This American life

I'm feeling like a hero right now...I managed to sleep in (well, until 9:30 or so) and then head out to brunch with Eli. in Brooklyn. Why so heroic? Well, it's friggin' cold out and I went anyway. Just as well because this morning there was no heat or hot water in my apartment (ah, the wonders of NYC life.) So Eli showed me his new place, which is excellent -- a cute little place with a garden in the back in Brooklyn and then we went to brunch in a Savoie (or something...it's a brick-oven joint.) I had a decadent gruyere-cheese omelet served on pizza crust. Yum. Eli hooked me up with an album I am loving, "Everything All the Time" by Band of Horses. The album is gorgeous in the way the Shins' music is gorgeous -- all reverb'ed out and precious.

While I was on the subway home from Brooklyn (and before my truly heroic trip to the gym...yes, i am feeling intrepid on this blustery day) I listened to the most fabulous episode of This American Life. It starts out slow...but then becomes truly fabulous (or, I should say, fabulist). It's free on line at that link, so you may as well check it out.

Home sweet home

Sometimes just chilling in your apartment can be so wonderful. Today I'm just doing bills and other odd little house chores while listening to albums. My buddy Brent hooked me up with the new Radiohead (I know, I know, I should have downloaded it while it was "free" but I just didn't get around to it). It's nice -- I'm happy that they've returned to some more organic instruments after what I believe was a a too-long foray into overtly electronic music. I think Radiohead is best when they mush electronic and acoustic sounds together. The song I'm listening to now has a prominent acoustic piano and it sounds great (even if it's a synth!)

I also listened to Paul Hansen's latest disc -- The Grownup Noise. I'm just really impressed. I know Paul from way back in college where we jammed together now and again and supported Klayton on the Klayton and the K-Band Radio Revival. Paul's an excellent guitarist and in the years following college he has become a damn good song-writer and singer (skills he was beginning to experiment with ten years ago back in Athen, Ohio.)

A whole new look

My best friend, Dan has been nagging about my craptronic, non-ergonomic workspace for ages. I know He only nags because he loves.

Nonetheless, I have done nothing about it.

Well, today he hooked me up with a brand spanking new monitor (coincidentally I went to the ophthalmologist today and learned that I need a prescription for distance vision). Here's what the workspace looks like now. Soooooooooo much better. =>

The dual monitor set up is just amazing. Once I got over the novelty of seeing your mouse-cursor fly between two monitors, I realized how limiting a single 15" screen was (my laptop has a great screen, but still...tiny by comparison!) The new screen real-estate won't go to waste. This upgrade is going to make working from home so much more comfortable and productive. And I think Dan has motivated me to get a few more additions...maybe I'll finally get around to replacing my beat-down chair.

Electronic lust and other things

I just ordered a new A/V receiver. For us dorky dudes, this is a big deal. Like getting a tattoo. I chose the Onkyo TX-SR605 for it's ability to handle hi-def video and multichannel audio content through one cable (and the ability to up-convert a bunch of non hi-def sources to that same cable.) It got good reviews all around and is the least expensive model that can upconvert video. Should be fun to play with and I'm looking forward to the upgrade to my home theater. I know...dork.

As I typed this, I just gave Elliot Smith's "Coast to Coast" four stars on my iPod.

Tomorrow back to work...and it just started to get relaxing. That's how it goes one week into a vacation. I start thinking of all the projects I'd like to do...reading more, making videos for some of my Indelible Beancurd songs, playing guitar etc...and then back to work. Well, one of these days vacation won't end.

And now I'm going to go spend the remaining four hours of my holiday reading a good old fashioned analog book.