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| Okay, here are my favorite albums of '08. I'm sure there are alot of good ones I didn't get around to, but of the ones I did, these are the ones I dug the most.
5. Consolers of the Lonely, The Raconteurs. This Album was my go-to for the summer months. 70s style southern rock with Jack White's blues touch mixed in. My favorite track is the whimper turned rage gem Carolina Drama.
4. Dear Science, TV on the Radio.
A critical darling since it dropped the past fall, these brooklynites put together an eclectic mix of melodies. This is the kind of album that will continue to reveal itself to you over the years. The track I spin the most on this one is Red Dress.
3. Only by the Night, Kings of Leon.
Kings of Leon take a break from the crunchy garage jams of past albums to open up a sweeping arena ready sound. It fits them like a glove. It goes against everything I stand for to go with a single over a deep track, but it doesn't get much better than Sex on Fire.
2. Attack and Release, The Black Keys.
I am admittedly late to the party on The Keys, but I'm glad I finally came around. It's only natural to compare this two person blues-influenced group to my beloved White Stripes, but these guys deserve to be judged only against themselves. Dan Auerbach's vocals remind me of Son House. Need I say more? I can't listen to I Got Mine enough.
1. 808s and Heartbreak, Kanye West.
It says something about the emotion Kanye put into this album that while listening to it, you feel sorry for him. This album is his Blood on the Tracks, and I applaud him for stripping away the bravado and bling-obsessed lyrics of past albums. In doing so, he is able to relate to the pain and suffering we all go through at some point in our lives. I'm not sure where I stand on this whole auto-tuner craze, but this album impressed me the most in 2008. Welcome to Heartbreak sets the tone perfectly.
Honorable Mention: Tell Tale Signs, Bob Dylan.
A collection of his most recent outtakes and unreleased tracks, T.T.S. is a Zimmy buff's dream come true. Speaking of which Dreaming of You is an unreleased track stuffed full of goodies, from Daniel Lanois swampy production to work-in-progress lyrics that became crucial parts to various songs on Time Out of Mind.
Up Next: The best movies of '08. | | |
| Hello everyone. I hope you had a great holiday. I wanted to talk a little about my New Year's resolution, and also give you something to chew on while I compile a "Best of '08" list.
Like alot of people, my New Year's resolution is perennially to lose weight. I always do a great job of it, and drop pounds quickly. I'll follow a strict regimen of diet and exercise, allowing myself one day during the week to eat pizza, drink good beer, etc. But invariably, around ten pounds from my end goal, there will be a hiccup in the plan (football season this time) that will knock me off my plan in a ridiculous fashion, and will lead me to eat junk food and drink beer EVERY day of the week, and I'll end up 10 pounds heavier than when I started the last routine. Also, of course I'll miss a few days at the gym and stop going all together.
My point of this post is not to make a proclamation that "this time I'll stick with it", but more to make an observation about the fitness industry. I've worked for years at GNC, and also been a workout enthusiast for years, though in later years I've been admittedly streaky on that one. It is an industry completely founded on the idea that you won't be consistent with your routine. Where supplements are concerned, whether it's a protein powder or a weight loss pill, the makers are counting on people who won't stick with it long enough to see if it works. So, on your next weight loss cycle, you'll buy it again with the intention of sticking with it long enough to see the results, which, most people won't. Even if you are consistent, you'll most likely be dieting and exercising as well, and the majority of the results will be from that, and the supplements will receive false credit. Most supplements are a scam, only a few have merit.
As far as gyms and fitness centers are concerned, it's the same principle. You get all hyped to lose weight or gain muscle, so you join the gym and most gyms make you sign a contract. You go strong for a few months, and then you fall off. This is exactly what the gym wants, because now you aren't there filling up gym space, which would detract from memberships, but you're still paying them.
I'm not saying that you can't get healthier or live a better life if take supplements or join a gym, but try to remember that they don't think you can do it. Use that as motivation if you can. Health stores and gyms are trying to get over on you, so by sticking with it in a way you are exploiting them. I'm going to try to keep that in mind when I start my latest fitness venture.
Aubs- I have seen Burn After Reading. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember liking it. I dug the performances and the idea of all this drama swarming around a stupid mistake. It wasn't my favorite Cohen brothers film, but I didn't hate it. Did you check out any of those Stripes songs I recommended?
UP NEXT: Best albums of '08. | | |
| This post is really just for fans of the HBO series The Sopranos, especially Gu, who posted a great comment in response to my last post.
My top 5 Sopranos episodes of all time:
5. Soprano Home Movies, Season 6 part 2.
I think this episode is very underrated. Tony, on his 46th birthday, travels with Carmela to Bobby and Janice's lake cabin. He and Bobby have a conversation while fishing that is very important for 2 reasons: 1) Bobby reveals to the audience that he's never "whacked" anyone, a fact that he is content with because his father never wanted it for him and 2) the two of them discuss what it might be like to be clipped, with Bobby saying "you probably don't even hear it when it happens", which may or may not be foreshadowing for the series ambiguous finale. When they return, they begin an epic evening of drinking that culminates (during a hilarious Monopoly game from hell) with an awesomely choreographed Bobby and Tony fist fight, which Bobby wins. Tony, feeling his age and seemingly content with the result at first, grows increasingly more bitter toward Bobby, and exacts revenge by sending him on his first hit.
4. University, Season 3.
Tensions between the volatile Ralph and Tony escalate when Ralph beats Tracee, a bizarro daughter figure and expectant mother, to death behind the bing. David Chase sprinkled his opus with these moments of extreme violence and tragedy, to put this intriguing universe in perspective. I'm not sure there is a better example of this than University.
3. Employee of the Month, season 3.
Dr. Melfi, leaving work late one night, is raped in a parking deck. The attack is so realistically portrayed that I can't even bring myself to watch the scene again. When the perpetrator is released during a processing mix up at central booking, Melfi is faced with a tough decision. She can exact instant vigilante revenge by telling Tony, or she can try to live with the injustice. The episode ends with Tony in Melfi's office, when she breaks down emotionally. Tony, comforting her, asks, "What's wrong? Is there anything you want to tell me?" After a long pause, Melfi looks up and responds, "No." Cut to silent credits. Brilliant.
2. College, season 1.
On a trip upstate to take Meadow to look at colleges, Tony halfway confesses to her that he's in the mafia. Responding to her prodding, Tony delivers one of my favorite lines of the series: "When you work in waste management, everybody just assumes you're mobbed up. It's a stereotype, and it's offensive." Edie Falco also shines in this episode as she spends a quiet evening at home with her priest Father Phil. I'm going to go out on a limb and say she receives the most sexually charged communion ever. Tony offs a rat in one of the first brilliantly portrayed murder scenes the series became known for.
1. Pine Barrens, season 3.
Directed by Steve Buscemi, this episode has everything you could ask for. After a routine collection goes awry, Christopher and Paulie drive to the snow covered Pine Barrens to dispose of a Russian named Valery. When they open the trunk of their car, which contains the supposed corpse, it is revealed the russian is still alive. They give him a shovel, so he can dig his grave, which he uses to hit Christopher on the head and Paulie in the groin. As he is running away, Paulie shoots him in the head, but he is still not dead and escapes. With all the commotion, this odd couple loses their way back to the car. After stumbling across an abandoned van, Paulie calls Tony and tells him what happened. The boss is not amused. Tony calls back to tell Paulie that Valery worked for the Interior defense, and killed 16 chechen rebels single handedly. Paulie, the king of malapropisms, relays the message, "The guy killed 16 czechoslovakians, he's an interior decorator." To which Christopher responds, "His house looked like shit." This episode is a perfect Sopranos storm. Paulie and Christopher stranded in the woods, Tony reaching his limit with the deeply disturbed Gloria Trillo, and Meadow's breakup with the unfaithful Jackie Jr. all hit their mark. Perfect television. Also rans: Knight in White Satin Armor, Whoever Did This, Army of One, Long Term Parking, Join The Club, The Blue Comet, Made in America (If just for the last scene).
I found this interesting, the name of the first episode of the last season is "Members Only", could this be foreshadowing to the character "Man in the Members Only Jacket"? Also, what did you think happened in the last scene? | | |
| I think unnecessary condescension is one of the most irritating things in life. After my brother's rehearsal dinner, I had a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue with me and wanted to give him a glass. I told the bartender that I had something special that I wanted to give my brother, who was getting married tomorrow, and asked him for a rocks glass.
His response: "Yeeaah, oohkay, but you have to pour it in another room, separate from the bar."
He did that smug thing where he stretched the words out a second or two more than was needed. Try to read that simple sentence in the most arrogant way possible, and you'll understand what I mean. 1) I knew that. 2) I think most people would respond with, "Congratulations! No problem, here you go. One thing though, could you do me a favor and pour it away from the bar? Cheers!" That would be the way to handle that.
Do any of you have an experience like that, something so simple that seemed so taxing on someone else? Also, AMT, Aubrey, and Bobbi: Was something wrong with your mailbag answers? You certainly didn't comment on them.
Crimes | | |
| Question: How do you go about looking for a car? Do you have advice on what tolook for in something able to go from point A to point B without dying (car or driver)?
Posted 12/3/2008 9:12 PM by HouserHavoc - reply I would check in the auto trader magazine in the Huntersville/Charlotte area. I got my mustang from a private owner and I haven't had any problems out of it. Obviously, I recommend taking a used car to a mechanic you trust before you purchase it. The garage where Chase works would be a good place.
Question: are you on Twitter?I'm trying to get started with it because it seems cool, but I don't know many people who use it. Do you?Posted 12/3/2008 11:28 PM by HulaFan04 - reply
I'm not on twitter. I'm not sure what it is exactly, but if my intuition is correct it is something less extensive that a blog but more detailed than a Facebook status update. I wonder what the future is for these mediums, if one day there will be something where you just post basic human needs. An example of this would be "12-9-08, 2:48 pm, Hungry." It could be called updating your Id status.
I've been trying to think of a good one!!! I second AMT's Twitter question. I've been debating getting into Twitter, could be fun. Random bit: there's a hilarious article on cracked.com called "The Drunk Idiot's Guide to Twitter"...worth reading. But I do have a question of my own, and I hope it isn't too deep. But what random insight do you have on marriage? What have you learned that you didn't think you'd learn? Just curious. You know, insight into another world for all of us non-married people out there. ;) I'm checking out TV On the Radio right now on tunes and I'm liking what I hear! Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted 12/5/2008 10:52 PM by aubs (site) - reply
If I could sum marriage up in one word, it would be "more". That's what marriage is, it's more of the relationship you already had. There are more arguments, but there are more laughs too. There is more work, but there is also more intimacy. This may seem like a simple explanation, but it is amazing how many people don't seem to realize this. I was warned by many married men to be ready, because everything was going to change. Whenever someone told me this, it always seemed like they were putting a pessimistic spin on the world of marriage. I knew things were going to change, I welcomed it because I wanted more of the woman I love. On a lighter note, I was not prepared for how much toilet paper women use. It seems like it's always on the grocery list. My other married friends noticed this too. What are you girls doing with all the toilet paper? The most difficult transition for me was shared financial responsibility. I'm not good with money anyway, and having the money I spend affect someone else was mind- blowing. Luckily, Bobbi is very financially savvy and is teaching me how to be, although I know the education process has been frustrating for her at times. I hope this was at least a small window into married life, it was a good question and one that allowed for a funny and thoughtful (albeit somewhat mushy) response.
Ugh, Aubs, why you gotta be so serious? Also, get on Twitter and follow me! Another question, because I want this to get to five: What's your favorite book of all time? And that Cracked article was hilarious. I particularly liked when said that teaching his mom to Twitter would be like trying to teach a goat to surf.
Posted 12/8/2008 4:17 PM by HulaFan04 - reply
The Great Gatsby, by Fitzgerald. I love the roaring 20s setting, the rich character exposition and the themes of unattainable ideals (Nick Carraway for Gatsby's wealth, Gatsby for the love of Daisy Buchanan). I'm a sucker for symbolism, and Gatsby staring at Daisy's dock light is an example that always comes to mind when discussing it in literature. In the last episode of Entourage this season, Martin Scorsese is said to be directing a modern-day retelling of Gatsby. Now that's an unattainable ideal! For the holidays: What is your top 5 list of must watch Christmas movies. I also want a bit of your humorous/twisted comments for each movie as well, please.... or do I even have to ask? And if you have the time, do a little plot diagramming. I have never heard of twitter. I am terribly disconnected with the rest of the world. I went to a club and didn't know any of the new hit songs the other night. Now twitter? P.S. Please do not plot diagram. - Bobbi Wilkinson, 2 rooms away, The Longstraw Estate 5. A Christmas Carol (1985, George C. Scott) - This is my go to for the Dickens' classic adaptation. Scott is such a nasty Ebenezer Scrooge that you can't possibly envision him making the switch, but he does with deft skill and enthusiasm. The scenes with the reaperesque ghost of Christmas future are truly chilling, and the performance by Roger Rees as Scrooge's cheery nephew who won't lose faith in him, is well-done. 4. White Christmas - The Bing Crosby classic is filled with heart and humor, both intentional and not. The scene where Crosby and his companions spontaneously break out into song about snow on a train to Vermont, is funny for SO many reasons. 3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - I forgot how much of a bastard Santa is in this movie. He actually tells Donner he should be ashamed for siring the little sanguine-schnozzed reindeer, which sends Donner into a rage causing him to slam a makeshift black nose onto Rudolph's face. On the island of misfit toys, there is a water gun that only shoots jelly. The toy has been tricked into thinking this is a flaw with him, and not the fault of some slow-witted kid that put jelly in the gun instead of water. Burl Ives' drunken, materialistic snowman ties it all together. Classic. 2. A Christmas Story - Great story and great performances from the cast. Each year as children we had our version of a Red Ryder BB gun, which makes Ralphie an instantly relatable protaganist. Full of classic scenes, the flag pole, the bully, Santa, all brilliant. 1. Christmas Vacation - A pitch perfect take on the stress of family and shopping during the Christmas season. Randy Quaid's Cousin Eddie may be one of the funniest movie characters ever, and Chevy Chase's Clark Griswold is the perfect combination of dry humor and hapless folly. Much like A Christmas Story, I never miss this during the holiday season. A question for you: How does xanga determine the new "views" stat down by the comments? Is it anytime someone different has signed in to view my page? Or anytime one of you signs in and repeats a viewing? If it's the former, I have a bunch of readers who feel it's not their duty to ask a question in the mailbag. You are all my little turtle doves, Crimes
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