Random bits of knowledge ... and some reviews.

Here are a few things I've learned since I've been here:

1) Long Islanders wear Fur Coats. A lot.

2) There are a lot of red doors on houses. I was informed this derives from an 18th Century practice where once a mortgage was paid in full, the owner would paint the door red, to let the tax collector's know that there was no longer a need to stop at that particular residence.

[cue tagline: The More You Know!]

3) The Islanders have the same GOAL! music at the Anaheim Ducks. In case you don't know, it's this. It's a song called "Bro Hymn" by Pennywise, in case you're interested. Which many of you may not be; but so it is. (Just so we're clear, I haven't been to see the Islanders play, though I might, I just watched them shut out the Red Wings 5-0. Nice.)

4) (This one may help native West Coasters with tv/media references) Apparently, it's a "thing" here to refer to one's social position by identifying one's home as being on either the North or South side of the highway (see: Long Island Expressway). If one lives on the South side of the highway (like we currently are), looks range from pleasant smiles to envious surprise. It's the posh side of the highway, or the "right" side of the tracks. If one lives on the North side, then chances are one is, well, normal. We haven't been to the dreaded "North Fork" yet - though Greenport and Shelter Island technically are ... but if that's what Long Island refers to as "average," I don't want to know what it refers to as sub-par.... apparently there is at least one reference to this on Sex and the City.

5) Long Islanders refer to NYC as "The City." This constantly confuses me because Western Massachusettsians refer to "The City" as Boston.

Things that you have to watch/listen to RIGHT NOW:

(this one makes me think of my monkey... :)

OK GO didn't have the embedding on YouTube, but this is their latest video. And it's AWESOME. Watch it.

New Music You Should Pick Up Right NOW:

1) Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Up From Below. So if you like the song in the video above ("Home"), then you should just buy this album. This album was released in July of 2009, and they're absolutely my new favorite band. It's only $7.99 on itunes. Do it.

2) Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes. I'm currently experiencing a repulsion of over-produced, over-synthesized albums. Simple, somewhat rustic, and with an emphasis on musicality. If you, like me, are looking for this kind of music - buy this. Now.

Tracks: White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood

3) Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest. See #2. But different.

Tracks: Two Weeks, While You Wait For The Others

4) Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. I'm veering a bit away from the home-grown, granola-crunchy music above with this selection. But it's good. Really.

Tracks: 1901, Lisztomania

Also:

Vampire Weekend's New Album: I'm not impressed, and totally disappointed. Remember how I said I'm not really into over-produced, over-synthesized music? Well, that's this album. It's like some music exec listened to Vampire Weekend's first album, and loved it so much, he had to change everything that was charming and wonderful about this band and their sound. This is what's wrong with the music industry.

Menage a Twang: Again, if you like what saw in the video above, buy their album. Witty, interesting, creative - these three women are awesome. Check them out here. My friend/co-director/roommate, Allissa, turned me on to them. And thank goodness.

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This blog post brought to you by:

Summer squash marinara pasta (made by me)

NY Islanders Hockey

itunes

Allissa Wickham and her itunes collection