SHAZZAM

Am I too old, or just over it?

2007-08-20T23:28:00.000-05:00

So for the past five (wow) years, I've been using AIM to keep friends updated of new blog posts, and just used it in general because it was the first way to stalk folks without them knowing. Now, I am never signed on. And I'm not updating my blog. What is going on?

I seriously have funny stories to tell. But I am rarely motivated enough to transcribe it all. And then when I do write something, I'm not on AIM for folks to know to check it. Perhaps I need a new method of advertising. Something. Either way--here's a new story, and it involves my favorite thing: bathrooms.

This past week, I was using the bathroom on an airplane. I used a tissue to pick up the seat, because who likes piss seats? I threw the piece of tissue in the toilet. And it sat there. Then I saw the sign about how they don't allow you to put waste into the toilet--other than poop or urine. And there was my tissue. MY TISSUE. The flight attendant saw me go in because I asked him if it was okay if I used it. He's going to know I am responsible if this toilet erupts and causes the plane to crash because you're not supposed to put tissue in the toilet. He would know it was me!

I did what all other responsible adults would do--grabbed another tissue, reached down in there and grabbed the original tissue. For someone afraid to touch piss toilet seats, does it make sense that I would reach into a public toilet to touch, well, anything? NO. And yet, that's what I did. All I could think about was "Knocked Up" and how the house full of dudes all got pink eye because they farted on each other's pillows--their eyes got in contact with fecal matter. Either way, I just stuck my hand in a public toilet and now my eyes were itching. I was doomed to have pink eye for life, all because I had to stick my hand in the toilet.

No pink eye for me, however. I made sure to use their antibacterial soap, in hopes it could rinse off the poop residue from my hand, and perhaps keep my eyes pink free. And I threw my paper towel into the weird paper waste hole in the wall. I returned to my seat and enjoyed "Waitress".

Later that night, my eye starts to bother me. I'm convinced it's swelling up, and that it's going to cause death. All because somehow poo particles made their way to my eye. And not just any old poo, but public poo. Something about it being public makes it disgusting. I've reached into my own toilet to grab stuff, but it's my waste! So, in actuality, it was not pink eye that was cause the weird swelling.

It was an eye pimple. Just my luck.

See, I told you that was funny.

Included in the rent is a space heater...

2007-07-12T15:26:00.000-05:00

Why, tell me why, is it in 2007 would someone advertising an apartment for rent (1) not have at least some kind of central heating system in the apartment and (2) include a space heater as part of the rent? Those things are dangerous, and kind of outdated. They might as well also include in the rent an ax and matches. Maybe I am too spoiled by modern technologies like central heat and air, dishwashers, and garbage disposals, but I feel those things are necessary as any kind of habitating human in 2007. I wonder if this person with the space heater-needing apartment wonders why their apartment is still for rent...? Urgh. I guess I am destined to live in the suburbs for the rest of my life. Or at least until I am making enough money to afford one of those phat downtown lofts that are the size of the suburb apartment but at like $500,000 more. I'll cross that bridge if I come to it, ya dig.

Things I'm feeling right now...

2007-07-06T11:47:00.000-05:00

- Hate all you want. Kelly Clarkson's new album is pretty good. Yes, several of the songs involve her bitterness and seething, but there are some gems, too (How I Feel, Don't Waste Your Time, and Maybe--the whole album is great, but these could be the major singles). I love you Clive, but give your girl a chance!

- These two videos.

- After drinking Coke Zero and Diet Mountain Dew, I am back to drinking regular Coke. And it is nice. I am worried that my teeth might fall out because Coke (...and really most sodas) is full of sugar, but I'm using flouride, and I'm flossing, so hopefully I'm good.

- Going home. I haven't been home in a miiiinute, so I am very much looking forward to getting out of town, seeing my people, and chilling out. Even though I'll have to do some work while I'm there, it'll be pretty nice to be home and doing it.

- Oh, and another album that's pretty good. I won't say it's nearly even as good as KC's, but Kelly Rowland's new one is pretty good. Mathew Knowles, again, gives her the second place treatment and doesn't bring in the big doggs (Swizz Beats, the Neptunes, Rich Harrison, etc) to give Rowland a slickly produced sound, but there are several songs on this album that are nice: "Still In Love With My Ex," "Every Thought Is You," and "Better Without You." "Come Back" sounds like a poor man's "My Love"--it's a pretty blatant copy. And the lyrics are dumb. And that's not to say that Beyonce is know for her lyrical prowess (I'm pretty sure she reveled in the glow of "Bootylicious"), but this song is not very good. However, it is the first half of the album that is kind of lame, and it picks up in the second half. That is, until she hits you with, "This Is Love." This. Is. Crap. I just read a review today that compared Kelly's album to Destiny's Child from a few years back. I'd say I have to agree--meaning, that this would've been hot three or four years ago because it sounds like a throwaway DC album. Ugh. We'll see how this goes the second time around.

- I got a refund for a Half.com purchase that never arrived. That's exciting. eBay has a good customer protection plan, so if you get jacked you're covered. Thank god.

- I think I may have a funny story to post later. If I can get some real work done today, then I'll take some time and write it. It could be worth the wait.

Peace.

Five most recently played songs.

2007-06-11T18:27:00.000-05:00

- Arctic Monkeys, "Fake Tales of San Francisco"
- Kelly Price, "As We Lay"
- Dave Matthews Band, "Where Are You Going"
- Bjork, "Aeroplane"
- John Mayer, "Bigger Than My Body"

Source: http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2007/06/spot_inspection.html

American Idol - The Finals

2007-05-22T23:59:00.000-05:00

I seriously voted like 12 times for Jordin tonight. If she doesn't win, I'll be quite upset and disappointed. It might rank up there with Dubya being reelected. Ok, I can't equate beatboxing and Iraq, but...Blake was awful tonight. He stands zero to little chance of winning. Even after his lame attempt at bringing "You Give Love a Bad Name" back, he wasn't fresh nor awesome. The redux wasn't quite as good as the first time we heard it. And, wow, another Maroon 5 song this week. He's got some image issues, both musically and stylistically (stop the argyle insanity!) to work out if he wants to not end up like Diana DeGarmo.

If anything, tonight's final showed that Granny Doolittle deserved to be in the final to give us something to talk about. I think the only thing we have to talk about tomorrow morning is if we can expect a Clarkson-like breakdown at tomorrow night's announcement that Jordin Sparks is the American Idol. And it's not even that Blake's shittiness helped make a mediocre night for Jordin a little brighter. She killed it. All three songs were great. I was like WTF when Ryan said she'd be doing Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" but I think Jordin wanted to make up for her awkward attempts at non-ballads thus far this season, and she showed she can do more than just pageant performances. And then she blasted us away with the Martina McBride song. Ok, I will say she needs to learn how to move more than just anything above her shoulders. She's so immobile, but when they close-up on her face, she looks like she's so into it. Move a little!

The final song, which will go down with the other cheesy finalist singles ("A Moment Like This," "I Believe," and that weird one Carrie Underwood did about being inside your love or something), was as cheesy and melodramatic as it should be. Jordin delivered the performance we have come to expect from American Idol finalists. Blake could've fooled me into thinking this was the top 32 show and he was vying for a spot in the top 12.

I might not have been watching all season, but I think I tuned in right as it got good. I didn't have to sit through Shitjaya. I was beginning to think this season would be a complete waste of time. And until last week, I was thinking that I was so wrong. Then Melinda got booted. Yet, I think even though this final was completely one-sided, it did show that Jordin is the most deserving of the title of those singers that are left.

Blake never stood a chance.

2007-05-22T17:30:00.000-05:00

- I recently purchased Archer Farm's jalapeno savory pretzels. I was convinced that they would simply be tasty, rather than insanely hot and they also leave you with a disgusting taste in your mouth that lasts over night. Barf. I hope the buffalo wing-flavored bag I also bought leave a better taste in my mouth. I imagine they won't.

- I didn't comment on last week's American Idol for several reasons. First, I can't remember if I watched it live or if I had to download it to watch it. For some reason, there was a delay and I wasn't motivated to catch up after watching Wednesday's results show. Second, Melinda was voted off. Yes, I have said she wouldn't win because grannys aren't American Idols. However, the fact that Blake is in the final two over Melinda kind of makes me ill. If he beatboxes over anything on tonight's finals show, I...probably will just complain about it. Here's to a Jordin Sparks win.

- Apparently John Mayer and Jessica Simpson have broken up. Why is this news that people care about? With MSNBC, CBS, and FoxNews all featuring stories on this non-event, it seems that someone out there cares. I think our attention is better served in caring about and attempting to explain this.

- Bleh. I don't have much else to say. The job has me working 36 hours this week when I asked for 15-25. Not sure what that's about. Combine that with the summer class, and this week is kind of insane. I'm ready for it to be over. Geez.

Sountrack of my life, aka procrastion

2007-05-14T00:19:00.000-05:00

Put your iTunes or iPod or whatever on shuffle, then hit next whenever you get to a new question. Don't screw up the order or anything then it's not as cool.

1.What does next year have in store for me?
Salt N Pepa - R U Ready?
- The title works. The song, not so much.

2.What does my love life look like?
Beyonce - Green Light
- The first line is, "Give it to Mama." Hmm.

3.What do I say when life gets tough?
Beyonce - Be With You
- This does not fit, at all.

4.What do I think of when I get up in the morning?
Beverley Knight - Shape of You
- This thing is kind of dumb.

5.What song will I dance to at my wedding?
Ray Charles - (Night Time) Is The Right Time
- Now this, this could actually happen.

6.What do I want as a career?
The Killers - When You Were Young
- Does this mean I will make toys or something? Or that my career will be something I wanted a while ago? See number four.

7.My favorite saying?
Foo Fighters - Best of You
- This kind of works.

8.Favorite place?
Kylie Minogue - Spinning Around
- This does not. This also makes me kind of ashamed.

9.What do I think of my parents?
Tegan and Sara - I Know I Know I Know
- I don't know this song, even though it's on my iPod.

10.Where would I go on a first date?
Mariah Carey feat. Jay-Z & Young Jeezy - Shake It Off (Remix)
- Don't even know.

11.Drug of choice?
The Buffseeds - Sparkle Me
- I don't get this one, neither the title nor the song.

12.Describe myself.
The Killers - Who Let You Go
- See number 9.

13.What is the thing I like doing most?
Jay-Z - Big Pimpin (no lie!)
- Between this and Ray Charles, these are the two that are either most accurate or most hilarious.

14.The song that best describes the president?
Coldplay - White Shadows
- Uh. Ok.

15.What is my state of mind like at the moment?
Basement Jaxx - Jus 1 Kiss
- Not sure.

16.How will I die?
Jay-Z - Public Service Announcement
- "Allow me to reintroduce myself."

17.The song that will be played at my funeral?
Prince - Adore
- "I reeeeally adooorrrrrrre you!"

18. The feeling I get when I am stressed?
Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone
- I will be honest when saying this song has been cued when some rocking out is necessary. Don't tell anyone.

19. What do I think of when driving to school?
Destiny's Child - Soldier
- Oook.

20. The song to ultimately describe my life?
The Fray - Dead Wrong
- I think my music selection sucks.

American Bee-Gees

2007-05-08T21:24:00.000-05:00

This week sucked. Everyone was bad.

Blake should never beat-box ever again. Also, the new streak looks like he's channeling Kelly Clarkson circa 200-whenever the first American Idol was on. Stop doing things to your head, dude.

Lakisha is also kind of done. I liken her to a Fantasia wannabe, and that's not really saying a whole lot. She can sometimes sound pretty good, but most times she sounds like that loud lady at church who can sing, but needs to bring the volume down by a million. Or simply be taken to the cry room with the other screamers.

I am convinced that Melinda is someone's mom. She drives a minivan back and forth from the show, and likes tapered jeans. She can sing, but she's got to look and at least seem more young. My grandma loves some AI, so she might buy a CD from Melinda. But my grandma is/was a Clay Aiken fan, so I don't know if she really knows what good singing sounds like. Or at least what good music looks like (I know it's music, but come on, Clay knows no style, which by the way reminds me of this).

Jordin. Jordin. Jordin. I think she takes turns with Melinda when dropping off the kids at soccer practice, and she's 17. Wow. Granny city. She can sing, but she also has that kind of Carmen Rasumussen-thing, like she's got a sheep in her throat, going on. She killed it on the first song, the second song not so much.

Why pick the Bee-Gees as an entire week? There are so many other great songs out there for these fools to sing, and you pick them. I do like that Blake re-arranged whatever the second song was that he did. I'd like to see more of that because otherwise these folks will not move beyond simply copying other folks' performances. Bon Jovi week was hot for Lakisha, but dang, I think she's toast. Blake will be around because America loves white dudes, and American Idol contestants who are androgynous (see all the dudes from Season 1). He'll be gone next week though as long as Melinda and Jordin at least show up for one song. If Blake wins, it's a bit like if Justin Guarini had won: a huge mistake. That's why Kelly won, and why Blake will lose. Yup.

Just breathe...

2007-05-03T17:49:00.000-05:00

- Finished my first year of grad school. It doesn't seem over yet. I start a summer school class on Monday. I think that may have something to do with it.

- My apartment is a serious mess. And I am too tired to clean it. But I must clean because I think all the movement of the dust has reactivated my allergies. I need the dust gone!

- I. do. not. want. to. go. to. school on Monday. Let me get a break! I don't think I'm going to do anything school related between now and then.

- I went to the gym today, but I don't know if I can justify ordering a pizza two days in one week. Even though I want one real bad.

- I'm trying to quit caffeine cold turkey. I've had some kind of soda each day since "I gave it up." I like to think I'm giving myself a kind of nicotine patch kind of thing, weening myself slowly off of it. But dang, I am kind of wiped out right now and I got lots o cleaning to do. No coffee!

- Don't know if I've said this, but I really like Ne-yo's new album. I hate the name "Ne-yo", but man can sing.

- Ugh, the pile of papers is calling me. Peace.

Edit:

- I may have taken to watching American Idol again. I am glad Chris and ol Baldy (I know he's not bald here, but he looks kind of funny) are gone now. Is it wrong to think he looks both like Boy George and "Powder"? And Chris. Like a broke Justin Timberlake. And he knows it. Oh well, we knew these two weren't going to win. How about Melinda? She can sing, but she also reminds me of someone's mom. Oooh, and I also think most of these folks could be the American Idol if they all got a bit of orthdontic work. Jordin. She's good, but dang, why "Livin On a Prayer"? Whhy!? I think that one should be left to kareoke and strip clubs (...or something not her). Am I the only one who thinks she also kind of looks like America Ferrera?

Who knows who is going to win. I don't think it will be Blake. He also reminds me of a broke JT, not in looks but in his wannabe dance moves, but with maybe some of that dude from "So You Think You Can Dance." Not that I ever watched that show. The beatboxing was pretty cool, but also kind of weird. Do you think Ruben or Carrie Underwood would stoop to such gimmicks? We'll see what happens next week.

American Idol - Latin Night

2007-04-10T19:47:00.000-05:00

- There are other artists than Gloria Estefan and Santana--who, by the way, has more songs than those found on "Supernatural". Lorrd.

- Is it me or do all the guys think they're Justin Timberlake? Even he looks dumb in those fedoras your grandma wears.

- Jennifer Lopez, as the voice of latin music? What? Santana would be a better choice. Shakira, for godssakes, would've been better. We know the 'Lo is using this to tie into her recently released, slowly selling spanish language album, but c'mon, she is not the one I would want representing for latin music. I think it's a bit like having, say, Arethra Franklin on for opera day because she once sang a song in latin at the Grammy's (Nessun Dorma, fools).

- Speaking of fools, send Sanjaya's ass home. He looks like he's a long lost Debarge brother, and that is not a good thing. And the facial hair...? When you're sent home tomorrow, make sure to steal some razors from the house! I think it's a bit like when they kept Nikki McKibben and Justin Guarini on til the very end during season 1. This is a weird, weird thing. America is on crack.

2007-04-07T15:02:00.000-05:00

- Is it wrong that I was turned off by a craiglist ad for an apartment because the grammar and spelling was bad? For some reason, I can't give my money to someone who spells neighborhood with a "u".

- I spent $16 on Chinese food last night, for one person. I have a ton left over, but it's not very good. In fact, I woke up with the taste from last night still lingering in my mouth. Gross.

- Regardless of what critics are saying, Timbaland's new album is hot.

- I don't know how I feel about being friends with professors on Facebook. Is that kind of weird, even if I'm not an undergrad? I feel like all of a sudden they're going to find out I drink or that I like Purple Rain and stop liking me. I'm not sure why I would care, because Prince is the bomb.

- I can't figure out my stats homework, so I'm going to go print off some articles, get some Starbucks, and buy season 2 of Entourage. I just bought season 1 like Wednesday--it's eight episodes (wtf). It's a kind of fun show.

- Bleh, I don't feel like doing anything. And it's so cold here, inside and out. I really should get moving. Peace out.

- Oh, check out the new labeling feature. I think I'm becoming anal about it, as I have categories for nearly everything. All to make it easier for you, my three readers!

Rando.

2007-03-28T17:52:00.000-05:00

I just realized I hadn't updated in March. My bad. I haven't been good about keeping up with a lot of what's going on outside of school--it's been a long month!

Anyway, random list:

- Saw Justin Timberlake in concert. He's pretty awesome. The sound was a bit off, so his falsetto made my ears bleed a little. But the show was the bomb.

- Timbaland's new album is the album of the year, thus far. I haven't stopped playing it. Get it when it comes out (next week maybe?).

- Wasn't the whole is-Meredith-dead-or-not thing kind of stupid?

- I might actually have all my laundry done by the end of the week. Some of that stuff has been there since, well, a long ass time.

- Everyone's on Robin Thicke's face right now. Yeah, he's pretty good, but also kind of boring. Check out Jamie Lidell for some white-boy, not-JT soul music.

- I don't know if folks read Vibe or not, but I've been a subscriber for a while. I have hated the magazine since Danyel Smith took over as editor. The layouts suck, the articles suck, the editorials suck. It's not fun to read or look at anymore. Bring back Mimi Valdes!

- I really should be reading right now, so I'm going to do that. I have to write test questions for class tomorrow. Kind of lame, but it would be less lame if I hadn't waited until the night before and really don't feel like doing it.

Peace out.

Update.

2007-02-23T23:06:00.000-06:00

- Meredith didn't die. I told you.
- I have eaten almost two boxes of popsicles this week. Only a problem because it's sugar water and not really nutricious. At all.
- I think I may want to get a dog. But I would prefer one that could take itself out when it has to poop.
- I am now freezing because of said popsicle eating.

Grey's Anatomy

2007-02-15T21:10:00.000-06:00

If Meredith dies, I may never watch this show again. I'm not her biggest fan, but she is the glue that holds it all together. I will be very, very disappointed and sad if they kill her off. It could be suicide for the show, whether people like her or not...

Edit:

Ok, I've been thinking. I read what Shonda Rhimes wrote in response to last week's episode. Long story short, the little girl is a metaphor for Meredith. Lost without her mom. This episode, her mom finds her. I say for next week, Ellis gets lucid again, fixes Meredith and brings her back to life, they reconcile, then Ellis dies.

To carry out the metaphor started in the first episode and carried through the second, Ellis has to rescue Meredith. Ellis is still in the hospital, kind of drugged up, but there. They can't leave Meredith hanging with all that shitty talk that went down between the two of them. Have you seen how affected she was!? Shonda says she killed Denny, and she killed the bomb squad guy. Both who were "important" but not central characters. It's not "Denny's Anatomy" for pete's sake! I say Shonda kills Ellis, who is important, is a Grey, but not the Grey.

I swear, if she kills Meredith...this isn't "Lost", where folks are expendable. It wasn't "Ana Lucia's Lost"! If Meredith dies, this show is over. I'm calling it now!

It's (almost) the first of the month

2007-01-31T17:13:00.000-06:00

Dude, must pay rent tomorrow. I hate bills.

If you've been with me for a while, you know I always have kind of insane things happen, particularly in the bathroom. Yesterday this happened. So I'm sitting there, doing my thing. I got kind of bored, so I bust out my phone and start playing Tetris. Then I realize I've been in there for like ten minutes. But I didn't realize this until some other guy had come on. And proceeded to take either the longest piss ever or wash his entire body in the sink. So I'm just sitting there, waiting to leave.

I had been in there a while, so I knew it was time to go. So washer/long piss man's doing his thing, and this other guy comes in and they start chatting it up. Meanwhile, I realize there might be a faint hint of an odor in the bathroom, and there's only one person who it can be attributed to. Realizing this, I figure it would be best to just stay in the stall until those folks leave.

So then one of them leaves, and another guy comes in. And whoever else is left begins talking. Ugh. I need to get out of here! Why did I decide it'd be cool to play Tetris in the bathroom!? At this point, I'm like, we all take shits. I have to leave now. Oh, the guy at the urinal apparently is super regular, as was his friend. They talked about how they only ever see each other in the bathroom, even when they are on leave. Do they not realize how weird that is? This coming from take-a- shit-tris man.

I end up leaving, but not without feeling a little weird. Tetris is seriously one of the most insane games, ever.

Anyway, there was this one song that was featured in a ton of the spring fashion shows that's super catchy and I just found out what it is, Peter Bjorn & John, "Young People." You must get it. Oh, and Eight Legs' "These Grey Days". Those are getting major play here with me.

2007-01-06T23:26:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty sure a rhinocerous is dying outside my apartment.

Or the asshole below me has done something weird to his entirely too fucking loud stereo that was vibrating my table this morning (he sometimes like to having a party at 8am, too...at least his music is). If he weren't so serial-killer-like, I would say something. He, and the rhinocerous, kind of scare me.

Not so dirrty.

2007-01-04T01:37:00.000-06:00

I just finished watching Courtney Cox-Arquette’s new show, “Dirt.” It kind of sucks. The premise is cool: the behind-the-scenes of a tabloid. For some reason, I think with this comes the expectation that Lucy Spiller, CCA’s character, should be a kind of bitch. The fact that she wasn’t left me kind of uncomfortable—aren’t tabloid editors supposed to be cutthroat and evil? One of the celebs she used as a source was involved in a car accident, and Lucy was crying. This is not evil! Why wasn’t she pushing to the front of the crime scene like we would expect a paparazzo to do? Aren’t they sick, sad people?

Perhaps Lucy is not supposed to be one of those creepy guys we saw on all those E shows about celebrities gone bad with paparazzi. As the editor of the magazine, I think all the real dirty work is left for the actual photographers. Here, the only photog we see is a truly creepy man—his creepiness is associated with his mild case of schizophrenia. So that’s why all the paparazzi are insane, mental illness? I read in another review of this show that this guy’s storyline was the only thing driving the show. I think it only added to the list of questions!

And, um, why was everything black or red? If you’re going to use devil colors, let that bitch be evil! I don’t think Satan cries every time somebody dies! We have this assumption, and one that I am not yet able to let go of, that the folks behind tabloids are in fact soulless, but Lucy and even the schizo-photographer seem to be, well, not. They are certainly not soulful, as evidenced by the photographer’s setting up of the sad out-of-work-I-am-only-at-this-premiere-because-my-girlfriend-is-in-the-movie actor to get him pissed to get his enraged-self on camera. I am so confused by this show!

I don’t know if I don’t like it, but right now, I know I don’t quite like it yet. Should I waste another hour and watch next week’s episode? Part of me expects CCA to pull a Monica and mess everything up, which would kind of make me happy because the Friends CCA was a bit neurotic and crazy—something that Dirt CCA is missing. Get crazy, or be the tabloid with a heart. The show needs to choose one because I can’t keep asking questions every week. I need answers!

I must saw, however, that Courtney is looking mighty fine in this first episode. Wow.

Best of Oh Six

2007-01-01T02:03:00.000-06:00

I started doing the whole list thing earlier today, and then I kind of forgot about it. The music lists are complete. The other...not so much! Check out what I have. Since it's now officially 2007, I don't think finishing this makes much sense. Yeah for a new year!

My Favorite Albums of 2006:
- Arctic Monkeys “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”
- Beyonce “B-Day”
- Danity Kane “Danity Kane”
- The Fray “How To Save A Life”
- Jamie Lidell “Multiply”
- John Mayer “Continuum”
- Junior Boys “So This Is Goodbye”
- Justin Timberlake “Future Sex/Love Sound”
- Marie Antoinette soundtrack

My Favorite Tracks of 2006:
- Justin Timberlake feat. T.I. “My Love”
- Ciara “Promise”
- Diddy feat. Keyshia Cole “Last Night”
- Monica feat. Swizz Beats “Raw”
- Beyonce “Get Me Bodied”
- Amerie “Lose Control”
- Yung Joc “It’s Goin Down”
- Cassie “Me & U”
- T.I. “Why You Wanna”
- Janet feat. Khia “So Excited”
- Clipse “Mr. Me Too”
- Junior Boys “In The Morning”
- Dixie Chicks “Easy Silence”
- The Fray “All At Once”
- Corrine Bailey Rae “Like A Star”

My Favorite Things of 2006:
- Rockstar Juiced
- Coke C2
- Thomas Rochon “Culture Moves”
- Tower’s going out of business sale
- Grey’s Anatomy
- Ugly Betty

As it turns out, I like many rock albums and many hip-hop/r&b singles. Never really rock singles or hip-hop albums. If you were to buy one album from 2006, let it be Justin Timberlake's. I think I wrote earlier this fall about it. It really is that good. Ok, and if not his, John Mayer's. Actually, I recommend Mayer's first album, "Room For Squares". And honestly, that one got much more play this year. But because I was trying to be all 2006 about it, I didn't feel like something released years ago counted.

Here's to making this year better than last. And not spending New Year's watching freaky movies ("The Talented Mr. Ripley" is weird...I don't know how I feel about it). I also hope to have more time for fully developed stories of funny shit that happens. But, even short little bursts of bulletedness are nice (and they are also efficient for everyone!). Ok, I'm going to go sit around some more. Shout-out to all the new folks checking this out--yeah Brazil and Iran!

2006-12-10T23:47:00.000-06:00

Basically, surveys are kind of lame. I only did one because procrastination is the devil.

Why is it I know people who are getting married!? It totally weirds me out.

Um.

2006-11-30T17:23:00.000-06:00

So it's like super hot here in the apartment. Ok, really, like 72. But I'm near sweating. So I throw on the air conditioning. Then I look at weather.com. It's supposed to be in the 40's tomorrow. And I'm like, wtf!? It's so hot, but it's going to be freezing tomorrow. I don't get it. If I get sick, well, there's always orange/tangerine juice.

I went to this thing yesterday that this professor was doing. I had met with him back in the spring. He didn't know who I was when I came into the room. That's cool. Then, he asks me if I read the paper. I told him, no, not today. He said, nooo, the paper I wrote. Like, we were there to discuss this paper he wrote and I'm talking about USA Today or something. I was kind of embarrassed. I didn't say anything the whole rest of the time. He doesn't know who I am anyway.

I ended up deleting the link to solitaire off the start menu. However, that didn't delete it off of my computer. I found it today. I played like four games and x'ed it out. Something needs to be done about that game. And it's not like it's even that cool. I don't get it!

I'm here procrastinating again. I should go work. Or make spaghetti.

Brick by brick - random

2006-11-28T22:35:00.000-06:00

- Ciara's "Evolution" looks to be the album Janet meant to make when she did "20Y.O.". It comes out next Tuesday.

- Time for a clean slate. Not hating, just doing what needs to be done.

- "Casino Royale" is also bangin.

- I grilled a steak tonight on the George. It tasted alright. I definitely like regular, old grills, but this was pretty good. I think I need a better cut of meat next time. This is why I cook chicken, fa sho.

- Tower's going out of business. And they're still taking my damn money! I will not go back, I swear! But on the real, who wouldn't want Eve's first album for like $5? Yeah, me either. I put it back.

- I wore white socks with my dressy shoes today. I felt like Michael Jackson. Don't do this, it'll make you super self-conscious, or it'll make you wish you had kept the sneakers on.

I'm out. I got clothes to iron.

Things I'm Diggin

2006-11-21T11:34:00.000-06:00

As a means of procrastination, I present you a list of things I am currently into:

- Orange/tangerine juice. This juice is the stuff!
- Cotton sheets. Because the 90% polyester ones just are not comfortable.
- Corinne Bailey Rae's whole album. She's got a kind of weird voice, but her songs are really good.
- Not writing my papers. Who likes to do work?
- Top Chef. I really like watching people make food. And talk shit. Damn reality television.
- Peter Guralnick's "Sweet Soul Music". I am reading this for my papers, but I've found I enjoy it more when I don't think of it that way. It's good.
- The "Marie Antoinette" soundtrack. Really good mix of classical, 80s new wave and some more recent stuff.
- Moloko's "The Time Is Now." This song is just kind of hot. Not really sure why.

This list ended up being really lame. I think it speaks to my own lameness. I need to go write. Ugh.

The freaking truth!

2006-11-06T18:36:00.000-06:00

POP LIFE: THE JOKE'S ON US
How can any comedian get as famous as Dane Cook has with no jokes?
ROB SHEFFIELD

Taylor Dayne. Cookie Monster. The Great Dane next door. Cooke City, Montana. A prune Danish. The Bugs Bunny cartoon that goes, "Cook! Where's my hasenpfeffer?" This is just a partial list of things that are funnier than Dane Cook, but let's stop here or we could go on all day, like one of Dane's monologues. Yeah, we get it: the world's hottest comedian, a success story, the MySpace generation, blah to the blah, but where are the fucking jokes? Dane, did you bring any jokes at all? Or did you just figure you'd think of some after you got famous? His success is his whole story, with his hit album Retaliation, his HBO special Vicious Circle, his Jessica Simpson comedy Employee of the Month. But when does the funny start? How can any comedian get this famous with no jokes? It's like he's a lovable character Will Ferrell made up for an upcoming media-prank comedy, Funnyguy: The Legend of Dane Cook.

Tune in to Dane, and you'll hear old "ya ever notice?" gags you thought would never walk again. You will learn about airports, driving, the ways women are different from men (they cry!), and how people call you "pal" when they're not your pal. "Why are we still requesting people say 'cheese'?" Dane asks. "Was there a time in history when like, photography and cheese were like, the shit?" The best line on Retaliation goes, "He was hit by a Dodge, which I found funny and ironic." I can't wait to figure out which old Emo Philips record that one comes from.

Other comics resent him, not so much for success as for biting routines from Louis C.K. and still not being funny. Dane could be reading aloud from Dave Berg's "The Lighter Side of" in Mad magazine, or he could be Animal House if you thought Neidermeyer was the funny one, but it doesn't matter. Either way, he's huge. Go to his Web site, where he earned his rep as a marketing whiz, and you notice there's no comedy, just essays about how hard he's worked. "Great news!!!" he writes. "We already made back our entire budget and now the movie is making a profit. This is great for me and my cast. It has sent a message that I can open a film up against huge competition." Dane, did you wonder if we noticed Employee of the Month was the assest movie Andy Dick's ever been in, and that includes The Hebrew Hammer? We did! In his Danecasts, he doesn't crack jokes; he listens to Coldplay, replies to his New Friend Requests and urges us to go see Employee of the Month. "Thank you for wanting to check in with me," he muses. "Five million people downloading the Danecast, and let me tell you, it's just gonna get better." You're welcome! So -- heard any good jokes lately?

Source: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12073063/pop_life_the_jokes_on_us
______________

Gah, I hate Dane Cook. I am glad to find someone else out there who feels this way, too. Stop this fool!

These are my confessions.

2006-11-02T22:28:00.000-06:00

I have a confession. I am one of those weird people who listens to an entire accident message looking for that little bit of something that makes listening through five minutes of rumbling around in your purse worth it. In case that didn’t make sense, you know how sometimes your phone calls people and leaves messages, all because you forgot to key-lock? Well, I tend to listen to those messages. Like the whole thing. Is that strange?

Anyway, I am on Facebook. I do not understand why people insist on changing things on there as soon as they change in real-life. Why is it everybody’s business that you are currently wasting time in class? What I really love is that you can tell, to the minute many times, of when people break up, take a break, or get together. Why bother even including that stuff? It’s creepy to me that as soon as some shit goes down, they run to their computers to update that their life is on the rocks. Don’t go to Facebook. Go to Charter man!

I have a problem of buying things without needing them. Often, I take them back because I feel bad because I often already own what it is that I bought, but maybe it’s a different color. Tonight, I bought three new CDs. Tower’s going out of business! And I had intended on making full use of their “sales”. Who am I kidding, these are not sales. Calling it a sale is to sucker in fools like me to waste money on their not-even-cheap-when-they’re-on-sale music. I was talking to my mom about it, and trying to justify it, she said, “When was the last time you bought yourself something anyway?” My reply: “I bought two CDs last week, too.” This “sale” could also be called Tower’s going out of business sucker slaughter.

The things here is that they aren’t doing refunds or returns—all sales are final! And it’s killing me because I have to keep these things. Luckily however, they are things I really like. Other than the fact that Aretha’s greatest hits doesn’t include, “Ain’t No Way.” That is really a travesty, but also evidence of my goofy and hasty buying style. I just pray I can stay away long enough that I do not take food out of my own mouth in the name of buying the last copy of Bjork’s greatest hits!

Rando-m.

2006-10-30T00:04:00.000-06:00

1. If people continue to not cite their sources, I will turn all of them in to whatever kind of honor folks there are on campus. And not because I'm an asshole, but because I'm so sick of writing, "Cite!" and then a paragraph at the end about why it's all so necessary. Where did these kids go to school!?

2. I made a pan of brownies last night. I have eaten like 2/3 of them. But, I looked at the nutritional facts and they're not nearly as bad as I thought. But still, that's kind of a shitload. I do not need sweets up in the house.

3. Texting. Some lady I was talking to the other day was telling me entirely too much information regarding her life. In this conversation, she told me all these things she was telling, and I'll quote, her "baby daddy". She was saying all kinds of things. Through text messages. You don't tell somebody you care about them deeply and shit through a text message. What about your thumbs!? I would be more concerned with carpal tunnel or something, and come on, call the damn fool up! That takes like three button pushes as opposed to the 57 million she must have had because she was using long as hell sentences that must've taken forever to thumb type. On her phone.

4. Don't ever buy thigh meat instead of breast meat. It's got all kinds of fat on it, and the George Foreman doesn't cook it very well. And it sometimes doesn't taste good. But that also could've been the ranch dressing I put on it. I ran out of barbeque sauce, and thought it might taste good. I think in theory it did, but not so much in my mouth.

5. I am still so frustrated with these students. Like I want to shake them and tell them to get over themselves. They cannot write! I can only hope that in the speed and frustration that I used to write this whole thing doesn't end up making me look like a fool because I don't feel like spell-checking! Because I am not going to let that happen, I ran a spell-check. See, and all this is is a freaking blog post, not a paper. For a grade! Gah!