After a celebratory night Friday night, in which much Cabernet was consumed, I slept until 1:38 this afternoon. It'll do me good come next week, when I doubt I'll get much sleep at all.

Then today I ran some errands and generally was a bum, because it's good to do that once in a while. Come this evening, however, I was ready to go out and do something. But nobody was up for it.

I'm not much for going out to bars alone, so I just gave it up and drove around for a while, enjoying the cool air and Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". (A great album, by the way.) And I got to thinking that I need more single, young friends that don't mind going out every once in a while. I've always enjoyed the company of my older friends, who are all about 10 years my senior. But since the end of college, I haven't really met many younger folks that like to go out and meet people and have a few drinks. Maybe I'll just have to get over it and head out solo.

Posted 12:33 AM by Jackson Cooper |

Holy hot damn!

You knew it was coming, and here it is:

My Morning Jacket on MTV!
click here for real player stream of the segment
Here's an extended article, from MTV dot com.
(HA! 2nd paragraph: "Death Is My Sleazy Pay"! That's hilarious!)

Well, I didn't hear it there first. But a lot of people will, and that's great. Bon voyage boys. Enjoy the ride.

(see pictures of their most recent Louisville show here)

Posted 1:02 PM by Jackson Cooper |

I'm pretty sure I took this before, and I think it came out the same, but here are my political compas results:

Economic Left/Right: 0.62
Authoritarian/Libertarian: -4.26

I'd say that's about right.

Posted 10:42 AM by Jackson Cooper |

If you didn't know, you do now.

The absolutely best comic on the web: Achewood.
I laugh outloud every morning thanks to this wonderful strip.

Posted 8:43 AM by Jackson Cooper |

Tired of Bluegrass yet? TOUGH!

Caleb linked to the Rounder site's info on the upcoming Alison Krauss and Union Station live CD/DVD. This thing was recorded at the beautiful Palace Theatre right here in Louisville. I was at one of the two shows, right up front. So I'll be at the store buying the DVD as soon as it comes out, if just to see if I made the cut.

Posted 12:04 PM by Jackson Cooper |

The freakin' Gibson Montana trailer is going to be out here at the shop for the next three days. That means extra hours for me. But not nearly as many hours as I'll be putting in next week for IBMA(International Bluegrass Musicians' Association) Convention. Hopefully I'll get to take in a little bit of the festivities. Said festivities include a big trade show, Bluegrass awards show, fanfest concerts featuring all the best bands and picking everywhere.

The IBMA takes place at the Galt House, and essentially consumes the entire hotel. Every meeting/convention room and hall is taken by concerts, booths, showcase rooms, food, instrument check-in etc. And the halls are packed with people playing, singing drinking and having a hell of a time.

As you take the elevator up the east tower and the doors open, you are treated to the sound of people picking on each floor. The west tower is the "quiet" tower, where people go to sleep and find a little peace. But the east tower is rocking all night long. And you can see people from all over the world enjoying the music that has its roots in Kentucky.

If you come, stop by the First Quality booth and say hi. I'll probably be there for a good chunk of the week.

Posted 11:46 AM by Jackson Cooper |

Here's another good article on Bluegrass. This one comes from the Hardin County News-Enterprise and features members of Bluegrass Anonymous, the Louisville Bluegrass Association Bobby Smith and Terry Strange.

(And check out that First Quality sticker on the washtub bass!)

Posted 11:05 AM by Jackson Cooper |

There's an excellent article over at the impressive Blogcritics.org about Bill Monroe's Mandolin.

I remember hearing that the Bill Monroe foundation bought the thing at auction for some ridiculous price, because I also remember the pleas for donations shortly after. I think it's great that the folks in Rosine are trying to hold on to this vital piece of Kentucky music history, and if you want to support their effort, visit the web site and see where to send the check.

Posted 3:00 PM by Jackson Cooper |

This Matt Welch post reminded me of an experience I had while working as the cart jockey at Target.

The security guard, who still works there, was this late twenties / early thirties guy with a police officer wife. Being the security guard at Target, he was supposed to wear "street" clothes. This usually translated into him wearing some of the unhip teen clothing sold at the store, which made him stick out like a sore thumb. This condition was not relieved by the fact that he just walked around the store all day carrying a couple of items and staring at people.

So, one day this guy gathers all of the cart jockeys into his office. We're a little concerned. We each think the other has done something really wrong. (Like slamming into a car with a train of 20+ carts, or stealing something or taking too many breaks.)

But much to our relief, he informs us that he just got a call from the Bashford Manor Mall Target security guard. They had just been hit by a notorious shoplifter. The culprit made off with a TV, a stereo and a couple of VCRs. They had reason to believe he was on his way over here to hit our store.

The security guard needed our help. We, the bottom of the Target Team Food Chain, were the last line of defense against this ruthless criminal. This particular crook's M.O. was to park his pickup in front of the store and leave it running. Then he would grab a cart, go straight to the electronics department and load up. Heading for the exit, he would go out, setting off the alarm, drop the stuff in the bed of his truck, and speed off before anyone stopped him.

Our mission, we were informed, was to watch the front door for anyone in a pickup parking by the entrance leaving the engine running. When we spotted him, we were to radio to the security guard with some secret code. Then we were supposed to get in the truck, shut it off, and toss the keys under the seat. This would allow the security guard time enough to stop the shoplifter before he got away.

It was a fantastic plan, and we were chomping at the bit for this guy to show his face. Aside from dodging cars and chasing runaway carts, this was the most excitement we would ever see.

But much to all of our dismay, there was no trouble. The guy never came by, and we never got to foil his scheme.

Posted 1:56 PM by Jackson Cooper |

After seeing this thing on Caleb's site and OnMyMind, I had to give it a whirl. Here are the results:

Jackson Cooper
Lost in Louisville


Posted 11:01 AM by Jackson Cooper |

Consider this a friendly reminder that you should read James Lileks' Bleat every day! (especially today)

Posted 9:56 AM by Jackson Cooper |

The picture at the top of this Tony Pierce post [Hint: it's not the Anna pic.] is far and away the most disturbing thing I've seen in a weeks. And I'm so used to seeing pictures of beautiful women on his site that it came as a special kind of shock.

I think I need to go home and take a shower.

Posted 9:32 AM by Jackson Cooper |

It's been a hectic couple of days. Sunday I went down to catch Fire The Saddle open the day of Oktoberfest music at the BBC before heading over to Seneca park for a baseball game. The field was wet, and then it rained a little more, putting a nice slip 'n slideish effect on the outfield. I did, however, manage to keep my footing and make a couple of decent plays.

My main contribution to the game was hitting. Ever since I started playing a month or three ago, I have shocked myself with my hitting ability. I rarely do not reach base. And when I don't, it's usually because the fielder made an excellent play. It made me think that I might have missed my calling, sports-wise. I spent all of my childhood playing soccer. I played a little baseball, but quit as soon as it interfered with soccer. And I'm certainly built more like Kirby Puckett than Cobi Jones.

So, more on the theme of my recently re-discovered athleticism. Last night and the night before I played tennis, also at Seneca park. Now, I've really never played tennis. But I seem to do pretty good. I'm not great. And with my lack of conditioning, mobility is a little limited. But I keep up. And my hand-eye coordination is impeccable. Monday the game was shortened by the lights on most of the courts going out 30 minutes in. But last night I played hard for a full two and a half hours.

And this morning I am paying the price. I can barely move.

Posted 9:15 AM by Jackson Cooper |