(1) Grizzly Bear. My friend Izzy introduced this band to me a few months ago, and they have now officially de-throned Vampire Weekend as “favorite album to have playing in the house.”  That is no small thing.  I love the sonic colors they paint, their haunting melodies, the way each instrument swims in reverb without drowning, and I especially love how uncool they look.

the nard dog

(2) The return of “The Office”. Although a fan for years, i’ve had to admit that the best show on television has lost some steam.  Kevin, Creed, and the Nard Dog are usually good for some ridiculous moments, and Michael keeps heaping on the discomfort, but the show has felt largely lost.  The last few episodes, however, have come close to recapturing the magic…filled with more jokes, one-liners, and clever moments than can be caught in a single viewing.  (The one where Michael is dating Pam’s mom was particularly painful and glorious.)

(3) “The Naked Now” by Richard Rohr. I can’t overstate how important this book has been for my soul.  Father Rohr gently pulls me out of either/or thinking and into “the third way of seeing” over and over. . .back to a bigger view of Reality and a deeper faith in the One who holds all things together.  He seemlessly weaves orthodox Christian faith together with healthy psychological development and the wisdom of the Zen teachers and the latest neuroscience.   No matter what your faith background is, may i recommend that you begin with Everything Belongs, and then read everything that this Catholic Franciscan Mystic has ever written…

tea from heaven

(4) Candy Cane Lane tea. I’m not allowed to have caffeine right now (doctor’s orders), and so instead am morphing into my grandma and drinking truckloads of flavored decaf tea.  Next time you see me, I‘ll probably be in an Old Country Buffet at 4pm to “beat the rush”. . .

(5) Anything made by “Penguin”. For the last year or two, I’ve been slowly replacing anything I wear with clothing made by The Original Penguin.  Nearly every single thing they make is cool, and I can afford approximately none of it.  But the clearance rack has been good to me and I keep finding odd little misfits to add to the collection.  In fact, I recently bought a $375 jacket for under $40 bucks!  (Next step: working up the courage to wear a purple, slightly feminine, fitted blazer. . .oh well!)

(6) My family. Shauna and Henry make me feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.  I couldn’t love them more. . .

halloween