Aimful Wandering

What, with the long hours at the job, people constantly leaving snacks out for me to have, the holiday season approaching, and countless other excuses, I am once again getting soft around the edges. If this were last year, I could combat this with a trip to the local YMCA. However, there are now two car payments that beg to differ. Since it's getting too cold for the bicycle, I've decided to take up walking.

It's a pretty simple premise: put a CD in the discman or iPod, and start walking. Doesn't matter where. When you get 1/2-way through the album, turn around and go home. Sometimes things don't quite work out that slick. Such as tonight, I'm walking down Summit Ave, about 1/2-way through Iron and Wines' "Shepherd's Dog," when I realize "hey, I'm just a short distance from Cheapo Records. I haven't bought a CD in awhile." I need to be careful, otherwise regular trips to the CD shop and two CD's later, I'm going to be fit and broke. But at least I'll have tunes.

Which brings me to my next frustration. There was a point not too long ago that I swore to myself to stay out of record stores because there were too many purchases I wanted to make. I walk into Cheapo tonight, and I can't remember a damned one of them. So I ended up buying the new Spoon CD "Ga ga ga ga ga" after hearing good things from them on Sound Opinions this weekend, and the new LCD Soundsystem, which I've heard on the radio and have enjoyed. Here's hoping!

Finally, I am sad to report that I will not be making the Bone Dinner this year. And really, as long as I'm teaching where I am, I won't be able to, since we like to do conferences the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Since the Bone Dinner is the Friday before Thanksgiving, this makes for a long trip and an early morning on Saturday. I did it last year, and while it was great to see Colin (and I'll miss him this year), it's just not worth it. That's right, Colin: you're not worth it. On so many levels.

Just kidding.

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