The best movie I saw in August was also the only movie I saw in August (pathetic!): Stardust. Lucky for me, I quite enjoyed it.

The best book I read in August was a tie between “Run” by Ann Patchett and “Seven Types of Ambiguity” by Elliot Perlman. The former is relatively short, concise, but emotionally overwhelming, family drama. The latter is long, meandering, stream of conscious from various narrators, personal relationship drama. Both were highly enjoyable.

The best concert I went to in August was a three-way tie: the Lollapalooza performances by The Polyphonic Spree, Lupe Fiasco and Ben Harper.

My favorite tunes in August were: Matt Nathanson!!! both his new album “Some Mad Hope” and his live album “At the Point” are totally awesome. Awesome!!; Okkervil River “The Stage Names”; and Earlimart “Mentor Tormentor” (hypnotic! entrancing!). And I’m still listening to the stuff I bought in Belgium en français…right now I really like David Hallyday, MC Solaar’s “Chapitre 7” and Kaolin’s “Mélanger Les Couleurs”.

Random personal highlights: Lollapalooza! Trip to Belgium! Plus some quiet days with the Fam up in MN.

Lowlights? Tired out. Two weeks off really throws you for a loop when you return to normal. Need a vacation to recover from my vacation.