Top 10 Favorite Songs of the Year!

(promise I will get back to some legit posts soon!  I got some favorite people in town for the week!)

1. Nobody Loves Me, Neither Do I - Them Crooked Vultures

2. Sink - Brand New

3. I Can Feel a Hot One - Manchester Orchestra

4. Keep Calm, Carry On - John Nolan

5. Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

6. Another Bag of Bones - Kevin Devine

7. Baptized by Fire - Spinnerette

8. Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear

9. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

10. Everything Must Go - Taking Back Sunday

Honorable Mentions:

Ignorance - Paramore

Don’t Let Her Pull You Down - New Found Glory

Shake It Out - Manchester Orchestra

At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be) - Fun.

1. Brand New - Daisy

Big surprise huh.  Daisy was without a doubt my favorite album of 2009 and my most anticipated of the year.  I’ve read a handful of reviews of this album and all of them say old Brand New fans may fall by the wayside with this album but I think the exact opposite.  I’ve been a Brand New fan for about eight years and with each album they keep surprising me and getting better and better.  Something about this album is super spontaneous and different to me.  The band says in interviews how this album was so random and they would record tracks and be like wait how did we get here?  For so long Your Favorite Weaponwas my favorite BN record but this one is definitely fighting it for first place (YFW, Daisy, Deja, TDAG - for the record, though ask me tomorrow and it will be a different order).  Ugh it’s just so good.  Every week I have a new favorite track off the record.  Songs that I skipped initially became my favorites when I saw them performed live.  Suggested tracks: Vices, Gasoline, Sink, You Stole, Noro, In a Jar, Bought a Bride (I posted a gorgeous acoustic of that song a few weeks back)

The rest:

Paramore - brand new eyes.  I’ve never been a huge Paramore fan but I picked up this album because I really liked the lead single Ignorance and I’ve been totally obsessed with it.  Love Hayley’s voice to death on this record.  Best tracks: Careful, Playing God, Brick by Boring Brick, Looking Up, Where the lines overlap.

Taking Back Sunday - New Again.  As I stated in a previous post, I will forever be sad that John and Shaun aren’t in the band anymore but it’s hard to hate TBS when they keep putting out good records.  I actually started to like Fred too.  I found out a little bit before this album came out that Fred had left and a new gentlemen had come in to do back up vox and guitar.  I gave him the benefit of the doubt.  Truth is he sounds (and looks) like a Jonas Brother.  Not a fan but there are so many favorites on this album I try to forget about it. Best tracks: Swing, Summer Man, Cut Me Up Jenny, Carpathia, Everything Must Go (the last one is my favorite).

Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted. I know I know.  Forgive me that I will sound like a teeny bopper when I say this but so many of the songs on this record are super relatable.  I’m excited Kelly has finally put out a really good album. Best tracks: Don’t Let Me Stop You, I Do Not Hook Up, Long Shot, Already Gone.

New Found Glory - Not Without a Fight.  NOW this album should have been the follow-up to Sticks and Stones.  I am an NFG fan tride and true so I won’t talk shit about those two full-lengths in between - I’m just glad they’ve turned back to their roots with this album.  Looking forward to seeing them with STD in February. Best tracks: RIght Where We Left Off, Don’t Let Her Pull You Down, 47, Tangled Up.

Destry - It Goes On. As soon as I heard Michelle Nolan (Michelle DaRosa!) was starting a new band I knew I would love it.  And surprise surprise I do!  Shaun Cooper (ex TBS current Straylight Run) also joins her in the band and Sam Means from the Format.  This album is unbelievable.  Very reminiscent of Rilo Kiley.  Find them on tour if you can! Best tracks: Big Mouths, Home Isn’t Home, So Far Away, Trouble.

Them Crooked Vultures - Self Titled.  I got tickets to see them after hearing a 30-second teaser they released via the internet (and my love for Dave Grohl).  They are that good and this album is no exception.  Nobody Loves Me and Neither do I is by far my favorite song of the year.  Of the decade maybe.  Ok that’s a little much but seriously it’s that addicting. Best tracks: Nobody Loves Me and Neither Do I, New Fang, Mind Eraser No Chaser, Warsaw.

Spinnerette - Self Titled. This album kills.  I listened to it so much this summer (my iTunes play count can attest) and never got sick of it  I love Brody’s voice in Spinnerette light years more than I did in the Distillers.  They need to tour like yesterday. Best tracks: All Babes Are Wolves, Ghetto Love, Baptized by Fire, Rebellious Palpitations

Manchester Orchestra - Mean Everything to Nothing.  This album is a recent discovery of mine.  I have a friend who is absolutely their number one fan so it was just a matter of days before I caught on :).  This album is beautiful and emotional and makes you want to listen to the next line.  It’s insane.  Andy Hull has a gorgeous, haunting voice.  So yeah this is heavy in my musical rotation right now. Best Tracks: Shake it Out (I’ve been playing it on repeat for days),  I’ve Got Friends, The River, Mean Everything to Nothing, 100 Dollars.

(500) Days of Summer soundtrack - Ok so it’s not persay a new album with new songs but it’s still amazing.  I literally raced to Best Buy after I saw the movie to buy this incredible soundtrack.  There is a bonus track of Joseph Gordon Levitt singing “Here Comes Your Man” kareoke style from the movie and let me tell you that alone is worth picking this record up.  Also my favorite movie of 2009.  Best tracks: Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition, Regina Spektor - Us, Hall and Oates - You Make My Dreams, She and Him - Please Please please.. (Smiths Cover) Mumm-Ra - She’s Got You High

Least favorite albums and dissapointments coming soon!

Seriously.  How crappy is my luck this year..

My poor car.  Yesterday I was on the way home from the gym and I had a lovely little day planned.  But some tool had to plow his car right into mine.  I was driving on the road and he was pulling out of the parking lot at this auto place in Quincy.  His excuse “Oh I didn’t even see your car coming.  It’s so small.”  Really?  I wasn’t going very fast but he still ripped off the whole front bumper of my car.  Little sad seeing as that bumper is only just about 6 months old from the last time someone decided to crash into me.

Just one more thing to pile on me right now.  I went on one interview a few weeks ago.  Two actually for the same job but they had "decided to go with someone else."  Which is fine but they kept me hanging forever.  I just feel like I'm getting nowhere on the job front.  I have so much great experience but it means nothing.

I'm really debating moving after my lease runs out in May.  I just feel like there are no jobs in Boston for what I really want to do.  I don't want to settle.  But then I feel like I shouldn't be so picky.  It's a double edged sword this  career thing I swear.  

I've been trying to check out new music and take chances on random bands and it's definitely making me nostalgic of my college days.  I just recently downloaded a good bulk of music by Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine and also giving Straylight Run a second chance.  I adored Straylight when they first came out with their demos.  Being a fan of John Nolan I was overly excited about them.  His vocals, I think made Taking Back Sunday (circa Tell All Your Friends - that's the only album he's on).  I could barely stomach TBS with Fred or the new guy (who sounds and looks like a JoBro).  

Anywho - I saw Straylight at their first show at the Downtown (RIP) and before their album came out a few times and they were amazing.  Then when their album came out and they went on tour it was totally different.  The music became so downer-like and the album was so overproduced.  But I've gotten a hold of their albums after that and even the most recent without Michelle and it's surprisingly good and reminiscent of their demos.  

So yeah.  Music has literally been my best friend these days.  I just feel out of touch with a lot of things lately, but thats the one thing that's made me super happy.

Only good news next time I promise.

xok

Last week was definitely a huge bummer.  Well most of it was grand.  Never saw it coming.

I got laid off from my job on Thursday.  It's funny how things work like that.  I had a huge revelation on Wednesday night.  I was feeling super positive and  was really hitting all my marks and getting really great feedback.  

Then Thursday morning the head of my office walked in and shut the door and I was like - eh.  I knew it wasn't going to be good.  Eight of us got laid off that day.  They have been laying people off since October.  I guess they were banking on scoring a few pieces of new business - but because they didn't - they had to make the decision to get rid of some people.  

There is a lot I would have changed about the experience (besides the whole not having a job thing).  I really loved my job - but more I liked the people.  I'll really miss working everyday with Bethany and Kathleen.  I'll miss the routine.  I already have gotten up at 7:30 and started to get ready - to only remember that I don't have a job.  Just sad.

Anyways.  This weekend definitely made up for my shitty week.  Friday night, I went out to this place Hanabi in Marshfield with my favorites.  REALLY good food and they have one of those tepanyaki tables where they cook the food in front of you.  We opted to sit in the main dining room.  Super cute.  We then met more folks in the bar area for some drinks and dancing.  This band Six Foot Sunday was playing and they were pretty sweet.

Saturday I woke up bright and early for the trip to New Jersey for Bamboozle.  I picked up Robyn and we were on our way.  I was a little hungover but as soon as we loaded up on some Dunks we were good to go.  I love driving down there.  Reminds me of college.  So many random memories on 95 South lol.  We made it down there around 12:30.  We killed some time and then headed down to Meadowlands.

Bamboozle is now like an two day Warped Tour.  I miss it being at Asbury a little.  JUST a little.  First band we wanted to see was the Bloodhound Gang.  Also one of the bands that convinced me to actually make the trek down.  They were awesome.  They played Ballad of Chasey Laine, F.U.C.K., Uhn Tiss, Three Point One Four, Bad Touch and Fire Water Burn.  I love Jimmy Pop.  The crowd watching them was really cool too.  No 14 year olds.  This was the best picture of them I got.

We also watched New Found Glory, and Ace Enders and a Million Different People.  Ace was great.  Made me miss TEN a little bit.  We killed some time before Third Eye Blind.  Right before Third Eye Blind there was supposed to be a "Special Guest".  Circa 2004 at Skate and Surf in Asbury we were also promised a special guest.  It was Joan Jett.  This year - it was Journey.  YES.  Like Don't Stop Believing Journey.  I also learned the next day that the lead singer was NOT Steve Perry.  It looked just like him.  We were far away.

Third Eye Blind was AMAZING.  They played all the goodies and again the crowd watching them was really cool.  Met some fun dudes who enjoyed them as much as we did.  We peaced out after that as we didn't really want to see Fall Out Boy and we were starving.  Thanks to VZ Navigator we found a Taco Bell REALLY close to our hotel.  Roads in Jersey are totally screwy so we got lost of course.  When we finally got back to the hotel we scarved and passed out. The hotel wasn't bad for the $90 we paid and the people who worked there were super sweet.  

Next day I picked out a cute outfit (yeah whatever) to only find out it was pouring.  Again, giving props to my VZ Navigator, I decided we should search "diner" and go to a legit Jersey diner for brunch.  We picked the Gotham City Diner in Ridgefield NJ because we liked the name.  Duh.  It was amazing and super affordable.  I got some glares and dirty looks with my red sox hoodie (with ended up coming with me for the rest of the day - smart).

When we left it was still crazy downpouring.  So again with the trusty navigator we found a Borders and killed some time.  I seriously could kill a day in Borders (and probably will with my current state of non-employment).  

We headed to the venue again.  It was probably the grossest place I've ever been (next to Warped Tour 2005 in Northhampton MA).  It had been raining all day and they didn't clean up from the day before.  So use your imagination.  It was insane.  We actually got to catch this really cool band from Florida called Versaemerge.  They were playing on one of the smaller stages.  There were a ton of carnival rides at the venue.  We didn't check them out because we thought you had to pay for them (we're that poor - did I mention hot dogs were $5 and beer was almost $9).  Well the second day we checked it out and road the ferris wheel.  SO cool.  Wish the weather could have been a little better.

That was our view of the venue from the top.  Cool that you can see the New York skyline in the back.

We then watched Demi Lovato (who was adorable and seriously bad ass for holding her own up there) and The Used (who I used to LOVE but they are really not good anymore).  Bert is WAY less crazy and both him and the instruments were really hard to hear.  After that we went to dry out inside Giants Stadium and sit.  They actually let us sit in the stands.  It was cool.  This is also the time that Robyn and I enjoyed an Arepa.  I don't know the background of these amazing works of food but - they are two flat cakes of cornbread and in the middle is mozzarella cheese.  AND it was really good.  We had some laughs about how random it was.

We then headed back down and decided we wanted one more ride on the Ferris Wheel.  We got paired up with two really cool dudes.  We bonded over the fact that we were all over 25.  LOL.  Nerds.  After the Ferris Wheel we went to go check out Taking Back Sunday.  Before TBS we stopped at the Gen79 tent to meet one of my favorite blogger gals, Jessica, over at tried to live forever everyday of the year.  She is SOOO super sweet and was rocking the LAMB like myself.  We chatted for a bit and then met up again to watch No Doubt.  We watched TBS from the No Doubt stage because we really wanted to get a good spot for ND.  TBS were good and I think I'll try to see them again when they come to Boston.

No Doubt was incredible.  Speechless.  I got the chills when they came out and opened right into Spiderwebs.  I was wet and cold and tired but I danced and jumped my booty off.  Amazing.  We left about three songs early to make the 15 minute walk to the car, so we did "hear" the rest.  Finally got back to my apartment at 3am and I was showered, hydrated and snoozing by 3:15.  Good times.  Good times.  

Cinco De Mayo celebration tomorrow night!!!! 

xok

Wow. Three posts in one week. Color me shocked. I have been inspired by the lovely Jessica at tried to live forever every day of the year. She does a Friday playlist every Friday and I have decided to make my own.

I have also been asked by a journalist who came to the event last week if I could make her a running mix (apparently along with my talents she also thinks I have good taste in music - yeah I don't know what she's thinking). I have mixes on the brain.

Here are my songs that are currently getting me through this workday:

1. Dire Straights - Money For Nothing
2. Peter, Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About
3. Kelly Clarkson - I Do Not Hook Up
4. Demi Lovato - Get Back
5. Kings of Leon - Four Kicks
6. Kings of Leon - Use Somebody
7. Letters to Cleo - Find You Dead
8. Iggy Pop - Candy
9. New Found Glory - 47
10. Lily Allen - Everyone's At It
11. Weezer - It's Easy
12. The Raconteurs - Old Enough
13. MGMT - Electric Feel
14. Motion City Soundtrack - It Had to be You
15. The Killers - Neon Tiger

Happy Friday!

xok

Everyone is doing a top 10 of 2008 so yeah I will too.  

I'm not too much of a movie buff (ok lies I am) so here are my top 10 albums of 2008 (in no order - that would take WAY too long).

The Killers - Day and Age

Ok I love this album.  It's not Hot Fuss and it surely is NOT Sam's Town - but I definitely think it has promise.  Mr. Flowers and his friends are trying out lots of new instruments which I can totally respect but as Pat mentioned it does, at times sound like a Savage Garden album [EDIT: Per Pat's request he asks that I mention he thinks the whole album sounds like Savage Garden at all times.]  Which is no big shakes to me because I liked SG but it does come off a bit fluffy at times.  Best tracks are Spaceman, Neon Tiger, I Can't Stay, Joyride (totally Savage Garden like).  But hey I'm into fluff.

The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

This may be my favorite album of the year.  EVERY song is good.  Especially the title track Consolers of the Lonely.  Before I saw them in June there were a few questionable tracks - Old Enough and You Don't Understand Me - but when I heard them live they both became my favorite songs.  This would also be in my top 5 concerts of the year (I may have only gone to five oops).  I didn't get to hear Carolina Drama which is the last track and my favorite song on the album.  It's a creepy and haunting song and I love it.  Best tracks are Consolers of the Lonely, Old Enough, You don't understand me, Attention, Top Yourself, Carolina Drama - yeah they're all good.

Miley Cyrus - Breakout

Say what you want about this annoying tween - this album is fun and oddly relatable.  The title track Breakout makes me want to dance so bad and Ms. Cyrus' take of Girls Just Want to Have Fun is - well fun.  The album gets a little old after Fly On the Wall but until then it's all killer no filler.  Funny. My favorite summer jam See You Again was also added to the end of the album to make it even better.  Ask anyone who I've made listen to it in my car - it's a fun fluff piece.  Best tracks are Fly on the Wall, This Driveway, Come Around, 7 Things, These Four Walls and Breakout.  Oh and my favorite lady Kay Hanley sings backup for her.  

New Kids on the Block - The Block

Yeah I laughed with everyone else when I heard NKOTB would be releasing a new album.  I laughed when I saw the videos for Summertime and Single and I even moaned and groaned through them when Robyn and I saw them in Sept.  But something compelled me to buy the album  - still.  It is SO good actually and Single is totally a good song after 10 listens.  Summertime reminds me of Nantasket Beach (because BOTH times I saw new kids they shouted out Nantasket Beach while performing this but on the album the shout out Jones Beach - which hello is a beach I frequented during my time in Long Island - NEW YORK.) which by the way is still a yucky beach but makes me laugh.  This kind of falls into the Miley category and EVERY song is about how they want to sex you up but it's just good.  Best tracks are Dirty Dancing, Big Girl, Grown Man, Single, Close to You (my favorite!).

Kings of Leon - Only by the Night

This album is another one where all the songs are quality.  I used to skip the first two but since hearing them on Gossip Girl (yeah yeah) I've actually started to like them a lot.  Aha Shake Heartbreak had it moments but I definitely like OBTN more.  Best tracks are Closer, Use Somebody, Sex on Fire, Be Somebody, Cold Desert, Frontier City, Manhattan, Revelry - pretty much all of them.  Did I mention the lead singer has the sexiest voice ever?

Mamma Mia Soundtrack

Favorite movie and favorite soundtrack of the year.  One of those where I go straight to Best Buy after the movie to buy the soundtrack.  So good.  I've never been an Abba fan nor did I really know what Mamma Mia was about but I knew the songs were totally sing loud in the car worthy when I saw the movie. Best tracks are Lay on your love on me, Gimme Gimme, SOS, Voulez Vous, Does Your Mother Know That Your Out and obvs Take a Chance on Me.

Weezer - The Red Album

I actually did quite a bit of Weezer listening in the year 2008 (thanks LAST FM).  Much thanks to the Red Album which came out in June.  Such a whacky CD.  The first time I ever hear "Greatest Man that Ever Lived" I was like WTF for 3 minutes.  It takes on all these different genres of song in ONE song - 80's monster ballad, hip-hop, emo, indie - it's the most bizarre song ever but it only took me one listen to realize I loved it.  I think Perez Hilton called it the EMO Bohemian Rhapsody.  I think I agree.  Best tracks are Pork and Beans, Greatest Man..., Troublemaker, Automatic, Dreamin, I Can Love, and It's Easy.

Panic at the Disco - Pretty. Odd.

The PATD boys dropped the ! this time around.  Any non believers who didn't like their first album I would suggest this one.  Almost has a bit of a Beatles thing.  I feel like it's also a bit more grown up.  Song titles are a little shorter but still oddly named.  Best tracks are I Have Friends in Holy Spaces, Pas De Cheval, Mad as Rabbits, That Green Gentleman, and Nine in the Afternoon.

Coldplay - Viva La Vida 

Never a huge Coldplay fan, I downloaded this album for my good friend P Dunn in June.  I liked Viva La Vida so I put the whole thing on my iPod also.  I usually get a good chance to listen to music while I'm at work so I told my co worker I was going to put on the new Coldplay - we were both super impressed.  Every song was better than the one before and they all have such feeling.  I still think Chris Martin is a super douche but this album is kind of genius.  Best tracks are Viva La Vida, Lost! (with and without the !), Lovers in Japan, Strawberry Swing, and Cemetaries in London.

Drug Rug  - Drug Rug 

LOVE this band.  Pat, Gary and I saw them open for the Cribs in March and we were hooked.  I talked about them in another post a while back but I think they deserve all the attention they can get.  They're Boston based (bonus points) and totally funky.  They have a chic singer who is not prissy at all.  I'm not even sure if this album came out this year but it's HIGH on my fav list.  Best tracks are, For the rest of your life, Day I Die, Winter Time, Walden, and the Sound Alone.  Not sure if this album is widely available but if anyone is interested I will burn it.

Other honorable mentions:

She and Him - Volume One

The Academy Is.. - Fast Times at Barrington High

Katy Perry - One of the Boys

Fall Out Boy - Folie a Deux

Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger

Kind of a letdown:

Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony 

I almost feel bad for even putting this down because they've been my favorite band for so long but - I just can't stomach it.  Then seeing them live made me even sadder about the album not being good because they weren't good at all.

Albums that I listened to A LOT that did not come out in 0h-eight:

The Cribs - Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever

Paramore - RIOT!

Letters to Cleo - Wholesale Meats and Fish

Weezer - Pinkerton

Darjeeling Limited Soundtrack

Crazy-ness!  I'm still in awe over Obama winning.  It still gives me the chills.  Hope you all saved your newspapers from yesterday.  My favorite though are the people who are like "OMG I'm moving to Canada, Mexico etc," I think Switzerland was the best one so far.  Seriously - if people can't see how positive this will be for our country I'd be happy to see them go.  

Halloween was fun!!  I went to Target on Friday trying to find a costume and obviously found nothing.  However I did keep my devil horns on all day.  Someone at the party was like ok I know what you are!  You're a horny teacher.  So I took that as my identity for the night.

That's moi in the middle.  That argyle sweater was $20 at Target.  Get it.  Heather was a pregnancy pact girl from Gloucester.  Best costume.  Better seeing as Chris totally dropped her at one point.

The party was SO fun!! Alysse and I are kind of the Queens of beer pong but after our first game took like an hour we decided to call it quits.  Next time!  Lots of amazing costumes and good people.  They really went all out.  Kudos.

Next day I went to a beer tasting at Curtis Liquors which was awesome.  I ended up falling in love with Woodchuck and ended up buying a 12 pack (which earned me two free pint glasses).  So good!  My reason initially for going there was to get Hillary her favorite wine before I made the trek to go see her in Winthrop.  I make it seem far but really it's not!  Bad wine selection up there though.  

Went to Hill and John's new pad and helped them unpack/organize.  Their couch, which is the best couch EVER - didn't fit in the new place so they traded with their new neighbor (who helped them get the place!  Not a rando).  Not the best couches so we went to Target for more randoms and a slip cover (best invention EVER?).  We also picked out curtains and some other items to beautify (you'd think it was my apt too).  

When I got home later I found out that my uncle had passed earlier in the week.  Back story is I don't really talk to my Dad's side of the family.  They kind of forgot about me after my Dad died 16 years ago.  In an odd twist of fate - my uncle Richie - the one who just passed, had contacted me this year and we had been trading emails for a while up till about Oct 25.  We finally made plans to get dinner and drinks Nov 14.

I wondered why last week he wasn't emailing and I found out that he was found dead Oct 27. Cause of death is still pending.  Luckily I didn't miss the wake and found out it was Sunday.  I was a ball of a nerves all day.  Should I go, should I not go and send a card.  NO.  I was going to go.  For 16 years I have had something missing - I was super close with my cousins and aunts before that and I had missed it so much.  I tried to tell myself I didn't and that I was the better person -but after this year and reconnecting with uncle - I really felt like it was time to try and mend a relationship with them.

I won't get into all the details that will probably make me cry again - but the whole thing turned out great (minus the fact we were at a wake) my family cried when they saw me, I cried and everyone was just so shocked to see me.  They put pictures of me on these picture collages they made for the wake and it was one of the FIRST thing I saw when I walked in an it immediately made me feel better.  I met two cousins I never even knew about!  They're so cute.  I really regret not making sure I saw my uncle sooner but things happen for a reason - and in an eerie way I feel like maybe he knew he wasn't doing well and he would bring everyone back in the end.  He was only 48 - and looked WAY younger.  I'm so curious to know what happened.  

My aunts and I traded emails and my aunt who lives in Milton - emailed me the other day the sweetest note - that yes made me cry - now you know why I've been an emotional wreck this week.

Seeing my family inspired me to bring out some old school pics!  So I present you with Kristen circa 1980's:

My cousin Nicky and I in front of the old Dorchester house (which is now a spanish realtors office - tres sad).

Kim and I!  St Patrick's Day parade in Southie.

I loved that stinkin doll.  She's kind of scary now that I'm thinking.

This is my uncle and I.  I Must be like almost three.

My trip down memory lane.  You can see the others at my Facebook page (it's a public link you don't need a password - but feel free to add me!)  So happy the people I tagged were good sports lol.

Last order of biznass.  MUSIC!

I made it the Top 11 this week because I love the Cribs so much and I've been giving them a ton of love.  I love that new Coldplay album so much.  I wouldn't have even gotten into it if Pat didn't ask me to steal it (which I haven't done in FOREVER thankyouverymuch).  It's phenomenal and kind of matches my mood this week.  Somber but positive.  42, Lost! (with the exclamation point lol) Lovers in Japan, Life in Technicolor, and obvs Viva la Vida are the standouts.  So good.  I'm taking a break from my pod today and enjoying Sky.fm on itunes radio.  Seriously the best for non-stop 80's hits.  I'm talking like Foreigner, George Michael, Debbie Gibson, Madonna, and Aha (right now I have Take on Me!  Helll yes).

Good stuff.

Once again GOBAMA!

xokz

Quick update!

Work has been insane hence the reason for my neglect.  But while I'm faxing media alerts for the New York Marathon I decided to update-ish.

Music time again!

I've been in a wicked The Academy Is mood as of late.  Not sure why.  I'm finally warming up the new album after hearing a live acoustic version of "The Test" on William Becketts blog I kind of gave the album another chance.  It's so good.  I'm really tempted to see then Nov 12 at the Roxy in Boston but I'm trying to hard to save money so - maybe next time :)  Caitlin and I saw them last November and they were AMAZING.  I was so impressed.  I thought William would be totally cocky and assey on stage much like other emo band singers but he was so charismatic and sweet.  IF he ONLY wasn't so damn skinny.

Anyways!  Been doing alot of listening to bands that begin with a C! LOL random.  Coldplay was JUST not close enough to make the cut.

Speaking of Coldplay I adored them on SNL last week and also adored their host!  I am in love with Jon Hamm.  Seriously.  Jon Hamm's John Ham.  Genious.  Why was I the only one who thought it was funny!  And the Mad Men sketch combined with one of my favorite sketches EVER - Two A-Hole's was just amazing.  Now all I need is Amy Poelher to bring the "Rick and Kaitlin" sketch back and I'll be happy.  We can find a new Rick!  Oh and Kristen Wiig needs to get on a new Tareeeget lady speech.  Am I the only one who sings "approved" when my debit card goes through?

Anywhosit.  Two A-Holes!

BIG NEWS!  It seems that EVERYONE has the moving bug these days so I decided to take the initiative and move out of my mom's house.  Yes I live in my mom's house currently.  Which whatever I don't care - but I need my own space.  Badly.  Hillary and John are pretty much gone (helping them move a ton tonight), Robyn called me from her new *and first time away from mom* apt and Pat is currently playing Bert and Ernie with his roomie as they do over their new place.

Well I'm going to check out two places this and next week.  One is in Weymouth near the Cameo I believe, and the other is in Abington near the Depot (GREGG!!!) and Target.  They are only like $20 bucks different and the realtor told me the one in Weymouth has a walk in closet.  Umm DO WANT.  I'm checking out the one in Abington Friday morning after my dentist appt and the Weymouth one probably next week.  So exciting.  Just the thought of getting to move out gets me so excited.  Yeah the bills and rent are going to suck but I think of all the unnecessary shit I buy during a month and it's crazy.  I can do it.  I haz become adult?

ALso Friday is Halloween and Lydia & Crew's Big bash.  So exciting.  I can't wait.  I don't have a costume yet sadly but I'm hoping something will come to me. I wore an angels halo at Missy and Nat's party but I feel like I might have to bring out the big guns at Lyd's place.  Hillary and John are going as Hillary and Bill (Clinton duh).  Hillary already tried out the Hillary mask this weekend at Missy's and I will tell you it's frightening.  It's like I am really with Hillary Clinton.

xok

Music time!

Hmm.  Well New Kids on the Block have ended their reign at #2 with the introduction of the new amazing Kings of Leon album "Only by the Night".  I LOVE Revelry, Manhattan, Use Somebody, Cold Dessert, New Frontier.  Ok they're all fantastic tracks.  I also bought (yes bought!  I am taking a sabbatical from stealing music lol ok not really but I got an iTunes gift card) the new Cold War Kids album - "Loyalty to Loyalty".  It's no "Robbers and Cowards" but I'm trying to give it a fair listen.  They were in Boston last week and when I tried to get tickets in August-ish they were already sold out.  Hoping they'll come back real soon.  

I'm predicting Letters to Cleo will be #1 at least until December 8 when we go see them at the Paradise.

I am so tired and sooo not in a working mood today.  After my cleaning expedition last week, my office is returning to it's normal messy ness.   I currently am set up 3rd grade fort style - I have 4 ft boxes on all sides of me making it not so easy to get out - but when I'm getting product together it's good to have it near me.  Kathleen and Bethany are both out this week, vacationing and conferencing respectively and each day that passes I say that I'm going to fix up this place.  I still have yet to send the rest of the product back to the client.  It just breaks my heart to send all this good stuff.  I'm not going to take it all and I don't want to just bring it to good will - so back to Colorado it goes.  

Oh and I have to send out like 200+ mailers before Friday.  I seriously want to hire an assistant for a day.  Damn.  Guess I should get back to work.  

xok

Ok so like I said in my previous post:  I really love the new New Kids on the Block album.  I act surprised but I am privy to boy bands.  Thus I post my most listened to artists in the past week:

So Letter's To Cleo.  I'm dying.  In my cleaning rampage Saturday I finally found my ancient copy of "Aurora Gory Alice" and I rejoiced.  "GO!" is still my favorite album but man was I jazzed to find AGA.  I am beyond excited to see them in December.

No Fringe last night made me sad.  I am really over this election.  Well no - let me rephrase that - I can't wait till it's over.  I think politics are very exciting but I feel like it's all anyone talks about.  For example: My neighbor who I love just came over to chat and she's like "O I can't vote for Obama - he's friends with terrorists" - seriously??? Do people really believe this shit??? My favorite is "I think Sarah Palin is more than qualified to be VP.  She's hardworking, classy (!!!!!!) true to herself and her country."  Honestly.  That's all you got.  Well gosh darnit - I'm all those things.  Am I qualified.  NO.

Ok done.  No more politics.

Work was so irritating today.  There are some people who seriously never happy with anything.  I just love it when clients ask for things - you do them - exceptionally might I add - and you still get shit on.  You can never win with some people.  It was one of those three cups of coffee days.  Thank you Dunkin' Donuts.  

I totally just realized today that my birthday is next week.  Bananas.  Plans changed slightly last night after Hillary and I had a few glasses of wine and we're thinking Foxwoods or a cruise.  Well alas, Foxwoods is all booked my bday weekend and respective jobs would not be pleased if we just picked up and left.  I'm saving money for the future apartment.  Speaking of money and such I went to check my bank balance yesterday and I see that my credit line has been increased.  Thanks economy.  THANKS.

Really excited for Pushing Daisies tonight.  Too excited. Lee Pace may or may not be my secret love affair.

Last seven days.

It's true.  I've been listening to lots of Rent, old school Third Eye Blind (LOVE) and LFO (obvs).  

In other entertainment news.  I bought the first season of Pushing Daisies this past weekend on my adventure to Target.  It was $25 bucks and I was stoked and then I remembered there is only 7 episodes.  That show is so magical I would pay $100 for it.  I have to finish the last few episodes before season two starts tomorrow night.

Fringe tonight!

xok

I can't believe how frigidly cold it has gotten in Mass in the past few days.  I need to invest in some shoes that will keep my feet warm (not ready to wear my Uggs or ULU's).  OO which reminds me I have a coupon at DSW!  My hands are frigid too.

It's that time again!

It's definitely been a Weezer type of week!!  Ok so I listen to Weezer alot EVERY week but w/e.  I've been alone in the office this week so I've been listening to my iTunes (me and B usually play 80's iTunes radio - great day passer BTW).  It irks me to no end that if you bought an album on another computer - you can't play it on this one.  Example.  I downloaded MCS "Commit this to Memory" probably one of my favorite CD's of all time -  onto the PC I used to use at home that used to crash like every other day circa 2005-2006. Because of that,  I would have to keep registering my iTunes and when I finally got a computer than worked (THANK YOU MAC GODS) I was never able to register my pod (until I realized I could just make a new account - duh).  But I still cannot play that album on my computer - and well sometimes I just need to listen to it.  Reminds me of becoming a MCS convert, driving around in Long Island and getting Lauren - my non believer roomate - hooked on it.  Man I miss college and New York.  Ok anywho.

I need to plan a trip to New York REAL soon to see Lauren!!  The last one didn't count because it was work related  = nottt fun!  I think my work travels are done for the year though which is good.  Still want to go to Vegas as I noted on my myspace and the outpouring of people who said they would go with me was astounding.  I just need to go somewhere.

Ok things I am excited for:

The Office comes back tonight!!!!!  Seriously so excited.  What's going to happen with Andy/Angela and Dwangela.  Spoiler alert if you haven't seen the finale from last season - Andy asks Angela to marry her - TOTALLY stealing Jim's thunder - but last scene you see Phyllis walking in on past lovers, Dwight and Angela (hence Dwangela) necking in the corner.  Snap.  All I know is that previews show M. Scott with a mustache.  If you haven't watched EVER - watch for that.

Some other Office fun stuff.  I found this yesterday online - Serenity By Jan!!!!

Yeah I know.  Full of WIN.  The descriptions for the scents are amazing.  Personal Favorite.

Hunter Green: 

This youthful, firm scent will leave your mouth watering. While designing this candle I felt like a college girl again. Just as Eve was tempted by a decadent apple, you’ll be tempted by the most erotic scent of my collection, "Hunter Green."

Yeah.  AWESOME.

Oh also.  I've been procrastinating a tad this morning - but with good reason:

see Sarah Palin pictures

see Sarah Palin pictures

see Sarah Palin pictures

Amazing.  And if you didn't know already where my loyalty stands....

Thanks to Hillary who didn't think I'd wear it :)

xo

Tune-age.

I'd like to keep up with this more but sometimes I forget.  I bring you my top 10 most listened to artists in the past 7 days:

Yeah I'm listening to Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry.  Both ladies have fun rocking albums and I have no shame.  Been in a wicked Killers mood for the past 4-5 days hardcore.  So good.  Still wish I saw them at Foxwoods.

So I watched Fringe last night and I think I liked it a lot.  JJ Abrams has a fetish with plane disasters and likes to recycle music from Lost.  No big shakes.  I liked it.  Joshua Jackson is reason enough for me to stick around.  Bonus: The show takes place in Boston (but unfortunately is filmed in Toronto).  Some of the sky scenes were obvs very Boston but when they were in "Chelsea" it looked way nicer than what Chelsea actually looks like.  Sorry Chelsea.

So I know my birthday isn't till another month and some odd days but I'm thinking about a return trip to Salem ala last year but actually on my birthday (Oct 18 for those who feel sad for not knowing).  I'm thinking HUGE mojitos from that bar we watched the Red Sox own in, rando witch tours, candy apples and Salem Beer Garden.  Thoughts?

xok

So I finally figured out how to work my last.fm.  I've had it for quite a while but never figured out how to work it.  Alas I figured it out.  Taking a page from Jessica below is what I've been listening to for the past week:

I'm cool.  I just downloaded some questionable music so this is going to get consistently more embarrassing week by week.  Fact.