Monday! Monday! Monday!

Alright friends…today is Monday, the last Monday of September.

I am not sure if any of you feel this way, but my goodness where did September go?  Mine can be defined in two words…acclimation and reading.  This has been a great month up here so far.  I am getting used to the ’student schedule’ and all that entails.  I have class for only four hours total each week and three complete days without class.  This may sound like the greatest thing ever.  However, it is more challenging to get used to than you think. I am hitting a good groove now, so I am stoked.

I have officially been here a month and here are some things that I am digging about Orono and UMaine specifically:
1) Even if the weather dips into the low-50s, there are almost always students sitting in the grass enjoying life.  I respect that approach and it has rubbed off on me.  I eat lunch outside a lot as well as read amongst the masses.

2) I have seen more people here skateboarding on campus than I have at all other campuses I have experienced.  It appears that there is a sub-culture of long-boarders here.

3) The place is pretty easy to navigate and it is beautiful.  I need to get a pair of hiking boots and hike or something.  Maybe, one of my professors could assign hiking instead of reading and then I would have more time.

Otherwise, things are good.  I plan on seeing Eagle Eye this week. I think it should be a fun ride, I will probably see it as a matinee, mostly in an attempt to get out of the books.  I really wanted to see Miracle at St. Anna but it did not open here this past weekend.    This movie looks intriguing and should be one of the better Spike Lee films (or joints).

Alright, I cannot end this post without some music love, but before I do that, there is something on my mind.  Whatever your political persuasion (and that is not at the crux of the upcoming statement), I hope many of you are taking issue with Sarah Palin.  I do not, I repeat, do not think she has the capabilities to lead our nation and honestly, I am a bit scared at the thought of a President Palin.  I am frustrated because she is way out of her league and if if the Republicans and McCain wanted to shake things up with a female candidate, there are numerous highly capable and strong female Republicans that outshine Palin.  All I am saying is go on the web, watch some interviews.  It does not matter what side you support, she just does not seem educated on large or small issues…and she could potentially be one step from owning the Oval Office.  Honestly, the jury was still out for me, but after her interview with Katie Couric, that was it.  Palin is just too, “ohh golly gee, let me get the info back to you.” As Colbert said, that was not a take-home interview.

Ok, enough ranting.

Music…I have been putting in a lot of time with Switchfoot lately.  Their record, Nothing is Sound has some tracks that really make me think about society, happiness, money, music, etc.  I have seen them in concert a couple of times and they put on a rocking show.  If they come to your area, check them out.  Or, just get some of their jams off of iTunes or any other site.

Thanks for reading.

Broken Brain and Other Thoughts

The last few days I have been suffering from what I am self-diagnosing as a broken brain.  The symptoms are as follows.  Dense six page (yes just six, but every sentence is heavy) reading+sinus headache+being sleepy=broken brain.  Yes, this is self-diagnosed and not from WebMD, but it is an affliction nonetheless.  Also, I am enjoying these symptoms, well, minus the headache, and wanting more challenges in the reading department.  Suffice it to say, Leopold von Ranke is a tough read, but once I survive it, I will be stronger.

There are some other things on my mind lately and they are as follows:

1) There is a new show on Fox from J.J. Abrams, the creator of Alias and Lost. This new show is called Fringe. I have watched the first three episodes.  After watching this show I can say that I am not really a fan.  I am not a fan for many reasons.  The first is that I expected more from Abrams.  He is essentially taking the same framework from his other shows (scary music, unique camera angles, and heightened drama) and put it into the world of ‘fringe’ science.  There is too much overacting, most-notably the dude from Dawson’s Creek.  I do believe in unique elements outside our universe, meaning, I feel that we are not alone.  However, it is mighty convenient that most of the action solely takes place in Boston.  Anyway, not going to watch this show anymore.

2) I am really digging the band Morphine right now.  Actually, I have been a fan for over ten years thanks to a tip from my friend Doug.  I just got a batch of their music on iTunes and man, it got me through today.  This band does not use electric guitar, only bass and various forms of the saxophone.  If you are so inclined, check out this link.  You will not be disappointed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJv7Y8KvCqo This song is called Honey White, but they have many other dare I say gems. Buena, Cure for Pain, and A Good Woman is Hard to Find are excellent.  Unfortunately, their lead singer died of a heart attack in late-1999, but their music lives on.

I better get back to the books.  Thanks to those who gave feedback with their favorite holiday jams.  I will most definitely be looking some of them up on iTunes.  Have a great night.

Tuesday Roundtable

Ok, this is not actually a roundtable.

In fact, I am alone, at a desk, with a cup of coffee.  I just could not think of anything better for a title.  Ok, so it is Tuesday, what is up today?  I hope this finds all of you doing great.  I am actually building a little base of people that read about what goes in and out of my brain.  I appreciate all of you that read as well as those who give feedback.  And listen, if I help you procrastinate from a work project or homework, or whatever, I am a team-player and know that even in Maine, I do what I can.

This is probably going to be in list form, just like my last post.

-It is never too early to listen to Christmas music.  Had the ole-iPod on random and some Xmas songs came on…and you know what?  After that one, I dialed-up a few more.  I would love to know what some of your favorite tunes are from that genre.  Mine is a tie-between Have Yourself a Merry a Little Christmas (pretty much any version, but the one by James Taylor or Coldplay rank right up there) and Christmas in Hollis by Run DMC. Run DMC just get it right with this jam.  “It’s Christmas time in Hollis, Queens/Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens/Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese/And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees” I mean, seriously, these are some solid and ‘put you in the holiday spirit’ type of songs.

-Ok, that flipping ice-cream truck needs to give up the ghost and quit rolling by campus.  It just went bye playing it’s creeper music…boo to that ice-cream truck.

-Ever have one of those days where you feel like you got a lot done, but felt like you did not get anything done? I am not trying to present esoteric thoughts here, it is just how I felt today. Got a lot of mail/customer-service related stuff that was on my plate taken care of today, so that is good.

-Besides a 4-song diversion into the world of Christmas music, my recommendation today would be dipping back to the year that was 1994 and pulling out Ill Communication from NYCs finest, the Beastie Boys. This record still holds up quite well, has great samples, smart cameo’s (notably Q-TIp). Additionally,  Amy Winehouse’s Rehab came on via the random function today and I produced a sort-of chuckle with a small side-order of guilt for, said chuckle.

I have some other thoughts that I will share at some point this week.  Nothing pressing, but those thoughts are taking up space for reading I have to do later on this week.

Thank you again for reading this.  Have a great day.

Lots of Things in The Ol’ Noodle Today…

This blog post will be in list form, as there are many thoughts in my brain today.

1) This morning there was an ice-cream truck going by my building at 11:11am and it was 56 degrees.  I like ice cream like the next person, but I just find those trucks creepy, always have.

2) I wish I was in Bloomington today, tailgating with my crew before the IU vs. Ball State game

3) I got a number of things sorted out this week up in the dome.  I want to publicly thank those people who listened to me and offered sage advice.

4) I am officially dialed-in to school.  I have a very strong professor who is quite critical and I love his feedback.  I wish that we had more class sessions in the week.

5) Pearl Jam’s second record, Vs. is so solid.  This is an album that I do not necessarily forget I have, but it is typically hidden in the depths of my iPod.  Listening to it today as I did chores and the like, I was reenergized.  Songs like, Indifference, Rearviewmirror, and Go are as good as they get.  Lyrically and musically, I feel that this record is one of their best.

6) I am wearing jeans that I have not worn in over 3 years…in fact, they are a bit loose. I am liking this.

Alright, I am out.

Music, Music, Music…

I have been listening to a lot of music lately.

In fact, I have even been able to listen as I study.  In my previous academic pursuits, doing so would stop me in my tracks.  I want to use this post to highlight what I have been listening to and in some cases why I am listening.

1) Pete Yorn I have been plowing through his three, full-length releases.  The first is 2006’s Nightcrawler (listen to: For Us and Undercover) and the second is 2001’s critically and commercially lauded, Musicforthemorningafter (listen to: Strange Condition and For Nancy (Cos It Already Is)). I am also getting a lot of enjoyment from his 2003 release, Day I Forgot.  I want to throw-out a special word of thanks to my friend Keith for Day I Forgot (listen to: Long Way Down and Come Back Home). Getting this record completed my set.  There is something about his voice and lyric writing that I find soothing, and dare I say, Jeff Buckley-esque.  I do not think there is a coincidence that both of their hugley successful 1st large-scale releases were with Columbia Records.  Anyway, that is neither here-nor-there.  The previous sentence was the byproduct of too much reading in my historiography class.

2) Alice in Chains I have been a fan of this band since the early 1990s.  They are, and will never cease to be relevant to me. Due to my young age when they were touring heavily, I was never able to see them live.  At this very moment I am listening to 1992’s Dirt. Holy cow, it just hit me that in October it will be 16 years since this record was released.  Man, I feel older, but not in a depressing way, more in a, “I cannot believe that was released 16 years ago” surprised type of way.  Songs to listen to from Dirt include, Rain When I Die, Junkhead, and Would?

Ok, those are my music samples from basically the last three days.  I hope that if you already own some of these tunes you will pull them out and give them another whirl.  I also hope that if you do not have music from these artists, this post will send you over to iTunes, YouTube, or another source to get these jams.

Final piece before I get back to reading about the ‘Changing Image of Lincoln.’ I will be getting the first season of Pushing Daisies on DVD in the next few days.  The second season begins in a few weeks.  This show is one of the best visual and written shows I have seen in awhile.

Thanks for reading. If you are into the aforementioned tunes, please hit me up and tell me some of your favorite songs.  Or, if you have suggestions, hit this kid up.  I need some new stuff to jam to while in Maine.

The Procrastination Post

Hello all, this is Lucas, writing my first post from Maine.

Yes, I did arrive, safe and sound.  From the moment I pulled into the circle-drive of my building, I have been going full bore.  Maine is everything I have imagined with many other new surprises.  Upon arriving I was greeted by a yet-to-be-completed graduate hall.  The building is not too bad, just not done.  Oh, and since they have converted it from an undergraduate hall, there are still remnants from that previous group.  Most notably, the hallway murals that survived from 1995 that include 101 Dalmatians, Aladdin, and Beauty & the Beast.  Not really sure of the origins there, but it makes me laugh.  Also, one of my floor mates has large, painted, purple dinosaur smoking a cigar on her wall.  Thankfully, my room was spared because it was the RAs room-placard still on door when I arrived.  This tidbit proved to be funny because the second day I was here, a gentlemen came by and asked me something.  In more of a agreeing with his logic type of tone, I said, ’sure, that is a good idea, rock it out.’  Only later, did I realize that he took my ’sure’ as permission.  I had forgotten the RA placard was still on the door.  One final piece that just makes me laugh is the lack of a paper towel dispenser in the bathroom.  I am all for reducing my carbon foot print, but come-on, it just feels weird taking a hand towel to the bathroom.

Otherwise, my building is great and the members of the floor are engaging and most importantly respectful of a quiet environment.  One new friend on the floor is a guy named Yamil.  He’s from Mexico and he’s a trip.  We share a lot in common and have become friends, so that is cool.

Classes are off and running.  I have a paper due on a book this week, which does not sound too bad in theory.  However, when I was reading roughly 30 minutes a day with a balance of magazines and some books, to reading 4+ hours a day and having an entire book to read in 7 days. Shock to system aside, I am rocking the house.  My classes are quite small, less than 10 in each.  The dialogue is good.  Among the first-years, there is not much of a cohort feel that I knew from my first graduate program.  I see advantages and disadvantages to this.  Oh, I also am a reader/grader for a 200 level history course, called Maine and the Sea.  As you can imagine, I got this gig based upon my prior knowledge of the subject area.  Ok, I am full-of-crap, I think I was the first one to reply to the email.  Either way, it will be a fun way to learn about Maine, get paid, and learn how to manage an online course.

The UMaine gym is the best collegiate gym I have ever been in.  It is spacious, has nice equipment, and there seems to be a great and almost laissez-faire way in which the people who want to look cool and those who would like to work-out, just find their own space.  I can also say from watching numerous pick-up basketball games, that if you give me any five players from Bloomfield and we’d only give 5 points at most.  The bball here, at least what I have seen here, is weak.

Alright, as I mentioned in the title, this is my procrastination post.  I have taken 15 minutes and now it is time to read and repeat, read and repeat, & read and repeat.

Music, if there is one record that you need to have in your collection, right now, it is Jeff Buckley’s Grace.  If you have it, I just sent you an Intranets (yes, Intranets) high-five.  If you do not own it, well you get a high-five, but dude, go get it…

Bye for now friends.