Artist	Song
John Vanderslice	Exodus Damage
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists	Already Too Late?
Calexico	Lucky Dime
Blanche	A Year From Now
The Decemberists	Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)
Great Lakes Myth Society	Raindrops and Roses
Weezer	Only in Dreams
The Flaming Lips	Plastic Jesus
Chris Thile	Sinai to Canaan Pt. 1
Joanna Newsom	Cosmia
The Whitlams	Charlie No. 3
Wilco	Sky Blue Sky
Feist	1234
The White Stripes	My Doorbell
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists	The Lost Brigade
Andrew Bird	Happy Day (live)

Comment:

Dear Mike,

How are things going overseas? We're all rooting for you! Know that your room's just as you left it and that we're going to have a huge celebration when they send you back.

We're all getting along well enough here. Guess what - you're going to be an uncle! Your brother Abe and his wife are three months into the pregnancy. The news seemed to set your father at ease, he's been a bit on edge ever since the extension of the deployment. Tommy's still doing wonderfully in his studies, except that he's treading on the edge of suspension in catechism. His teacher has called us three times last week alone. Your father's been giving him a number of tongue-lashings for it, overdoing it a little I think. I'm not too worried. I was rebellious at his age, too. He'll come back to the fold eventually.

I marvel at the calm and even content tone in your letters. You must feel frustrated about your current situation, how disconnected it feels from the aim that sent you abroad in the first place. I'd be frustrated, too, but I know in my heart that it will all turn out okay. The happy ending always comes to those who wait long enough.

There's been friction in the family since you left. You always seemed to be the glue that held us together. We anxiously await the day of your return. You'll come home an accomplished man and life will be great once more.

Love,

Mom

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