21:00.003-06:00

Just as people are starting to filter back into Charleston after what seems like a short break, my contact with culture has returned.

Pitchfork has long been my mine source for arts and entertainment related news, because it just happens that I am only really interested in indie rock related a&e news. And the site has been on a break since a few days before Christmas, so I had no updates aside from a New Years Eve show guide to cities I don't live in and the Ben and Zooey engagement news (which I already wrote about.)

As of yesterday they are back and running, and it has been making my life much more interesting. (Pathetic?) It seems Lupe Fiasco, allegedly, has a weird little side project. (Apparently they are vehemently denying the rapper in this rap/metal-Japanese inspired-highly political band using a very bad British accent is Lupe, but it certainly seems they are lying.) The band is called Japanese Cartoon (check them out, its actually pretty good.)

The songs are very aggressively anti-war. The best assumption is this is a way for Lupe to let out his frustrations and express his (controversial yet entirely valid) views on the current situation in Israel. The headline of the page reads: "FUCK THE ISRAELI ARMY!!! WHERE IS THE HUMANITY???"

If this isn't Lupe, whoever it is sure does a good Lupe impression.

Putting things back together.

2009-01-04T16:52:00.002-06:00

My apartment is probably the cleanest it has been since we moved in. All of the dishes are done, everything is put away, all that is left is to vacuum, and I will have the done within fifteen minutes.

Last night, I had a small-ish party at the apt. It was a very good time, with a pretty random selection of people.

Also, I hate boys. I really do.

And the mood lifts.

2009-01-01T19:24:00.002-06:00

I finally found New Years plans at the last possible moment. I drove all the way to Edwardsville on whim when Nicky suggested I go.

I definitely do not regret that decision, though my legs are tired and I am still hungover at seven thirty.

Drinking and dancing until four will do that to a person.

New Years Eve.

2008-12-31T11:43:00.002-06:00

It seems I have managed to neglect making solid plans for New Years Eve this year. I am rather disappointed in myself, as I absolutely love this day. It is my favorite day of the year.

I guess since breaking up with Dylan, I've been aimlessly wandering around, trying to find myself, trying to get comfortable in my new life.

This "new life," though, is really just an adjustment of my old life. I guess I managed to forget what I was like before Dylan. Is two years really that long? I suppose it must be.

Now, I find myself alone on New Years Eve morning, with nothing in particular to look forward to tonight. I've just been listening to Bon Iver and Beach House all morning. I feel like feeling melodramatic and beautiful. But for right now, I am settling for my music being such, while I lay around in pajamas and contemplate driving to Peoria again. But Peoria is so far away, and I am not entirely sure it where I want to be. I just do not feel like I belong anywhere right now, with anyone at any party.

The easiest option (aside from staying in tonight by myself, gah how depressing) would be to go to Effingham and hit up Megan's party and hang out with Dylan. Just because it is the easiest, most comfortable thing I could do, it is not necessarily what I want.

What I want is.... well, I do not know what I want. That is my problem right now. I am beginning to suspect I do not want anything, and this frightens me beyond belief. How can a person want nothing? (Aside from a cold beer, a good book, and some awesome tunes.)

I feel like I am fading.

The saddest happy news ever.

2008-12-30T14:48:00.002-06:00

I still have not decided if I think it is adorable or if I think it is just heartbreaking, but Zooey Deschanel and Ben Gibbard are engaged.

How is my fragile blogger heart supposed to deal with this double crush loss?

Christmas Hangover.

2008-12-29T15:34:00.005-06:00

Now that Christmas has come and gone, life seems a little more normal, if normal could be used to describe my life at any given point.

This Christmas is the first I can recall with absolutely no bickering amongst the family. Not that my family is particularly aggressive/angry with each other, but all families argue, especially on the holidays. But, for once, there was none of that. We watched home movies from our childhood, played video games, and drank wine together. It was a good time.

Just look how happy we all are!

(Did I mention I got a sweet new camera for Christmas?)

The day after Christmas, my friend Holly had a fort party. It was, as usual, a crazy, drunken good time. The opportunity to see my high school friends all together again is rare these days; I miss them all. They have to be my favorite group of people.
(Holly and I are having a good time, as you can clearly see.)

The next day, I ventured to Peoria, with the help of my dad's GPS system. There, I met up with Angela, Emily, Marco, and Boots at One World, a coffee shop/bar/restaurant with the most delicious sounding menu I think I have ever seen. They also had four dollar 22 oz Long Islands, so Emily and I both downed two (Angela and Boots were more rational and had one each, while Marco did not start drinking until later.)

Then it was off to Angela's friend Joshua's (or Stonewall, as everyone but me seemed to refer to him as) to hang out and prepare a game plan for the evening. We ended up going to a few different bars, including a gay bar, and drinking and dancing until we could drink and dance no more.

(The order is Me, Joshua, Angela, Boots (in the back), and Emily)

X-Mas

2008-12-23T23:45:00.002-06:00

It seems I've been ignoring my blog as of late. With the semester finally being over, I am not looking for as many distractions, and I am also in an unproductive mood. So, the blog has been taking a backseat to other things, such as working at Sears, moping around and being lonely, and also being drunk. Very drunk.

Sunday was the Sears Christmas party. This party is always a lot of fun. Everyone gets drunk, eats themselves silly, and makes fun of each other.

Christmas seems to have snuck up on me this year. Christmas Eve is in like ten minutes! I don't even know how this happened. Its been a crazy year, to say the least.

I wrapped my last gift this evening, unless you count the gift certificate I have not yet gotten for my godfather.

I am still in Charleston, Lindsey and I have been bumming around all evening. We made a pizza, wrapped presents, watched movies, visited Jed and did several other minor things. Its so nice not to have nagging thoughts of school work in the back of my head.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.

Finals week.

2008-12-17T15:09:00.003-06:00

Last night I watched Moulin Rouge for the first time.

Going into the venture, I had no idea what to expect. I admit, my expectations were not high.

I was actually quite impressed, though. The sensory overload was exactly what I needed.

Finals have me completely run down and stressed out. I have one more final tomorrow, then I am done! Buuuut, it starts at eight in the morning. This is my only early final, although I did have a ten o'clock today, it was no big deal to get up at nine.

Tomorrow morning, though, might be a bitch. I am already dreading trekking across the icy campus, as this class is on the opposite end from where I live.

What is likely to make it even worse is my plans for this evening. Mugwump and Staff Blues are playing at Roc's, and I, of course, intend to go. I guess I could just not get stupid drunk, that would probably solve a lot of my problems. Except the whole nervous issue.

Since Mugwump is playing Joe will obviously be there. I do not know if I can be around him sober just yet. He makes me nervous, for rather obvious reasons. I'll have to give it a try, as I really cannot go super hungover to my final. Probably even sort of hungover will be very bad.

Wish me luck! haha

So, so cold.

2008-12-15T18:26:00.002-06:00

This morning, as I ventured to Buzzard a little before nine, I almost fell on my ass at least six times. Yesterday was warm! What the fuck, weather?

Make up yo' damned mind!

So, tonight is far too cold to go out and actually do anything. So, I am faced with the problem of entertaining myself in the apartment for the next however many hours until I fall asleep. Perhaps I will watch a movie, but I honestly do not like movies. So, that's out.

If I had some beer, I could just get drunk to pass the time. But I do not have any beer. And I cannot gather the motivation to go in search of beer. It is far too cold even for a beer run, probably.

I guess I could study for my final tomorrow, but I honestly have no idea what I would attempt to study. Its fucking graphic design. And it does not start until 12:30. This makes me like the thought of drinking more and more. But still, its fucking cold out.

I am fairly certain I will end up going to County Market, as I also need milk, and buying beer. But, then I really would not have anything to write about. That would be problematic for me and you, wouldn't it, now?

I mean, really, if I did not write this silly, pointless blog you would have to find something else to distract yourself from studying. Who the hell wants to have that sort of burden?

I just checked weather.com, and it says the current temperature in Charleston is 15 degrees! Holy fuck! How am I supposed to be motivated to do anything in this sort of weather? I don't even have the motivation to make dinner right now.

Speaking of dinner, I hope Sam is home and hungry-ish. I am thinking dinner sounds pretty good soon, not that I know what we'll even have. Probably mac and cheese, again.

My feet are cold.

The end.

The ballet is fucking boring.

2008-12-14T14:12:00.002-06:00

Friday night, I went to see the Nutcracker Ballet with my mom. Going into the evening, I had absolutely no idea what to expect, as I had never been to the ballet before.

Turns out, the ballet is incredibly boring. If it was maybe an hour long instead of two, it would have been much more enjoyable. But two hours is far too much dancing. Pretty well after the first twenty minutes there was nothing new to show.

There are only so many dance moves in ballet.

Overall, it was enjoyable, though. The dancing was very impressive, if repetitive. The music was beautiful. The costumes were gorgeous. And the back flips thrown in throughout the performance were pretty badass.

The best part of the outing, though, was going out for a glass of wine with my mom afterward. Being 21 is pretty sweet.

And then was Stephanie's T-Town bar crawl.... and shit got out of hand. Sort of like last night. What a crazy week.

TVOTR! OMG!

2008-12-10T19:45:00.002-06:00

I guess this is further proof the music video age is declining, but the works being created in the genre are getting more and more excellent. I just saw TV on the Radio's video for "Golden Age" for the very first time. How I managed not to see it until now is a mystery. But, still, this video kicks ass. It is exactly the sort of thing I would expect from this band. I won't even try to describe it, just watch it for yourself!

I feel like I cannot say enough good things about this band. They are soulful, probably the only truly soulful band making modern rock music today. After seeing them live on Halloween, they quickly shot to the position of my favorite live act (this, however, is pending me finally seeing Radiohead... sometime, eventually, I fucking hope.)

BlagoBUSTED!

2008-12-09T20:21:00.005-06:00

If you have not heard about our lovely governor Rod Blagojevich being arrested this morning.... well, I am just assuming that is not possible at this point. Besides, what sort of insight could I possibly provide? If you did not already know Illinois politics is ungodly corrupt, well, you are clearly a naive fool.

One thing you may not have heard, but could very well have since it was mentioned on CNN, Huffingtonpost.com, and the Sun-Times website among so many others, is that the seat was put up for sale on EBay by none other than my buddy Jason Duarte, a fellow journalism student/my assistant Verge editor predecessor.

The bidding hit something like $99,999,999 before EBay removed the auction this afternoon. And now Jason is all over the media, even garnering a mention on Hannity and Colmes, NBC, and Fox News this evening. I guess this officially makes him the most famous person I know.

I'd just like to point out.... I was one of the very first people to comment on the EBay auction (via his facebook) after he created it.

GOOD JOB JASON.

Getting out.

2008-12-07T14:36:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, I decided on a whim to go visit my friend Nicky, whom I had not seen in probably two and a half if not three years. So, Heather and I embarked for St. Louis, where she got her eyebrow pierced. Then we back tracked into Edwardsville and found our way to Nicky's apartment.

Even though it has been so long since we've seen each other, it was nice to know we are still comfortable talking and hanging out. We went to a small party at her friend Dan's house, and good ole' Justin Burry was there. I spent most of the time talking to Nicky and Heather though. I hope I make it down there to hang out with her again soon. It was a good time.

Right now I am working on my very first column, to be published next Friday in the final issue of Verge this semester. I'm so excited!

The Boy Least Likely To!

2008-12-04T16:17:00.002-06:00

Finally one of my all time favorite bands is putting out a new album! It is due out in March of next year, which is so long to wait, but the song "A Balloon On a Broken String," the first single I guess, is out already. And it is excellent.

Their first album, The Best Party Ever, was heartbreaking and adorable. The album, called The Law of the Playground, is a bit more grown up and happy (at least judging from "Balloon").

The band defines everything I love about twee. Between Belle and Sebastian, TBLLT, The Unicorns/Islands and Mates of State, the genre is one of my favorite. Of course you have to ignore all the bullshit "twee," that is mostly just childish and uninteresting, but all genres have shitty bands along side the excellent ones.

"I know I look shiny and bouncy but I'm all empty inside"

They also recently released a wintery/Christmas song called "The First Snowflake" and its video is awesome.

The First Snowflake from The Boy Least Likely To on Vimeo.

This band puts me on happy overload.

Juicy Campus.

2008-12-03T23:43:00.001-06:00

Today I discovered the atrocity, and hilarity, that is Juicy Campus. There are pages and pages of mostly greeks talking shit about each other.

I still have not decided if I am completely disgusted or just incredibly amused by this website. Perhaps it is a little bit of both. What I found especially amazing, though, is how familiar with so many lame ass people everyone who posts on that website seems to be. Clearly, these people do not actually like each other, because if they did they would not be talking shit about them and calling them "Fugly T-Rex, orange-ass, bitches" or douchebags, or two-faced.

Excuse me, but if you are shit talking someone on an anonymous website and calling them two-faced, aren't you being just, maybe, a tab bit hypocritical? College is high school is junior high is grade school.

DOES THIS SHIT EVER END?

Oh well, at least it provided me with an entertaining distraction from my ten page paper.

Ugh.

2008-12-02T20:47:00.002-06:00

I cannot think of anything I would like to do less than write a ten page paper on persuasive elements used in a website.

Just shoot me now.

Brokeassbitch.

2008-12-01T15:48:00.002-06:00

I am definitely a broke ass bitch, and when I paid my credit card bill today I realized just how fucking broke I am. Looks like I am going to have to put myself on a spending freeze. I hope my family likes handmade Christmas presents.

I would have to say the worst part about the spending freeze, though, is the drastic reduction in my drinking habits that the freeze necessitates. No, I will not be giving up drinking entirely (could you imagine!?), but cutting down a lot will certainly save me some money.

In half an hour or so, I am going to Champaign with Dylan to help him find a stylish winter coat, and to let him buy me a nice dinner for probably only the second time ever. Hell, I'll hang out with an ex boyfriend if free food is involved. The only difficult part is going to be not buying anything. So, I decided not to bring any money with me. Simple solution! I just hope it does not end badly.

New.

2008-11-30T17:30:00.002-06:00

Today begins an entirely new journey.

I feel like this a lot, but I cannot help but to enjoy it.

I am growing, growing, growing up.