Bongwater blues that went out of style 30 years ago? Maybe, but who going into a show doesn't have some kind of idea what music they might be paying to listen to, especially at those prices? Last night I saw the Black Crowes for the third time in 11 months. Yeah, the sound was a bit muddy in the last 2 shows I saw, and last night's show seemed a bit disorganized, but they still put on 2.5 hours of music that kept a packed small club satisfied. The shows I saw last autumn were better, but I'm willing to give them an off-ish night in a tiny club.

No one here has mentioned Jet, another band I've seen 3 times within about a 6-month span. They are terrific live--very energetic and fun and great to see in a small venue!! Not sure I'll see them if they do stadium tours--I'm not interested in the stadium experience--but if you can catch them live in a small place, do!

I know that this isn't the crux of this article, but I feel constrained to point out that there are tons of people who homeschool their children for a variety of reasons and who have beliefs across the spectrum of belief systems; the homeschooling community at large is incredibly diverse. Similarly, a "stay-at-home type" isn't necessarily a one-note character either. I'm a stay-at-home mom who works as a freelance editor, and I know stay-at-home parents who keep their hands in other professions as well, parents who are IT professionals, artists, music teachers, etc.

All that said, I'm not in favor of a lifestyle which promotes oppression of anyone. What a tremendous toll this kind of thing exacts spiritually and practically.