living in misery

New Blog

2010-01-15T19:48:00.000-06:00

I have a new blog. It's here. Thanks for the memories.

This is the end.

2009-12-31T23:59:00.001-06:00

As the decade draws to an end, I have decided to complete this blog's run as well. 640 or so posts is a lot of material. I think I've said enough at this URL.No, I am not cowering to my detractors. Though they have criticized the content and premise of my blog with little or no original thought of their own, they are not the sole reason to end living in misery. I have probably posted longer than

2009: The Year of Lists - Best Singles

2009-12-27T05:33:00.006-06:00

Here's my list of the year's best songs. I won't say much about any of these songs and just let the music speak for itself. Also, I put them in no order as this list is even more fluid than an albums list. Not all of these tracks were released as singles, but they are all good, taking up residence in my head at various times this year.Animal Collective - "My Girls"Animal Collective "My Girls"

2009: The Year of Lists - Tina Roselle

2009-12-26T05:39:00.003-06:00

Tina appeared on my radar a while back with some comments here and there. I finally followed the hyperlinked trail to her blog, A Ravenous Horde. She's done what I would have liked to do with this blog which was to make it a full-fledged local music blog. Between previews and reviews of local shows, Tina fits in regular commentary on current music trends as well as some free MP3's. It's good

The Revinylization Project: Year in Review

2009-12-25T05:58:00.001-06:00

I bought a lot of vinyl this year. The picture above is only a portion of the records I accumulated in 2009. Missing are the old, used, and reissues, but the picture still gives you a taste of how much vinyl was dropped off at my house by the UPS lady. Even with a few releases yet to be released, I bought a lot of records.And I was good at sticking to the vinyl, so to speak. I bought one album (

2009: The Year of Lists - John-Paul

2009-12-24T05:25:00.000-06:00

John-Paul provided me his Last FM profile for his biographical information. So, I'll let it do the talking for me.In Dark Trees is American experimental ambient and post-rock artist, John-Paul McFarland. The moniker is taken from a Brian Eno song. IDT also features Logan Epps and Michael Hopkins live.IDT joined the mid-western co-op arts label, Yards and Gods in 2008. Y&G also features

2009: The Year of Lists - Kristen

2009-12-23T05:03:00.004-06:00

Kristen and I go way back, but we haven't really been able to get to know each other until the past couple of years or so. We met many years ago at a Jon Spencer Blues Explosion show. I approached Kristen and her friend because they were acquaintances of my roommate. We all had a nice time, but I spent the night wondering which woman I should ask out. Being the indecisive person I am, I never

Best Albums of the Oughts

2009-12-22T04:41:00.003-06:00

Here's the decade's recap in descending order...100. St. Vincent - Marry Me99. Wolf Parade - At Mount Zoomer98. Silver Jews - Bright Flight97. Sleater-Kinney - One Beat96. Devendra Banhart - Cripple Crow95. The Black Keys - The Big Come Up94. Sunset Rubdown - Random Spirit Lover93. Radiohead - Amnesiac92. The White Stripes - Elephant91. Belle and Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress90. Handsome

2009: Year of Lists - ATR

2009-12-21T04:58:00.000-06:00

ATR used to be a COMO-ian. Then, his partner Monkey (who names their kid "Monkey?") decided to move off to Nebraska. Luckily, Lincoln is still in the central time zone. ATR teaches the children of the corn how to read and write. As you can tell from his review of the year's offerings that ATR knows a thing or three about the written word. So, those chil'en are probably in

Best of the Oughts: Albums 1-10

2009-12-20T04:55:00.017-06:00

We're finally here. The end of the decade is nearly upon us as is my list for the best albums of said decade. The further I moved down this list, the easier it became for me to justify inclusion of these albums in their rankings. Sure, the rankings will change and probably have since I first began this list, but I'm pretty confident with where things stand now.Most of these records came out just

2009: The Year of Lists - Jeff Menter

2009-12-19T05:21:00.004-06:00

Jeff is someone I met through beering. He let me use his equipment for my first batch of homebrew and has been a regular commenter on the blog ever since - mostly to disagree with me. Most of his days are spent working from home, so we G-chat from time-to-time. Also, he's from Alaska and so I blame him for Sara Palin. (I kid. I kid.)The opinions below are his as I would never make a list of music

Best of the Oughts: Albums 11-20

2009-12-18T05:00:00.019-06:00

This list is a nice mixture of things. There are several years represented. the subgenres are all over the place. The first and last comp of the top-100 resides in this ten. There are break-up albums, albums of social protest, rock records, Gypsy music, two-piece bands, seven or eight-piece, etc. It's all here.20. Various Artists - Dark Was the NightI generally stay away from compilations for any

2009: The Year of Lists - GE

2009-12-17T03:56:00.004-06:00

I "met" GE after I learned of his terribly-neglected blog through a mention by one of my favorite authors/cultural critics John Sellers. What I Listened to on My Way to Work Today was my one daily read for the six or so months GE kept it going. The premise was simple yet genius. GE rode the subway in NYC to work every day, listening to his iPod filled with a nice variety of punk, alt.country,

Best of the Oughts: Albums 21-30

2009-12-16T04:51:00.006-06:00

The tens just keep getting better and better. We're nearing the realm where you cannot argue. Be forewarned.We're back to a lot of older stuff, but I believe that will level off soon. I bet you can't wait to see what comes next.30. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Stephen MalkmusNo Pavement this decade. So, SM's first solo album will have to do. It was really just leftover Pavement stuff that he

2009: The Year of Lists - Kate

2009-12-15T05:07:00.004-06:00

Kate is my sister. She is studying to be a baker. She's smart, funny, and has good taste in music. Little Katie used to raid my music collection in order to shape her own. The fact that she made multiple mix tapes of grunge bands gives you some idea as to how old we are.These lists are hers, not mine, but she's right on every choice. I totally forgot about that Sunset Rubdown record. I may have

Best of the Oughts: Albums 31-40

2009-12-14T00:20:00.014-06:00

Now, this is a nice mix of new and old. I'm still not 100% about the Flaming Lips album, but this is where it stands today. I was late to the Strawberry Jam party as with Okkervil in general. Oh, and Deerhunter as well. However, I was on time, if not early, for TVOTR and The White Stripes.40. The Flaming Lips - EmbryonicAfter The Soft Bulletin, I didn't care much for any of the work put out by

2009: The Year of Lists - Zach Noland

2009-12-13T05:49:00.002-06:00

Zach Noland is a national treasure who left a void in the COMO scene forever...or until he can't make it in the big city and returns to good ole Mizzou-Rah. Luckily, he pities me enough to contribute a post demonstrating wisdom well beyond his years and even further beyond my incapable hands. (I have carpal tunnel - self-diagnosed.)Along with contributor Carrie Wade and a few other yahoos, Zach

Best of the Oughts: Albums 41-50

2009-12-12T04:50:00.006-06:00

Strangely enough, I discovered all these albums after moving here. A couple were actually released before making the nine-hour trek, but I didn't listen to them until landing in Misery. It says something about my tastes that so many albums from recent years are popping up at the top of my list. I'm either forgetting how much I loved music from the first half of the decade or the newer stuff is

2009: The Year of Lists - Kevin

2009-12-11T05:26:00.002-06:00

Kevin Sears is not related to the people who sell you cheap crap with expensive warranties that only work in that you never have to cash them in...except when you didn't purchase one, then something goes wrong. No, he's of the Oklahoma Sears and they always drive a hard bargain.Kevy-Kev is a newer-ish member of the Emergency Umbrella family but he's been around the proverbial block when it comes

Best of the Oughts: Albums 51-60

2009-12-10T04:56:00.014-06:00

I could do this all month and I almost did.60. Iron and Wine - Our Endless Numbered DaysEven when fully polished, Sam Beam can make anything sound like a cool breeze on a mid-summer afternoon as you sip lemonade on the back porch. Even a fart.59. Sufjan Stevens - Seven SwansI didn't care for all the religious imagery until my recovering Catholic partner explained it to me. Then this record took

2009: The Year of Lists - Carrie “Colossal Youth” Wade

2009-12-09T05:16:00.004-06:00

And the hits keep on coming. This one comes from the mind behind Colossal Youth. I think I've suggested that you read her blog and gaze upon her beautiful photos before. If you have yet to do so, click on the link and make it happen.It should also be noted that the opinions expressed in these posts are not those of comoprozac (a pseudonym) or of the owner of this blog. The lists are entirely

Yards and Gods Comp Release Party

2009-12-08T21:41:00.004-06:00

Taking a break from all the lists (and unfinished coursework), I thought I'd mention Saturday's Yards & Gods release party for their second compilation. It's this Saturday at Mojo's and features Cpt Captain, Dark Trees, The Makeouts, Nonreturner, Prize Wolf, Ptarmigan, and Ursus Arctos. All good and all fun.I will have a hard time getting out as there is a Hanukkah party calling my name and it's

Best of the Oughts: Albums 61-70

2009-12-08T05:01:00.014-06:00

And so the list continues...It's actually getting really good around here. I still listen to several of the following records on a regular basis. Dan Bejar makes two appearances on this ten. Three of the bands feature strong female performers. The top two bands on this section of the list are scattered throughout the top-100, making them both strong candidates for band of the decade honors. This

2009: The Year of Lists - Nathan

2009-12-07T05:08:00.006-06:00

One of the best aspects of this blogging thing is the opportunity to meet some nice people in and around COMO. Sure, there have been assholes too, but I really appreciate those who can read the blog and take it for what it's worth. They enjoy some of what I have to say and agree to disagree at other times. They either read the blog politely before moving on or join the discussion.Take Nathan for

Best of the Oughts: Albums 71-80

2009-12-06T05:37:00.009-06:00

This list reminds me of a lot of my last couple of years in Ohio. Other than a couple of the selections, this was most of my listening during that period. It's weird how certain years have lumped together on this decade list. Makes me think I didn't do a very good job of mixing things up.Oh well.80. Modest Mouse - The Moon and AntarcticaA lot of people have identified this as Modest Mouse's best

2009: The Year of Lists - Nardy

2009-12-05T08:40:00.000-06:00

Nardy is Justin Nardy of Bald Eagle and sometimes Foundry fame. He prints t-shirts for tea-baggers, blogs once in a blue moon, draws some cool-as-shit portraits of famous people, Tweets some insanely depressing stuff, and will someday illustrate a children's book for yours truly (if I ever get my act together). Also, he wrote me a top-10 list for 2009. Notice the label mentions. Nardy (I'm

Best of the Oughts: Albums 81-90

2009-12-04T06:02:00.014-06:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm in a rut music-wise. I keep listening to the same bands I did while in college or at least ten years ago. (Um, I finished my undergrad more than ten years ago. Ugh.) Or I listen to off-shoots of the same bands. It's a vicious cycle. Thankfully, my list has a few interesting bits scattered throughout.Also interesting in this ten are all the records from this year. There

2009: The Year of Lists - Telebastard

2009-12-03T05:49:00.009-06:00

Zach Biri (AKA Telebastard) bugs me from time to time to go see his band Nonreturner and/or their label mates on local co-op Yards & Gods. He's right. I should go see these bands as nothing he has ever sent my way was not good. That said, I bugged him to give me a list of the year's best. I can't vouch for the musicians on this list, but I can vouch for Zach and his taste. So, I guess that means

Best of the Oughts: Albums 91-100

2009-12-02T05:51:00.016-06:00

This is the first installment of my Best of the Oughts series. Today's post is the first ten of my best albums of the decade list. I love all the records on this list. Just because these ten are at the bottom does not mean I dislike them. Numbers 91-100 actually have a decent representation of women. Despite my feminist leanings, I am not very good at filling my collection with female performers

2009: The Year of Lists - Pizza Cottontail

2009-12-01T00:09:00.009-06:00

Usually, I do a list of top 31 (or 32) albums of the year for December. This year I decided to change it up a bit and asked you, my faithful readers, to suggest your own top-10 album lists of the year. Some stuck to the basic format of ten great records from 2009 with a blurb here and there. Others chose to veer from tradition, subverting the dominant paradigm and whatnot. I have enjoyed reading

Bad comoprozac

2009-11-24T05:47:00.004-06:00

I have been a bad blogger. There are maybe eight (now nine) living in misery posts this month. This doesn't even mention my long-neglected blogs covering Pavement, beer, Lucia, etc. There just hasn't been time nor motivation.I don't feel bad about this. Blogging doesn't pay the bills. It doesn't help me get closer to R or Lu. It's not getting yard work done. It just isn't that important.That said

Trash Talk

2009-11-19T17:03:00.001-06:00

“Have you ever been to Michigan? The whole state smells like hot dog water. It’s horrifying!” - OSU grad

Tate Forcier Meet Thaddeus Gibson

2009-11-17T06:40:00.004-06:00

"I am going to get (my teammates) to a bowl game. If it means spending 10 hours in film this week, then I am going to do it. But we are going to get them to a bowl game." - Tate Forcier, Michigan freshman QBThe above happens for the 5-6 Wolverines if they beat Ohio State this weekend in Ann Arbor. Good luck.Um, just don't tell the NCAA about all those extra hours in the film room. Tate, how did

Michigan Week

2009-11-16T21:42:00.006-06:00

Mizzou fans hate Kansas and vice versa. The hate runs deep between these two schools. The rivalry dates all the way back to the Civil War era.Now, imagine if both schools had football teams that were 100 times better than they currently are. Or that Mizzou was as good as Kansas in hoops (every year, not just last year). Then imagine a history of the conference title always coming down to their

Busy Fatherhood, etc.

2009-11-11T21:10:00.001-06:00

With fatherhood, work, H1N1 (so I think), and now family visiting, I have had no time to blog.If you need to get that comoprozac fix, wander on over to Ill Composition for a discussion on "Dad Rock" whatever that is. We - meaning a bunch of dads (soon-to-be, present, and holders of yet-unused sperm) - discuss our visions of Dad Rock and how our relationships with our fathers and offspring relate

Strange Days

2009-11-04T07:36:00.005-06:00

Apparently, there was nothing and no one for whom to vote on Tuesday. I made a comment about not knowing anything about voting this year and was chastised on Facebook and heard nothing but crickets on Twitter. But there was no voting here.I drove by the church where we normally vote and it was dead. No flags. No signs reading "Vote Here." Nothing. It's as if COMO was in a strange alternate

Cafe Berlin

2009-11-02T17:17:00.007-06:00

Cafe Berlin once occupied that odd, little building on Providence and Walnut. Before that, it was the Root Cellar. Cafe Berlin's food was mediocre at best the first time we tried it. I had a ham sandwich, something I could have made ten times better at home. I didn't have much hope for the place.Then it seemed like we were hearing from everyone we knew that a great breakfast could be had at Cafe

Music for Lucia

2009-11-02T06:07:00.001-06:00

I haven't written about the kid in a while. I guess that whole month of nothing but Lucia was even too much for me. Not to worry, though. I still give her lots of attention (even if I haven't written a letter in a while).One development in Lucia's...er...development is her love of music. I've always played records for her and sang to her, but she has really shown an interest in anything musical

See The Foundry Field Recordings Saturday (and some others)

2009-11-01T20:56:00.006-06:00

I am terrible at supporting local music. In my youth, I was at every show or at least several every week and I never missed a local fav on consecutive shows. So, I've put in my time. At this point in my life, I'll just do the best I can.That said, go to Mojo's Saturday night and see The Foundry Field Recordings do their thing for only a fiver. For this week's set, the line-up will be Billy Schuh

Random Musings

2009-10-28T22:17:00.001-05:00

It's been nearly a week since I last posted. It's not like I have nothing to say, because I do. It's just that work, school, and family have a way of pushing the blogging aside.Apart from the blogs I mentioned two weeks ago, another Bathysphere alum has entered my Google Reader radar. Kiernan Maletsky gives a full rundown of his daily listening habits along with some insight as to what may have

Re-Views of the News

2009-10-21T19:28:00.010-05:00

Every Wednesday evening in our home, we listen to a local radio show called Views of the News. There are several reasons for this. First, we are nerds, especially when it comes to the news and media. Second, the #1 journalism school in the country resides here. It would be foolish not to tap that resource once in a while for some insight into the news media. Third, it's on after Marketplace and

This Flag Signals Goodbye

2009-10-20T22:21:00.006-05:00

I should have know this would happen. It wasn't as if the band was playing anymore shows. This is maybe sadder than the day Pavement hung it up forever (or next year).Recently, it was announced that Swearing at Motorists would be playing a lone, random show in Dayton. This gave me hope that I would catch them again, but that hope did not last long.I've written about Swearing at Motorists before

600

2009-10-20T21:38:00.004-05:00

It's hard to believe that I have written (actually published) 600 posts on this blog. Sure, several posts were videos or just images, but that's writing too, isn't it? R has a PhD in rhetoric and composition and she'd agree with me.I have published 600 posts in just over three years of blogging. That's about 200 a year, 3.8 posts a week. It's not the most prolific blog ever, but it's something.Of

I need something from you.

2009-10-20T17:05:00.002-05:00

If you are a regular reader/subscriber/commenter on this blog and tend to keep up with music, email me. I have an idea.It's a Gmail account and my user name is comoprozac.Some of you I will probably email anyway, but I don't have email addresses for all of you.Help make my dreams come true.

You Don't Want Any of This, Mizzou

2009-10-18T06:08:00.007-05:00

There's this ridiculous ad on the AM sports radio station here in COMO where a future is imagined where the current football coach's grandson is winning his tenth-straight national championship. It's ridiculous in that no college football team has ever won anything close to ten-in-a-row. Yale won five straight in the 19th century. It's amazing when a team wins consecutive championships or even

Revinylization Project: Port O'Brien and The Monsters of Folk

2009-10-16T04:57:00.006-05:00

Man, I haven't done one of these posts in a long time. Don't get me wrong, I still acquire and listen to new records, but it's been a while. Let's see if it's like falling off a horse.Port O'Brien - ThreadbareMusicSome one's been listening to too much 1970's AM radio. The mood on this record is way less urgent, way more laid back than 2007's All We Could Do Was Sing. It may take a bit for this

Three Local Blogs You Should Read

2009-10-15T17:12:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned some of these folks before, but it's worth mentioning again. COMO has a surprisingly high number of good bloggers. Of course, I mostly pay attention to the music blogs. Three blogs are so good that you should read them before you read this blog when in-search of the music 411.Cool Dry PlaceAlthough I don't consider this a blog in the truest sense (newspaper-affiliated), I do read

Something Not Worth Mentioning

2009-10-14T16:13:00.009-05:00

The STL Rams are mired in a bit of controversy recently. It seems one of the members of a prospective owners group is the issue. I won't mention said prospective minority owner by name, because that's what he wants me to do. Well, not me specifically. Really, he wants people and the media to talk about him because that's publicity that he could use.Actually, the controversy isn't so much about

Miscellaneous Miscellany

2009-10-13T09:40:00.006-05:00

I have been terrible at keeping up with this blog lately. Between work and an incredibly busy 13-month-old child, I just haven't had time for this blog or any others. So, here's some miscellany from the last week or so...As previously mentioned, I had the week to myself. What does a man (stereotypically) do when he's on his own? He watches Monday Night Football, I guess. I watched Brett Favre's

Creature Comforts of The Walkmen

2009-10-04T23:47:00.011-05:00

R and Lu are out of town for a conference and to visit some of her family in Michigan. I'm contemplating Dude's Night Out II, but just getting some time to rest might be enough for me. Either way, I started the week off right yesterday.After surviving this lineup of beers with a friend, I headed out to Mojo's for The Walkmen gig.Recently, I've come to recognize that I keep turning to the same,

Andrew Bird and St. Vincent

2009-10-01T06:47:00.008-05:00

Due to some early returns on my poll, I chose last night's Andrew Bird/St. Vincent show over tonight's Grizzly Bear/Beach House gig. I based my decision mostly on the fact that I prefer St. Vincent over Beach House. The headliners don't mean much to me either way.I don't usually arrive in time to see an opener, but St. Vincent had me intrigued. Her albums are wrought with difficulty and confusion

A Trip to the Farm

2009-09-27T22:10:00.011-05:00

Living two hours from the closest major city (or cities) provides one opportunities for agrarian experiences. Today, our friends invited us out to their farm for such an adventure. There was dinner involved as well, but more on that later.Our friends own a nice plot of land backed up to a creek with space for cows, ducks, chickens, pigs, and turkeys. We've eaten some of their chickens and eggs

Ten Reasons I Won't Attend the Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ Fest

2009-09-23T23:29:00.002-05:00

One of the bigger events in COMO happens this weekend. The third annual Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ Festival returns to downtown, AKA The District (of Columbia). It's a big deal. A lot of people come.You should go and have a great time.I'm not going. It's maybe five minutes away, but I'm not going. Here's why...1. I have class.Of course, I don't mean that I'm too classy for the Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ

WWDDD? (What Would Don Draper Do?)

2009-09-22T20:42:00.006-05:00

I was supposed to go to a fellow beer enthusiast's place to send he and a buddy to the Great American Beer Festival with some extra cash. We were all to donate some money while they poured barbecue and their many homebrews directly down our throats. However, things got busy around our house and I stayed in.Tonight, I had planned to hit an early show at the 'Tag in order to be back in time to help

What did I miss?

2009-09-20T15:28:00.002-05:00

No, I did not quit this blog.A company that will be referred to as "Schmediacom" decided that people who work from home don't need Internet service that badly and cut off our service without notice. We called, waited several hours on the phone, and begged them to return the Internets to our home. Schmediacom politely and somewhat sincerely promised to fix the problem in a week.That seemed like a

Never Forget September 11

2009-09-11T10:51:00.004-05:00

"Never forget 9/11," people say. I won't, but it will be for very different reasons than they're talking about. For me, September 11th is the day Lucia Caroline entered our lives here in Misery.Sure, it has not been as miserable living here since that day, but I have the image of this blog to keep going. So, the name stays. Sorry. So sorry.I wrote a letter to Lucia about her birthday almost a

What was happening on September 10, 2008?

2009-09-10T06:10:00.003-05:00

One year ago today..."Labor Day Came Late this Year"There isn't much to say...except that R went into labor about 3:30 this morning.Cletus is finally set to arrive (and earn a new, more appropriate name).Wish us luck.There were something like 20 comments on the original post. It was a scary and exciting time. We spent the entire day in our basement, moving between a birthing tub and a bed. Who

A Year in Pictures

2009-09-09T05:48:00.002-05:00

Lucia365

Time Capsule: A Year Ago Today

2009-09-08T06:05:00.001-05:00

A year ago today, this whole waiting thing was getting on our nerves. Who knew that it would still be another three days. Also, in retrospect, R was already experiencing early labor. She had some random contractions and whatnot. Things were happening. We just didn't realize.Anyway, here's last year's post...Cletus the Fetus seems to like his/her home in R's womb.We have tried everything to get

Lucia's History Lesson: Labor Day (Community Organizer #7)

2009-09-07T10:16:00.005-05:00

Happy Labor Day, all. This is Peter McGuire. He brought Labor Day to the US.Besides this holiday (and the accompanying three-day weekend), labor unions brought us weekends in general. Don't forget that.For more pieces in the Community Organizer Project, click here.A year ago, we were convinced that Lucia would arrive on Labor Day. I thought that would make a funny anecdote. Instead, she was born

We're Buckeyes.

2009-09-06T06:14:00.007-05:00

Last night, someone assured Lucia that her team won. I asked what team might that be. The dude replied, "Well, Mizzou of course."While I'm pretty sure that Lucia has no idea what a team, football, or a Mizzou are, I'm also pretty sure she won't be a Tiger even if she did know what these things are. Yes, she was born here. Yes, there's a good chance she'll attend the school where her mother

Go Bucks!

2009-09-05T07:36:00.001-05:00

Lucia has her game face on. Bring on Navy!Sorry for all the picture posts. I'll write something soon.

Chef Lucia

2009-09-04T17:08:00.001-05:00

After being showered with gifts from her aunt last week, Lucia received a package from my aunt today. It goes with the kitchen and was accompanied by a rolling pin...which she will invariably chew on or bang against any hard surface within her grasp.Thanks Aunt Pam.

One Year Ago...

2009-09-03T19:35:00.000-05:00

One year ago, R and I became antsy. Lucia (known as "Cletus the Fetus" at the time) was officially one day late. Little did we know she would eventually arrive eight days later, but you know what they say about hindsight.Over the final week of Lucia Month, I will probably look back at what I was posting last year.On September 3, 2008, I wrote the following in a preview list for some fall events

The Revynilization Project: Screening Records for Lu

2009-09-02T17:26:00.004-05:00

I just received some records recently, realizing that they all represent my preference almost exclusively for mid-90's indie rock. What better opportunity is there to introduce music to Lucia than to play some of the best records and artists from the era? Besides, I've neglected my music fan base and this feature in particular.Last Splash - The BreedersMusicThis album still stands out from

Reason #9 Why Lucia and I Live in Misery: Science BAD!

2009-09-01T22:54:00.002-05:00

News hit this week that the high school band in Sedalia stirred up some controversy with t-shirts depicting apes evolving into band geeks. Apparently, some religious zealots were up in arms over the school's overt promotion of evolution. The shirts were returned. Really? Where do we live? Tennessee circa 1926? Kansas circa 2008?It worries me that schools would fold on such an issue. If they

Sorry. I've been busy.

2009-08-31T23:58:00.001-05:00

Thanks, KT.

Hi, How Are You?

2009-08-30T06:42:00.002-05:00

Lucia and Bodhi

2009-08-29T09:27:00.001-05:00

Lucia Feeds Bodhi from comoprozac on Vimeo.

Top-10 Movies Lucia Should Know

2009-08-28T06:07:00.003-05:00

I'm being lazy. Here's a list of the top-10 films Lucia should see as she grows up.10. Breakfast Club - Angst, John Hughes, and class politics played out in a high school detention.9. Heathers - Set in Worthington, Ohio, the not-so-popular girl gets even.8. Harold and Maude - This is the greatest love story ever told.7. Juno - She "watched" it through her mother's eyes.6. Team America: World

Schafly Dry-Hopped APA Cask Night at the 'Tag!

2009-08-28T05:05:00.003-05:00

I know that some of you have not been out to the Ragtag in a while for happy hour. That's OK. This is your time for redemption.Between 6:00 and 6:30 this evening, Barry will tap a cask of Schlafly's wildly popular and very sessionable Dry-Hopped American Pale Ale. He will be offering specials before breaking into the free beer in a wooden cask.I'll see you there!(Image lifted from STL Hops.)

A Message to Mizzou Students

2009-08-27T05:59:00.001-05:00

Today was the first day I've really been out on the streets since the students returned. The traffic was heavier just from the added volume of with the addition of over 20,000 students to the roadways. So, congestion was to be expected.What I sort of forgot about or maybe wiped from my memory was the reckless abandon with which some students drive. I know that it's not all students, but I know

Lucia Wishes Her Pappy a Speedy Recovery

2009-08-26T03:09:00.001-05:00

Forty some weeks ago...Get well soon, Pappy (aka Dad).

Taking a Breath/Stuff to Do

2009-08-25T21:16:00.005-05:00

I had to take a breath for a second from this whole Lucia-everyday-thing I've been doing. It's actually kind of a metaphor for my life right now. Every minute, hour, and day is dedicated to that little girl. Sometimes I have to step back and take a breath. Like now.There are some things you should be doing this week. They are as follows...Tomorrow night (Wednesday), Chuck Berry (yes, that Chuck

Things Lucia Should Know About Her Birthplace

2009-08-25T03:08:00.004-05:00

I have mixed feelings about this place. Sure, the blog is called living in misery and I often complain about living here, but I also point out the positives no matter what some claim.Like all places, there is good and bad. I'm reporting on both here. I'm reporting on what is. Lucia should know something about her birthplace. So, like I did for my own home state, here are the most important points

Kitchen Update

2009-08-24T05:33:00.002-05:00

Lucia's kitchen is done. I just need to find another knob for the stove and some accessories, but it's basically done.

Photo Essay: Osaka Baby

2009-08-23T00:02:00.000-05:00

We ate at Osaka last night. Good sushi. Lucia loves that stuff with the spicy bean sprouts in vinegar. The owner was so impressed that she declared Lu "Osaka Baby".

What Lucia Should Know About My Birthplace

2009-08-22T06:02:00.000-05:00

It's been said here before, but it bears repeating: I am from Ohio. I have the tattoo to prove it, in fact. Some people think that all I do compare Misery/COMO to Ohio, but that's not necessarily true. It's just my point of reference because it's from where I came. I lived there for my first thirty years of life (sans that summer I thought I could live in Seattle). So, it's a big part of who I

Lucia Walks

2009-08-21T06:18:00.000-05:00

Nevermind the silly parental voices. Lucia walked. I count maybe seven steps, but it's difficult to tell.Lucia Walks from comoprozac on Vimeo.

Keys to Indie Rock Geekery

2009-08-20T06:16:00.002-05:00

If Lucia is going to partake in the same indie rock geekery (or snobbery) that dominates her father's life, she will need to follow some basic principles. Here is a list of keys to that geekery. If Lucia follows this advice, she too will know the joy that is indie rock.1. Pavement, Bob Dylan, The Clash, or Sonic Youth are all acceptable bands on which to base your music collection. Really, these

A Video Invite to Lu's Partay

2009-08-19T03:08:00.002-05:00

Lucia's Birthday from comoprozac on Vimeo.If you know us and will be in COMO on the 12th, stop by. This has been posted on Facebook as well. See you on the 12th.

A Little Something to Remember

2009-08-18T06:35:00.002-05:00

I remember these days...Sleeping from comoprozac on Vimeo.

Lucia's First College Football Season (Preview)

2009-08-17T06:54:00.003-05:00

My mom knits Lucia a hat for every month of the year. This month's edition arrived and just in time for football season.Lucia was born a couple of weeks into last year's college football season, so aside from a game or two, she never really got the chance to enjoy the glory that is college football.In case you couldn't tell, Lucia is not a Mizzou fan. Her daddy is a Buckeye fan. By proxy, that

Lucia's Kitchen

2009-08-16T08:23:00.003-05:00

At one time, I had grandiose ideas to build Lucia a play kitchen. No, not because she's a girl. Rather, I wanted her to have a play kitchen because so much of her mother's and my lives are focused on food and drink. She needed space to play make believe on her own since our kitchen is limited on space. We're getting her a train set and other toys, but the kitchen was going to be as essential as

Photo Essay: Lu Eating

2009-08-15T06:50:00.008-05:00

A Letter to Lucia: One or Eighteen

2009-08-14T06:21:00.002-05:00

Reprinted from Letters to Lucia.Dear Lucia,You know, you're getting pretty old. You've grown up so much. I can't believe all the things you can do now. It's really quite impressive how far you've come since that first day I held you in my arms.That said, I think it's time we cut the apron strings. You are old enough to go out on your own. You don't need us to hold your hand anymore, Lucia. You

Photo Essay: Lu at Flat Branch Park

2009-08-13T17:02:00.003-05:00

Bands I Wish Would Reunite So Lucia Could See Them

2009-08-12T12:21:00.012-05:00

It seems to be all the rage this decade for indie bands of the 80's and 90's to reunite for a tour and sometimes a record or two. These were the bands I saw live the first time around or at least on which I cut my indie rock teeth. I wish many of them would reunite in maybe five years so that Lucia could see them as well. I say five years because a concert at this stage would only scare her. She

The Month of Lucia

2009-08-11T16:47:00.005-05:00

Eleven months ago, I became a dad. It's been quite a ride so far, but it's just beginning.In honor of Lucia's first year, I will post something (a picture, a vignette, a memory, something) related to Lucia daily. Stay tuned...

College Football Haiku, Part Deux

2009-08-06T10:59:00.007-05:00

In case you didn't know, college football season will be here in less than a month. To commemorate its triumphant return (as well as the return of cable TV to my home - DirecTV offers the Big Ten Network!!!), I will begin this season the same way I began last bowl season: with a Haiku for each game. Embedded in each of these poems is hopefully some insight into the teams' seasons and maybe a few

Stealing from the Vox: Need-to-dos before students re-invade

2009-08-05T20:33:00.008-05:00

I really don't have many ideas for this blog at the moment. I'm planning something ambitious to start next week, but we'll see about that. My postings always pick up in the fall.However, today I picked up a Vox at the Sub House. Inside were a couple of great ideas for blog posts. I figure that I can steal their ideas and ridicule their choices at the same time.The piece I found interesting was

COMO Pre-Fall Preview

2009-08-03T17:00:00.006-05:00

I'm calling this a "pre-fall preivew" because it's only the beginning of August and I'm sure there will be more events shared in the coming months. These are just a few things that have me anticipating the fall here in COMO.@ The Blue Note:Andrew Bird w/ St. Vincent - September 30Grizzly Bear w/ Beach House - October 1The Decemberists - October 7Although the Decemberist show is listed as the "9th

Reason #8 Why I Live in Misery: Taser-Happy Police

2009-08-02T20:17:00.009-05:00

Flipping through my Facebook feed revealed that someone was tasered at Cafe Berlin last night. While I'm sure somebody got a little out of control last night, I'm not convinced it wasn't a police officer. I wasn't there, but anytime I hear the terms "Columbia police officers" and "taser" in the same breath, I get a shiver down my spine.There was that kid who died in Moberly and the guy here in

Bald Eagle Is No More

2009-08-01T23:05:00.004-05:00

I can't believe no one else mentioned this anywhere (or at least I didn't find it with a simple Google search). According to Nardy via his Twitter feed, Bald Eagle has called it quits.I'm not fully entrenched in the scene here, but this was a band loved by many. I don't know that I've seen a live show as terrifyingly glorious as a Bald Eagle set. If you never got to see them. You missed

Episode 6: Walter Cronkite or James von Brunn

2009-07-19T23:28:00.003-05:00

For those of you unfamiliar with James von Brunn, click here.

COMO Is on the Hipster Map!

2009-07-19T22:10:00.004-05:00

Tonight, COMO made a giant leap into the upper echelon of the hipstersphere with the following video making its way onto Look at this Fucking Hipster. I'm just so proud. Witness the hipster genius that made this happen...

Emergency Umbrella Showcase, etc.

2009-07-18T11:14:00.014-05:00

Last night was the Emergency Umbrella Showcase at the Note. A small-but-loyal crowd showed up so see 67% of the EU lineup. Of course, one would expect that the crowd would be larger had classes been in session. Still, it was a nice way to spend a Friday evening in July.A couple of or more things before I get to the rock...I think my latest (and second) batch of beer is ready for consumption. The

Friday: EU Records Showcase

2009-07-16T16:55:00.002-05:00

Friday is the Emergency Umbrella Showcase at the Note. You should go. Hear Billy Schuh's new material for his Foundry Field Recordings. See the latest addition to the EU lineup: Chicago's Netherfriends. There will be STL road warriors Gentleman Auction House. Plus, don't miss Bald Eagle as they unveil new material of their own. It should be a hoot-hollerin' good time!Netherfriends video below...

Episode 5: What? Too soon?

2009-07-16T16:46:00.001-05:00

living in misery, episode 4: Malcolm Loses a Bet...or Does He?

2009-07-16T06:20:00.002-05:00

I'm sorry for this little project. I just figured I could address some issues indirectly. Not all of them are pertinent at the moment. It's just what's coming to my head. Eventually, I'll run out.Also, for people who are not from here or have never been here, Beth refers to Main Squeeze and SoCo. Both locales have generally (read "stereotypically") been associated with the gay community. That's a