So, I need an iPad. You heard me right, I don't so much want one as need one. It's already revolutionized the way I see the tablet market: before I didn't care, now I do. I can't imagine surfing the web any longer without it. Steve Jobs continues to blow me away and completely change the market and then dominate it. The first time I saw a tablet was a few years ago at my friends work. It was crazy and I didn't understand what it was or why she needed it, but it looked cool. This looks awesome. At first I thought Steve Jobs was winning any war he waged on Microsoft, but then I read this article and realized that no matter what Jobs introduces that I might feel obligated by society to buy, he will never be as cool as Bill Gates. Who (besides Warren Buffet) says they're going to spend 10 Billion dollars on helping the world. The Gates Foundation is, and will always be, better than anything Mac will ever do.
Anyways, I'm out. Go big. Happy Birthday to my bff, Mark Twain. She's now as old as I've ever known her to be. A whopping 27. Just an FYI, it took her three tries to pass her drivers test when she was 16. Seriously.
-M, p, z & shredder
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
NajMe Tender Again...
So my obsession with my favorite youtube personality (if there is such a thing) has just exploded to new heights. While watching her new video (a cover of The Adams Family theme song (could she be any cooler??)) I noticed her shirt looked familiar. Turns out I have the same one. It's a Michigan State t-shirt!!! If she goes to State, I'm going to find her and get her to do a duet with me. Mark Twain thinks she lives in a closet and I thought she lived in Singapore. I'm officially insanely excited.
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - I also stumbled (stalked my way onto) her blog and have added her to my peeps. Her blog is equally as amazing as her music.
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - I also stumbled (stalked my way onto) her blog and have added her to my peeps. Her blog is equally as amazing as her music.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The State of the Union...
I figured instead of waiting until tomorrow to post on it, I'll do it live. Random thoughts and observations from the address as it's happening. Some might be dumb, some might be funny and all of it will be pointless.
8:18pm
Obama just made fun of the bank bailout. Haha. I wasn't aware that he proposed a fee to the biggest banks to pay back the tax payers - yes, please. I could use the cash. He's talking about all the tax cuts he's made yet no Republican is standing up; must not have been for big business. Hahaha he just said to all the Repubs sitting down, "I thought I'd get some applause on that one." Zing!
8:24pm
He just called for a new Jobs Bill. I really wish I didn't have to look at Biden nod his head over and over again. He looks like a bobblehead. Republicans aren't impressed by his desire to help small business by using money the banks paid back. Seriously, I can't take all the applause. Let's listen and then applaud when we need to. Oh man, John Dingell (D-MI) looks really old, not sure he could stand and applaud if he wanted to...
8:31
Shout out to India's growing economy. What up!!
8:34
Is it weird that I want to make out with Nancy Pelosi? She's a good lookin older woman. He just talked about building nuclear power plants. I love it. It's really one of the only ways to maintain the level of energy we need and going green. We just need to figure out a way to dispose of the waste that doesn't damage anything. Booo to 'clean coal' - no such thing.
8:37
Update: apparently John Dingell can stand up.
8:41
College tuition: If he can pull of making college more affordable and handing out more government loans, this will be awesome. Choose a career in public service and get your debt cleared after 10 years? Awesome.
8:43
Pee break
8:44
Health Care. He's got jokes. It's kind of silly that he needs to clarify why he wants to reform health care. I think he's been pretty clear about everything. Michelle is gonna tackle childhood obesity? Good luck. Just another reason for Mark Twain to love her even more. Here's what needs to happen to health care reform to get the GOP on board: tort reform. Any kind will do, just give them something. It's necessary. I wish Dems weren't in the pocket of trial lawyers, tort reform is imperative and a huge part of health care reform.
8:51
Cutting federal spending. Starting in 2011 govt spending will be frozen for 3 years for programs that don't work or are too expensive. No tax cuts for people making over 250k - Republicans just rolled their eyes. It sounds like his plan to cut the debt is going to be rough on Republicans.
8:56
Why does the GOP look so old and salty? They need to get some young vibrant people in the party to rejuvinate it. They look like they're at a funeral.
8:59
Publish all earmark requests so the public can look and see who wants to spend what and where. This is a fantastic idea. The system would get some much needed transperency. He's urging everyone to show some much needed bi-partisan voting. Dems agree, Repubs to not. Is it just me or does the whole not clapping thing seem really petty and childish? They're acting like a bunch of assh*le middleschool kids.
9:07
Responsibility to the troops after they come home. Absolutely. Finally something everyone can agree on: more money for veterans.Michelle O is working on getting more money for families of soldiers as well. I didn't realize she had as big of a portfolio as she does. I love her.
9:13
Hate crime legistlation. He's going to let gay Americans serve which is not greeted with applause by anyone in a uniform. Equal pay for all women. Sad that these things need to be addressed in 2010.
9:16
"No wonder there's so much cynicism out there. No wonder there's so much disappointment." How true. The system seems really petty these days. Change you can believe in. He's calling everyone out to stop being so wack and get their sh*t together to help the country.
9:19
"We are strong. We are resilient. We are American....We don't quit. I don't quit" Here's the inspirational President Obama I love so much.
9:21
And that's it. Here come the pundits analyzing the claps and the laughs and the times when there was silence. How can people listen to this drivel. Talk about the politics, but analyzing the moments of noise or lack thereof from the audience? Lame.
I wish that this last year had been more productive and he'd gotten more of his agenda passed. I would have loved to hear a speech with lofty goals and daring bold statements. Instead it was more of an explanation of why things didn't work out and what still needs to be done to pass old issues. Hopefully this next year things happen that will allow him to inspire next year.
And of course, a very relevant West Wing moment:
As always, go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
8:18pm
Obama just made fun of the bank bailout. Haha. I wasn't aware that he proposed a fee to the biggest banks to pay back the tax payers - yes, please. I could use the cash. He's talking about all the tax cuts he's made yet no Republican is standing up; must not have been for big business. Hahaha he just said to all the Repubs sitting down, "I thought I'd get some applause on that one." Zing!
8:24pm
He just called for a new Jobs Bill. I really wish I didn't have to look at Biden nod his head over and over again. He looks like a bobblehead. Republicans aren't impressed by his desire to help small business by using money the banks paid back. Seriously, I can't take all the applause. Let's listen and then applaud when we need to. Oh man, John Dingell (D-MI) looks really old, not sure he could stand and applaud if he wanted to...
8:31
Shout out to India's growing economy. What up!!
8:34
Is it weird that I want to make out with Nancy Pelosi? She's a good lookin older woman. He just talked about building nuclear power plants. I love it. It's really one of the only ways to maintain the level of energy we need and going green. We just need to figure out a way to dispose of the waste that doesn't damage anything. Booo to 'clean coal' - no such thing.
8:37
Update: apparently John Dingell can stand up.
8:41
College tuition: If he can pull of making college more affordable and handing out more government loans, this will be awesome. Choose a career in public service and get your debt cleared after 10 years? Awesome.
8:43
Pee break
8:44
Health Care. He's got jokes. It's kind of silly that he needs to clarify why he wants to reform health care. I think he's been pretty clear about everything. Michelle is gonna tackle childhood obesity? Good luck. Just another reason for Mark Twain to love her even more. Here's what needs to happen to health care reform to get the GOP on board: tort reform. Any kind will do, just give them something. It's necessary. I wish Dems weren't in the pocket of trial lawyers, tort reform is imperative and a huge part of health care reform.
8:51
Cutting federal spending. Starting in 2011 govt spending will be frozen for 3 years for programs that don't work or are too expensive. No tax cuts for people making over 250k - Republicans just rolled their eyes. It sounds like his plan to cut the debt is going to be rough on Republicans.
8:56
Why does the GOP look so old and salty? They need to get some young vibrant people in the party to rejuvinate it. They look like they're at a funeral.
8:59
Publish all earmark requests so the public can look and see who wants to spend what and where. This is a fantastic idea. The system would get some much needed transperency. He's urging everyone to show some much needed bi-partisan voting. Dems agree, Repubs to not. Is it just me or does the whole not clapping thing seem really petty and childish? They're acting like a bunch of assh*le middleschool kids.
9:07
Responsibility to the troops after they come home. Absolutely. Finally something everyone can agree on: more money for veterans.Michelle O is working on getting more money for families of soldiers as well. I didn't realize she had as big of a portfolio as she does. I love her.
9:13
Hate crime legistlation. He's going to let gay Americans serve which is not greeted with applause by anyone in a uniform. Equal pay for all women. Sad that these things need to be addressed in 2010.
9:16
"No wonder there's so much cynicism out there. No wonder there's so much disappointment." How true. The system seems really petty these days. Change you can believe in. He's calling everyone out to stop being so wack and get their sh*t together to help the country.
9:19
"We are strong. We are resilient. We are American....We don't quit. I don't quit" Here's the inspirational President Obama I love so much.
9:21
And that's it. Here come the pundits analyzing the claps and the laughs and the times when there was silence. How can people listen to this drivel. Talk about the politics, but analyzing the moments of noise or lack thereof from the audience? Lame.
I wish that this last year had been more productive and he'd gotten more of his agenda passed. I would have loved to hear a speech with lofty goals and daring bold statements. Instead it was more of an explanation of why things didn't work out and what still needs to be done to pass old issues. Hopefully this next year things happen that will allow him to inspire next year.
And of course, a very relevant West Wing moment:
As always, go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Justin Beiber...
Some of you may know who this kid is. I first saw him over the holidays while watching Christmas at the White House, where musicians performed christmas hits. My first thought is who the f is this kid? He was/is a terrible singer, is off beat and really really annoying. He also may be the whitest kid ever. If Zac Efron and Kellie Pickler (sorry for the obscure American Idol reference) had a kid, this would be it.
*Don't you just wanna punch this kid in the face*
So naturally, I shrugged him off as a fad. Then I see him climbing the charts on iTunes and as with anything that I mildly don't like that gets popular, I began to hate him. I think he's like 10 years old and he sounds like a bad female pop singer (correction: he's 15 and actually from Stratford, Ontario which actually makes me like him but that's neither here nor there). I shunned him from my life and tried my best to pretend he doesn't exist.
Unfortunately,bad awesome pop music always finds a way of seeping into my life. Justin Beiber used my boy Ludacris to grab ahold of me. While getting a ride the other day this silly pop beat was playing and suddenly Luda comes on with a really cheesy but oh so wonderful verse that made me literally say, "I love this song. This is going on my ipod as soon as I get home." It was mentioned that it might be Justin Beiber and I refused to admit it. Sure enough, when I got home and hopped on limewire to get it, the worst was confirmed - I loved a Justin Beiber song. Now it's all up in my ipod and I listen to it in the shower, in my car and even when I'm doing laundry. I'm going to request it to the dj in spin class next week. I really went through the whole gamut of emotions from denial to self-hatred to sorrow to exuberance and eventually decided that I love this song and now I do so without regret.
If you haven't heard it, here it is....sorry to ruin your life.
As always, go big or go home...
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - relevant tfln quote:
*Don't you just wanna punch this kid in the face*
So naturally, I shrugged him off as a fad. Then I see him climbing the charts on iTunes and as with anything that I mildly don't like that gets popular, I began to hate him. I think he's like 10 years old and he sounds like a bad female pop singer (correction: he's 15 and actually from Stratford, Ontario which actually makes me like him but that's neither here nor there). I shunned him from my life and tried my best to pretend he doesn't exist.
Unfortunately,
If you haven't heard it, here it is....sorry to ruin your life.
As always, go big or go home...
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - relevant tfln quote:
(918): im at a loss of words.... a stripper is dancing to a Justin Bieber song.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tiger Woods Ya'll...
So there are now reports that sound pretty accurate about how everything went down between Tiger and Elin. To summarize a bit, Tiger denied having an affair and even went so far as to have Elin talk on the phone to Rachel Utichel and confirm it. She didn't buy it and argued until Tiger decided the best way to end the argument was to take an Ambien and sleep it off. Well like any suspicious woman would do, after he fell asleep she checked his phone and saw a text he sent someone (she assumed it was Rachel) saying "You're the only one I've loved." Elin then texted Rachel pretending to be Tiger and then called her and found out who it was. [This is when things get silly] Elin then wakes up Tiger and screams at him and he responds by locking himself in the bathroom (that was what I used to do when Other Guy would beat me up when we were little). He then apparently texted her in the bathroom and when he came out she beat him up and chased him out of the house with a golf club which is when he got into his famed accident.
First of all, Tiger is one scandalous dude with little to no scruples. How do you carry on affairs forever, then look someone in the eye and lie to them and then have them talk on the phone to your mistress?! Who does that?! People have affairs, I get that, but why on earth would he think letting them speak to each other was a good idea? This is the part of life that he missed on by spending a life so focused on one thing and not learning about anything else, like how to be a person.
The PGA season started a few weeks ago. I bet you didn't know that. Probably because Tiger isn't playing in any tournaments. There have been a few players who have suggested that Tiger needs to release another statement and hurry up and resolve something so the PGA doesn't suffer any longer. They have already lost sponsorship for a couple tournaments and TV ratings will suffer a ton if he doesn't play in a major. Tiger really screwed the pooch on this one, but still I feel for the guy. I mean he's a bad dude, but he is the greatest thing that ever happened to golf and the Tiger Woods Foundation rasied a lot of money and did a lot of work for charity, and it's sad what this has done to him and the effect it will have on everything he has his hand in.
I guess the moral of the story is don't cheat, or if you marry someone and you don't care about her, make sure she feels the same way...
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
First of all, Tiger is one scandalous dude with little to no scruples. How do you carry on affairs forever, then look someone in the eye and lie to them and then have them talk on the phone to your mistress?! Who does that?! People have affairs, I get that, but why on earth would he think letting them speak to each other was a good idea? This is the part of life that he missed on by spending a life so focused on one thing and not learning about anything else, like how to be a person.
The PGA season started a few weeks ago. I bet you didn't know that. Probably because Tiger isn't playing in any tournaments. There have been a few players who have suggested that Tiger needs to release another statement and hurry up and resolve something so the PGA doesn't suffer any longer. They have already lost sponsorship for a couple tournaments and TV ratings will suffer a ton if he doesn't play in a major. Tiger really screwed the pooch on this one, but still I feel for the guy. I mean he's a bad dude, but he is the greatest thing that ever happened to golf and the Tiger Woods Foundation rasied a lot of money and did a lot of work for charity, and it's sad what this has done to him and the effect it will have on everything he has his hand in.
I guess the moral of the story is don't cheat, or if you marry someone and you don't care about her, make sure she feels the same way...
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
Monday Two Three...
Just a few things on my mind this morning that I thought I'd share since I haven't posted in a week...
One
I missed the Golden Globes and therefore didn't do my usual 'best dressed' list, but I saw this picture of Penelope Cruz (from the SAG awards) and thought to myself, "could anyone possibly look any better?" So, I'm crowning her 'best dressed,' possibly along with an award for 'best ever.'
Two
The other morning I got a text from a friend telling me to go to the msn.com homepage and scroll down to the 'dating & personals' section and see if I noticed anything. So I go there and take a look and who do I find featured in the section is none other than our friend, Kingsford. I'm sure by now his match.com profile has gotten about a milion hits (half are from me). Here he is under the pseudonym "Kutide."
Three
And finally, the North American Auto Show is a wrap in Detroit and there were quite a few highlights. It looks like people are really responding well to the new Ford and Chrysler designs so hopefully it will lead to consumers buying American cars and not foreign so we can get our state back to acceptable unemployment numbers. I love the auto show and I love that it still draws people from all ages and how great it is that Detroit still has something that is a big deal. Here's my future truck, a Ford F-150 Raptor.
Anyways, that's all for now. Go big or go home.
-M, p, z & shredder
One
I missed the Golden Globes and therefore didn't do my usual 'best dressed' list, but I saw this picture of Penelope Cruz (from the SAG awards) and thought to myself, "could anyone possibly look any better?" So, I'm crowning her 'best dressed,' possibly along with an award for 'best ever.'
Two
The other morning I got a text from a friend telling me to go to the msn.com homepage and scroll down to the 'dating & personals' section and see if I noticed anything. So I go there and take a look and who do I find featured in the section is none other than our friend, Kingsford. I'm sure by now his match.com profile has gotten about a milion hits (half are from me). Here he is under the pseudonym "Kutide."
Three
And finally, the North American Auto Show is a wrap in Detroit and there were quite a few highlights. It looks like people are really responding well to the new Ford and Chrysler designs so hopefully it will lead to consumers buying American cars and not foreign so we can get our state back to acceptable unemployment numbers. I love the auto show and I love that it still draws people from all ages and how great it is that Detroit still has something that is a big deal. Here's my future truck, a Ford F-150 Raptor.
Anyways, that's all for now. Go big or go home.
-M, p, z & shredder
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
(500) Days of Spider-Man...
So Sony just confirmed that Marc Webb is going to be directing the new Spider-Man movie(s). If you haven't been paying attention, Sam Raimi (the director of the first 3) dropped out last week and as a result so did Tobey Mcguire, which is good but it sounds like they're going to do a whole new 'gritty reboot' so it looks like he's going to do another origins story though I think he should just do one after he already has his powers. I hope beyond hope that he can get his 500 Days stars Joesph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel to be the new Spidey and Mary Jane, though that would just be too good to be true. I think JGL would make a great Peter Parker.
In other news, Massachusetts, in all their infinite wisdom, elected a Republican to fill the vacant senate seat left behind by Sen Kennedy. Sad sad day. It looks like we no longer have the filibuster proof senate that President Obama pretty much needed to get anything done. The only positive I can see coming out of this is that (assuming Republicans don't kill it) Health Care Reform might actually get some much needed tort reform. Other than that, this doesn't look good.
And finally, my girl has put out another gem...
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
In other news, Massachusetts, in all their infinite wisdom, elected a Republican to fill the vacant senate seat left behind by Sen Kennedy. Sad sad day. It looks like we no longer have the filibuster proof senate that President Obama pretty much needed to get anything done. The only positive I can see coming out of this is that (assuming Republicans don't kill it) Health Care Reform might actually get some much needed tort reform. Other than that, this doesn't look good.
And finally, my girl has put out another gem...
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Zachary Levi is My Boy...
Chuck is one of my favorite shows on TV mostly because I love the main character, played by Zachary Levi. He's tall, lanky and goofy and reminds me of my friends, and I'm pretty sure if I were famous, we'd probably be kickin it right now. Anyway, I tuned in to Conan the other night (what a crazy situation that is turning out to be) because I knew he was going to be on and not only did he not disappoint but he pretty much got me to have a man crush on him.
He spent most of the interview talking about playing video games online, specifically x-box live, and how brutal kids can be. I've wanted to have a public forum where I could appeal to the masses about the kids online and he pretty much articulated it for me. He goes on to talk about how kids play all day and then dominate us who don't get to play as much and then talked about teabagging other people after you kill them and how emasculating it is. You should probably check it out for yourself if this is something you care about in the least.
Skip ahead to the third or fourth segment in the clip for his interview.
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - hilarious tfln (it makes me want roommates just to do this):
"(541): So, when he came he screamed MORTAL KOMBAT!!!! at the top of his lungs and all of his roomates yelled back FINISH HER!!!!.....yeah kinda akward"
He spent most of the interview talking about playing video games online, specifically x-box live, and how brutal kids can be. I've wanted to have a public forum where I could appeal to the masses about the kids online and he pretty much articulated it for me. He goes on to talk about how kids play all day and then dominate us who don't get to play as much and then talked about teabagging other people after you kill them and how emasculating it is. You should probably check it out for yourself if this is something you care about in the least.
Skip ahead to the third or fourth segment in the clip for his interview.
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - hilarious tfln (it makes me want roommates just to do this):
"(541): So, when he came he screamed MORTAL KOMBAT!!!! at the top of his lungs and all of his roomates yelled back FINISH HER!!!!.....yeah kinda akward"
Monday, January 11, 2010
Best of 2009: Records...
The problem with doing a best albums list is that you skip over the gems that you find along the way. Plenty of albums are mediocre, but on a lot of those there is a 'perfect' song. This list is dedicated to those songs that when you hear the first time you think, "holy sh*t, this song is really good," or just that ones that make you wanna dance or sing along with in the car/shower/bar or wherever you like to sing. So here are my 10 favorite songs of this last year - some of them were on albums in my top ten but most of them are not. Some of these you may hate by now because you've heard them way too much or you never liked them in the first place. Some of these you may have never heard. This a list of my favorite songs of the year and I love them. Anyways, here they are...
10.) Sexual Healing by Hot Chip
Awesome cover of an already legendary song. It's hard to make a song this well known your own but give this a listen if you haven't heard it and see why it made the list. "I'll never be laid back as this beat was."
9.) Your Love is Like a Drug or Tik Tok by Ke$ha
I apologize for putting two in the same slot but this girl is killing me. I don't know why I love her and up until three days ago I didn't even know she was white. But damn if I don't love these songs. I swear when I sing them I feel like a 13 year old girl.
8.) Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean
This was easily my favorite country song this year. Usually I'm all about the drinking singing along country songs that are a little more upbeat, but this one got me.
7.) Young Hearts Spark Fire by Japandroids
The best song on a great album - after hearing this, I immediately bought the whole album. This was in the running for my top ten albums and just barely missed out.
6.) Exhibit C by Jay Electronica
It seems that this is the only hip-hop song on my list for the year which is strange but I guess I didn't listen to a whole lot this year. After Mos Def's new one which I thought was pretty bland, I didn't think I'd hear anything good this year until this.
5.) Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
The first time I heard this song I wanted to kill myself. Then I heard the chorus and was indifferent. Then I started to like it. Now I love it and after a brief but persuasive conversation with Other Guy's gf (heretofore known as Other Girl) I concur that she is the most unique female pop star to come around since Madonna (back when Madonna was Madonna).
4.) I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
You all know and love this song. If you don't, you did at one point and then you fell in love with it again when you saw that Asian kid on youtube rock it out.
3.) I Love College by Asher Roth
I do love college. And I love it for all the reasons that are stated in this song. Who doesn't like reminiscing about college to a sampled beat from my favorite Weezer song (Say It Ain't So)? The only thing better than hearing this song on my ipod is hearing it at a tailgate when I'm back at MSU.
2.) The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Remix) by Chromeo
Take an already awesome song and add a really fun beat and mix it. Chromeo hit the nail on the head with this one. I'd like to thank Leadright for filling my life with this wonderful goodness.
1.) I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked by Ida Maria
My favorite song off her album which is in my top 10. She's awesome. The song is pretty much perfect. It sounds like a summer day, windows down kind of song and Spring can't get her soon enough to see if I'm right. She kills me with this song. I should have moved her higher up on my best albums list...
Anyways, good stuff. Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
10.) Sexual Healing by Hot Chip
Awesome cover of an already legendary song. It's hard to make a song this well known your own but give this a listen if you haven't heard it and see why it made the list. "I'll never be laid back as this beat was."
9.) Your Love is Like a Drug or Tik Tok by Ke$ha
I apologize for putting two in the same slot but this girl is killing me. I don't know why I love her and up until three days ago I didn't even know she was white. But damn if I don't love these songs. I swear when I sing them I feel like a 13 year old girl.
8.) Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean
This was easily my favorite country song this year. Usually I'm all about the drinking singing along country songs that are a little more upbeat, but this one got me.
7.) Young Hearts Spark Fire by Japandroids
The best song on a great album - after hearing this, I immediately bought the whole album. This was in the running for my top ten albums and just barely missed out.
6.) Exhibit C by Jay Electronica
It seems that this is the only hip-hop song on my list for the year which is strange but I guess I didn't listen to a whole lot this year. After Mos Def's new one which I thought was pretty bland, I didn't think I'd hear anything good this year until this.
5.) Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
The first time I heard this song I wanted to kill myself. Then I heard the chorus and was indifferent. Then I started to like it. Now I love it and after a brief but persuasive conversation with Other Guy's gf (heretofore known as Other Girl) I concur that she is the most unique female pop star to come around since Madonna (back when Madonna was Madonna).
4.) I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
You all know and love this song. If you don't, you did at one point and then you fell in love with it again when you saw that Asian kid on youtube rock it out.
3.) I Love College by Asher Roth
I do love college. And I love it for all the reasons that are stated in this song. Who doesn't like reminiscing about college to a sampled beat from my favorite Weezer song (Say It Ain't So)? The only thing better than hearing this song on my ipod is hearing it at a tailgate when I'm back at MSU.
2.) The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Remix) by Chromeo
Take an already awesome song and add a really fun beat and mix it. Chromeo hit the nail on the head with this one. I'd like to thank Leadright for filling my life with this wonderful goodness.
1.) I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked by Ida Maria
My favorite song off her album which is in my top 10. She's awesome. The song is pretty much perfect. It sounds like a summer day, windows down kind of song and Spring can't get her soon enough to see if I'm right. She kills me with this song. I should have moved her higher up on my best albums list...
Anyways, good stuff. Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
Best of 2009: Music...
Unlike the spike in my personal movie attendance, album purchases were down for me this year. There was a dearth of great albums this year and you really had to dig for them. Not to take away anything from this list though because these albums are stellar and I highly recommend them to everyone. There were a few that were just disappointing like the new Weezer album and a 'new' Everclear album that was supposed to be a new take on old songs, but was really just the same take on an old song. Anyway, here are my top ten, I know I'm leaving something out but I can't remember what it was. If you think of anything I missed let me know...
10.) Album by Girls
I love this album. It's the first from this male duo (I think the name of the band is ironic? or it could be the San Fransisco in them coming out) and it's awesome. It's one of the most original sounds that I've heard in a while and no song sounds like any other on the album. My favorite song on the album is 'Laura' but it changes every time I listen to the whole thing.
9.) Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson
This is the third album of hers that I bought and while it's not quite as good as Girls and Boys or as catchy as Be OK, she still kills it. Once again she is at her best in front of the piano on tracks like 'The Chain.' I could listen to her sing all day and this album really doesn't have a song that I ever skip past which is more than I can say for her last two albums.
8.) A Strange Arrangement by Mayer Hawthorne
I plugged this album a couple times this year and for good reason. Not only is he from Ann Arbor but he's really good. This album is the perfect soundtrack to a great summer day. There are a few tracks that are just good, there are some that are really really good, and the rest are just pitch perfect. My favorite track flip flops but usually it lands on either 'Just Ain't Gonna Work Out' or 'Your Easy Lovin.'
7.) I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers
I just heard this album for the first time a couple months ago. I can't really find a genre to place them in, it's kind of a cross between indie rock / country / folk and pop and it goes together so well. It Goes On and On is my favorite track but like most of these albums, that can change depending on my mood.
6.) Fortress 'Round My Heart by Ida Maria
Ida Maria is one of my favorite new artists. She put out a great album that actually rocks without being too in your face. Her voice is so easy on the ears and her hooks are so catchy and fun to sing along to it's silly. I also love her style, I feel like sings so that I can sing along and it doesn't matter how bad my voice is, only that I have fun while I'm singing. The whole album is great - check it out right now.
5.) Touchdown by brakesbrakesbrakes
I heard this album for the first time this fall and I must say that it is a perfect fall album. It's probably the least catchy album on the list and you might not find yourself singing along to it, but from start to finish it's great. My favorite song on the album is 'Crush on You.'
4.) Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
Nice to see Phoenix getting their dues. This album really put them on the map and got them on the radio. I had never heard a Phoenix song on the radio until Lisztomania and really I can't think of a better song to introduce them to the masses.
3.) Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
This is one of those albums that I know I'll be listening to forever. It's pretty timeless and really something you love more and more every time you listen to it. Now that I've heard them I don't know how I could own an iPod without them on it ever again. It's that good. This is by far the least accessible album on my list and you'll either love it or hate it, but if you like it keep listening to it and you'll love it before the end of it. My jam on it is 'Stilness is the Move.'
2.) It's Blitz by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Love this album. Love Karen O. Love every song on it. If you don't love them by now, give this a listen and you will. My favorite song is 'Hysteric' and if you're lucky enough to already own the album, go on iTunes and spend a dollar on the acoustic version - it's awesome.
1.) Yeah So by Slow Club
If you read this blog a lot, you've probably seen that this album has been up in my 'Currently Listening to' section for a long time. Mostly because despite the number of albums and songs I've listened to since first buying this album, I keep coming back to it every week. I've like folk for a while but this album launched a deep love of it and has me going down a very folky path for 2010.
As always, go big or go home. I'm out.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - best songs list coming up next...
10.) Album by Girls
I love this album. It's the first from this male duo (I think the name of the band is ironic? or it could be the San Fransisco in them coming out) and it's awesome. It's one of the most original sounds that I've heard in a while and no song sounds like any other on the album. My favorite song on the album is 'Laura' but it changes every time I listen to the whole thing.
9.) Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson
This is the third album of hers that I bought and while it's not quite as good as Girls and Boys or as catchy as Be OK, she still kills it. Once again she is at her best in front of the piano on tracks like 'The Chain.' I could listen to her sing all day and this album really doesn't have a song that I ever skip past which is more than I can say for her last two albums.
8.) A Strange Arrangement by Mayer Hawthorne
I plugged this album a couple times this year and for good reason. Not only is he from Ann Arbor but he's really good. This album is the perfect soundtrack to a great summer day. There are a few tracks that are just good, there are some that are really really good, and the rest are just pitch perfect. My favorite track flip flops but usually it lands on either 'Just Ain't Gonna Work Out' or 'Your Easy Lovin.'
7.) I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers
I just heard this album for the first time a couple months ago. I can't really find a genre to place them in, it's kind of a cross between indie rock / country / folk and pop and it goes together so well. It Goes On and On is my favorite track but like most of these albums, that can change depending on my mood.
6.) Fortress 'Round My Heart by Ida Maria
Ida Maria is one of my favorite new artists. She put out a great album that actually rocks without being too in your face. Her voice is so easy on the ears and her hooks are so catchy and fun to sing along to it's silly. I also love her style, I feel like sings so that I can sing along and it doesn't matter how bad my voice is, only that I have fun while I'm singing. The whole album is great - check it out right now.
5.) Touchdown by brakesbrakesbrakes
I heard this album for the first time this fall and I must say that it is a perfect fall album. It's probably the least catchy album on the list and you might not find yourself singing along to it, but from start to finish it's great. My favorite song on the album is 'Crush on You.'
4.) Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix
Nice to see Phoenix getting their dues. This album really put them on the map and got them on the radio. I had never heard a Phoenix song on the radio until Lisztomania and really I can't think of a better song to introduce them to the masses.
3.) Bitte Orca by Dirty Projectors
This is one of those albums that I know I'll be listening to forever. It's pretty timeless and really something you love more and more every time you listen to it. Now that I've heard them I don't know how I could own an iPod without them on it ever again. It's that good. This is by far the least accessible album on my list and you'll either love it or hate it, but if you like it keep listening to it and you'll love it before the end of it. My jam on it is 'Stilness is the Move.'
2.) It's Blitz by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Love this album. Love Karen O. Love every song on it. If you don't love them by now, give this a listen and you will. My favorite song is 'Hysteric' and if you're lucky enough to already own the album, go on iTunes and spend a dollar on the acoustic version - it's awesome.
1.) Yeah So by Slow Club
If you read this blog a lot, you've probably seen that this album has been up in my 'Currently Listening to' section for a long time. Mostly because despite the number of albums and songs I've listened to since first buying this album, I keep coming back to it every week. I've like folk for a while but this album launched a deep love of it and has me going down a very folky path for 2010.
As always, go big or go home. I'm out.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - best songs list coming up next...
Saturday, January 09, 2010
The A-Team...
When I first heard that they were seriously considering doing this remake a couple years ago I was very skeptical and remained so until they cast Liam Neeson as Hannibal and Bradley Cooper as Face. Anyway, the trailer finally came out and I'm excited. Aside from the ridiculousness at the end, I think we're in for a good time and a movie that hopefully will be solid enough for a sequel.
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Best of 20009: Movies...
Now that we're settling in to the new year, I'm assuming most of you overspent as much as I did and are now looking for ways to stay in and pass the time without passing over any money. Well redbox or netflix these movies if you're bored because they're all really good (or at least I think so). I was busy for the last couple weeks of 2009 so absent from this list will be anything that came out around christmas that I haven't had a chance to see yet (Sherlock Holmes, Crazy Heart etc...also I goofed and never saw Precious but I'm pretty sure that'd make the top 5). As I went back through all the movies from last year, I realized that I saw a lot. Possibly the most I've seen in any year, so this list is really full of quality films (I'm going to leave out some of my faves like Underworld and Crank 2 because most of you don't care about those movies). When I make this list I usually jot down any movie I think might be in the top ten and then whittle it down and some of this years close calls were: Julie and Julia, Zombieland, District 9, The Hangover, Paper Heart and Funny People. Anyway, without further ado....
10.) Watchmen
This one makes the top ten by the skin of it's teeth. I moved it in here because I own the 'ultimate directors cut' which really does the book justice and gets into the politics a little more which is really what fuels the story.
9.) Up
Not as strong as Wall-e but still another classic from Pixar. Those guys really know how to tell a story and have incredible pacing. I still get teary eyed every time I see that opening montage over the credits.
8.) The Brothers Bloom
I'm officially moving Rian Johnson into my short list of favorite directors. His follow up to 2005's Brick is a real gem. Not too many writer/directors have his knack for knowing exactly what they want at every aspect from colors to lighting to performance and it's nice to see someone new like this. It also helps that he had Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo being an awesomely hilarious pairing as brothers.
7.) (500) Days of Summer
Hard not to like a movie starring two of my favorite actors. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel killed it. Despite the bittersweet and somewhat weak ending, it still kills overall. Great movie with a cameo from my girl Minka Kelly from Friday Night Lights at the end sealed the deal.
6.) Good Hair
Chris Rock killed it. This was one of the best documentaries I've seen in forever. It was funny, insightful and really really really good. This needs to be at the top of everyone's must see list for documentaries.
5.) Away We Go
As some of you may know, I hate Sam Mendes. I think his characters are boring, bland and one dimensional. That said, it took a screenplay written by one of my favorite writers, Dave Eggers, to get him to make a movie I love. I hate The Office, but John Krasinksi is great and Maya Rudolph killed it.
4.) Fantastic Mr. Fox
Wes Anderson. What more can I say? He's the bees knees. It seemed like he rushed through Darjeeling Limited (not just the pacing but the writing as well), but this move moved really well and I thought Clooney did a great job as Mr. Fox.
3.) Star Trek
This movie was awesome. Action packed and a great reboot of a franchise that had gotten really old, stale and dated. You do not need to be a Star Trek fan, nor do you need to see a single episode or any movie of any Star Trek series. This really stands on it's own and I've watched it with a few people now that have gone in skeptical and come out on my side. Rent it or buy it but definitely watch it and watch it again. A good sound system/tv is a plus for this.
2.) Moon
Sam Rockwell completely dominated every other performance by any actor I've seen this year. The story is great, the acting is off the charts and the special effects are incredible considering the budget. It comes out on dvd very soon so add this to the top of your netflix queue. Seriously. You won't be disappointed.
1.) Avatar
This might be a little fresh in my memory, but really, it was the best movie going experience of my life. Not as good a 'film' as Moon, or a few others, but seeing it in IMAX 3-D really makes this an event. This sort of transcends movies and makes it more of a show or a spectacle than anything. James Cameron, as of today, officially has the number one and two highest grossing movies of all time. He hit 1.13 billion with this and Titanic is sitting high on that iceberg at number one, practically untouchable at 1.8+ billion which is insane. I think this movie can over take it considering it's only been out for 3 weeks but another 700 million is a pretty lofty goal.
So there it is. The best of 2009. Check them out. If you disagree, let me know. If I missed something, please let me know.
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - here is a list of some of the worst movies of 2009. Try and avoid if you haven't already made my mistake...
Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, Observe and Report, The Informant, Transformers, Wolverine
10.) Watchmen
This one makes the top ten by the skin of it's teeth. I moved it in here because I own the 'ultimate directors cut' which really does the book justice and gets into the politics a little more which is really what fuels the story.
9.) Up
Not as strong as Wall-e but still another classic from Pixar. Those guys really know how to tell a story and have incredible pacing. I still get teary eyed every time I see that opening montage over the credits.
8.) The Brothers Bloom
I'm officially moving Rian Johnson into my short list of favorite directors. His follow up to 2005's Brick is a real gem. Not too many writer/directors have his knack for knowing exactly what they want at every aspect from colors to lighting to performance and it's nice to see someone new like this. It also helps that he had Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo being an awesomely hilarious pairing as brothers.
7.) (500) Days of Summer
Hard not to like a movie starring two of my favorite actors. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel killed it. Despite the bittersweet and somewhat weak ending, it still kills overall. Great movie with a cameo from my girl Minka Kelly from Friday Night Lights at the end sealed the deal.
6.) Good Hair
Chris Rock killed it. This was one of the best documentaries I've seen in forever. It was funny, insightful and really really really good. This needs to be at the top of everyone's must see list for documentaries.
5.) Away We Go
As some of you may know, I hate Sam Mendes. I think his characters are boring, bland and one dimensional. That said, it took a screenplay written by one of my favorite writers, Dave Eggers, to get him to make a movie I love. I hate The Office, but John Krasinksi is great and Maya Rudolph killed it.
4.) Fantastic Mr. Fox
Wes Anderson. What more can I say? He's the bees knees. It seemed like he rushed through Darjeeling Limited (not just the pacing but the writing as well), but this move moved really well and I thought Clooney did a great job as Mr. Fox.
3.) Star Trek
This movie was awesome. Action packed and a great reboot of a franchise that had gotten really old, stale and dated. You do not need to be a Star Trek fan, nor do you need to see a single episode or any movie of any Star Trek series. This really stands on it's own and I've watched it with a few people now that have gone in skeptical and come out on my side. Rent it or buy it but definitely watch it and watch it again. A good sound system/tv is a plus for this.
2.) Moon
Sam Rockwell completely dominated every other performance by any actor I've seen this year. The story is great, the acting is off the charts and the special effects are incredible considering the budget. It comes out on dvd very soon so add this to the top of your netflix queue. Seriously. You won't be disappointed.
1.) Avatar
This might be a little fresh in my memory, but really, it was the best movie going experience of my life. Not as good a 'film' as Moon, or a few others, but seeing it in IMAX 3-D really makes this an event. This sort of transcends movies and makes it more of a show or a spectacle than anything. James Cameron, as of today, officially has the number one and two highest grossing movies of all time. He hit 1.13 billion with this and Titanic is sitting high on that iceberg at number one, practically untouchable at 1.8+ billion which is insane. I think this movie can over take it considering it's only been out for 3 weeks but another 700 million is a pretty lofty goal.
So there it is. The best of 2009. Check them out. If you disagree, let me know. If I missed something, please let me know.
Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
oh ps - here is a list of some of the worst movies of 2009. Try and avoid if you haven't already made my mistake...
Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day, Observe and Report, The Informant, Transformers, Wolverine
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Hello 2010...
Are there flying cars yet? I swear, when Back to the Future II came out, I just figured I'd be driving a flying car by now. This is about as close as we've come but we're still a long way away. Didn't life seem so much easier on The Jetsons?
So 2009 has come and gone and that means it's time for my annual 'best of' lists. As it is also the end of a decade I will also be doing a couple of other lists including a best movies and best albums list from the last decade.
New Years eve was a blast as usual. My drinking bone is connected to my dancing bone which was in full effect. At one point things got so heated during a battle that I slipped (on spilled booze, not because I was that wasted) and I lost, but I also sprained my ankle at some point during the night and did the Lisa Turtle hop for a bit.
I hope everyone had a fun eventful new years and that 2010 is going well so far. Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
So 2009 has come and gone and that means it's time for my annual 'best of' lists. As it is also the end of a decade I will also be doing a couple of other lists including a best movies and best albums list from the last decade.
New Years eve was a blast as usual. My drinking bone is connected to my dancing bone which was in full effect. At one point things got so heated during a battle that I slipped (on spilled booze, not because I was that wasted) and I lost, but I also sprained my ankle at some point during the night and did the Lisa Turtle hop for a bit.
I hope everyone had a fun eventful new years and that 2010 is going well so far. Go big.
-M, p, z & shredder
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