Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country

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[Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country] I’m slightly scared of this album cover. But it got my attention, and after checking out their visit to Morning Becomes Eclectic, Camera Obscura [official site / allmusic entry] made it to the list. This is their third, and most polished, full length album. The tone is pretty mellow and upbeat highlighted by Tracyanne Campbell’s sweet vocals. The opener, “Lloyd, I’m Ready to Be Heartbroken,” is the best track on the album, but it’s pretty solid throughout, and even received the Char-Broiled seal of approval.

For more information on what a camera obscura is, read the wikipedia page.

Fall Update

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There probably won’t be much action here for a couple weeks as I get my thesis together and head out to Chicago, but just to show you that I’m still alive, here are some things that have happened over the past couple months:

The group went to Vegas to celebrate the boss officially earning tenure. After a fancy meal, we got the VIP treatment at the Palms.

Zephyr came out for a long weekend, and we drove down to SoCal for an amusement park tour. After days at Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm, we saw a slug-fest between the Rockies and Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. Despite being an older ballpark (opened in 1962), it’s a very nice place to watch a game. The fans are pretty knowledgeable and into the game, unlike their rivals at ATT Park. I will say that Dodger Dogs are overrated though.

Finally, Melissa and I made our triumphant return to Notre Dame Stadium to watch the Irish bludgeon the Stanford Cardinal. Mel played in the alumni band, and it was awesome to see her march across campus.

I talked to a cowboy last night!

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I was leaving work last night, and just as I was about to call Melissa, I saw a guy hanging out near the chemistry buildings. He was wearing a large cowboy hat. In Berkeley, a place renowned for people and things not-normal, this was not normal.

“Excuse me,” the guy called out in a distinctly Texan accent.

I walked toward him and could now see him better in the dim light. He had one of those shirts with the fringe on, and I thought he was also wearing one of those bolo tie.

He wasn’t just some student wearing a cowboy hat. He was a cowboy!

“Is the organic exam in Pimentel?” he asked.

“Sorry, I have no idea.” I replied.

“Oh, thanks anyway.” he said, and I started walking down the hill.

Kind fella, that cowboy. I wish he would have given a little more cowboy speak, like, “I’ll let ‘cha wrangle on home there, chuck-eater,” but alas…