TRYING SOMETHING: This new Google-powered version of Blogger -- transparent to most of you, I'm sure -- lets me use labels for my posts. Could be interesting. Instead of creating 73 new blogs, I can just use different labels. For example, this post will be labeled "Housekeeping," a category wherein I can post general blather about blog administration and other shit you won't care to read. I'm also keen to start a series of posts about my workout routine, general healthiness, etc. (File also under "Stuff You Won't Read," right?) Anyway, just wanna see 'zactly how this new software implements the label. So this post is part administrivia, and part test. (In the event of a real post, you would be instructed to go straight to your basement and eat any crackers you could find in the cupboards.)

IF I WAS MAKING A MIX TAPE, VOL. 1: Here are some songs I'm into of late...

"These Days," Gregg Allman
You don't have to be a hippie or a Southern Fried Rocker to appreciate this ironic, wistful ode to getting older, slowing down, and keeping on.

"9 to 5," Lady Sovereign
Brit hip-hop chick with an attitude, sort of like if a 15-year-old Anabela Lwin found rap instead of Malcolm McLaren way back when.

"Pin Your Wings," Copeland
There's very little that passes for rich, intellectual rock these days. It's either minimalist indie-stuff, or teenie-bombast, or...I can't find it. Love Copeland, and love this song which, for me, channels the old supergroup Asia.

"That's That Shit," Snoop Dogg
Total comic-hop, hands wavin', nah-mean? I know I shouldn't like the Snizzle Dizzle, but I can't help it. Holla at a player!

"Honey & The Moon," Joseph Arthur
Hopeful heartache, beautiful tragedy, pressing on a bruise, just like I always like.

"In the Sun," Michael Stipe (feat. Chris Martin)
Here's Stipe at his finest, covering Joseph Arthur with the help of Mr. Paltrow.

THAT NAME IS CALLED RECIDIVISM: I've stumbled across RAISING ARIZONA a few times on cable of late, and I'm starting to think this may be the best movie ever made, or at least among them. It's so rich, so full of great lines and moments and performances...well, my capacity for viewing it seems bottomless. I'm half-tempted to buy a DVD player and a monitor and put 'em on a table somewhere with this movie on endless repeat-play.

THE MEANING OF SNOW: "Daddy, do you like snow?"

Pause. Silence.

"Daddy?"

"Not really, C.J."

"You don't like snow angels? You don't like snow men? You don't like snowballs? You don't like playing in the snow with me?"

"You're right, C.J. I like snow."