Swag of the day. Seem to go hand in hand. (Taken with instagram)
I’m well aware that I missed the past couple months. It was a busy time. But here are my favorite albums from May
1. Japandroids ‘Celebration Rock’
Not as good as ’Post-Nothing’, but that’s borderline impossible. Great in the typical Japandroids way—melodic repetition and a heavy dose of fast alternative. Great album and one of my favs for 2012 so far and I’ve only had it for about 72 hours. It’s that impactful and listenable.
2. Killer Mike ‘R.A.P. Music’
Killer Mike doesn’t get the respect he deserves. He goes so hard on ‘R.A.P. Music’ that it’s hard to compare to anyone else right now. Great guest spots and a ton of quotable lines make this one of my favorite rap albums right now.
3. Beach House ‘Bloom’
‘Bloom’ is a tough album to characterize, but it’s definitely great for the more depressing days of your life—leaving a loved one, rain and anything else in between. It’s lush and cozy, never straying too far from what Beach House is good at.
4. Meek Mill ‘Dreamchasers 2’
Another solid showing for rap. Nothing monumental by any means, but no slack either following up ‘Dreamchasers.’ Meek Mill is making a name for himself aside from hanging out with Rick Ross. And a Fugees sample thrown in there too? Damn, son.
5. Mount Eerie ‘Clear Moon’
I’m not the hugest Phil Elverum fan, or the biggest Mount Eerie fan either. Some of it’s a bit too out of wack for me. But, ‘Clear Moon’ handles the reins a little more and has some semblance of structure. It’s still wild blue yonder, but a more accessible version.
Took one photo today. My view of the skyline on the south end of Manhattan just after sunset—buildings are lit, illuminated by the remnants of sunlight and glowing with the ooze of artificial street lights.
I created a story for a guy that sat a few benches down from me in the park today
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He stares off blankly. Even though the park is crowded with people, he’s the only one there. That’s the way he likes if. Nothing remarkable though. Average in every way: Jeans, sneakers, a navy shirt with just enough wear. Not there with anyone either. He sits on a bench alone. Not meeting anyone either. He’s just there.
The tapping of his left foot has become a habit, not a reaction to anything in particular. And he picks at his nails in a listless, but fully conscious manner. The itch on his shoulder comes back once in a while, reminding him that it’s still there. Maybe a reminder of something more important.
Just as calculated and vacant as he is, a nearby squirrel scampers away—a signal that he should probably get going, even if he has nowhere to be. When that 5th, or was it 10th?, siren zips by him though, he’s reminded that he does have somewhere to be: home. With his wife and kids. His escape, though shortlived, is enough for today. He reaches down, picks up his phone and dials.
In audible, he speaks, in a different language. But one with as much care and as much heart as any other; then he slips away. Unnoticed by the strangers in the park with him. To him, those people don’t matter. He’s just another number to them. But, he has two other numbers that are worth more than the rest combined.
We’re not afraid of limits. We embrace them. They make life easier. We handle life better when we’re told what we cannot do—it helps us make decisions.
What we’re cripplingly afraid of is freedom—the idea that we’re plopped onto Earth and can do whatever the hell we want. That’s a scary proposition to just about anyone. Because if you had to pick one answer, one thing to do right now, what would it be? How about for the next week? month? year?
Could you honestly pick just one thing to do for the rest of your life?
These aren’t easy questions to answer. So give yourself some limits. Because, sure, you have the choice and ability to do anything you want. But do you want to? Are there just a few things? One, even?
That’s your anything.
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