Lately...

The music link is Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton at the 9:30 club from npr.org. She is, by the way, playing this weekend at the Varsity. Listen. If you like it, I can't imagine it will be too pricey to swing down.

The other music link is a band I found on a compilation disc given as a gift for members of KFAI. They are listed as country, but only so much as blues is country... at least on their most recent release. I really dig it. It is in a folk style similar to Men-at-Work's Colin Hay's solo stuff, but definitely rooted in old blues. Also has some feeling of Bob Schneider and Dr, John somehow. Either way, the song "One More Day" makes me want to do a foot-stomping, arm-swinging barn dance while wearing a dusty flannel shirt, overalls, and a straw hat... or maybe just a suit of dirty long johns.

Went to the Walker to see Neil Gaiman last night with a friend. I had read American Gods and liked the themes, despite not really appreciating the book as a whole, but really enjoyed last night's readings. I believe they are all from his recent short-fiction/poetry compliation, which I now intend to buy (maybe when in paperback). He says that most all of his writings are about storytelling and he knows well the craft... as long as he keeps it short. I am starting to feel the same way about deLint.

After the lecture, we went to Town Hall on the recommendation of a friend at work. It was good. I wish I was not driving as to have more time to sample, but what I tried was good. They have a beer that uses lemon-grass and orange blossom in the recipe. Very interesting and very strong. I didn't check, but I would hope that they have a sampler instead of having to drink pints at a time for trying it out. And by the way, though non-traditional, their fries are some of the best I have ever had. I highly recommend them and the place overall. Funny that there are so many good places to eat and drink so close to the U.