But.

Swede Jens Lekman performs tonight at the WOW Hall starting at 8 p.m.  Lekman, formerly known as Rocky Dennis, is a singer-songwriter who blends melodic guitar with digital samples (think Andrew Bird) to produce a sound that can be experienced here.  Heavily influenced by Modern Lovers front-man Jonathan Richmond and the Scottish rockers Belle & Sebastian, Lekman is now on Secretly Canadian and is on tour in support of his epic 2007 album Night Falls Over Kortadela.  His performances often take different shapes ranging from just him and his guitar to a cappella to a full choir and string quartet.  While I have no insider information to what he’ll pull from his bag tonight (Save for comedian and actress Tig Notaro as an opening act), I’m sure it will be well worth the $15 inside the WOW Hall tonight.  If you’re not engulfed in course work, check it.

From the creatures of Mucho’s Gusto and Le Fina Taqueria comes another delicious concept of a restaurant, this time in the form of a 50’s Burger joint.

Just down the street from campus on 13th and Pearl sits a brightly lit restaurant.

If you pay close enough attention on the outside you will realize that the mural painted on the outer building that surrounds the restaurant matches the checkered tile flooring inside.

The menu is simple yet vast with the combinations of items you can achieve with the perfect order.

They offer garlic fries to substitute, rings too. Chili on the side…chili on your burger, chili on your fries, oh yeah chili on your hot dog….chili tops just about everything you can think of, and I don’t think its a bad thing.

Lots of toppings for your burger that is served on home baked egg rolls that are grilled prior to serving. Bacon, caramelized onions, mushrooms, a mushonion combo, bacon. And alll kinds of cheese, American, cheddar, Swiss, blue cheese, even pepper-jack.

The fries are hand cut and double fried in 100% canola oil. Oh yeah the beef is all organic and vegetarian fed and stuff for you animal people. You can even substitute your patty for a veggie if that’s your thing.

So besides having burgers, they have hot dogs as well, and chili in a bowl or cup. Its served with melted cheese, onions, green onion and a dolop of sour cream.

Don’t forget the shakes and ice cream with mix-in’s either.

It blew me away that the same people that can make us mexican slop can aslo craft such a lovely and delicious burger.
Go Dickies!!

And through the years, it stuck. From late night family sedan races to my ambivalent relationship with Tokyo Drift. I was there for all of it, and the franchise had one more gift to give.

On Sunday night at Regal, Vin Diesel was back to influence my choices. I read the news: Biggest opening Car-themed movie ever, biggest opening of a Universal movie ever (take that Jurassic Park: The Lost World), blowing away the ridicule of many critics who just didn’t understand. My roommate and I had to go be a part of the magic.

And then there was Watchmen. At the box office we debated on what to see, Watchmen has its own story of dorm life and personal apocalypse. We weighed our options and went with Vin, middle school, cars, girls.

Hooray for not being scarred for life:

After some website issues, some printing issues, and some personal issues (because we’re all sooooo emo….wait, should I be admitting this?), the Oregon Voice brings you our second-to-last issue of this school year. Copy editor and all-around rad chick Katy Wolf brings us an interview with Greg Saunier of Deerhoof, myself and photo editor Naima Muntal battle it out over what makes a good dance party, and pacifists take the brunt of my unholy wrath as our asshole of the month (no hard feelings, right guys? I mean, our last asshole was children…) Check it out online, or please do visit one of our colorful (or not so colorful) boxes in and around the UO campus.

On April 20th (yes, that’s 4/20), the Oregon Voice will host a dance party fundraiser at the Campbell Club to raise funds for the printing of what we hope will be a 40-page mega issue with which we’ll usher in the end of this school year. The Mood and the Rockbottom Scoundrels, as well as DJ Jimbo of KWVA fame, will entertain us, and your entry ticket will earn you a chance to win one of many nifty prizes including some of our favorite CDs, books and OV tee shirts. For a mere three dollars, you can help us print our last issue and join us for some down and dirty booty shakin’.

Also, the Oregon Voice is in a state of transition (translation: we’re all graduating) which means we’re hiring for all of these administrative positions for the 2007-2008 academic year; two are paid, while the rest will give you awesome experience and proverbial resume cap feathers:

Editor-In-Chief (paid)
Publisher (paid)
Director of Photography
Layout Director
Director of Advertising

Applications are on our website, and are due no later than 5 PM on May 25th, 2007. Please keep in mind that while we love art photographers, you must have a handle on digital photography in order to be the director of photography. It’s a digital age, magazines are made on computers, and that’s just the way it is.

And if you’re interested in getting involved in our final issue—whether you be into graphic design, illustration, layout, writing or photographing– e-mail Sara the editor (myself) at ovoice@uoregon.edu as soon as humanly possible.

We hope to see you at the Campbell Club on April 20.

Sara, Reigning Queen Supreme