Random First Post

So I'm deciding to give this whole blog thing a whirl, despite the fact the it will contributing to the
destruction of our economy, culture, and values..

I recently moved to Richmond and I'm still getting settled in my new surroundings. It hasn't really helped that I have had issues of paying double rent for the last two months (long story), but that should (hopefully) be resolved by the end of the week. Now, I finally feel like getting back into the groove of things...getting back into shape, writing some new music, and begin exploring my new neighborhood.

Another thing I would like to get back into the habit of is reading. The last book I read I highly recommend, it's called Deep Economy by Bill McKibben.

It examines new ways about thinking about the economy, something I've been particularly drawn to since my Intro to Economics class in college. During class I was always little bothered by the fact that growth was the answer to everything, the laissez-faire free market economy brings about the greatest innovation and improves quality of life. My class also taught be about diminishing returns...there comes a point where the benefit one receives begins to straight-line. McKibben makes the argument that it actually begins to dip. Americans no longer valuate the economy in terms of money, but also in turn of happiness. A new friend makes an American a lot happier because we have lost the sense of community that most third-world countries still have. McKibben gives examples of how Americans can regain this sense of community, one is to begin visiting the local farmer's market. Locally grown food is better for you, much better for the environment, and ironically, despite, being more expensive is more better for the economy. By investing in your local economies, you are investing in yourself, more so then if you were to buy your vegetables form Wal-Mart. I could go on rambling about the book, but I am not really doing it justice...I recommend picking up, or if you want I can let you borrow my copy!


What I'm Listening to Now:

So my mom tells me that my dad is listening to some funny-sounding band from Tennessee with Leon in the brain. Kings of Leon?! I've never really gotten into them (I know I'm 5 years late), but my dad is really on to something. I bought the new CD last night, and while in my opinion it is a bit over-produced and this is their "big break" CD, I am really enjoying it. The bass lines in particular are really, really good and exactly my style. I recommend listening to the track "Manhattan"....it has an extremely catch chorus.