Three dollars and 63 cents

My students and I were talking in class the other day about how activism has changed over time (I teach college writing). We'd read an essay by Ian Frazier called "All Consuming Patriotism" in which he talks about how Americans used to feel called to action, so they'd give of their time and do whatever they could to help (he was talking specifically about the women in the Soldiers' Aid during the Civil War). Now, in the wake of tragedy, our government tells us to carry on with normal life. When people used to disagree with something, they'd protest or rally or march. Now they just create a gro

I'm going to see it when it opens in my area next weekend. I'm a big U2 fan, so I might even go see it twice. I've heard nothing but really good things about it.

Twice, but it will be three times by the end of the month. I also saw the Autumn Defense once, but considering they were opening for Wilco, that probably doesn't really count. I've been a Wilco fan for seven or eight years, but they never seemed to play anywhere near where I was living for a long time. They're still not, really, but I've come to my senses and realized they're always worth the trip.

That actually doesn't surprise me that Nels didn't play. I read somewhere (Mike Watt's Myspace, I think) earlier this week that Mike Watt had delayed the recording of the new Black Gang album because Nels has been having some neck, arm, and shoulder problems. They're going to record in April instead. I'm guessing Nels is probably trying to rest up for the tour. Let's hope he's feeling better soon! I'm looking forward to the new Evangelista album that's due out next month, and it's cool that Scarnella played another show, even if Nels wasn't exactly playing.

Did anybody go to this show? If so, how was it?

I emailed her about it Sunday. It's already gone, so I guess a mod can lock this thread.

Friends have brought their kids to Wilco shows with us, and they've always had a great time. Their daughter was around your daughter's age when she saw her first show. She was so starstruck, even from way in the back. It was sweet to watch.

Mine, too. And I've finally got a job where I could actually afford to do it, so this could be my year.

They are. Cute, goofy pictures seem to be Nels's strong suit.

That had been my original plan, but I'm just going to the Tower because I teach at 9 on Monday mornings. Hopefully if they tour again this summer I'll be able to make it to a few more shows.

I used to live in Tallahassee. The Moon is a great place to see a show.

Times like this I think I need to switch coasts. $5!

Ithaca is far away from everything. I've gotten so used to having to drive three or four hours to see a show. It will be nice to only have a 10 minute drive if I decide to go to this one. It looks like it might be somehow sponsored by Cornell, because their students can get a discount. The State Theatre website says Neko Case will be with the band, which is strange considering she just played here at the State Theatre a few nights ago.

For me it's that he felt like a more genuine songwriter when he was with Whiskeytown. He's still a very good songwriter, but it seems like he keeps covering a lot of the same ground, and it's just not as interesting to me anymore.

U2--Achtung Baby Wilco--Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Lucinda Williams--Car Wheels On A Gravel Road Pixies--Come On Pilgrim Bob Dylan--Blood On the Tracks Rolling Stones--Exile On Main Street Miles Davis--Kind of Blue Grateful Dead--American Beauty Soul Coughing--Ruby Vroom Willie Nelson--Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be) I could easily replace Blood On the Tracks with Highway 61 Revisited and American Beauty with Workingman's Dead. It seems sort of weird to have a greatest hits album on my list, but my family played that album so much when I was growing up. My first memory actual

It sounds like you had the same categories we had last night but different questions. I think "liver giver" was the answer to our rhyming question. I was hoping they'd at least send us our scores, but I double checked the FAQs, and the only way you know if you passed is if they contact you, and even everyone who passes doesn't get a chance for an audition.

It will be nice to have a studio version of their cover of Dreams. I have a version of it from a radio program, I think the World Cafe, but I've never been able to verify the source. You know, sometimes I forget that Ryan Adams was in Whiskeytown. He's just changed so much since then, and not necessarily in all good ways. I think many of the songs he wrote during that time are far better than much of what he's written since.

You only get 15 seconds per question, and there's a timer. No witty Alex repartee, thankfully. It just makes that beep of failure like they use on the show.

I knew the answers to at least half, but I'm worried I skipped too many. Oh well. It was fun trying!

I'm glad this thread was today, because I would've been too late to take it tomorrow. I start in a little less than 7 minutes. That gives me plenty of time to think of the pointless factoid about myself I can chat with Alex Trebek about should I make it to the actual show.

Thanks for reminding me that I want to take it. Edit: I just went to take it, and it's over.

Excellent. I found out it's going to show in Syracuse after all. That's the closest digital 3D theater to me, only about an hour. I'll go see it the Saturday after it opens, then I'll get Wilco on the following Saturday. My two favorite bands in one week

That's a nice looking site you've got there. If you should decide you'd like reviews of any other shows from the tour, let me know. I'll be at the Tower, and I'd be glad to send you some samples of my work.

I've heard nothing but absolutely glowing reviews of this. I may just get desperate enough to drive up to Rochester to see it when it opens there in a few weeks.