kidsmoke

Jack, what venue was this show? I know Earle is scheduled to play Spaceland sometime soon...I was thinking of trying to see that. You've got me more tempted now. I agree with the love for his version of "Can't Hardly Wait". Need to give that album more listening time! Edit: well crap, I knew the Spaceland date was soon...I just checked and sure enough this was the show you're talking about. I'll bet it was wonderful in such a tiny place! Wish now I hadn't missed it.

Pat, I'm so glad you decided to stay after all!

Leo! Long time no see! Sorry to hear about the knee surgery, but I hope it results in pain-free ambulation for many years to come. I give you cake: and fondest wishes!

Wilco - The Stimulus Album

Hey Bro! I wish the brightest and most brilliant of birthdays to one of the brightest and most brilliant Via Chicagoans ever! Cake for everybody! I realize this cake might be inappropriate for a mere 3-year-old.... Happiest of days, Drew!

This is quite possibly the stupidest degeneration yet of a topic I started. I like it!

Yikes, scary footage on CNN of the central London blaze now burning....a half-mile from St. Paul's Cathedral, at an area under construction near the Thames. London fire Live coverage here: very dramatic in the night! Fortunately, they're saying no one has been injured, and no historic buildings damaged, despite the fire's location. Go, firefighters! Live London fire coverage (Edit: well, not anymore...now it's live Obama Town Hall meetings... )

Oops, I'm a day late aren't I? Happiest of birthdays, happiest of years to our dear Dreamin' Judy! May this be the best year yet of your life!

Totally off the top of my head here, in no particular order: Springsteen (in '75! Yowza.) Wilco Rockpile The Ramones Rock Plaza Central (Be still my heart!) Just looking at that list makes me smile with the memories. Gabba gabba good stuff. Costello at the Whiskey was flat-out amazing too. I'm sure many other contenders will occur to me later.

Best vibes, Ellen! I hope some smart boss snaps you right up, into a better and better-paying job! Vibes to everyone who's struggling to get or stay employed.

That sounds terrific! I'm going to add that to my Wanna-Read list! I was just having a craving the other day to unload my turntable & listen to Phil Ochs. All this synchronicity is blowing my mind. I just two minutes ago finished reading David James Duncan's incredible "My Story as Told by Water".....which I heartily recommend, what a beautiful collection!....and he mentions and quotes Sherman Alexie at various points in the book, since the two of them are good friends. One of the essays toward the book's end is Duncan & Alexie in a fabulous & moving dream Duncan had. (Sounds c

Wow, that was eerie to watch. All of it sounded so calmly resigned as everyone just did what they had to. Truly amazing.

I wish you strength and new beginnings! I hope we'll see you soon.

Mende, all my sympathies for you and your country in the wake of these devastating fires! Thanks for posting this link. I'm sure some of our members will want to donate to help the wild critters recover. Have authorities confirmed that these fires were arson, as suspected? How sad.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, folks, but I have to repeat our oft-stated rule that videos of live Wilco/Tweedy shows are not to be posted on Via Chicago. As the band has always said, they do not allow or condone the videotaping of shows, and if people do so, it could result in the banning of all taping and cameras from shows in the future. Please respect the policy. Thanks, The Management

Sorry to be a wet blanket, folks, but I have to repeat our oft-stated rule that videos of this type are not to be posted on Via Chicago. As the band has always said, they do not allow or condone the videotaping of shows, and if people do so, it could result in the banning of all taping and cameras from shows in the future. Please respect the policy. Thanks, The Management

I don't mind the occasional grand challenge, and besides, Duncan's Brothers K has me curious to see why he named it so similarly to Brothers Karamazov. I may have to see whether Tom still has his copy of The Brothers Karamazov....otherwise, the library will do. Though that might mean I'd have to renew several times! I've just finished reading The Cider House Rules and Molly's right...while the movie wasn't awful, it couldn't begin to capture the depth and scope of the book! Really a beautiful story, and I love that Irving takes the time to really let you get to know his characters. It resul

I should clarify that David James Duncan's "The Brothers K" is not the same book as "The Brothers Karamazov", though the reference is intentional. In fact, the brothers in "The Brothers K" do not even have a last name beginning with K...their last name is Chance. My son Tom had to read "The Brothers Karamazov" at one point in school, so he was able to tell me that there are reasons Duncan named his book as he did. I've never read "Karamazov" myself, but now I want to because of "The Brothers K". It's got me curious! Do you think I'd survive it, Lammy? After that, "War and Peace" and "Moby

It's another of those great big books that slowly but surely draws you in with the beautiful writing and the involved individual stories. I love these characters like family (only without all the bickering at get-togethers ). I don't think I've ever hated more for a book to end. I wanted it to go on forever.

Dear Ben, a birthday of this caliber should not be missed! Have cake and a wonderful year! It's raspberry pistachio, and as unique as you yourself!

It is purely impossible that I have managed to miss this momentous occasion, therefore I have commissioned Superman himself (a Kansas boy!) to spin the world backwards on its axis and thereby turn the clock in reverse until, lo and behold, here it is February 8th again. (Apologies to any of you who didn't want to re-experience the previous week.) O lady of the floofy clouds, HAPPIEST EVER OF BIRTHDAYS!!!!! I give you cake! It is of course a Cloud Cake! Eat and be fluffy! PS - In a world in which Superduperman can adjust the date, surely there is some way we can get together in the com

To put it mildly!

Yes, Lotti, but can the fans expect there to be a leak any time soon?

Maggie, I just noticed Mark Doty's name on your list....I'll have to read Heaven's Coast! Doty's "Dog Years" was a gorgeous, gorgeous book. If you haven't read that one, do!

I've got three books (adult level) and one children's book that would make the cut, and although I know a 5th (and more) exist out there, I just can't call them to mind right now. So I'll go ahead and post these 4 beloved books that moved me so powerfully. 1.) The Brothers K, by David James Duncan - A beautifully told family saga that lives on in your head long after reading. His "The River Why" is terrific, too. 2.) A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving - HOW CAN YOU HELP BUT LOVE OWEN & THIS BOOK? That was to be read in Owen's voice, and was for Austrya. 3.) The "Awakenings" spe