A week ago today, the city was damn near encased in ice. Today, it’s warm and sunny. I managed to drag my ass outdoors this afternoon to get some sun, and it was terrific. Walking through the crowds in Kensington, Steve Earle on the headphones, talking about old 60s organs at Paul’s Boutique (They had one of these Ace Tone Top 1s for just $400! If I’d only won the $30,000,000 last night, that organ would have been mine!), watching the people walking dogs and pretty girls (sometimes one and the same) on Queen West. Hell, even the distinctive scents of Chinatown couldn’t bother me. All good, and just the thing to put a stupid grin on one’s face. And I bought a new spring coat, ostensibly my reason for going outside. I had hoped to find something used at the vintage shops in Kensington or Queen, but all they had was leather and denim, and I didn’t want either. I ended up getting it in the Eaton Centre. Not very hip, I know, but what can you do.

Tonight is Mark Gardener at Lee’s, followed up Honeybunch doing a living room show a few blocks away. Brad and Clay are dong a little acoustic set of Lake Holiday stuff beforehand, but I don’t think I’ll be there in time to catch them.

Find some nice soundboard recordings of a Rilo Kiley show in Austin from February here and here. They’re uploading the show one song at a time. The current song is at the latter link, the earlier songs at the former.

My semi-regular war rant. Well, not a rant, really. I’m just sad about this. Very very sad.

np – Belly / The Best Of Belly

Worth mentioning – Portastatic is doing an in-store at Soundscapes on Sunday. Portastatic is Mac from Superchunk’s other band. I’m not sure of the time, probably around 2PM but call the store to find out for sure. This is in advance of their show opening for Yo La Tengo Monday night.

Went out for a beer with the folks from work today after closing time. I stink of smoke. And my MSN Messenger won’t work. Blah.

np – Steve Earle / Sidetracks

Get your full-size Curious George/Altoids wallpaper by clicking on the image. You know you want to.

It was just four days ago I was kvetching about the snow and wind and cold. Today it’s beautiful and sunny and I need to go shopping for a new Spring coat. I love how my moods are at the mercy of barometric pressures. I really do.

While the major labels bitch and moan about their dwindling sales and blame it all on file sharing, indie labels are prospering. Guess they didn’t figure that when they dropped their modest but consistent selling artists, they would go elsewhere and take their loyal fanbase with them. Chumps.

Mark has gone to see his immigration consultant to hand over all the paperwork he needed to complete for importing Lynette from Texas. I got to be a signatory witness to both his power of attorney AND his will. I get his PlayStation 2 if anything tragic should happen. I’m unclear if I get the games as well.

np – Luna / Close Cover Before Striking

I have been given a sizable ceramic Buddha for my workspace. He now sits on top my monitor, grinning beatifically. It’s quite jolly looking right now, but I give it good odds for becoming creepy in time and eventually, downright nightmarish. His belly-button is an innie. I don’t have my camera with me today, but I will take some pictures on Monday.

Mr Mailman brought me boxed musical happiness last night, in the form of my Columbia House order (yeah, I swore I quit the club after they botched my last order, but hey – buy 1 get 2 free. You can’t beat that with a stick). Welcome to the family Pavement’s Terror Twilight and Steve Earle’s Jerusalem and Sidetracks.

np – Pavement / Terror Twilight

On the walk to work this morning, I found myself a few paces behind a woman in 2-1/2″ stilettos trying to navigate the still icy and slushy sidewalks. She seemed to have only a casual relationship with her equilibrium and appeared ready to take a header at any moment. The sidewalks were narrowed to about only about 1-1/2 persons wide because of construction, and I didn’t want to try and pass her lest my tailwind upset her delicate sense of balance and tip her over. Lady, you’re carrying a tennis racquet – I’m sure you have some sneakers somewhere, you should use em. Those things just don’t look comfortable.

Pitchfork’s review of Summer Sun is, sadly, pretty accurate. A pleasant and pretty record, but ultimately a disappointment coming from a band that’s set such high standards in the past. That said, I am still sure that Yo La Tengo will still bring the noise live, as I will find out Monday.

The Pernice Brothers will be coming to Lee’s Palace on July 22. Or rather, Pernice Brother – singular. Bob Pernice doesn’t tour.

np – Broken Social Scene / You Forgot It In People