Shiver the whole night through

Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing (from Kettle Whistle)
Leadbelly - In the Pines (from Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Leadbelly Legacy 1)

After I returned home on Friday evening from an awkward work Happy Hour in which I spent a good deal of time not making conversation with the VPs and other executives who were letting off a little steam and listening to unprovoked marital confessions from my co-workers, Kim was distraught. The story, in brief, involved wayward ex-cheerleader sister Nikkole (sic) pawning off family valuables with the result of being temporarily excommunicated from the already dysfunctional family. A story in two parts, as captured in the two songs above. For greater detail of these events, please refer to Kim's blog.

Perry Farrell opens this week's edition with, what I presume to be, a psychotropically-enhanced sense of self worth, lecturing faceless audience members on the virtues against "stealing another man's girl." The song, meanwhile, seems to give high praise to the rush associated with stealing other people's property. As we learn in the case of Nikkole, being caught stealing at the age of 18 is nowhere near as enjoyable as being caught stealing at the age of 5.

Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) shares our anxiety over the consequences. I had always assumed this song was about infidelity, judging by the macho threat and anguish present in Kurt Cobain's voice in the popular Unplugged version. However, with age and some quick history lessons, I learned that this song has been around since the late 19th century and probably falls into the same category of traditional tunes like "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" that are meant to provide guidance and instruction to escaped slaves who are hoping to make their way up North ("where the cold winds blow").

The question on everyone's lips, then, is the same: Nikkole, damn girl, where have you been sleeping these last few nights?

In other news, back on planet normal, I'm attempting to prepare a homemade beef stew.