hold on let me think {March 17, 2009}

realization no. 1
Teaching yourself how to sew involves learning from a choppy sea of mistakes. But the end product will be HOLY CUTE once it's finished. (even if the seams are uneven.)

realization no. 2
I'm a lucky girl. I've been approved to leave work everyThursday for a five-hour upholstery class. I have grand plans to revamp a few chairs and possibly turn a profit if things pan out. Fortunately, my boss thinks my hobbies are "neat." I, in turn, think my job is pretty "neat."

realization no. 3
It's very hard to write this, but I don't like the new Handsome Furs album. :(

realization no. 4
Raspberry wasabi mustard is the most delicious mustardin the entire world. Last night's dinner was comprised of mustard,pretzels, and a bottle of st. peter's old-style porter. It was simpleperfection.

realization no. 5
I don't want to hear about facebook's new layout. I am, however, ready for any & all conversations about twitter. I will continue to read the listenerd for all breaking news.

realization no. 6
My mini-bout of insomnia has finally gone away! Whatdid I change? I stopped drinking coffee after 3 pm. My body is betrayingme and I'm only 30. Damn.

realization no. 7
I might get some hell for this, but I'm not in love with A.C. Newman's Get Guilty nor Neko Case's Middle Cyclone. Please don't get me wrong—their solo efforts are noteworthy. I do not hate them and have enjoyed several songs from both releases. They're just sort of, er, safe. Well-executed. Palatable. But I feel like I've heard all of this before. I spent a bit of time re-listening to both releases over the weekend and ended up having adulterous thoughts about The New Pornographer's Twin Cinema.

The New Pornographers (A.C. Newman's and Neko Case's multi-man collaborative vehicle) is like the hot, geeky graphic designer/musician guy across the hall with a kick-ass font collection. He's upbeat and impulsive and noisy. When I think he's going right, he veers left. He leaves me puzzled and wanting more. I deem him "brilliant" even though he probably doesn't deserve it. When I hear him belting out happy, jaunty melodies through the wall, I sing back. They are off-kilter in spots and their taste lingers. They are fantastic.

God, I love Twin Cinema.

A.C. and Neko's solo efforts remind me of the guy I'm supposed to fallin love with—but I never, ever quite get there. He's a nice guy. Talented, too. He has so much potential. My friends rave about him. Dogs wag their tails at him. But he's notchallenging or surprising. He's not quirky enough. His music reminds me of other things. He's a bit repetitive. Creative, yes, but slightly unimaginative at times. I become bored quickly. I'm hard on him—unforgivable. I try to sing-along to his tunes, but I only end up humming. And once it's over, I've forgotten what I was humming in the first place.

With that said, I do like the songs that I've posted below. Don't hurt me, people!

Sing Me Spanish Techno - The New Pornographers | purchase:
This Tornado Loves You - Neko Case | purchase:
Submarines of Stockholm - A.C. Newman | purchase:
The Bleeding Heart Show - The New Pornographers | purchase:

(image from redvelvetart.com)