Went here for dinner and drinks last night. Great beer selection, including Pliny the Elder. Also, Kwak Belgian which has to came in the most unique glass I’ve seen beer served in (see pic).

Fries were cooked with orange rind which was better than it sounds. I had peppers stuffed with couscous and served with olives, tomato sauce, and parm. Amy had a v-burg made of beets and kale. Definitely unique interpretations and altogether worth checking out.

If you find yourself thirsty on Lake City, head to Hudson. Also, recommended if you’re a lesbian in a committed relationship.

This is a super interesting book that discusses the coevolution of human beings and four plants: apples, tulips, cannabis, and potatoes. The basic hypothesis is that, in appealing to human desires (sweetness, beauty, intoxication, food), some plants have found a very effective evolutionary strategy. It makes you wonder who exactly is using whom.

So, if you ever wanna feel like a glorified bee, read this book and find out why consciousness has nothing to do w/it.

Also, I just stared Mr. Pollan’s next book: The Omnivore’s Dilemna. Right now, corn is freaking me the eff out.

Checked out two new albums today: Fever Ray’s Self Titled and Dan Deacon’s Bromst.

First impressions:

• Both are (almost) wholly electronic.
• Both are unique.
• Both create their own world. These are the kind of records you can get inside (and stay a while if you like).

Fever Ray:

• No one else really explores this kind of emotional territory.
• Austere, cold, stark, scary, and pretty.
• Not exactly a spring record, but i have to imagine this sounds great on a dark, stormy Saturday in December.

Dry And Dusty - Fever Ray

Dan Deacon:

• Always dense.
• Sometimes irritating (fucking chipmunk voices).
• Often sublime.

Of The Mountains - Dan Deacon

Cool shit. Happy Thursday. Go Blazers.

Got some rad news today: I am approved for a 4 week sabbatical. During this time, I get paid 20% of my salary to do nothing. Thank you KPMG.

As of right now, my summer schedule (by week) is as follows:

• 6/15 - Paid Vacation
• 6/22 - Training
• 6/29 - Paid Vacation/Holiday
• 7/6 - Paid Vacation
• 7/13 - Work
• 7/20 - 2 days work, 3 days paid vacay
• 7/27 - Sabbatical
• 8/3 - Sabbatical
• 8/10 - Sabbatical
• 8/17 - Sabbatical

Do the math and that’s 7 days of actual work from the middle of June til the end of August. 5th graders everywhere are jealous.

Initial Capitol Hill Block Party Lineup (per three imaginary girls). 7/24 & 7/25.

SONIC YOUTH, THE JESUS LIZARD, THE GOSSIP, DEERHUNTER, BLACK LIPS, EARTH, THE THERMALS, THE PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART, MOONDOGGIES, SPINNERETTE, THE DUTCHESS AND THE DUKE, MIKA MIKO, THE BLAKES, SLEEPY EYES OF DEATH, GIRLS, HEY MARSEILLES, THE MALDIVES, TRUCKASAURUS, AKIMBO, PAST LIVES, FUTURE OF THE LEFT, MICACHU, STARFUCKER, FAUX PUNK, NEW FACES, HOTELS, PICA BEATS, FLEXIONS, THEY LIVE!, AUDICITY, BOW+ARROW, SOL, JAPANDROIDS.

Currently Digging

Track: “The Wind and the Dove”

Track: “New Partner”

Track: “Never Stops”

Track: “Mary Had a Little Drug Problem”

Track: “Solar System”

Just finished reading this book. It’s by Tom Standage, Business Editor at The Economist. He traces the (surprisingly profound) impact six beverages have had on world history. The beverages are beer, wine, distilled spirits, coffee, tea, and Coca-Cola.

Recommended if you ever wanted to know how beer became the impetus for human civilization, how coffee prompted the Enlightenment, or why drinking rum helped Britain become the world’s dominant naval power.

Easy, interesting read.

A little belated but….

1. Deerhoof - Reveille. OOP vinyl for $20! What a deal. Thx Sonic Boom.
2. Bonnie “Prince” Billy - The Letting Go. My Will Oldham love fest continues.
3. Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle. April is a good time of year for this.
4. HEALTH - Health/Disco. Bought this becuase I liked Heaven 12”. Not really in the mood for it now, but I think it could come in handy for some sweaty, summer parties.

All vinyl for this guy. Sonic Boom on 15th.