There's an old Phil Ochs song that goes "I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now". The ironic thing about that song is that he never really says what he wants to say. I guess that's how I'm starting out my first blog, with nothing much to say. Since I moved to Grand Haven, I don't have to spend an hour & a half a day in the car, & I don't have to shovel snow anymore (that's what my $75 dollars a month goes towards) so I have to pass the time somehow.

I always thought this blogging thing was rather silly, & it probably is, but I saw my sister's where she describes & posts pictures of her & the kids & all the insanity (insanity being a good thing, in this case) that goes on everyday for them, & I thought it looked like fun. I can picture Quinn running across the living room with a tractor in his hand & ramming it right into the tv while Heidi types away at the computer. All a brother can do is smile.

I probably won't post anything really useful, & my spelling & writing skills have probably diminished greatly since I graduated college, but I'll do my best. I probably won't have much of a coherent theme to my posts, there will probably be just random thoughts. Don't expect any cute pictures or anything, either, I have nothing cute to take a pictures of. Maybe if I had a digital camera's I could post a "painter of the day" picture or something, but unfortunately technology has left me behind. I wouldn't know a scanner if somebody smashed my fingers with one.

I'll try not to sneak in too many Dylan references into my writing, but somedays it's just inevitable. "What's the matter with me, I don't have much to say?".

Five Favorite Songs of the Day:

Is it Wicked Not to Care?-Belle & Sebastian, The Boy With the Arab Strap

Dan lent me a copy of B&S's first album, Tigermilk, & I was pleasantly surprised. I'd never liked what I heard of them before, but for some reason this struck me. I picked up Arab Strap at the record store yesterday (it's been a couple months since I've been there, one of the few downfalls of the move is that it's so far away from Vertigo) & I've been listening to this almost non-stop since.

Screen Door-Uncle Tupelo, No Depression

This song & this album exemplifies everything that's great about Uncle Tupelo, it's simple, raw, gritty, heartfelt & it's knee deep in the roots. Their Sunday School singalong version of No Depression is pretty good, too. I think I'll listen to it, now.

Song to Woody-Bob Dylan, Wembley Arena October 6, 2000

Listening to Dylan at 60 years old singing his first important composition 40 years after it was written in his old man voice is every bit as moving as when it was first written. It would make Woody proud.

If I Should Fall from Grace with God-the Pogues

Celtic folk punk at it's finest...

You are a Runner & I am My Father's Son-Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary

I have nothing to say about this song, but I sure do like it. This album is really growing on me.

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Thoughts to ponder for tomorrow:

Which statement best describes Amway?

A. Scamming friends & family into buying toilet paper in bulk.

B. An enterprising business strategy that will lead you & your friends into financial security.

C. I can't afford to buy that much toilet paper at once.

Are donuts really worth the guilt you feel afterwards?

Was Doogie Howser the original blogger?

Goodbye, friends. Happy Friday.

andrew