red leaves, orange light, brown cider

Fall has finally come to Akron, OH. The weather may not reflect it since it's been in the mid/high 70's all week, but the colors are changing and there's a definite fall flavor to the air. The smell of the summer barbecue morphing into the fall campfire. Fall is one of the best times of the year, especially in the Midwest. We still lay claim to having actual seasonal changes, and living right next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides ample opportunities for fall drives and hikes.

Of course, fall also marks the time when University starts shifting from the carefree easy first weeks to midterms and projects and buckling down for the rest of the year. I don't mind too much, school changes seem to work well with seasonal changes. And since this is my last year of undergrad, it seems like I should try to enjoy it as much as possible (the partying and the learning).

I thought I'd share an album with you guys that is a wonderful fall album. It's Okkervil River's first album 'Don't fall in love with the first person you meet'. Will Sheff, Okkervil River's band leader and songwriter, is a brilliant lyricist and not such a bad instrumentalist either. These songs have that perfect mix the last bit of summer warmth mixed with the coming winter heaviness. The lighter songs on this album are fun and enjoyable but Okkervil River really shine when Will Sheff is baring his soul (for example album opener 'Red' as well as the perennial favorite 'Listening to Otis Redding At Home During Christmas'). 'Happy Hearts' which features guest vocalist Daniel Johnston manages to be both melancholic and upbeat at the same time. That's my favorite thing about fall.

Enjoy.




Try it here

Destruction (by definition)

So we got hit with a pretty nasty windstorm last night. Apparently Hurricane Ike made it all the way up to Akron, OH to wreak out devestation (or at least give us spoiled midwesterners a little taste of what a good 'ol storm is like... we didn't even get as badly hit as those closer to the lake). We also lost power for about 6 hours. Blackouts are always exciting, and ever since the huge blackout a few years ago, there's always been that 'This could be the apocalypse!' thought in the back of my mind. A quick drive around the area quickly put that notion to rest, though, since it seemed that downtown was still fully functional and energized. But, we still made use of the copious amounts of candles laying around the house and the fireplace. And then we tortured ourselves by playing Trivial Pursuit (and of course, we rescued the wine in the fridge before it could get warm... our priorities were on straight).

A drive around the area the next morning revealed many downed branches and every other intersection without power. By the time I came home from class at 9.40pm, everything seemed to be fully functioning again. The biggest loss of the storm seems to be a local Akron playground. A large tree sheared off at the trunk and collapsed on the playground, crushing slides. Now it kind of resembles a tree house. Blackouts are nice once in a while, but here's hoping these natural disasters would just go away for the good of all...

House 'Warming' Party 08.08.08

Come check out our new house and have a drink. Also, some good tunes will be played (probably by Kyle).