A Weekend in October

In what could have been the last warm weekend of the year, I tried to go outside...twice, even. I took a few deep breaths as I enjoyed the air and thought to myself: "It's warm."

I retract that last statement knowing full well that it was 60 degrees on January 2nd of this year. Anything can happen.

- The culinary highlight of the weekend was the purchase of a deep fryer. As I purchased this item, I wondered to myself whether buying something that most people wait for their weddings to obtain was pathetic, or awesome. I didn't exactly need one, but it would be nice to fry eggrolls in a pot that won't stink up the place for a week. Instead, my apartment will stink for the next few days. After two uses, I wonder now if I can limit using the fryer to once a month. Oil is sort of fun to play with.

- Shoppers at Target can now impulse purchase that Arcade Fire album. It's conveniently placed at the registers along with Seals and Crofts and Steve Miller. That it appears the store is trying to move these units because of an overstock may back my opinion of the album...or not.

- I acquired this album. It turns out to be better than I expected. The arrangements are still beautiful and a little more upbeat. The lyrics aren't as depressing this time around...which is a nice break. They didn't push the stark juxtaposition of the two elements as hard, but I still like the way they use the formula.

- As I passed through south-central Wisconsin today, I noticed that the leaves have changed quite a bit. I still see a lot of green around here, so it was kind of a shock. Then I was shocked that I was shocked. Growing up in a subdivision next to a small forest, I always took the color change for granted. I guess the assimilation into city life continues.

- The city is littered with MANCOW billboards that depict renditions of popular rock albums from the '90's. It hit me today that these billboards are directly targeted at those who would recognize these covers. We're talking about people who were in their early college years or late high school years while this music was popular. I bet most people born before 1974 and after 1984 wouldn't immediately recognize the covers. I've never felt directly targeted by an ad before. It's a strange feeling...And it made me feel a little old. Those albums are on the verge of becoming classic rock.

. . [~] . 0 (Grumble) Grumbles .