Music Monday 185 :: NPR Music's 30 Favorite Albums Of 2016 (So Far)

Music Monday 185 :: NPR Music's 30 Favorite Albums Of 2016 (So Far) 

Happy 4th of July Americans!

As summer moves into full gear, you might consider hitting refresh on your music playlist. I love my Backyard Funk BBQ playlist on Amazon Prime, but unbeknownst to me 2016 has seen the release of an avalanche of good music, at least that's what this NPR list promises.

I've only scanned the list, but if all else fails, there are a few on the list that I'm curious about:

• Anderson .Paak
• A-WA
• Corinne Bailey Rae
• Esperanza Spaulding
• Kanye
• Oddisee

Along with a few others. Thanks NPR for curating this list for this lazy listener. Let the beach party commence.

Travel Tips: 6 weekend breaks in Europe

As I consider my options for summer travel, I saw this:

6 weekend breaks in Europe:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/travel-tips-and-articles/76607

Top 5 Moments of Summer 2010

Top 5 Moments of Summer 2010

1. Hanging w/the family especially that girl of mine. She's a gem when she's not being gnarly.

2. Birthday week in D.C. w/the sis and a really cool batch of friends!

3. Seeing and doing things in my hometown that I've never done: go to Mary Coyle for ice cream, visit Terminal Tower in downtown Cleveland, ate broasted chicken from that place on Portage Path, ate at The Lockview in downtown Akron, visit Lanterman's Mills in Youngstown (see image below).

4. Managing my way around Amsterdam dolo!

5. Driving my Jeep baby ... though it did nearly die on me twice in the last few days. When I left it had 207,000+ miles.

And now that it's officially and totally over, how was your summer?

Summer 2010 Plans

Just when I thought my life would slow up and I could enjoy the summer, it arrived and I'm not ready.

I've only managed to get one thing done so far: wrote an article for a journal.

And it seems summer will be over before I know it. At least my summer will be. In D.C. for about two weeks to hang w/fam and friends. Then to Chicago to do more of the same. Considering a trip to Denver for the AEJMC conference. Then back to Cairo for the 2010-11 academic year.

Here's what I hope to squeeze in over the next few weeks:

• Reading "The Great Negro Plot" by Mat Johnson (reading group's summer read)
• Begin to write a movie script
• Write an e-book
• Update my blogs more consistently
• Workout daily

That should be plenty, right?

The Summer Calendar ...

Well, if you are like me, then your summer calendar is filling up already. The wedding dates have been set and that means at least a bridal shower and a wedding. Or maybe for you it's a bachelor party. Let the good times roll.

There is graduation. Oh, graduation. I have to say it again, graduation! So many of them. Which ones will I actually attend. I don't have any relatives graduating this year, so it's fair game on whose graduation I will end up attending. At any rate, congrats to all!

Then there is vacation. I think I will go back to the left coast. I'm going to try to get that in early like in June.

There are some craft events that I'd like to attend and some long weekend options. It's exciting to think about all of the activity! Indeed, good times are on the horizon.

Summer Shoes

Okay, so my feet aren't ready and the weather is hot! It was a no brainer for me, though I am somewhat self-conscious. I just wear whatever shoes I want despite the status of my feet. A pedicure is on the horizon though. I nice pedicure in the near future.

So I don't need any new shoes, but what do I do ... ? I go out and pick up two new pairs of flip flops. Yep. I pulled out out of my summer footwear and I have way too much. Some of them will definitely be getting a new address in the near future.

But I like wearing sandals and open-toed shoes. Actually, I wear open-toed shoes year around. It drives my sister and my girlfriend crazy because I live in a cold climate and they think I should be wearing duck boots or some other non-sexy shoe. Whatever, I'm gonna do what I wanna; I'm not wading in the snow in my open-toed pumps or anything crazy ... just enjoying my life is all.

So I got my sandals and flip flops and I have some options this summer (much like last summer) that don't hurt my feet and they look good. Gotta love that!

**photo courtesy of Stuck in Customs