I have used craigslist multiple times in the past and had no trouble.  When we moved into our house, one of the things that was left behind was a tangled up mess of what used to be a personal gym.  I have finally gotten around to putting it together and trying to sell it.  So I posted it on craigslist and I got two immediate replies to the effect of “Is the item still for sale?” or “I like the good.  Is the good still for sale?”  Neither made specific reference to the personal gym.  I responded that yes, it is for sale, and then I get some cooked up story about why they can’t get it in person, but their “shipper” will come take a look at it.  Right.  One guy even told me, “I want to assure you that I’m a born again Christian and I will never try to get anyone burnt in my life.”  Well, I was not so Christian—born again or any other kind—in my response.

All of this is to say: be careful selling stuff on craigslist, and don’t accept anything but cash.  There are a lot of vultures out there.

Blitzen Trapper – Furr

I got this album as a Christmas present last year, but I’m still listening to it.  Blitzen Trapper is a Portland band with a very interesting sound.  On this album the songs alternate between a kind of Rock that feels a lot like Classic Rock but is still very original and a more mellow, almost folksy sound that always reminds me of the Doobie Brothers’ song “China Grove.”  One song that fits this second category is the album’s highlight (and title track), not to mention one of my favorite songs of the last year, “Furr.”  Also try out “Black River Killer,” “Stolen Shoes & a Rifle” and “Lady on the Water.”  Enjoy.

Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

This album was released back in May, though I was just turned onto it.  Phoenix is a French band that has been making music for about ten years now.  This album is unbelievably catchy and I just can’t stop listening to it.  It’s not really Indie Rock, since they’re on a pretty major European label (EMI), but they don’t sound like what you would hear on the radio either.  The album is full of great songs, but check out “Lizstomania,” “1901″ and “Lasso.”  Enjoy.

Eels – Hombre Lobo

I just discovered this band, even though this is their twelfth (yes, twelfth) studio album.  In listening to music, I’ve come to think of the genre “Rock” as one thing and “Rock ‘n’ Roll” as something different.  I don’t really know how I would define Rock ‘n’ Roll, except that you know it when you hear it.  This is a great Rock ‘n’ Roll album.  It has an element of fun to it (just look at the guy’s face on the album cover) and it’s a pretty fast-paced record.  The influence of American blues is all over this album too.  This is really worth a listen, especially before the weather turns cold (depending on where you live) because it’s a great summer album.  Try “Prizefighter,” “Lilac Breeze” and “Fresh Blood.”  Enjoy.

You have to take a look at this bit of humor.

FYI – John Piper recently made some boneheaded comments regarding a tornado that struck a Minneapolis Lutheran church where the denomination’s national convention was being held, stating that the tornado hit as a warning against the ELCA, which is considering permitting the ordination of practicing homosexuals.  In his words: “The tornado in Minneapolis was a gentle but firm warning to the ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin.”

Regina Spektor - Far

This album, released at the end of June, is a great, quirky pop album.  She has a great voice and a great wit to go along with it.  The music is very catchy and I have almost listened to it too much in the last couple of weeks.  The album’s highlight, “Laughing With,” is a beautiful song about suffering and different understandings of God.  Other great songs are “Eet” and “Blue Lips.”  Enjoy.

A church member told me this story the other day about his uncle, we’ll call him Bob.

Bob is a member of an Episcopalian church, where communion is celebrated every week in worship.  Bob’s church was in the practice of not letting children take communion until they were a certain age, and Bob had grown tired of this.  So he invited the priest and his family over for dinner one evening.  When it came time to eat, the adults all sat together and there was a designated “kids’ table” for Bob’s kids and the priest’s kids.  Bob and his wife brought out the food for the adults and then sat down and began to eat, neglecting to provide food for the kids.  Eventually the priest spoke up: “Aren’t you going to feed my kids?”

Bob replied, “We come to your table every week and you don’t feed mine.”

Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

This album is a little on the bizarre side, but in a fun way.  The group uses a wide variety of sounds and puts them all together in a way that results in just enough cohesion to hook you, but not enough for you to feel like you really grasp what’s happening in the songs.  It’s not electronic, but it’s not just straightforward rock either.  It’s quirky, but really fun, and it didn’t take long for me to get hooked on it.  Try “My Girls,” “Brother Sport” and “Daily Routine.”  Enjoy!

We spent 10 days out in California and we had an absolute blast.  We rented a convertible and drove all over the place, logging probably 1400 miles when all was said and done.  Here’s the route we traced:

As we did with our trip to Europe last summer, we tried to squeeze everything we possibly could into our limited amount of time.  So, it was a fast-paced vacation, but it had its relaxing moments.  We ate lots of great Mexican food, experienced the scorching heat of the Central Valley, tasted some phenomenal wines, saw friends and family, and saw some beautiful sites in Yosemite and along the coast.  It was a really great trip.  Here are some highlights:

Great Mexican food with Uncle Noel in Bakersfield.

Hiking at Yosemite National Park.

The Jelly Belly Factory and goofy hats.

A bike tour of Napa Valley wineries.

At the top of Lombard Street in San Francisco.

Staying with Matt, Cari and Ethan.

Driving the California Coast (Morro Rock in the backgorund).

Ventura's finest burritos...to go.

M. Ward – Hold Time

This album had instant appeal for me.  It feels like something straight out of the 50s or 60s, but it has a very fresh, current sound.  The vocals are pretty lo-fi, but this adds a lot of character to the sound.  It is a very enjoyable album.  My favorites are “For Beginners,” “Stars of Leo” and “Shangri-La.”  Enjoy!