I come to you this year in a much better place in many ways than where I was last year. Living alone is awesome. Sure it gets lonely and weird sometimes, but there is no mess except any that I make, I can have lots and lots of “space”, and guess what….no dog howling this year! And I am even going to a social gathering with people instead of staying home alone and crying. Definite plus. All of them.

The one thing I wish is that I could be closer to my family. I struggle with that all the time, especially since my mom is suffering. I know that when I am home for the holidays it seems to take both of their minds off of their troubles for a little bit. That’s the one thing I know for sure I can do…help distract.

So, without further ado….

best of

INDEPENDENCE! SPACE!
-my tried-and-true girlfriends, the few of you left, love you
-trips home to see my family
-notes my parents leave on my pillow for when I get in
-the happy david times (HDT)
-HDT onion/pear puff pastry tarte, bread bowl pasta, mexican rice, red beans and rice, fancy grilled cheese, roasted croutons+scallions, etc.
-“confessor”
-dracula
-first lovely city apartment
-apt. warming
-new friends
-hostessing
-pixie haircut
-anthropologie
-retin a!!!
-couscous
-learning to theme drupal sites
-lucky dog! lol
-being employed at a wonderful place
-“bag of hammers”
-hairplane
-snagging mp3s straight from google
-neon indian
-asian makeup girls on youtube lulling me to sleep
-journaling anew (Renetsil version 2.0!)
-“honey in the sun”
-Rock LOBSTER!!!
-Where the Wild Things Are
-thai chicken panang
-4site.tv redesign! yeah!
-waking up slowly safe in bed at home in the morning, hearing parents’ warm voices in the distance
-Law and Order SVU marathons
-“last dance”

worst of

-uncertainty
-mom’s health
-extreme emotional empathy (useless and maddening insight into
everyone’s temper)
-living with a dog that wasn’t mine
-expectations/failed expectations
-endless rainy days?
-creative burnout
-aimless goals
-lonliness
-that guy from Placebo’s voice, no matter what year
-comcast sucking
-getting upset/jealous over silly things
-feeling trapped/not having my space when I’m in close quarters too long with anyone
-the day back after a long break
-being robbed of half my christmas vacation with family
-bugs/bug dreams

best of (inspiration)

http://www.transformerstudio.ru/
http://www.nbillustration.co.uk/
http://www.orkposters.com/
http://www.designspongeonline.com/
yeah, most of these

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! *party blower-thing noise*

Geographer - Kites

This is a good song.

I’m getting worse and worse at explaining why I pick the entries that I take the time to add to my website, haha. I guess there’s no real scientific explanation–this song gives me those musical butterflies in my tummy when I think about it. Until I play it to death in the next week, of course. Because that’s what I do.

I’ve been on a big mp3 treasure-hunt kick the last couple days….and this is the one that has the goods for me at this second. You know the drill, synthy/bassy hooks, melodic vocals, dreaminess, that x factor. But cello, too? Yes yes yes.

Oh, and for good measure….here’s an absolutely beautiful song by St. Vincent I overlooked on her first album, Marry Me. It’s call “All My Stars Aligned.” The piano just drips like glitter throughout it, and the way she delivers the “you know it’s real” line in the chorus = total brandi-happiness.

St. Vincent - All My Stars Aligned

Silverchair - Across the Night

Dear Miss Victrix: I’m sorry it took me 7 years to listen to this album :(

“…I don’t want to be lonely, I just want to be alone….”

Tell me about it, Daniel Johns. xoxox

(other favorite tracks on Diorama = Tuna in the Brine, The Greatest View, and World Upon Your Shoulders)

Okay, so I’m posting this a little late and I am sure Mr. McGruff is fine now, but what a pitiful story! I also like the implication that McGruff is indeed an actual being not merely portrayed by a human in a suit.