Bake at 350° for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Part One: I am always getting shit from my conservative family members (and these are the ones who are my age!) about listening to NPR. Apparently it makes me a nerd? Well, maybe, but I always have knowledge of current events, and can present myself as an intelligent and informed person when I meet a person for the first time. Nothing like a first impression, ya know?

That doesn't have too much to do with the rest of this, I just had to get that out.

Part Two: It seems like a contradiction to Part I, but I don't have a radio in my car. I listen to NPR at work. It's nice to drown out the Country (or right now, Christmas) music. I haven't had a radio in a year. I just checked my archives, and I'm surprised that I didn't write about it. Oh well, I had a lot going on this time last year. Anyway, December 1st of 2005 my truck was broken into while I was working to save up money to move home. It was the last day of classes and I had tons of stuff due that I had stored in my back pack that was stolen along with my radio and some other choice items, like my debit card. I have just never replaced the radio. It'll just get stolen again, right? Plus, I just haven't felt able to pare $80 any time recently.

Part One + Part Two = I may be way behind musically. I was never ahead of the game in the first place. Today I listening to all things considered and heard an interlude I really liked. So I looked it up - "Pachuca Sunrise" by Minus the Bear. I like them. What originally intrigued me about the instrumental interlude was how empty and lonely it sounded. When I got to the website I learned a little bit more. They are QUITE different than what I first heard. Think a shake and bake of Death Cab for Cutie, Incubus, and a dash of old Modest Mouse guitar riffs. Add interesting percussion and a little bit of cheese to taste.

It kind of makes me feel like I am in high school - in a good way. I think Sara T. would like it. Maybe she should try listening to NPR?