(this is meant as a substitute for a picture of mike & me, a pretty close replica, if you ask me)










What Would Life be Without Wishful Thinking?

I was riding my bike the other day through Robinson Township, it was a beautiful day for a bike ride, I was listening to "The Animal Years" by Josh Ritter (a fantastic little album, but I'll save that for another day) & I stopped in Mike's yard to change cd's. He pulled in just as I was about to cruise back to my place to the tune of Tangled Up in Blue. I, of course, stopped to chat & drank one of his gatorades & we talked about the week's events. On my ride back I couldn't help but think that it's been 13 years since we used to ride bikes back & forth from his house to mine (about the same distance), all for the noble pursuits of playing basketball in the driveway, ping pong in the basement or the garage (depending on who's house you were at) & listen to REM, Tom Petty, Elvis Costello or Barenaked Ladies albums. Who would've thought that 13 years later we would live only a couple of miles apart, each owning our own places, hanging out on a regular basis on the other end of the state? It must've been wishful thinking come true.

Yesterday was Mike's birthday, & I can't help but be proud of my friend, what with his new job, his new girlfriend, new haircut & his overall new outlook on life. It's fun to see your friends happy.

Tomorrow's going to be a long, but fun day, starting early in the morning with a drive to Ann Arbor for the start of the U of M football season (courtesy of Christy & her brother). Maybe between now & then, my niece will be born & I'll get to meet her & see the rest of the family. Here's hoping. The day will end around a bonfire at Mike's house, in honor of his 27th birthday. I'm hoping there will be lots of Jackie Greene music coming from the stereo, & I hope I'll get to see alot of people I haven't seen in a long time.

Some other wishful thinking came true just as I sat down to write this, it can be found here. I hope most of the show sounds better than I remember it, & Shelter from the Storm sounds as good as I remember it. I'll let you know later on this weekend.

Five Favorite Songs of the Day

Spirit on the Water-Bob Dylan, Modern Times

This song has been in pretty heavy rotation the last few days. It gets better every time I hear it.

Jesus the Mexican Boy-Iron & Wine, the Sea & the Rythym

Wishful Thinking-Wilco, A Ghost is Born

Irene Wilde-Alejandro Escovedo, Bourbonitis Blues

We Built Another World-Wolf Parade

Happy Friday, friends, I hope your wishes all come true!

andrew