Over the past couple of weeks, I spent some time in Italy and Switzerland with my girlfriend. This was largely to decompress after a particularly grueling semester of teaching and dissertationing (Yeah, it’s a word. Well, it is now.). And as always, this proved to be a bit of a wise idea and a bit of folly. Even so, I’m glad, even if for nothing else, that I had the chance to find some street music that was actually compelling.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Everyone!Yes, I know it’s two days early. But I have to get you while you’re still sober, right? Or at the very least, while you’re not observing this most somber of holidays in Church, or gathered together with loved ones in prayer and strict observation of St. Patrick’s teachings. { A note, as I know there has been some confusion: Whiskey is never an appropriate substitute for communion wine. Ever.} Undoubtedly, as with all ethnic and religious events, the day will bring you a number of difficult thoughts and questions. Some of these might be: “What possesses a man to drink that much green beer…or, any green beer for that matter?”, or “Why won’t Sully just leave me alone?”, or “When did everyone in the world suddenly become Irish? I know for a fact that that guy’s from New Jersey…” Or perhaps you’re just wondering who this Erin girl is and just what precisely it is that she is meant to go and do…
They were singing,
“bye-bye, miss american pie.”
Drove my chevy to the levee,
But the levee was dry.
Them good old boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye
Singin’, “this’ll be the day that I die.”
One of my fondest memories from the Summer that I was on staff at Camp Wah-Tut-Ca is of my first Staff Night Out. I realize that it’s a bit strange to say that one of my favorite memories of camp is of leaving camp, but bear with me. On Wednesday nights, after the areas had closed for the evening, most of the staff would head out of camp for a bit of real-world recreation. As I recall, this was one of my very first occasions to head off into the world with friends – without supervision, direction, concern for the content of chicken nuggets, or hesitation about turning the stereo way up. I remember the feel of the wind, and the bright lights of the Newbury Comics we had come to plunder. Mostly, though, I remember the exhilarating sensation of freedom that came from being able to go anywhere we pleased. { Note: New Hampshire has never been this exciting since. For anyone, I bet.} And then there’s “American Pie…”
Hi Everyone, Well, 365Songs had a bit of a setback today, when favtape went died of dysentery! However, if you have a look at the page, I’ve come up with an alternate method using Last.fm. Is it as simple or elegant? Probably not. But it will work, and we will enjoy our tapes! And hey, it’ll even make a nice radio station of all our lists. So, that’s something! I’ve also updated the facebook group, and created a 365Songs group on Last.fm. I hope to see you all there!
~Jon
Update 2/26: As of right now, favtape seems to be working again. What this means, and what we should do, remain worthy of debate!
Hi All,
I wanted to let you know about a new project I’ve started. As I’ve already written the details here, I’ll just say that I’m very excited and that I hope you will give it a try! And if you like it, make sure to pass it on!
~Jon
