Last Call: Who's Out Here Carving Pineapple Jack-O'-Lanterns?

It came to my attention this weekend that some people—lookin' at you, Martha—will be carving non-pumpkin jack-o'-lanterns this month. After my initial shock subsided, I had to grudgingly give it to these rebels—carved pineapples, watermelons, etc. are more likely to get snacked on than carved pumpkins. I usually save and roast my pumpkin seeds, but the inner guts go straight to the compost. Pineapples don't have pumpkins' autumnal factor (at least not where I live), but maybe in Hawaii...? [Kate Bernot]

A few weeks ago I had my friends Jane and Michael over for dinner. I knew Michael was a musician, but I didn't know he's something of a well-known name in Chicago rock circles, especially during the '90s. Imagine my surprise when Michael sent me over a vinyl record of his music—I had just purchased my first record player and am currently obsessed with it—and it's his solo project called Tough Solar. He humbly wrote an inscription that "people have told me it works as background music." I think Michael's underselling it. I've been spinning it all week—it's the type of percussive-forward, propulsive, gorgeously layered soundtrack I need when working. You can see for yourself and download my pal Michael's album for free. I dig it immensely. [Kevin Pang]