you could really put me in my place, on a map in outer space

The best academic discovery of my college career probably occurred a few days ago. There I was sitting in the library writing a paper on the War of Northern Aggression, reading Abe Lincoln's inaugural addresses from 1861 & 1865 to see if there was any sort of political difference between the two that could constitute an 8-page history paper (there isn't) and I'm thinking, despite my disdain for schoolwork and inability to complete this assignment, how cool Lincoln is. Picture this: a newly formed nation about to absolutely unravel over class and race tensions, with a government yet-to-be-established as "lasting," and the South constantly threatening secession with lots of precedent to give their threats real weight. And he's the boss! And he's responsible for it. He could lay down the law or throw threats back at them, or scrap this whole Union idea entirely, but instead he inaugurates his presidential term with this impressive closing paragraph:

I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. [1861]

But, ok, blah blah everyone knows that Lincoln is cool, that's why we learn US history. What we don't learn is that one of the most awesome indie pop bands ever, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, loves this paragraph too, since they REF it in their song "Modern Mystery." Not that historical or literary references are a new thing, I don't think there's a Dylan song without one (exaggeration). But it was still a lovely surprise. Though I have no idea what it means lyrically. Nope. Nothing.
Here's a demo version/ the video, which kind of looks like a kindergartener made it and has absolutely zero to do with presidents or history.



There is no modern mystery, no mystic chords of memory
There is no modern mystery, we're making up our history.

Social Media Revolution and the Evolution of Hipstahhhhs

1. This is an amazing viral video (no, Dad, that doesn't mean its a virus) making a convincing point that the "social media revolution" is so vast and widespread and influential that its more significant than the Industrial Revolution, etc. ITS INSANE TO THINK ABOUT. Especially how it affects economics, "socialnomics" as they term it. I've found these things really true-- how much word of mouth is more of a trusted source today than advertising, I even personally feel that way.



2. Paste shows us the "Evolution of the Hipster" throughout this decade. Maybe not 100% accurate as I see it, but still a good idea and a creative spread in the magazine.

farewell to the girl with the sun in her eyes

...speaking of New Orleans, I love Tom Waits. I was about to do a cover of this lovely hard-traveling song that I have been enjoying over this Thanksgiving break, and then saw that Jay Farrar and Ben Gibbard already did as part of their "One Fast Move Or I'm Gone" Kerouac memorial tribute tour thing, which is in itself awesome, and decided I'd rather post that than anything I could come up with. Still it's a really enjoyable song to play and sing and listen to and harmonize with, and I think these guys do it justice just as they impossibly do to justice to Jack Kerouac in that entire project. Its really simple and easy and traditional, but once you start singing along to it, you just want to hear that chorus again and again and hope that the highway keeps stretching out in your rearview mirror and the road goes on forever.

Tom Waits cover - Ben Gibbard and Jay Farrar- "Old Shoes and Picture Postcards"

born in new orleans, raised in new orleans, i will forever remain faithful new orleans

Things I will eventually write about that I could write novel-sized things about but will probably refrain due to time constraints and not because no one would read it:
1) How great the movie Big Fish is, and not really because of the soundtrack, but the Buddy Holly song in it is pretty awesome. But no, because of the story and the cast and the South and this scene:

Slash, every scene! It's an amazing film.

2) The Paul Simon kick I have been on for over two weeks now, revolving largely around Graceland. I know, its been everyone and their cat's favorite album since it was released in 1986, before I was even born, but even now that its been tested by time and trends and a new millenium it is still incredible and every track is solid. Once you get back into it, its hard to leave it again...I have probably listened to 'The Boy in the Bubble" every day for almost three weeks and I still find new things I like about it, new lines that are incredible. "Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts." Which brings me to my next point.

3)The new, unsanctioned-by-Weezy, Lil Wayne documentary: "The Carter."
This is somewhat a lie because I will definitely review it soon for the Hoya. But now I'm on another huge Lil Wayne kick (which began a while ago and culminated in the writing of this article, "Why Weezy is the Next Bob Dylan,") but after seeing this film it's been revived. He's insane, he's awesome, he's the ultimate artist in so many ways. Watch the first CAPTIVATING ten minutes of The Carter here:


OMG. It's like Don't Look Back in so many ways, further helping my case stated earlier, but more than that, its a intriguing peek into the life of someone very talented and very dedicated and very blessed battling some certain demons and some he can't even see. He's so young and so alone in the whole film. After watching it, my friend remarked that he understood Lil Wayne even less after watching the 75 minutes that presumably gave access to Weezy's psyche. Whatever, that's probably true, but the movie is still so interesting. Born in New Orleans, raised in New Orleans, I will forever remain faithful New Orleans....