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By admin, September 27, 2009 8:49 pm

So I’ve been going back and forth on this whole blog thing. What it all boils down to is that I am very lazy. I’ve got a lot that I’d like to say but the problem is I rarely take the time to capture any of those thoughts. I’m going to make an effort to update my blog at least once a week. No promises though. I expect this to be very unorganized. More like the ramblings of a lunatic.

Right now I’m in Springfield, IL sitting in a Hampton Inn with crappy wifi. It was an 8 hour drive from home to here. I don’t think I could have made it without my Ipod. Its hard to imagine life with out digital music. I remember that I used to have these round shiny things that I used to insert into some slit on my dash, but each one only contained one album by one artist. They were always getting scratched and or lost and I never could find exactly what I wanted to listen to. I finally figured out why people hang one of these things from their rear-view mirror, it must be their favorite and always wanted to know where it was.  I thought that I’d go through some of what I listened to on my way up here.

I started the trip of with a group called Merit. The album is called Arson is for Lovers. You can download it for free off their site, but please donate. I can’t get enough of these guys (and gal). They are a band out of Syracuse, NY fronted by this chick that can belt out some lyrics. Imagine a good Gwen Stefani backed by a really tight guitars and drums. I’m looking forward to what happens next for these guys.  Give them a listen.

Next up…Flobots.  I posted a video for their song Handlebars a while ago. Alternative rock\hip hop from Denver, CO with a social conscience. Remember the band Cake? I don’t know who came first but there are definitely some similarities. But instead of singing about fuzzy dice and living room furniture the Flobots like to remind you that everything still is not right in the world. Some great songwriting and infectious grooves keep me hooked, plus there’s a violin. How often do you get that?

Am I the only one hooked on podcasts? If you don’t know what I’m talking about… sorry. My new favorite is one called A Life Well Wasted. Its a podcast about video games, but not really. Its more about the culture of gaming. But for grownups. Its edited and hosted by one Robert Ashley in the vein of This American Life (also on the play list). Not much else to say but if your struggling with the fact that you are getting older but still love video games check it out. You’ll get a little validation. Another podcast that I dig is Keith and the Girl. I’m about 10 episodes behind so I had some catching up to do. A New York City couple who got into podcasting because they thought they could do it better than what they’ve heard. They have been going strong now for about four years. I don’t remember how I stumbled upon them but I’ve been listening since episode 5 or so. They now have over 1000 shows posted. One of the most consistently funny shows I listen to. They are not for the faint of heart though. Don’t take them too serious and I think you would enjoy them as well. Rounding out the podcast for the trip was some Fresh Air (an NPR staple) as well as TWIT (yes I’m a geek).

So there you go expand your horizons and check out some of this stuff. I’m not promising you’ll like it, but I do and you like me or you wouldn’t be reading this right?