HUDDLED IN STORMS

Beyond earthquakes, hurricanes, and root canals, here's what has occupied my time while the family was in Japan:

• I took the plunge on a Spotify premium subscription. I'm liking the idea of having access to lots of music without the burden of ownership.

• I've developed a completely nonironic love of Rick Steves' Europe. I could watch it for hours.

• A Bon Iver obsession didn't take, but honestly I never gave it much of a chance. Can't force these things, after all-- they need to just happen...

• I compiled a small yet vital collection of low-res cell-phone pics of Taeko, shot by Lana.

• Finished that 33 1/3 book on Some Girls-- it remained sloppy to the end. Then I started the one on Marquee Moon, although I was somewhat dismayed to find that the author had co-written a book with the guy who wrote the Some Girls entry. Incest much, Continuum?

• Started reading Stone Arabia yesterday. So far, so good.

• Still haven't quite finished that copy of Bob Dylan in America that my boss shared with me. I'm a little over halfway through, and we're already on '90s Dylan, which is kind of dampening my enthusiasm for the rest of the book.

• I had what must be one of my top 5 most-liberating haircuts this past Friday. As I watched the brown and gray hair cascade down the front of my slick maroon smock, I swear I could feel my soul getting lighter...