Apartments, Politics and Playlists

I'm all moved in to the apartment building which gave this blog its name. Its quite marvelous; being able to describe my morning as "taking a shower in my bathroom, then walking downstairs to my kitchen to have a cup of tea and look out my window" is a joyful thing indeed. The only downside was the fire alarm going off at 5 this morning, rudely waking me up and keeping me there for several hours.

We are without internet in the apartment, and so the hours I typically waste online are being spent doing other things. I'm re-honing my reflexes and coordination through liberal doses of video gaming, and pursuing a deeper understanding of our culture by watching television for the first time in two years. This will probably last about a week, but in the meantime I'm realizing that simply cutting out one way in which I waste my day does not of necessity mean I will use said time constructively.

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I recently was introduced to White Horse Inn by Bryan Becker, and am enjoying it immensely. Basically, its talk radio. With four guys arguing. About theology. If that sounds like your cup of tea, check it out.

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I normally abhor online quizzes, but I found this one to be quite interesting. It rates your political beliefs (Centrist, Capitalist, Libertarian, Anarchist, Democrat, Totalitarian, Fascist, and Socialist). Suprise suprise, I'm strongly socialist, particularly on the economics axis of the chart. If you feel like it, check it out and tell me what you are, so I can decide whether or not we can still be friends.

Just kidding.

But seriously.

Here's my actual results, if you're curious:

You are a Social Liberal (66% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (10% permissive) You are best described as a: Socialist Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid

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A couple of music bits:

-I bought Indelible Grace 4 last week, and am digging it. It definately continues in the vein of the third CD, rather than a throwback to the heavy country of the second one. High points include songs 5-7, all of which I'm really digging, especially "Lead On O King Eternal."

-Today I intend to drop by Homers and pick up "Yes, Virginia", the Dresden Dolls' new sophmore album. I've always considered them a guilty pleasure band; I don't know what the angsty post-goth piano-drums duo does for me, but hearing Amanda Palmer angrily sing about insanity, murder, rejection and coin-operated boys has always been an oddly enjoyable diversion.

-I also discovered Soltero, an indie rock band from Philadelphia with horns and singer/songwriter sensibilities (say that five times fast). I'm really into the songs they have online, and besides, any group with an album titled "Defrocked and Kicking the Habit" wins points with me.

-And, for those of you who find such things interesting, here's my latest mix CD, a mix of a couple new discoveries and some old favorites:

1. Communist Love Song - Soltero
2. Up Above the Sea - John Vanderslice
3. I'll Believe in Anything - Wolf Parade
4. Art is Hard - Cursive
5. Lover, You Should've Come Over - Jeff Buckley
6. Prison on Route 41 - Iron & Wine/Calexico
7. Fell Down the Stairs - Tilly & The Wall
8. Rapture Rapes the Muses - Of Montreal
9. Building Steam With A Grain of Salt - DJ Shadow
10. Sky Is Falling - Blackalicious
11. Fit But You Know It - The Streets
12. In This Home on Ice - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
13. All the Wine - The National
14. The Greatest - Cat Power
15. Dance to Your Daddy - Colin Meloy
16. The Night's Disguise - Rocky Votolato
17. Roses - Kanye West
18. The Widow - The Mars Volta