I have Year of the Dog on my computer which I started watching during the flight from RDU but it made me too sad. The dog in the movie, Pencil, looks a lot like our neighbor’s dog. I’ve moved on to some light reading about information retrieval systems.

I stepped away from work tonight to go see Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins (and band) here in Philadelphia. This photo is from earlier in their tour but they did break out the sparkly dresses tonight (they changed after playing a couple of songs in their long black dresses). I have a bad set list memory…she did play a couple of new songs (including that one about the boy named Jack who loves his mother but kills her?) and ended with a great version of “Handle With Care” with one of the twins soloing on harmonica. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance harass her about Too $hort or buy her a Corona Light.

* Mixed Media We saw Ian Svenonius at Internationalist Books on Friday night. He has a new book, The Psychic Soviet, which is a collection of essays about music and conspiracy theories with a Marxist bent (I think). His presentation included a prepared statement, several playings of the Internationale and our second slide presentation of the week! The book itself is little and pink–we got two!
* Cinema Yesterday we went to Little Miss Sunshine which we both liked. Although, I didn’t find the part about the vintage VW bus driving quickly to California believable (although its mechanical faults were a good touch). I don’t think that bus would get above 50mph. On another note, I want a yellow VW bus.
* Books I am finally starting Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close after much urging from various relatives. The fact that the book is about a boy who lost his Dad in the World Trade Center and I am now heading off to stay in Manhattan (to go to training and meetings in the ‘boken) tomorrow for 5 days is a little weird.
* Television Thanks to Netflix, we have finally finished Season Two of Arrested Development. My only critique is the special feature commentary gets pretty poor by the last disc. On another note, I want a hook.
* Internets/Music I really like this promo video for TV on the Radio (a band that will be at ACL). The video features David Cross! I have also been spending lots of time downloading songs from this blog about the bands that will be at Austin City Limits. Even if you aren’t going, it is a good source of MP3s to check out.

By the way, if you want to attend the Austin City Limits Festival (Sept 15-17), I have an extra ticket (which will eventually be sold on eBay if no one claims), a floor and/or a bed to sleep on in Austin, as well as good company at the fest (moi, Bradford, and Show)!