apple juice

A site that I frequently go to when I want to read about a new movie, cd or videogame is Metacritic.

The wonderful thing about this site is they take a CD for example, Spoon’s Kill The Moonlight (a 2002 top 10 candidate) and they have a database of newspapers and online sources from which they gather the scores and excerpts from all the different reviews of this album. They then assign a meta-score, and provide links back to each individual review.

It does wonders for my research process when I’m going to buy a new disc (be it DVD, CD or GameCube game).

Note to the RIAA. I do actually do research before buying CDs, I don’t listen to the radio to find new music, and I’m not going to buy what you tell me to buy. I rarely buy a CD on impulse. I’m always going to try to have heard most of the album before purchasing it. I know you think filesharing is the problem, it’s not. The problem you have now, is that all of us (your customers) are becoming better informed. We don’t want to buy the crap you’re trying to feed us.

Filled with songs that slowly seep into your everyday life, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco is possibly one of my favorite albums of all time. The intertwining melodies of each track on this album flow perfectly from beginning to end. Give this one the headphone test, it passes.

Get a puppy. Although the Yeti-monster (as we have taken to calling her now) is sleeping through an entire night without issue, at 6:07am exactly she wakes up and begins whining. She has to go to the bathroom, no problem, I let her out. But I want those few extra minutes of sleep!

Well, I can probably just toss the alarm clock that doesn’t seem to get any radio reception anyways. We’ve got a Yeti-monster now.

Also of note, she knows where her food is, and where the treats are. She knows when we’re leaving for work. She also sits nicely and quietly when she comes back in now, waiting for a treat. This morning she did just that, and as I went to get her a treat, my toe dragged across a wet patch on the floor, hmm what’s this I thought as I carefully rocked up on my heels. Ahhh, once again she has peed on the floor. So now what do I do with the treat I have in my hand? I don’t want to encourage this peeing on the floor behavior, but on the other hand, when I found her, she was sitting quietly by the door, waiting to go out. It’s so hard to think like a dog! Oh well, cleaned that up quick, and we’re off to work. The accidents are becoming fewer and farther between, and if we could just find some toys she enjoyed chewing on as much as she does my toes, we’ll be doing well.

Well, currently I’m listening to what could be the album of the year. I haven’t thought about it enough yet, but I needed a provocative title. 😉

Beck released Sea Change this year, and I think it’s his finest effort yet. Although Odelay and Midnight Vultures were both fun-filled adventures. I prefer the more laid back acoustic sounds of Mutations. Sea Change is right up that street, in the slightly more desirable location. There are a few more toys in the garage, but also a few more issues at home as well. Most of the album deals with what seems to be a depressing breakup. Even still, it’s some quality stuff, and will certainly find a home in your collection

Someday soon I’ll post my ten best of this year, what would be on your ten best of 2002? Let me know in the comments.

The Vikings came through with a huge win in the dome against our arch rivals. I don’t care if they go 3-13 on the year, at least we can say we beat the Packers.

Here’s Yeti at 8 weeks and 1 day old… She’s getting a little chubby.

Are you 24 going on 12 / 40?

12

40

There are roughly 60 bags in that pile, and at 40 gallons a bag, that’s about 2400 gallons of leaves… Out of control. 8:30 – 5:30. The joys of homeownership. But hey, I got to jump in them. 🙂