nanovivid

To hold you over until I get around to writing about the Thanksgiving festivities, go read the captions on these 70s Weight Watchers cards. I was laughing really hard and Bryan was looking at me weird, so that means they’re definitely Very Good.

♫ U2 - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

On Thursday, Bryan and I ran all around the city to get me fully Ohio-ized. We had to go to five different places to complete the process. First it was the testing place where I took a written test to find out if I would be allowed to drive. Then we went to the license bureau to actually get my drivers license. After that, we went to the title land and got a new title for my car. On the way out, Bryan amused himself by accidentally pronouncing title as tight-hole. Next, we went to the Useless Ripoff E-Check station and got my car checked out. After passing that, it was finally onward to the license bureau (we went to a different one because it was closer to home).

All told, the adventure took about three hours. Thankfully, lines were nearly nonexistent… otherwise it would have taken much longer. Ah, the joys of bureaucratic process.

♫ Aretha Franklin vs Junior Jack - A Deeper Hype

He claimed my last entry was boring and I should write about something about string cheese and waffles. So, um, I like string cheese on my waffles.

♫ Death Cab for Cutie - 20th Century Towers

Since my main birthday present this year was Underworld’s back catalog, I’ve been listening to them almost exclusively over the past week. Underworld is fairly unique among groups that create dance music because of their focus on lyrical content. While the music is always top notch, it’s Karl Hyde’s poetry that really sets Underworld apart.

Dirty Epic is from Underworld’s 1994 debut Dubnobasswithmyheadman. (Sidenote: although a lot of electronic music seems to sound “old” quickly, I’m amazed at how fresh most of the album still sounds). The song is true to the “Epic” part of its name, reaching to just shy of ten minutes. The heart of Dirty Epic is contained in these lines (the last being one of my favorite phrases to have recently crossed my ears):

i’m so dirty and the light it blinds my eyes

here comes christ on crutches

It feels like a prayer for a failed relationship (”you never touch me anymore this way”) and a confession of needed help. Though it ought to be quite sad, I always end up feeling hopeful at the same time.

Underworld - Dirty Epic

Note: This is actually the version from their 1992 - 2002 anthology, because the version on Dubnobass… mixes into Cowgirl at the end.

♫ Underworld - Skym

Yet again, it’s been a bit since I updated. I guess at this point it’s normal enough that it shouldn’t cause anyone great concern.

Yesterday was my birthday and I have now reached the ripe old age of twenty-four. I feel so ancientful. My sweetie got me Underworld’s entire back catalog of albums, which I’ve been wanting for a while. Previously, I only had A Hundred Days Off, but now my collection is complete. Let me just take this opportunity to say that I. Love. Underworld. Their music has this amazing ability to relax and infuse me with good feelings. I highly recommend everything they’ve put out.

Also in the music department, my brother got me an iTunes Music Store gift certificate, which I much appreciate as it helped me clean out my shopping cart. Courtney and my dad called to wish me happy birthday, and Bryan’s mom sent me a cute card. Thanks everybody!

In addition to getting a year older, we checked out Liquid Planet yesterday, which has incredible smoothies. When you come to visit, make sure we take you there, because it’s totally delicious.

And wow, my friend Mattt who I haven’t talked to in forever just IM’d me. Yay!

♫ Underworld - Mmm Skyscraper I Love You

As someone coming out of a conservative southern Christian background (though not Southern Baptist), this analysis of southern conservatism really rings true with me. I especially understand the parts about the “Us vs. Them” mentality and the ideas of spiritual warfare ala Frank Peretti (yeah, I have to admit that I read these books back in high school). I definitely still appreciate the values of Christianity (forgiveness, love everyone around you) but I’m glad to have left the culture.

♫ Paul Van Dyk - Live 7-31-2004

Even though I’m still torn up inside and I fear for the future, life will go on.

♫ The Echoing Green - Apology

I’m so incredibly nervous and sad about the election. God, I just don’t want to think about four more years of the same. Shit shit shit.

Oh, and to add insult to injury, Issue 1 passed. See the end of the previous paragraph for my insightful commentary.

11:30 am: Kerry conceded. And it’s my state’s fault. Fuckity fuck fuck.

♫ I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Your Worst Is The Best