Acknowledging discovery is a way of feeding pride. We post links, talk up free movies and downloaded albums, recommend restaurants. One of my proudest moments is seeing Band of Horses when they were mere Horses opening for Iron & Wine at The Bluebird. Katie and I muscled up front close enough to actually converse with the musicians on stage and ended up being very impressed by a band we knew nothing about while waiting for the main act. Katie asked for a set list from whomever plays the slide guitar (That’s research!) in the band by pointing at a sheet of paper at his boots and shrugging her shoulders. He laughed and smiled, “If I give this to you, I won’t know [the key or chords or some other musical thing I can't remember].” I bought their EP from the merchandise table and have followed them ever since.
So I’m largely the reason Band of Horses are still able to play music today. Kind of. [...]
I’m not usually the type to sweat the things that are out of my control or miss the people who’ve moved on. Though as I’ve said before, if you feel the need to assert something ’bout yourself, what you’re saying ain’t exactly the whole truth. [...]
By the time I realized what was underfoot, it was too late. Mid stride, every muscle in my core and legs tensed tight with the adrenaline sudden fear produces, and for the duration of—what she likely and correctly perceived as the briefest instant—a lifetime, I froze, left foot wavering unsure in the air. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my next step could’ve been my last. Or hers. I realize it now: I’m really overly dramatic.
My own Captain Smith course correction fortunately met with better success. I stepped a few inches in front of an all black snake with yellow markings on the underside of its face. “Oh, Amy, do you see that?” [...]
I accompanied Melissa and her Summer camp kids on their weekly field trip to a swimming pool last week. It was the next to last day of their camp. This is totally one of those dumb stories about learning lessons from kids. [...]
I knew I was cracking as soon as I had to ask. [...]
The surest way to let a girl know you still think about her is to say out loud to no one in particular you have stopped thinking about her. I’ve been trying to think of a way to sit still on my hill loud enough for everyone to hear I’ve moved on. It makes me feel pretty transparent. [...]
Because self-mythologizing is fun, I wasn’t ever born. [...]
I spent the afternoon driving around. After leaving the McDonald’s drive through with some fries, I switched off my iPod and turned on ESPN Radio right as DeWayne Wise made that catch and heard the live call of the final three outs of Mark Buehrle’s perfect game.
That was kind of neat.
And while I was at the library or so an hour before that, and I found a brand new baseball in the parking lot.
Coincidence?
Quickly, and to say I did have something to share on a Wednesday, I’m going to mention I’m trying to fall asleep by listening to The Tallest Man on Earth. Most of my friends are the tastemaker sort (and that’s why I like them), so I’m probably not breaking any news here, but the album is Shallow Graves, and the song I’m loving is “The Sparrow and the Medicine.” It’s folky and romantic, spare picking and poetic fairy tale verse. [...]