Music for Lucia

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 lately. Besides playing instruments and singing her own "songs", she dances to anything on the radio. During transitions on NPR, she'll dance to the ten seconds of music they play. She's really tuned into the music.

As I said before, I sing certain songs to her, but I also play a ton of videos on YouTube. The following is a top-10 of her favorite videos. Some we sing to her at night. Others are just to be enjoyed on YouTube. Either way, she likes them all...

10. The Beastie Boys - "Hey Ladies"
By accident, I discovered Lucia's love for old school hip-hop. Then I discovered she particularly liked the Beastie Boys brand of hip-hop.

9. Feist - "1 2 3 4" (Sesame Street version)
I always thought this would be a great Sesame Street song and Feist pulls it off with ease.



8. MIA - "Paper Planes"
This track had Lucia shaking what her mother gave her. That was the correct reaction.

7. Guided By Voices - "I Am a Scientist"
We discovered Lucia's love of GBV the same day she discovered hip-hop. I have no idea how that works, but that's what happened.



6. "Clap, Clap, Clap"
I will never forget the morning we woke up to jazz on the radio. R snapped her fingers to the beat. Lu - for the first time ever - clapped her hands. Soon after that momentous occasion, I discovered this little video.



5. Dan Zanes - "Jump Up"
There isn't an indie geek/alt.country fanatic around who doesn't play Zane for his/her kid. Never mind the hair. You have to admit it makes you tap your feet.



4. Kimya Dawson - "The Smoothie Song"
This is a family favorite. The video doesn't do it much justice, but you get the idea.



3. Pavement - "Cut Your Hair"
She is my daughter. I've sung this song nearly every time I've put her down to sleep and she knows it like few others. I recently showed her the video and Lucia liked it even more.



2. "Mah Nà Mah Nà"
This is an absolute classic. This was also the first song Lucia recognized in another as it played with various instrumentation on NPR.




1. Kermit the Frog and Debbie Harry - "The Rainbow Connection"
We discovered this one while searching for Muppet and Sesame Street videos. I couldn't resist this classic moment on The Muppet Show. Both R and I sing this song to Lu whenever we try to put her to bed or soothe her. She dances to this video no matter how many times she sees it. Notice how loaded Debbie Harry seems.

Miscellaneous Miscellany

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 triumphant match-up versus his old team while eating hot dogs and baked beans and enjoying a couple of Bell's Octoberfests.
• I never get out to see movies these days, but I was able to catch Michael Moore's latest, Capitalism: A Love Story. I realize folks are tired of Moore's shtick, but this was maybe his most straightforward film ever. Also, Moore was finally able to follow up his acclaimed debut, Roger and Me. I walked out wishing we in this country could get over our hangups over socialism. Capitalism isn't working...well, for 90% of us anyway.
• The Decemberists played their outdoor show inside the luxurious Blue Note last week. Opener Laura Veirs was pretty good. The Decemberists were fine, but some enjoyed it more than I.
• I pulled a 12+ hour day on Thursday. That's all I'll say about that.
• Friday was an extended happy hour-kind-of-thing. I met friends at Sycamore for the always-delicious Founders Curmudgeon. This is the most vanilla olde ale I've ever tasted. That's a good thing. I followed that up with some beers, conversation, and a bánh mì at the 'Tag/Uprise. The night ended at Broadway Brewery where the beers are still a work in progress, but suspect it will only get better.
• On Saturday, I did what I normally do which was watch my Buckeyes. This time they put a whooping on an undefeated Wisconsin team while gaining half as many yards and having the ball for a third of the time. How does a team do that? Watch.
• That same evening, I brewed my third batch of beer. This one is a barley wine called Never Forget 9/11 - more for Lucia's birthday than for the other 9/11 you're never supposed to forget. The ABV will measure in somewhere between 9% and 11%. I've been planning this beer for a while and finally got around to brewing. It's so sticky and even the first bits of it taste good.
• R and Lu returned from their adventures in Michigan. The best part was that Lucia reached for me right away and gave me the longest hug ever. It was nice.
• I am a lifelong Browns fan. That's not easy to put into print these days. Of course, they won their first game this Sunday (over the 1-4 Buffalo Bills) by a whopping 6-3 baseball score.
• This guy makes me think all the time.
• And this time he made me think about this blog and what I'm doing with it.
• This blog made me think what I do is worthwhile. It's picked up where Bathysphere left off. Read A Ravenous Horde now.
• Columbus Day came and went. Does anyone celebrate Columbus Day anymore? Why? What did he do that's worth celebrating? And don't tell me he discovered America as if there were not already people living here or others who crossed the Atlantic before him.

I think that's all for now. Tell me what you want in the comments. I'll try to do better. I swear.

A Trip to the Farm

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 and have not been disappointed thus far. Despite growing up in a farming community, I rarely tasted meat grown by someone I knew. (This does not take into account the numerous times I've eaten my father's lamb in adulthood.) There's something comforting about eating an animal that was carefully and humanly raised by a friend or acquaintance.

Anyway, Lucia had a great time meeting the chickens, turkeys, and dogs. She seemed unsure of the cows. Of particular interest was a poor caterpillar who could not escape her grasp.

One thing that Lucia loved (as well as the adults) was dinner. The coq au vin our hosts put together was pretty unreal. It's not often one eats rooster slow cooked in a pot of wine. Maybe that doesn't sound great to you, but it was pretty awesome. Only in rural Misery...or France. (We washed it down with an Ommegang Abbey Ale. Perfect pairing.)

After dinner and some delicious custard, we headed down to the creek. Lucia enjoyed the water as she was simultaneously thrilled and terrified of the running water. We'll certainly have to bring her back once it's warm again and I remember my Tevas.

Overall, it was a nice evening on the farm.

For all the cracks I make about Misery and COMO, I do appreciate what the countryside has to offer. We are regulars at the farmer's market and buy several other foods from local farmers through other networks. This we like about Misery.

(If interested or just plain voyeuristic, click on the pics for the source or click below for the set.)

A Trip to the Farm

Never Forget September 11

"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 year ago. You can read it here.

Her birth story came in two parts. Part one is here. Part two is here.

I hope you enjoyed this month of posts dedicated to Lucia. The entire collection can be found here.

At this point, there really isn't much else to say except "happy birthday". It's been an eventful year. I look forward to many, many more.

A Year in Pictures

Lucia365

We're Buckeyes.

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 teaches. Yes, my paycheck comes from that very same university. However, I'm a Buckeye and by proxy she too will be a Buckeye. Even R, who claims no allegiance to any athletic team, holds two degrees from The Ohio State University. We're Buckeyes. Sorry to disappoint.

So, when people give me a hard time for wearing a block "O" on my hat at the farmer's market or proclaiming my allegiance on Facebook, I have to remember why I'm a Buckeye fan. I want people to understand that one does not just switch allegiances with a 9-hour move west. There are good reasons for sticking with my team and to promote that team to my own child.

I was born in 1975. Archie Griffin had just won the first of his two Heisman Trophies. No one else has ever won two. Archie was also in the midst of leading Ohio State to four consecutive Big Ten titles. Somewhere there is a picture of me as an infant wearing a number 45 jersey, Archie's number.

Ohio State at that point had a long and storied history. Woody Hayes was their coach. He was responsible for five of Ohio State's national championship seasons. They are one of only three schools with seven Heisman Trophy winners. The Buckeyes have a long list of All-Americans and national award winners. Last year, they became only the seventh team in college football history to win 800 games. Their rivalry with the University of Michigan is widely considered the greatest rivalry in sports. So, there's some history with the football program.

As I grew up, we watched Ohio State every Saturday in the fall. My dad is also a lifelong Buckeye fan. He'd explain the nuances of the game and would provide the history of the program long before one could simply Google the information. I grew up watching such greats as Chris Spielman, Chris Carter, and Keith Byars.

It was only natural that I would stick with my team as I grew older. I've witnessed Ohio State's last two Heisman winners (Troy Smith and Eddie George), multiple Big Ten championships, the frustrating Cooper years, the triumphant Tressel years, and their last national championship (2002). This has always been my team and will forever be my team.

For comparison, let's look at the local Missouri Tigers. They've had some success in recent years, but not on Ohio State's level. Last year's 10-4 team was considered a great success while Ohio State is unfairly remembered only for losing in national championship games. My bet is that Gary Pinkel would have loved to have just been considered for one of those games or at least a BCS bowl game. The Missouri program has 200 fewer wins than Ohio State, no Heisman winners, and no national champions. Their stadium seats about 35,000 fewer people than Ohio Stadium. It's not the same thing.

And it's not just the success that makes me a Buckeye. There were years during John Cooper's tenure when they couldn't beat Michigan or would come one game away from earning a shot at a national championship. There were some lean years. There was Maurice Clarrett. Through all of that, I stuck with my team.

Football, in particular Ohio State football, is in our blood. It's cultural. It's not personal. It just is.

Mizzou played a great game yesterday against an overrated Illinois team. Ohio State narrowly escaped a better-than-advertised Navy squad. None of that will change my allegiance. I will still cheer for Ohio State next week when they get trounced by USC once again.

If anyone should understand supporting your team no matter what it's the Mizzou fan. What other program has suffered as much as Missouri's? There were the countless years of finishing eighth in the Big-8. There was the fifth down. There was the foot of God play against Nebraska. Still, folks in central MO turn out to cheer on their Tigers. Good for them, but don't expect me to abandon my team for yours.

It's not as if we're wearing these t-shirts or anything. Mizzou can enjoy their success, but temper your expectations a bit. Nine or ten wins should make you really content. You don't have to win over every fan. I don't have to love Gary Pinkel. We work for the same institution, but we don't actually work together. I'm allowed to cheer for Ohio State (even when they play Mizzou). You're allowed to cheer for Mizzou. It's OK.

Anyway, here are Ohio State's highlights. The night of Lucia's big celebration is the USC game. You can count on my to watch and cheer on my Buckeyes...as they get whooped by four touchdowns. Ugh.

Go Bucks!

Lucia has her game face on. Bring on Navy!

Sorry for all the picture posts. I'll write something soon.

Chef Lucia

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.

Sorry. I've been busy.

Thanks, KT.

Hi, How Are You?

Lucia and Bodhi

Lucia Feeds Bodhi from comoprozac on Vimeo.

Lucia Wishes Her Pappy a Speedy Recovery

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

Kitchen Update

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

Lucia Walks

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

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 are the only ones. To stray too far beyond this list will adversely affect any music collection. You can like all kinds of bands, but your collection should be based on or somehow linked to these four acts. Other acceptable and like-minded acts are The Rolling Stones, Guided By Voices, The Replacements, and Pixies.

2. Vinyl is better, but be sure to have it all in digital format as well. Sadly, there will likely be very little vinyl available for Lucia as she gets older. Luckily, she has her old man's collection to raid. Vinyl has a softer sound that leaves room for all the bits and pieces (not to mention crackles and pops) not found on digital recordings. Of course, we are nomadic creatures and turntables don't travel well. So, there is certainly room for an iPod loaded with 10K+ songs.

3. A mixed tape/CD/playlist is your calling card. Well, cassette tapes aren't really utilized anymore. Hell, almost no one burns CD's anymore. The playlist one makes tells the recipient everything about you. So, choose wisely, sequence carefully, and always find a way to include a Beat Happening track.

4. Never go to a show wearing that band's t-shirt. This is more of a faux pas, but it's an important principle to remember. If you are at a Spoon show, everybody else there is a Spoon fan to some degree. A Spoon t-shirt at such an event would be redundant. Instead, wear a Radio Birdman or vintage Dinosaur Jr. t-shirt to show the route you took to Spoon or to show that you like even cooler bands.

5. Record labels do matter. I don't care what anyone else says or that major labels have squandered their social capital. It does matter that Arcade Fire is on Merge and that Okkervil River are on Jagjaguar. A label tells you about a band's ethics and commitment to independence. A label's roster can lead you to other bands of similar quality.

6. A band's best work is behind them at about album four or five. I am not going to tell you that a band's best record is their first. One does not have to look past bands like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and The Flaming Lips to know that that is not true. Also, I won't tell you that a band's second album (the sophomore slump) is their worst. Weezer, The Shins, and Yo La Tengo disprove that theory. However, you should be aware that by the time a band records albums four and five, much of their edge is lost. Sure, some bands produce great work beyond the fifth album, but more of their releases after #5 or terrible than good. Take Wilco for example. Album four was Yankee Foxtrot Hotel. Classic. After that was A Ghost Is Born. I feel a downward trend about to happen. What happens next? A live album is followed by a record for Volkswagen and so on. It's the same story for most bands. Pavement's fifth album was also their last. They knew when to quit.

7. If you hate the album in the first two songs, the rest won't change your mind. Albums should be great by track four to have a shot at being a part of your rotation. Musicians should try to impress in the front end of an album. If the first two tracks are unbearable, the rest, no matter how good, won't make you forget that first impressions. Conversely, an album cannot be great if it isn't a third or fourth of the way through. I often judge an album in those first four tracks and I'm rarely wrong about what's left.

8. Make lots of top-5 and top-10 lists. Growing up, many people your dad's age and older learned to love music through radio countdowns and eventually end-of-year lists in magazines. This is how we indie geeks communicate our tastes. A top-5 list can show complexity and depth as well as superior listening ability. For example, my top-5 shows of all time are - in order from fifth to first - Arcade Fire in KC circa 2007, Archers of Loaf/Helium/Earwig at Stache's in 1995, Modest Mouse/764-HERO at Sudsy Malone's in 1997, Pavement/Dirty Three/Come at the Agora Ballroom in 1995, and The Flaming Lips (f/"Motor Away" as performed by Bob Pollard) in 1995.

9. Claim a favorite band by 20. This is similar to the idea that you should pick your favorite football team by age 8. There's no bandwagon jumping and you'll earn the respect of others as you stick with your team/band through thick and thin. Plus, once a band breaks up, you can reminisce how great they once were.

10. Whenever you find a band that you really love, accept that there was a band before them that did it better. You will inevitably run into that guy at a party who has to tell you how much better The Fall were than Pavement could have ever dreamed. That's OK, because Can and The Velvet Underground came before The Fall. The important thing here is that you acknowledge the obvious influences but add that your band took the form to new heights. "Pavement certainly sounded like The Fall, but they did it without any reputable drummers and added things like Moogs and Nasty's screams for a more dramatic sound."

Those are my ten. What are some things that you feel is important for indie (or any kind of) music geekery?

A Video Invite to Lu's Partay

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

I remember these days...

Sleeping from comoprozac on Vimeo.

Lucia's First College Football Season (Preview)

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 makes her a Buckeye fan. She now has a knitted hat, onesie, and Beanie Wells football jersey to prove it. (Let's hope she doesn't injure her toe or roll her ankle.) The girl is ready for the '09 season. Just look at that game face.

Lucia was born days before Ohio State's debacle in LA last year. Her presence was the only thing that helped me through that terrible loss. (That, and a bomber of Hog Heaven Barley Wine.) Now, I'm hopeful that her first full CFB season will be one to remember.

Anyway, here's my take on this upcoming season...

BCS Conference Champions:
Big East - Who cares?
Not one Big Least team made the preseason top-25 coaches' poll. There's a reason for this: they're a basketball conference. I keep hearing how improved the Big Least is year after year with almost nothing offered up as proof. Whatever, I've already wasted too much space on this conference. Cincinnati will win the conference and get trounced in the Orange Bowl again.

ACC - Miami
This was my "who cares" conference last year, and I was right. This conference was mired in mediocrity. This year's edition will be won by a four-loss Miami team. Have you seen their schedule? They play Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma for their first four games. They'll be lucky to split, but that would put them at 2-1 in the conference. Three conference losses could win the ACC. My money is on an improving Miami team who will take the experience from that first stretch of games to their conference title. Besides, Virginia Tech lost their stud running back.

SEC - Florida
This was my pick last year and they're making it easy on me this year. Florida pretty much has everyone back from last year's dominating national championship team, including Saint Timothy Tebow (the NFLS's next great fullback) and King Beast Brandon Spikes. As much as I want to hate this team, I can't help but recognize their greatness at this point in time. Of course, the conference may be down yet again this season, making their path to the Mythical National Championship even easier.

Big 12 - Texas
Apparently, living here has given me some great insight into the Big 12 conference. I correctly picked Oklahoma to win the conference and that Missouri would only win only nine games despite all the hype surrounding the team. This year, Texas will win the tie-breaker (like OU last year) over Oklahoma (whom they'll beat handily) and Oklahoma State (who will beat them and get demolished by OU). Mizzou? They will lose the North to Kansas and maybe win 7-8 games overall. Illinois will get them on opening weekend this year.

Pac 10 - USC
USC will win this conference forever, but this year will be tougher than usual. Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, and Arizona all look to be improved this year. I predict USC will lose two conference games this year, but it will be enough for a return trip to the Rose Bowl and a rematch with...

Big 10 - The Ohio State University
OSU has the most talent in the Big Ten. Although several teams will be improved (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan), no one can match up with the Buckeyes. I'll have more to say on this below. I also think this year will be a year of redemption in the bowl games. Every team aside from the top three will be improved from last year. It may mean lower level bowls, but I'm betting the Big Ten will have a good showing this year.

BCS Buster - TCU
Last year, I came close in calling this one. I picked Ball State, but they faltered in their last two games after starting the year with twelve wins in a row. This year I'm not going as far out on a limb. TCU with their dominating defense is due for a breakout season. Their schedule isn't nearly as daunting as in years past with out of conference games versus Virginia and Clemson. So, the Horned Frogs could enter their mid-November tilt versus Utah undefeated.

The Heisman Trophy - Colt McCoy
I get the sense the voters don't want a two-time winner. Besides, McCoy maybe should have won the trophy last year instead of Oklahoma's Sam Bradford. Tim Tebow also has a Heisman, but it seems as if Archie Griffin will remain as the only two-time trophy winner. As an Ohio State fan, I'm fine with that.

Ohio State National Championship Scenarios: (There's really only one.)

1) Ohio State beats USC in the 'Shoe. This is every Ohio State fan's dream scenario. The Trojans enter Ohio Stadium with a freshman quarterback. The 105,000+ shake him into some mistakes. Terrelle Pryor will begin his legacy with a memorable performance as an experienced Buckey defensive line takes control of USC's running game. It probably won't happen, but I can dream.

2) Ohio State gets blasted by USC again, closing the door on anyone outside of Columbus ever taking the Buckeyes seriously again. I know this is all doom and gloom, but I fear things will get worse for Ohio State before they get better. USC is loaded once again. OSU has a bunch of young, unproven players to break in. Their week 1 opponent (Navy) will do very little in helping them prepare for the Trojans.

My Gut Feeling:
Ohio State will come close, but will lose another big game. Terrelle Pryor will live up to the hype in keeping the Buckeyes in the game, but it won't be enough. It will be what's expected. From here, a newly confident and determined Ohio State team will tear through the Big Ten on their way to a fifth straight Big Ten title and a shot at a rematch with USC in the Rose Bowl.

Realistic Ohio State Prediction:
They'll lose to USC and probably one more in the Big Ten, possibly at Penn State. However, I still believe they will win the Big Ten or at least a share. Unfortunately, if they win a share, they won't go to the Rose Bowl. The BCS has had it with Ohio State flops. On to the Capital One Bowl versus the second or third best team in the SEC. This will probably be their first bowl victory versus an SEC team. Most will say big deal, but it will be an important stepping stone toward the 2010 season.

Then, who wins the Mythical National Championship? Texas
Florida should win it. They have all the talent and experience. Some are saying that Arkansas will trip them up, but I think they'll be ready for the Razorbacks. I sort of like Tennessee and super safety Eric Berry's shot at an upset, but I don't really trust Lane Kiffin can pull it off. Either way, Florida will probably be back in the BCS championship game. There, they will lose to Texas who has an eerie resemblance to the last Longhorn team to win a BCS crown.

Lucia's Kitchen

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 the real kitchen is to our lives.

I never built that kitchen. Between a busy work schedule and a lack of woodworking skills (although I did build a bed once), I was never able to put anything together. So, to Craig's List we turned.

On Craig's List, we found this "neat" homemade kitchen set. I called right away and had it in my procession within hours of its posting. The only problem is that it's really grungy. The set has obviously been sitting outside for a while, so it will take some TLC to make it usable.

All I've done so far is cleaned some of the dirt and splashed on a fresh coat of primer. The plan is to paint it in bright colors, mostly those used to paint Lu's room. I'll keep you updated.

Here are some of the before pictures.

Photo Essay: Lu Eating