Here are my 10 favorite songs from the first six months of 2012. In order!

1. Usher - Climax
2. Schoolboy Q f/ Kendrick Lamar - Blessed
3. Stay Calm - Let Me Clear My Throat
4. Purse Candy - Fire Fight
5. Hot Chip - Look at Where We Are
6. Heartless Bastards - Low, Low, Low
7. Just Friends - Avalanche
8. Perfume Genius - Hood
9. R. Kelly - Share My Love
10. How to Dress Well - Ocean Floor for Everything

For those who ain't done packin' yet

Teaching a stone to talk.

But there is this stubborn provincial singing in me oh each time

"Little bird have you got a key?
Unlock the lock inside of me
Where will you go?
Keep yourself afloat
Feeling old until the wings unfolded
Caught me a long wind
Where will we go?
Keep ourselves afloat

I caught a long wind
A long life wind
I got to know the sky
But it didn't know me"
- Feist, "Caught a long wind"

the world stops at the window

Warm nights on the roof, the moon full over my heart:

You in mid-air; send in the clowns

I went to a parade -- THE parade, as far as Portland goes -- on Saturday for work. I can't believe it, but I actually liked it.

And so for you, I came this far across the tracks

"And we walk in the world of safe people
And at night we walk into our houses and burn"
- Dar Williams, "Iowa"