Riceboy Sleeps by Jónsi & Alex. Yes, it sounds like Sigur Rós, but it’s because they’re actually part of Sigur Rós. The first track, “Happiness,” was on the very hip, very good compilation album Dark Was The Night, and is back here along with some other really great stuff. If you only listen to one track, “Indian Summer” is your best bet. Although there aren’t many vocals, when they do come up they’re hauntingly beautiful.

Cutting Your Own Hair. The first few snips are terrifying, and after that it starts to make you feel unusually cool. But, really, do you need to pay $45 for a haircut? Invest $15 in a pair of scissors, a comb and an electric trimmer and get the job done yourself.

2 or 3 Things I Know About Her on DVD. One of Jean-Luc Godard’s more obtuse films produced in his rather obtuse period in the late Sixties (though still completely enjoyable), it’s out for the first time (legitimately) on DVD from Criterion. It’s a double-edged sword though: New Yorker Films had the rights to it since the sixties, and they only recently went belly-up and were forced to sell the collection. Watch the film at night, with friends, with drinks. It’s a trip.

The Food Network. Unapologetic television that’s not based on any sort of Reality TV modus. Enormous amounts of really nifty information handed out 24 hours a day. Learn how to make badass fish tacos, great rice and a chocolate cake for dinner at 1:00 am. Also, everyone is so happy there you’ll end up hugging yourself.

Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned by Wells Tower. If you have to read one book this summer, let it be this one. A fascinating, engrossing group of short stories that are unlike any that have been written recently.