BTW $700-900 for a studio is a really good deal. I think the studios at Boulder Creek Apartments are easily $1200-1300, when I checked a few weeks ago.
Food Inc is awesome! It manages to inspire awareness about the commercialization of food without resorting to shocking graphics (like those anti-fur activists).
Hey I'm into graphic novels too! The most recent one I read was a Star Wars Omnibus from Dark Horse. As for Murakami, have only read Norwegian Wood (and loved it!). Yeah I agree about 1Q84 being a monster of a book, it's like Murakami's trying to outdo Proust LOL