The unthinkable happened.  I've been tagged for the dreaded music survey that has been floating around blogland lately.  I was just thinking I had escaped when I was tagged by a pretty cool knitter.  She seems to think I listen to crazy Japanese stuff while I'm eating Pocky in Japan.  I just have to do this to show her the REAL story.*  I do eat a lot of Pocky, but I have yet to stumble upon any really crazy Japanese music (it's mostly really bad pop) and sometimes I eat very non-Japanese meals like this:

The cheese is from Hokkaido!  and quite good. 

1.Total amount of music files on your computer?
1418 songs, or 3.5 days of music.  I put a lot of my CDs on my computer before I moved here, so that is primarily why.  Still, there are CDs that I left at home and didn't put on my computer that I really want to listen to sometimes, like Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff's Greatest Hits (*sigh* another good reason to visit home). 

2. The last CD you bought was:
I bought Young Forever by Aberfeldy and R.E.M.'s new one, Around the Sun (in preparation for their big concert!) on itunes a few weeks ago.  They're both really good.  Aberfeldy is my new favorite band (this month, that is). 

3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
"Landed," Ben Folds' new single.  It's the best--that man sure can play the piano.  I love him.
 

4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you:
Just 5?  This is impossible!!!!  Here are the songs that I love and haven been listening to all the time lately, in no particular order. 

"I Just Wish it Would Rain," by the Temptations.  No explanation needed, it's the Temptations!

"Papito," by Manu Chao.  This is just a really cool band and a super catchy song.  I listen to it at least a few times a week. 

"There's Always Someone Cooler Than You," by Ben Folds.  This song is really catchy and has funny lyrics with a great message. 

"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots," by the Flaming Lips.  This is just about as close to crazy Japanese music as my collection gets.  Even though it's not Japanese, there is a part where someone speaks Japanese at the beginning that I was just talking about with my friend.  We feel really cool because we can understand it!

"It's the Same Old Song," by the Four Tops.  I love oldies!  This song reminds me of my old roommate.

"Wander Lust," by R.E.M.  I think this song was written for me. 

"掌," by Mr. Children.  This is a pretty catchy song that I have been listening to a lot by a reasonable cool Japanese pop band.  I don't know how to read the title though... a little help here?

Finally, "Que Viva la Noche," by Sonia & Selena.  This is a song from the L'Auberge Espagnole soundtrack that I absolutely LOVE.  It is a pretty rad song to begin with, but then it is played in a really great scene in the movie that just reminds me of studying abroad.  If you haven't seen the movie, or heard the song, then you should check it out. 

That was more than 5.  If you're actually still reading this, sorry!

5. What 3 people are you going to pass this baton to and why?
Whoops, I think I dropped the baton.  I never was very athletic...

*and also because, shamefully, I have no knitting to share with the world.  Last night I dreamt that Sarah finished her Clapotis.  In the dream, I was quite devestated.  Sad, isn't it?

OH!  How could I forget?  I called the Noro factory today!  As it turns out, there is no one there who speaks English, so the following may or may not be true.  As far as I understood, they don't do factory tours, and definitely don't have a factory store.  So disappointing.  I hope my mom will still be willing to come visit... I did, however, get the name and number of a relatively close yarn store that carries Noro so I am off to school tomorrow to have a Japanese friend call for me and see if I get get directions.  I'll find Noro if it's the last thing I do!