Strap in folks. I've got a hipster joke for ya. Several years ago a friend and I strolled into a bar called the ""Jollie Rouge"" in Asheville, NC, grabbed a couple stools and ordered some beer. A little later, a bald man not dissimilar in appearance to Michael Stipe sat down on the stool between my friend and I, and bellied up to the bar. My friend shot me a knowing look. This guy is Michael Stipe. Athens, GA is not too far from here and being in Asheville.. this situation is not a long shot. So…