Top Albums of 2008

10. Ray LaMontagne - Gossip in the Grain: I really don't think this album is that great. I just needed a number 10. Don't get my wrong, I love RaycharlesLamontagne but I wasn't super impressed with this album. 

9. Bob Dylan - Tell Tale Signs: At first I told myself that I wouldn’t put this album on my list. I thought if I added it to my top 10 list, I would be doing it because I’m biased and love Bob Dylan. I’ve grown to love this album more and more over the months, and now and can add it to my list because I believe it truly is one of the best albums of this year. You have to know you’re gold when you can put an album together full of your “old thrown out songs” and it still be a classic. Best song of the album is “Dreamin’ of You” 

8. Coldplay - Viva La Vida (Death & All His Friends): I enjoyed this album, but I would love to beg Coldplay to never make another music video for this album, or at least fire their current video producer. I mean have you seen Viva la Vida’s video ... it leaves me a bad speechless. My favorite song is “Violet Hill” because of the beautiful piano part at the end. 

7. Jon Foreman - Spring: I feel like a fake Foreman fan, because I never liked Switchfoot but really enjoy his solo works. My favorite song off the album is “In My Arms.” 

6. The Weepies - Hideaway: I’ve grown to love the Weepies more and more as 2008 comes to a close. I think their lyrics and melodies are beautiful. By far, they are the best husband and wife duo that I’ve heard. My favorite songs are “Antarctica” and “How You Survived the War.” 

5. Radiohead - In Rainbows: Technically this album came out January 1st. Also, I didn’t get it until February so it counts. “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” tops my favorites list. I can’t listen to this album without thinking of being in Haiti last Christmas. 

4. RuRu - Elizabeth: This is RuRu’s debut album, and it sounds like he’s been writing for 30 years. His cd is constantly in my car’s cd player. I adore the songs “West Virginia,” “Excuse,” and “House of Cards.” 

3. Ryan Adams & the Cardinals - Cardinology: This is by far the most played album of this year. I sadly know how to do all the guitar parts (with my mouth - I can’t play the guitar that well.) My Cardinology addictions are "Fix It" and "Sink Ships." 

2. Joshua James - The Sun is Always Brighter: I might be jumping the gun a little with these last two picks. I’ve only been listening to them for maybe 2 weeks. I think this album is absolutely beautiful and is perfect to listen to in this chilly winter weather. My favorite picks are “Dangerous” and “Winter Storm.”

1. Josh Garrels - Jacaranda: My brother John introduced me to this guy a couple of weeks ago and I’m so glad he did! Josh Garrels comes from Waxhaw, NC and has produced the most beautiful cd I’ve heard all year. His words make sense and hold great conviction, which is not a common thing among musicians these days. It's hard to pick a favorite song, but I love "Don't Wait for Me." 

Check out these people for some different opinions: Gabe and Luis.  

That’s my 2008 best albums list. Now, I encourage you to leave your list on my comments.... oh come on. Merry Christmas. 

I Can Dream.

I'd like to meet the following people. 

Alive & Kicking:

Bob Dylan - was my first real influence into music and writing. I was obsessed with him! I would buy polka dot shirts and striped paints and eat up his every word like cotton candy. I was probably the exact kind of fan that he hated, but if we ever get to chit chat I'll act cool and leave out that part of my fascination with him. 

Frank McCourt - is the author of Angela's Ashes, and Tis. Both of which I've read. His stories draw me in and I find that I have a lot in common with him, besides growing up in Ireland during the depression, having most of your family members die, having a drunken father, having scabby eyes, and almost getting molested by priest of course. 

Steve Nash - As my brother Gabe mentioned in his blog - I'm a diehard fan of the Phoenix Suns. I flew through Phoenix last March but it just left me saying "I'm here Mr. Nash, and where are you?" 

Beyond the Grave: 

Jesus - Obviously. If I'm not meeting Him when I die, I'm in a big lump of trouble. 

John F. Kennedy - "Alright, who killed you?" "What do you mean you don't know?!" (Too soon?)

Honorable Mentions: 

Ryan Adams

C.S. Lewis

Oprah (don't ask..) 

Fionn Regan

David Schimmer (Yes, from Friends.)

Jude Law (He's in my favorite movie!)

Paul McCartney (The last Beatle I actually care about.)

Joan Baez 

Leo Tolstoy 

I'd love to know who you (readers) would like to meet! 

You Have Returned

The waters keep our ship wading.

But with love on the shore, 

It only keeps me waiting. 

Mr. Bojangles (He'll Dance for You)

Since everyone in the world is road-tripping across America this summer and blogging about it, I guess I will blog about my own successful little trip. Last Friday after work I made the first leg of my trip to Greensboro, NC. I got lost, and wound up there 3 hours later than expected (2:30 in the morning.) So, I bought a hotel room not wanting to wake the friend I had originally planned to stay with. Of course when I got there I wasn't tired and watched hours of Monk. Man, do I love the obsessive compulsive. The next morning I rose to drive the remainder of the trip to Topsail Island, NC where my family was staying.

Whenever I think of North Carolina, I remember these things A) Humid Weather, B) Family, & C) Bojangles! For those who aren't aware what the Bojangles is, it's the Southern answer to McDonald's. Any Southern comfort you can think of Bojangles offers it, with twice the fat!
I was determined to fill my mouth with the 4 piece chicken supreme dinner the next time I went to NC. My family was a little unsure and suspicious about my extreme love for such a place. With a little prodding, I was able to convince them to order some Bojangles. I'm sure it was the best meal of their lives, and I'm so glad I was able to save their souls from being in a Bojangless-Limbo.





My favorite part (and perhaps the only part I like) of driving back to WV are the two tunnels you get to go through! I like tunnels. It's a tradition for most people to try to hold their breath the whole way through the tunnel. I've only won this game by cheating. It's a great Milestone to let you know you're half way there, and I often wonder when I pass under them "If Princess Diana could have driven through this tunnel, how fast would she have gone?" Too soon?

* These Photos were not taken by me, I stole them from google because I forgot my camera charger when I went to NC*

Let Me Wine & Dine You.

  ..I just found this in my drafts. Wow. Anyways, enjoy. 

     I love to save money. Hopefully not enough to make me a coupon nazi at Krogers in my later days, but enough to keep me floating comfortably on my paychecks. So here are a few ways I've managed to enter some of my friends cheap lists. 

1.) Ramen Noodles - Cancer in a packet for every young adult. You can spice up these meals with some cayenne pepper or spicy chinese mustard (both happen to be lying around in the kitchen at my work!) 

2) So you've got a giant tumor in you from the Ramen Noodles and you want something healthy? Bananas are wonderful and cheap, ok not wonderful but cheap. 

3.) It's true that man can not live off of Ramen Noodles and bananas alone. So, show your friends your classy side and go to Applebees, those appetizers are half off Sunday-Thursday 4-7 & 9-closing! 

4.) Now, my friends & coworkers drink enough coke to kill small child, so I collect their coke rewards and treat myself to a free blockbuster movie! 

5.) Your duds are looking a little out of date and shabby? Go to Goodwill and buy someone else's old getups and redo them. 

 

Dreamer in My Dreams

  I've always had weird dreams, but rarely can I remember them. Lately I've been having recurring dreams about looking like this guy (George Hamilton.) It's my body with his face. It's horrifying to say the least. 

Half of the people can be part right all of the time,
Some of the people can be all right part of the time.
But all the people can't be all right all the time
I think Abraham Lincoln said that.
"I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours,"
I said that.

- Bob Dylan 

"Dreams, Dreams, Dreams. Boy do I got a lot of dreams. Good Poem." 

- Jim Gaffigan 

Rainy Saturdays

Yesterday I was on a quest to cook the perfect lunch. So, here is the winner.

Steak salad with honey mustard dressing.

Cornbread with jalapenos, creamed corn, cheddar, and sour cream. 

Chocolate & coconut scones. 

Scones with strawberries & whip cream filling.