Today Was My Girlfriend's 20th Birthday!

Instead of going out and partying like some people might do, we just kind of spent the whole day together, relaxing. We'll have been going out for 3 months on the 12th, and the times always seems to simply fly with her. Honestly, I feel like it was just yesterday that we had started talking again, to the point of me finally working up the nerve to ask her out. At the risk of sounding sappy, every moment I've shared with her has truly been one to remember up to this point.

As for her birthday, she kind of demanded I not spend too much on her for it, due to the fact that she feels I spend way too much money on gas just to drive to see her in the first place (She lives about 30-40 minutes from my house and about and hour and 15 minutes from where I work). Going by this, I got her two things. The first is the recently released Archie Archives Volume 1. She used to love reading Archie way back, so I thought what better thing to do then get her the stories that started it all? Very nice looking hardcover and excellent quality for stories from the 40's and such. The next gift is due to her love for everything Nirvana (I'm talking the band of course). She's only missing some of their albums, so I went with the With The Lights Out box set, since I knew that was one that she had the hardest time getting (as would anyone due to the cost. It's not exactly an impulse buy for most). Needless to say (and happy to report), she loved both gifts very much and already proceeded to playing the hell out of the CDs and DVD in the box set.

The rest of the day was spent going out to lunch at our favorite little diner, trying to find ways to not die of heat exhaustion, watching Big Bang Theory, and even eating some excellent hot dogs and peas that she cooked us (Did I mention she's an AMAZING cook? Seriously, I didn't know French onion soup could be like that... Oh wow... AH, where was I!?). The remainder of the night consisted of things that you definitely would not want to know about, but you can trust me when I say she really is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. Life gets better and better whenever she's involved, and I can't wait to see where that life takes us next.

To those who actually read this ridiculously sappy and over-the-top post, I salute you and promise the next post will be way more nerdy and overly-analytical on subjects that don't call for it, as normal.

Happy birthday honey!

My Favorite Music Store Is Closing After Tomorrow

Living in New Jersey can be a mixed bag when it comes to the good any the bad, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it all my life, and will continue to unless I need to move someday. That said, Curmudgeon Music in Somerville New Jersey, my favorite music store of all time, is closing its doors after Memorial Day. Those who know me know it's no secret that I generally prefer the sound of vinyl records to CDs. There are a few exceptions where I don't feel the sound is very different, but for albums with true analog recordings, I don't think you could mistake the quality difference. Yes, there's some hiss and crackle sometimes, and even the occasional skip, but those who already listen know that this won't really matter to the listener much. It's sad to see a store like this go, mainly because their prices were almost always better than the stores around us. That said, Vintage Vinyl and Princeton Record Exchange will still always be big parts of my music shopping. Someday, maybe the owner will bring the store to a new location, though I know that would be very difficult for them right now. Here's hoping for the future. Keep the music alive my friends.

Hello internets!

In the attempt of being able to write out longer, more thought-provoking, and maybe sometimes even insightful posts, I have decided to start a blog. This blog will vary in its topics. One day, you may see a post involving something going on in my life, and the next could be my review of a book or movie that I just finished. Just about anything that I find worth discussing or talking about will come up here. I hope you all enjoy and come back whenever you can! I always look forward to hearing from others.