Wilco, Wilco, Wilco

Over the past four or so years I've become a pretty big fan of Chicago's greatest in alternative rock/country, Wilco. The four-piece band began over a decade ago in 1994, but they're still cranking out quality tunes. I find it interesting in today's fastpaced scene of band today, gone tomorrow, that certain group's were essentially made to stick around. While Wilco rose up from the proverbial ashes of distinctly alternative country, Uncle Tupelo, the new formation stuck, save the hi and goodbye of Jay Bennett in 2001.

The group's set to play a sold out 5-day show in Chicago Feb. 15-20 at The Riviera. Boy, am I bummed that I can't go to that. At the same time, though, I know they'll be around for quite some time, and I'll be seeing the March 9 in Des Moines, IA. What's perfectly amazing about Wilco though is the mere fact that their 5-day is sold out, the tickets went for $35, and are now selling on eBay for more than 5 times that price.

The show in Des Moines should be an experience.

I'm jazzed.

[This blog post appears on www.dailyiowanart.blogspot.com]




Top Five Favorite Wilco songs:

1.) Reservations, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
2.) I am Trying to Break Your Heart, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
3.) Someone Else's Song, "Being There"
4.) A Shot in the Arm, "Summer Teeth"
5.) One True Vine, "Blue Sky Blue" "Bonus CD)



Reservations, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"

How can I convince you it's me I don't like
And not be so indifferent to the look in your eyes
When I've always been distant
And I've always told lies for love

I'm bound by these choices so hard to make
I'm bound by the feeling so easy to fake
None of this is real enough to take me from you

Oh I've got reservations
About so many things
But not about you

I know this isn't what you were wanting me to say
How can I get closer and be further away
From the truth that proves it's beautiful to lie

I've got reservations
About so many things
But not about you
I've reservations
About so many things
But not about you
Not about you
Not about you
Not about you
It's not about you

A Bitter Sweet Semester

So, the year's started. Classes are into their second week, and homework has already been a burden. While I'm graduating with degrees in Journalism with Honors and English, I still feel like I somehow missed out on some of my education.

Example, last night famed whistle blower Dr. Daniel Ellsberg came to Hancher Auditorium at the UI to speak about his role in the greatest act of defense of the 1st Amendment, and I missed it. I was busy learning about dead poet and puritan, Milton. Granted, the class only meets once weekly and it was the first one, but nonetheless, I feel I've missed out on something truly remarkable.

I must add, however, that I did get to meet Ellsberg in my Writing Across Cultures class, which was pretty sweet. It would have been wonderful to see him in front of a large audience though.

But in keeping with this talk of education and earnestness for knowledge, I should get started on my various reading and response papers due for tomorrow.

Although I only have class Monday through Wednesday, those days are full, but so are Thursday and Friday. The nice part of only having class three days per week, is that there is outside work that I can complete on my own schedule the other four days. I thought 19 hours was going to be impossible while I balanced my duties at The Daily Iowan, Content Magazine and KRUI 89.7, but I am looking forward to a really wonderful semester.

Along with all of that, since it's my last here at Iowa, I'm simply looking forward to spending time with my friends, not killing myself too much, and meeting new people and having new experiences every day.

Atonement

I just watched Atonement in theatres.

Can you imagine having done something as a child, which the repercussions of that act, you knew not of?

Can you imagine having to know that you were partially to blame for the currently dreadful situation of others?

I, for one, couldn't imagine having to walk around my entire life knowing that if only I hadn't done this terrible act, things could be different.

And trying to atone for this horrific deed isn't even a possibility.

Just having that "if only" mindset is deeply unsettling and makes my heart break inside. It actually hurts to think about it.

Venting

I hate Pier 1

I hate credit cards

I hate the fact that to drop or add a course, one needs a signature by everyone, their mother and an advisor I've spoken to less than I can count on one hand

I hate that I woke up at 7:30 a.m. and have class at 1:30 p.m.

I hate that I need 3 more semester hours in English to have my degree

I hate that no one tells you things ahead of time

I hate the fine print

I hate that to take an online course at the University of Iowa, it's an additional $672 on top of the other additional fee of $15

I hate that I don't get my credit card mail sent to my school address

I hate that parents try to make life more difficult than it has to be

I'm done complaining. Now here's a word from Natalie Dee:

Explanations

First thing's first. The photos in the previous post are of France. 1. Laura, Jenna, & Ben 2. View from a medieval chateau 3. Omaha Beach, Normandy 4. Apartments in Pau 5. St. Nicholas church, Pau

[Change in subject here]

After three weeks at home, I'm back in Iowa City. I'm back writing for The Daily Iowan. I'm back drinking coffee at The Java House. I'm back with the people I feel so comfortable with. But it's strange. Now that I'm here the one person I felt most comfortable with in Iowa City isn't here anymore. I know it may sound stupid and/or cliche, but that's how it is. Anyway, I got a new camera before I left for France (was stolen), then got another camera three months in, so I think I'm going to take pictures of Iowa City and the UI like I did while abroad. It seems sort of hilarious to take photos of the things that have become surprisingly familiar, but I want those shots anyway.

In other news, I begin my first DI stories for this coming week. One on the IC Yacht Club's 5th year anniversary and another on a bluegrass group headed for The Mill. It feels good to be back in the swing of things, but it feels different because things here are different, I'm different, and I miss that feeling of contentment.

France

Part of Home

I'm at L. Marshall Roofing & Sheet Metal at the moment. It's pretty ridiculous that I always get roped into working for my father when I'm home on break. I thought this was the time to sit around and do nothing. But, instead, I opt for making some hard earned cash.

Today was spectacularly busy though, except for now, as I write this. I finished with this intense mailing list for the Archdiocese of Chicago. L.P. Marshall is the #1 roofing contractor for all churches in the Chicagoland area. It's actually pretty cool, especially for a man who's token angry phrase is, "Jesus, Mary & Joseph!"

Anyway, I'm not in the mood to start anything new right now. I could finish up with this database project I've begun. So far I've finished nearly a decade's worth of roofing jobs with a grosse earning of over ten grand.

Our family business has helped put six kids through college among other things, and it's really only within the last few years that I've even taken the time to learn about it. It's caused a number of problems as well, but on the whole, it's provided shelter for our family. Growing up my siblings and I would always look at how stressed a self-run business has made my father, so we'd always assumed when my dad was done with it, we'd be done with it. Honestly, I just can't get over what life with this business has amounted to. My grandfather started it after he returned from France where he served in WWII. From there it has morphed with each new job. I don't know, being here sometimes is ridiculously monotonous, but really, I'm so proud of what my father has made this company into. I'm just proud of my dad.

Anyway, I'd just been pondering about this little piece of home.

Tu me manques...

This is Pau.