09.30.04:
So today we'll walk away from September into the arms of October. Has anybody ever wondered why September is the ninth month? Wouldn't it make more sense to switch July with September? I say, "Down with the Gregorian calendar!" Let's bring back the days of the Roman calendar. God save the queen. Earlier I was thinking about autumn, and how perfect the fall is in every way. Today I ate a taffy apple. Now I'm all nostalgic for Automatic For The People and driving around in Dan's red convertible with the top down and the fall air brushing up against my skin. I guess I associate the fall with the early 90's.

09.29.04:
Dear Tower Records,
Now, I know you have filed for Chapter 11, and I think that stinks, but I have a solution. Maybe, just maybe you need to price your CDs competitively. Last night I went with a pocketful of money to your store in the suburbs of Chicago to purchase a number of new releases. One album, the latest from the British electro duo Client was priced at $18.99. Earlier in the evening I found the same album on iTunes for $9.99. You do the math. Had the album been priced at $11.99 I would have bought it from you. Instead I returned to my apartment and downloaded it. Sure, I don't get the artwork, but I saved $9, which is a lot. Likewise I also found the latest Delgados overpriced at $16.99. I'd prefer to shop with you instead of Best Buy, but with these ridiculous prices I might be forced to start looking to other stores.

Regards,
SK

So, how is the new Client? Excellent! And the new Interpol? Thrilling, especially since it opens with one of the best songs that the VU and JAMC never wrote. What of the new Delgados? Will be a hit. Oh how my optimism shines bright.

I also downloaded a bunch of tracks from The Late Great Daniel Johnston, an album of cover songs written by Daniel Johnston (he's alive, not dead, as the title of this comp. would lead you to believe). "Go," featuring Sparklehorse and The Flaming Lips, is gorgeous and highly recommended.

Once all this marathon training is over I hope to begin writing reviews again.

Also, Zerostars have an upcoming show on October 1st, at The Beat Kitchen. We play at midnight, so really our show is Saturday morning. It'll be a great show. Get all the show details on zerostars.com.

09.28.04:
Exhausted. Exhuming McCarthy. At practice last night we were all pretty lethargic.

09.27.04:
I'm on hold with Apple and the music is Cat Steven's Peace Train... And the answer is, Disk Utility. Scan the hard-drive and see if there are any problems. Okay. Why couldn't the guy at the store tell me this three weeks ago when my PowerBook made some ugly sounds.

Half day today. I broke down and I'm having cable installed. But only basic cable. I don't need all those fancy movie channels, especially since I barely watch any tv.

Listening to: Emblems (Matt Pond PA — Dear World, or at the least music buying pubic, why is this band NOT huge? I want an explanation and I want it now. Like The Pernice Brothers this band is largely ignored, and they write some of the most achingly poignant songs. But then again, maybe I want them to be a secret.)

09.26.04:
Sunday night.

Today was a 12 mile day. Had this been last weekend I would have come in under 1:50:00 for the half marathon. Oh well. Two weeks until the Chicago Marathon. As I ran the Autumn leaves rained down upon me. Oh how I love Fall.

The above photo is of the new apartment.

Listening to: iTunes random play. Gotta love the new Airport Express and the fact that I can now send music wirelessly to my stereo. Brilliant and highly recommended. Works with a PC too, but you must have iTunes.

09.25.04:
I think it's 09.25.04, but maybe not. It's saturday, and gorgeous.

09.19.04:
About two and a half hours ago I crossed the finish line for the Chicago Half Marathon. What a perfect day for a race along the lake. Everything went so damn well. Thanks to my parents for bringing me to the race and cheering me on, as well as taking some photos. And thanks to the stranger who yelled out to me as I neared the finish line, "Keep it up 707, you're doing great!" Up until the last mile I had my iPod playing, but at mile 12 I took the headphones out of my ears because I love to hear the crowd as I get closer to the finish line. I really pushed myself super hard for this run, and I'm so damn happy with my performance. I was initially going for a 1:57:00 finish time. However, I came in with a 1:52:19 finish time, almost five minutes faster than what I wanted. I ended up placing 1460 out of 5789. Not too bad. This was the first race where I felt like I was competing against other runners. In the past I've just wanted t to finish with a decent time, but today I wanted to beat as many people to the finish line as possible. What I find odd is that I'm not a competitive person.

Since running in my first half marathon four years ago I've taken a total of 20 minutes off of my finishing time. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and the lake breeze really helped. Oh, and my music selection was flawless. I started with Franz Ferdinand, which lasted up to about the fifth mile or so. Then, the Bows came on, which helped me slow myself just a bit. And then, just when I needed some motivation the Go! Team came on, and from that moment forward I was totally high on running as I sprinted across the finish line.

Some photos:

I'm somewhere in that mess of 5789 people. I was pretty close to the front, but I don't like being too close as the faster runners need to be up there.

Taken moments before crossing the finish line. On the way to the race I set the camera on action because I figured my dad wouldn't know how to operate it. What the hell am I looking at up in the air?

The finish time shows 1:53:10, but my race chip time and the time on my watch are 1:52:19. The chip time is way more accurate since it works with a computer that tracks your actual time.

Overall a fantastic race. Oh, and before I forget, whoever puts on the race does an outstanding job as it's one of the most well organized races, and I'd recommend it to anyone. The water stations are never congested and always well staffed. Next up, the Chicago Marathon on October 10th. I'm excited and crazy. I mean, I just finished running 13.1 miles and I'm already looking forward to getting out on Tuesday for a run.

09.17.04
From an email to a friend:

We need to invest in a leader that is not afraid of dismantling the current two party system and declaring himself king. I'd take a monarchy over the current oligarchy. At least with a monarchy we could enter a castle building era, a renaissance of mythic proportions. America could really use a few castles, princesses, unicorns, and fair maidens.

In all seriousness the people of the United States are far to apathetic to truly desire change. I partially blame it on the breakdown of public discourse. People keep touting this "new" medium called the "internet" as a solution to opening up discourse with people using the latest technology called bloggig. The masses, being the ever growing lower class, don't have the time to sit in front of a computer terminal and sift through the massive amount of disinformation that both sides of the campaign put forth. People just want to stare blankly at the latest episode of Everybody Loves Raymond and dream about the newest developments in low carb technology. I think the solution is quite easy. Listen to more Stereolab. My goal is to move to a country with a slight socialist bent, like Sweden, take a Scandinavian bride, and live in a moss/tundra hut.

Sadly as it may sound I feel nothing for either candidate, but not out of apathy. I find it increasingly difficult to support a candidate who doesn't quite know who he is as a person. Kerry, I'm looking at you. I like Bush, but only because he is comfortable with his bumbling idiocy. Bush seems to be happy in his skin. Right now Kerry and Bush are locked, not in a political campaign, but in a campaign to prove who is more manly. The candidate most capable of emasculating the other candidate will win the election. I think it's time for a woman to be elected into the White House, but then again, women are more intelligent then men and have enough smarts to know that only an idiot would want to be president.

The electoral college, along with the two party model, is an antiquated system that needs to be dismantled, and soon. Burn down the disco, hang the blessed dj...

09.16.04
Goodbye Johnny...

09.15.04
Today I announce my semi-retirement from the workforce. No, I'm not quitting my job, I'm just making a commitment to myself to retire at a youthful age, like in my early forties. I'm not waiting until I'm 65 to retire. As far as I'm concerned that's nonsense. Now that I've made the commitment I need to put together some type of plan. Who knows, maybe it'll involve becoming a world famous bank robber. But it's hard for me to imagine myself robbing banks as that just reeks of desperation. Seriously, thievery is the least creative of crimes, as is murder. Crime in general isn't creative, and is sadly overrated. No, I'm not cut out for a life of crime. Plus, a life of crime would involve too much planning, and god knows I'm an awful planner. I bet I'd be more successful as a rodeo clown than as a corporate event planner. There's more glory in being a rodeo clown. However, the prospect of getting gored to death by a bull doesn't thrill me. Maybe I could be one of those sad circus clowns, the kind of clown with a painted on frown. Wait, I hate clowns, so that kills that idea too.

09.14.04
This morning I meant to get up early to run, but I was too sleepy and decided I needed the rest. But I wish I had run. Mentally I need to run. Listening to Bryter Lyter. I'm feeling the need for solitude, a strong need to just take a vacation by myself. Maybe after the marathon I'll get something planned. I wouldn't mind a trip to Europe. Conversations with others make me feel this way. I'd give anything to recapture the lost days and conversations missed.

Song: Strings That Tie To You (Jon Brion - From the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind soundtrack. I could easily play this song on repeat for the remainder of the day, but I won't as it will only break my heart even more.)

09.13.04
Yesterday I did my 20 mile run. Only one month until the marathon. Last week was my peak training week with a total distance of 40 miles. I really not all that sore, just slightly fatigued, which is a positive sign. Looking forward to the Chicago Half Marathon next weekend.

Dear Robyn Hithcock,
Why did it cost me $29 to purchase a ticket to your upcoming show in November. I love your music and all, but $29 is a lot. I know there was a $5 Ticketmaster fee, but still. I hope your new album is good.

09.08.04
Before I forget, Zerostars, October 1st, 2004, at The Beat Kitchen. Get all the glorious details at zerostars.com. The band recently made some changes to the existing lineup and will be debuting five new songs that are pure pop perfection. Last night's rehearsal went quite well, and Knocked on Wood was a rapture of heavenly bliss. Big thanks to Mark, Mikey, and Jason for making rehearsal so enjoyable and stress-free. And an even bigger thanks to Jason and Mikey for knocking out those harmonies. They both win MVP for their stellar effort in getting the harmonies together in such a short time.

09.07.04
Listening to Sam Philips and eating some of the most awfully sweet candy called Cotton Candy. I'm seriously all high on this stuff.