Song Of The Day #2: The Luckiest Guys On The Lower East Side

Today's song is The Luckiest Guys On The Lower East Side by The Magnetic Fields:



I recently started listening to their album 69 Love Songs, which is exactly what it sounds like. So far, this is one of my favorite tracks. I'm a sucker for most songs with narratives, and this is a really cute and pleasant song. It's just a nice little ditty and brings a day up with some humor and and a bit of sweetness. Give it a listen!

On an unrelated note, I posted a couple of these around campus today:

Feels good man

Song Of The Day #1: Kissing The Lipless

I was thinking that I needed to be blogging more when an idea hit me:

I could do a song of the day! It's perfect! I like sharing my tastes with others and it'll give me the chance to write about songs as well as a constant flow of content. I'll be picking out songs I like and explaining why I like and picked them. Without further ranting...

My first song is Kissing The Lipless by The Shins.



This is one of those songs that just kinda hit me out of nowhere. I like how it starts soft and then he gets really passionate as it goes on. I also enjoy the vivid visuals in the lyrics. It's one of my favorite songs by them (and I heard it this morning, hence the pick). It's kind of a sad song, but it doesn't really come off that way from his voice.

Anyway, comment and tell me your opinions on it!

EDIT: You know, I feel like I should've wrote more but it's not always easy! I don't really have a lot of personal feelings towards this song or anything so it's difficult to write a lot. I mean, it's more about sharing the song and hearing others comments anyways. Just wanted a disclaimer.

The Post In Which I Talk About My Smoking Habit

So, I'm apparently a smoker now. I'm not sure when I figured this out, probably when I actually started enjoying it rather than just doing it to look cool.

This would be the look I'm hoping for

Immediately after typing the above, I've realized this post is going to be longer and needs more explanation than I originally though, so let's start with this fact: I'm a social smoker.

I have smoked on my own a total of two or three times in my life. It's just not something I do. I'm not addicted, I don't need to smoke, and I generally don't care how cool I look to the random people on the streets. That doesn't mean I only do it to fit in or because other people are. I do it because I enjoy it, it relaxes me, and I like to pretend it makes me look cool. That right there leads me to the reason that I started smoking.

I started because I like the way it makes a person look. I don't give a damn how shallow or stupid that sounds, it's why I started. It's not like I ever hid that fact, I openly told the people around me that I pretend it does. Hell I'm not even saying it actually makes me look cool. You know that feeling when you get a new shirt and it makes you feel good and you want people to notice it? It's an accessory, same as anything else.

I started a while ago, not exactly sure when, over a year though. I mostly smoked cheap-as-hell cigars because they were cheap. Being myself though, I had a craving to try new things and interesting varieties so I've moved through a few types of cigars and cigarettes.

1. Hell, I can't even remember the name of em, the cheap multi-flavored cigarillos that cost like $2 at Speedway for a pack of 20. Also they suck.
2. Marlboro Blend 54's - I got these because they were menthol, which I like, and because the box looked cool. I liked them a lot but I'm not sure if I'd get them again.
3. American Spirit Menthols - Yes I know, stereotypical hipster cigarette. Still, I wanted a quality menthol and the variety at the Beech Grove Speedway is incredibly lacking. They're really good, a little smoother than the Marlboro. I'd smoke them again for sure.
4. Lucky Strikes - An American classic. These guys are unfiltered and STRONG. I mean, get weak after like two inhales strong. Still, they've got a good taste and I'm a sucker for things that make me feel like I could be in the 50's.

See, a classic!

I've tried others that I enjoyed too, but those are the only ones I've bought packs of. When I say packs, I actually mean a pack each, because I really only smoke like one a week so they last forever, although it's been more like two a week this semester, probably because a lot of people I know here smoke too.

Now, I started because I liked the way it looked, but I keep going because I like the relaxation it brings and the taste. I could quit anytime and I damn well know it. I've got no cravings and I can easily go a week without one. Plus, it makes situations where everyone is outside and smoking more pleasant.

I know what some of you might be thinking by now, and it's probably one of two things:

1. "Andrew! You're smarter than that! Smoking kills!"
2. "Andrew! You're retarded and I hope you get cancer!"

Probably about a 50/50 ratio there... Anyway, to those of you thinking the first one, you've got a good point. I don't plan on smoking forever, however, and college is a pretty good time to do those things that are unhealthy that you should probably stop doing after college (blackout drinking, looking at you). I'm certain that most people have a good deal of unhealthy habits both physical and otherwise. If you aren't going to stop those then I don't think I should stop mine. To those of you thinking the second one, I'm not sure why you'd be reading my personal blog...

Anyway, I like smoking. I like the way it looks, I like trying new kinds, I like the relaxation (seriously, no one ever tells you how much it relaxes you! I mean, I've heard that before but we're talking like an actual chemical "my muscles are soothing" sort of thing!), and so on. I have to be honest, never really pictured myself as a smoker. I'm not too bothered by it.

It still makes me look cool.

Just Saying

I'm not dead. Mostly a reminder to myself here. This way, I can look back in a month when I post next and pretend this counts.


Also, I may or may not be delaying studying for Calculus. I should blog about my hatred of Calculus.

I hate Calculus.

Meeting The Night

It's almost 4:30 at night and I'm in my room alone.

I don't know how to describe the peace I feel right now. It's wonderful, to have a space all to myself. I don't have anything to worry about tomorrow, I've got total peace of mind. I haven't been this at peace in a while.

There's a lot of things I'd like to write about, if I ever get around to it. I've changed my major to Computer Science. It'd be nice to talk about why I did that and why I'm excited about that.

I'm still addicted to League of Legends. That probably deserves a post.

I don't know, I can't think of anything else and don't really care to right now. I'm really relaxed, and that's what matters.

On the list of seemingly pointless blog posts I've made, I'm sure this ranks up there for some of you but you need to know how much I'll enjoy sleeping tonight and waking up tomorrow.

It's a lot.

Winning Combination

So Five Guys Burgers and Fries, also known as "Best Place To Get A Burger", is getting the Mecca of soft drink machines, the Coca-Cola Freestyle (read my feelings about that here) installed in every single location. This made me feel... I think a picture would fit this better:

This right here

Also this

I could not possibly be happier. I mean, I liked Firehouse Subs but driving 20-something minutes just for Peach Vault (and hot sauce) kind of sucks. Five Guys is a perfect place to pair with such a damn good drink. I will be eating there far more often as soon as this sexy beast shows up in Bloomington.

To those of you that haven't had Five Guys, it's really good. You should eat there. If I were to ask you what the best burger you've ever had is and you don't have a decent answer, the answer will probably become Five Guys. I'm not saying it's the best ever but for a major chain it's so damn good.

Seriously, I need this now.

A Gaggle Of Morons

I'm currently located in the basement of Forest A Tower, hanging out with the group of people I've got to know so well over the course of last year. I guess I don't think about the fact that I've only known these people for less than a year. I mean, I didn't even start hanging out with a lot of them until 2nd semester.

Just a thought.

Tearing Out My Hair On The Bedroom Floor

So, it's four thirty on a Saturday afternoon and I'm sitting alone in my room, doing nothing but browsing the web pointlessly.

I woke up at 3 today, so I suppose that makes the situation less pointless but still.

I'm listening to Matthew Fozzi, the ex-backing vocalist from Tacking Back Sunday's, new band's album. It's pretty solid so far. Nice to listen to something I want to listen to instead of some of the things my friends choose for our little music club thing. I really aughta write about that sometime. There are a lot of things I should theoretically write about, but I'm too damn lazy.

I've had trouble wanting to write anymore. I feel like if it's about a subject I'm actually passionate about then generally no one gives a damn. I don't just want to write posts about negativity, that just drags in a bunch of appreciated-but-misplaced sympathy. I want to write for myself, not for anyone else. Not right now.

I'll probably be writing here more. I hope that you'll still read this, as I do honestly want other people to read it. I like the idea of keeping so much out in the open like this. I just don't want to feel like I have to keep people entertained when I'm obviously piss poor at it.

This thing has been long enough, I'm going to get off my ass and do something productive. Like eat. Eating is productive.

Like A Ghost In The Static

Do you ever wonder if there's a point to anything you say, or if anyone finds it remotely interesting? What if it's wrong, or makes you look stupid? What if it's something you won't agree with tomorrow when you think about it, something you just said in the moment? How do you know when you're clear in mind, not just believing it? Which thoughts of yours are the ones you really mean? What if you can't figure out what you think about something? What if your perception of reality has become too warped to accurately assess a situation, even when you try? Why do you try?

Why am I even writing this? So I can get a pity comment? So some jackass friend can post something about how no one cares? Am I vain? Do I think I'm important? Witty? Clever? How can I tell if I don't think I am or I'm just being humble (or pretending to be)? Can one lie to themselves?

Just a bit of thought I'm going through while not studying.

Dancing Yellow Robots

So, I'm back in Bloomington...