No. 233: an absolute infinite substance is indivisible

being 20 and not knowing much, it's rare that i'm able with immediate clarity to discern anything about my own feelings. but i do know this:

i don't like spinoza.

hs

No. 145: upward over the mountain

Yowzah.
Sometimes things fall apart. Friends have been breaking up. Mike and I broke up (uncomfortable, but for the best in the long run, I think). People in love are on the rocks right now. It's strange. The most beautiful and romantic time of the year and everything is turning cold again. It's not all bad though.

Today is my last day of Philosophy. Going to go take my test in ten minutes. Shouldn't be too bad. Then an hour and the first half of my Spanish test and thus the first half of my last day of Spanish (to be concluded Friday). Today is my last Nonfiction class (thankyouLord). Then I plan to take a LONG nap. Michael gave me the week off from Carma's. I need to talk to him b/c I'm going to be gone most of May and June. Sigh.

Here, quickly are the songs for Sunday. Sorry my posting is becoming a bit of a traditional lateness.

An aside: Chris just woke up and walked into the kitchen, scaring the bajezzus out of Nivia. Hearing the interaction from my room will probably turn out to be the highlight of my day. My apartment isn't all bad.

1. Kick, Push// Lupe Fiasco: Matt and Geof introduced me to Lupe's music last week. It's pretty great stuff. Intelligent, fun rap. Plus his voice is really nice. It's a little like Talib Kweli meets The Cool Kids, except replace BMX bikes with skateboards. "Superstar" is another amazing song, as is "The Cool". This is more appropriate considering the boys tried to teach me to long board with negative results.
2. Pangea//Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: A nod to Ian for the intro. Really fun music. Reminds me a little of I'm From Barcelona, but more refined. Check it. Or as Ian said, "Wrap your little ears around that, sunshine. Thank me later."
3. Tokyo // The Books: This song is from The Lemon of Pink album which is great. I was initially going to put "Read, Eat, Sleep" on here, b/c Thought for Food is my favorite Books album, but anyway-- this is amazing.
   
4. Superconnected // Broken Social Scene: Such a scarily beautiful song. All their music is generally intense, but it's great. I've been listening to a lot of them lately, just from hanging around people that do, and I've begun to incorporate them into the favorites. Anyway-- enjoy this.
   
5. Grounds for Divorce// Wolf Parade: The version on the playlist is live, or rough cut or something. I like it. But the version on the album is phenomenal. Great fast driving song, or early morning driving. His voice is so haunting. And intense. I saw Sunset Rubdown live last semester and they were phenomenal as well.
   
6. Set You Free // The Black Keys: Pretty in love with this song since I first heard it. I like that they sound so much like delta blues but with this intense rock sound that's a little AC/DC, a little Sabbath. This song is not really like either of those, but I like it anyway. I feel like BB King would nod his head and approve this, and that sits well with me.
   
7. Final Frontier// RJD2: Def. my favorite RJD2 song. Just go listen to the album, I can't even talk about the talent.
   

After Philosophy Test:

Ok, so that went alright. Only took me 25 minutes to finish, but I feel like I did a good job. Studied hard enough for it. Now I've got the mind numbingly frightening Spanish test to take and from then on my day is cake.

You should listen to Buena Vista Social Club. Because it's good music.
And take me shopping, too. If you wanted.

H.

no. 137: where it says table, read horse

I'm telling you right now:

Go to this link.
Watch. Listen. Love.

If you don't have time to listen to the whole hour (I was there, but I'm re-listening and have it going while I read Ayer for Philosophy-- it's eerie, a little), then load up the whole thing and go to the song "Errata" which begins around 30 minutes in. Bonnie's soprano voice is the sound of a ghost relationship sobbing tears of gold. That's my semi-professional analysis. Sitting there listening to her sing it gave me goose bumps and brought tears to my eyes. I thought I was just PMSing and caught in the moment, but here I am all weepy and marveling.

A big "Huzzah!" for Diamond. Props, my friend. And Bonnie-- you are a voice of ethereal light in the darkness. Right on.

It's been a LONG day, kidds, but I think I prefer opening shifts at Carma's.
I also never thought I'd say this, but I miss J.S. Mill. Ayer stresses me out.

H.

no. 129: music etc. and life, currently

So I've been reading:

• Oscar Wilde by Sheridan Morley which I bought at Daedalus on my class skipping book buying adventure with Joseph on Friday. I'm about a third of the way through it. The only reason I'm not done is that pesky class business that keeps interfering with my life.
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling because Geof had it, I haven't read it, and I'm tried of people looking at me like I'm nuts when I relate that fact to them.
  
• Groundings for the Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant, because my philosophy teacher is sadistic and we have a test on Wednesday. I still haven't quite grasped all the concepts Kant puts forth. I also hate him.
  
• The Floating Opera by John Barth. It's amazing and I wish I had more time to read it. Got a good bit through it the other day and then before the Nick whateverhislastnameis reading. About a quarter of the way. Going to Vail is going to be really good. Hopefully Kendall doesn't mind me just lazing around, drinking tea and reading, b/c that's exactly what I want to do. I will finish this book over break.
  

So that's what's up with that. I've also been playing a lot of Scrabulous, which is the new Text Twist and also has crack-like side effects. WKC is at this moment schooling my behind. It's embarrassing. In any case-- here are this week's Seven. Sorry I'm late again, but it was a crazy weekend.

1. "How It Ends" by DeVotchKa: God I love this band. I love them much much. They're coming to the area soon and while I don't have the mullah to purchase my tickets right now, have no doubt, kiddos-- they will be mine. They're haunting and strange and the new album comes out like... Saturday and I'm EXCITED! This was in Little Miss Sunshine, along with a few other of their songs. If you like them, the song "I Cried Like a Silly Boy" is my favorite. Ch-check-checkitout!
2. "Ghost of a Good Thing" by Dashboard Confessional: Now I know what you're going to say, and you're right. This is about as emo as it gets. And the lyrics are sort of repetitive. But really-- if you let yourself go, the first few lines get you. This just came up on shuffle and then it made me listen to the whole album all over again, and you know what-- it's still pretty emo. But sometimes, when I'm happy enough to withstand its effects, it's kind of awesome.
   
3. "Beautiful Mess" by The Cloud Room: Crazyface introduced me to this band and you know, hey thanks, McPsycho. They're actually great and super underrated, in my opinion. They sound like a mixture of a bunch of different post-punk pre-grunge bands, but more polished. In any case-- this is a song I love for a few reasons, but mostly because it's good to rock out to in the car.
4. "Very Loud" by The Shout Out Louds: Another mentalCase inspiration, but also I threw this on here b/c I found an artistic representation of the lyrics I drew/collaged for this song like... last year in a journal last week and have been thinking about doing another one for "Bag of Hammers" by Thao & the Get Up Stand up, which, coincidentally is the next song. Anyway-- I'm a sucker for eastern European breakthrough bands, I suppose.
5. "Bag of Hammers" by Thao & the Get Down, Stay Down: Thanks to Meredith for the recommendation and Michael for the provision of CD. It's a great album and I'm looking forward to more things from her. This song sticks in my head and makes me dance around all happy like. Check it out, yo.
6. "Aside" by The Weakerthans: We were listening to them while closing today b/c someone with taste played them on WTMD and Aaron wanted to hear them. I forgot how great they are, and how angsty but poetic and wonderful the lyrics are. Plus, you know, life applicable. "The Reasons" is another great song, as is "This is a Fire Door, Never Leave Open". But anyway-- have a listen.
   
7. "If Work Permits" by The Format: Okay-- yes, another pop-punk song by a band given to severe emo on occasion. But give Dog Problems another listen, I'm not even kidding you, it's brilliant in places. This is one of those places. I was listening to it by accident and didn't even remember putting it on my Itunes, but was intrigued and shocked to find it was in fact them. Seriously, though, who am I kidding. I'm a Format sucker, from "Porch" to "Snails". In any case-- this a great song and if you take issue with that, then okay-- I guess I lose music credibility points. But sometimes you just need guilty pleasures.
   

Okay good. Well that's that. And now I'm up past my intended sleep hour and I've still got Philosophy to study. Good night, boys and girls.

H.