Last Post O' The Year
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's that time. I'm in a nice black dress, classy fishnets (if there is such a thing), t-strap heels, and a lace shawl. I've got on my most fun black pearls (hooray, Hyderabad pearls!). Victor's currently putting on a suit, Ryan's putting on an all-black plus necktie outfit, and Brad's putting on something he bought earlier today. We're getting dressed up to go to Nevie's house for a formal dinner, which will be followed by a party.

I hope that everyone has a safe, non-alcohol-poisoning, non-car-crashing New Year's Eve. Find someone cute to make out with at midnight. You'll thank yourself in the morning.

And she's back in the game!
Wow. I'm back in Texas after a week of Arkansas and the family. I did a lot of farm work, sleeping, reading, and game playing. My sister got me a Gamecube for Christmas, and she and I played lots of Mario Party 5. I also went to a party at Billy and Diana's house, with a bunch of old friends, and went bar-hopping with Ryan and Kris. Because Fayetteville is such a small town, we ran into a lot of people from high school and college. Of course, I went shopping and got new clothes.

Highlights of the family Christmas presents include:
Gamecube
Foot spa (I love soaking my feet)
Paraffin bath (again, for my feet, and my dry hands)
Electric griddle (cook ten pancakes at once!)
Cure Trilogy DVD

I got some more stuff, of course, which I loved, but those I think were my favorites. My friends got me some great stuff too. The Peter and the Wolf book and CD from Gavin Friday (who also did the soundtrack to the amazing film In America, which I guess I should buy since I do love me some Gavin), which I got from Ryan, Joe Pernice's Meat is Murder book from Mark, a sweater from Gabi, a scarf, calendar, and coat rack from Diana, various baked goodies from Kat, a framed picture from Karen, and lots of good stuff from Victor. He got me The Bridge to Terebithia, which made me cry, the Bright Eyes vinyl box set, some fun stuff from Victoria's Secret, and Mario Kart Double Dash. Which we played last night.

Anyway, I'm through with the lunch break here from my first day back at work, so I had better stop here. I will have hilarious pictures from the trip home soon!

Home, y'all!
Yep, if you haven't guessed it, I'm home in Arkansas for the holidays. Not much opportunity to write here, especially as I'm due outside any minute to work cows. I'll write more later, once I am done scraping off the cow shit. Uggh.

The little engine that could...
The last few days have been incredibly hectic! I'm sure everyone out there of the Christmas-gift-giving persuasion has been busy shopping, unless you're one of those people who buys early. Actually, I bought a lot early this year… then I just stopped buying. So I'm playing catch up. I'm almost done though, just three more people to go.

Work has been crazy, too, as holiday calls and emails have made my department behind in some of our work. So a lot of us have been pitching in and helping with other people's work. In addition to our daily stuff.

I have a lot to look forward to, though. Tonight, we're going to see The Return of the King. And if I can make it to the end of the week, I'll get a week's vacation at the old family farm in Arkansas. Of course, I have a work potluck, a work Christmas party, my friends' Christmas party, and a whole lot of baking to do before then. I'm making some stuff to send down to Victor's family. His mom likes sweet potato pie, and I've never made it before. However, I promised that I would.

For you music lovers out there, Pitchfork is doing their 2003 best-of list this week. It's pretty original and fun. Of course, it's pretentious, but hey, that's Pitchfork for you!

What is content, anyway?
I've been thinking a lot about this website ever since I read Gothamist's "What Not to Do When You Blog", which I found on Stereogum. A lot of people disagreed with the rules, especially the part pertaining to blogging about yourself. According to Gothamist's rules, you are not supposed to blog about yourself, your friends, your pets, etc. And anyone who does should be using LiveJournal instead of a "blog." So where does that leave me?

I write a lot about myself. Mainly because I know that some people keep up with me that way. Also, I like reading other people's blogs about themselves, even those I haven't met (like Chris and Faustus). My life isn't incredibly racy, or interesting, or amusing, but I enjoy writing about it. Occasionally, I include links to stuff in the news or on the web as I see fit. Everyone can't be Gawker, you know?

So, if I choose to write about how I spent the weekend going to a Christmas party, playing video games, catching up on the Lord of the Rings movies, and watching Angels in America, then that's what I'm going to write about. And if I don't include a link to how Saddam Hussein was found hiding in a hole, well, that's because everyone probably knows it already.

Readers (all six of you), do you have any thoughts? Would you like to see this become less Mandy, more amusing tidbits from the web? Or do you like all Mandy, all the time?

Holy crap!!
Big news today...

Morrissey has finally gotten a record deal!!! (via Pitchfork)

Is this confirmed? Anyone, anyone?

Must-see TV
So, how many of you out there watched Angels In America last night? If you didn't watch it, shame on you!

I've been looking forward to this broadcast for a couple of months now. I don't have HBO, so I watched it with Ryan. We've both read the plays, and he came to see my college's production of it a few years ago. I think we were in agreement that Part 1, at least, was fantastic. We'll have to see about Part 2. It's been a long time since I've read Perestroika, whereas I have Millennium Approaches practically memorized.

Watching Millennium Approaches really brought back the memories for me. The University of Arkansas theatre department put it on during my senior year of college, and I was the assistant director. I lived and breathed that play for weeks. It ended up being a smashing success, and I shed a tear every night when Julie descended into view. While I was watching HBO's version, I couldn't help thinking "That should be Kris and Owens in this scene!" or "Hey, that's the scene that Jeremy and I did in Acting II class!"

It's nice to see something that you love brought to life so beautifully.

Rock 'n Roll contained within... and some gross stuff too!
I like to pride myself on being pretty cool or whatever, but it's been a long time since I've done something super hardcore rock and roll. Yeah, I've become a little more sedate and more of a homebody. So yeah, I guess I'm getting older. But never fear, I redeemed myself last night!

So, last night Ryan, his friend from work, and I went to see Placebo. I freaking love them. Yeah, they're cheesy, and Brian Molko's voice is a bit whiney, but you know what? I can't help myself. Anyway, Ryan and I had been talking all week about what we would have worn to see Placebo six or seven years ago (fishnets, boots, miniskirts, leather pants, black fingernail polish... you get the picture). Of course, we went in jeans and t-shirts last night. I even wore a cardigan.

We got to La Zona Rosa and were watching the not-so-good opening band, when I started to feel the asthma coming on. I guess it was from the smoke or something. Well, I had forgotten my inhaler. My stomach started hurting as well. The club had a no-reentry policy, but I convinced them to let me go home and get the inhaler. When I got home, I took the medicine, but still felt awful.

I called Ryan and told him that I would be a few more minutes. I started thinking that I would just stay there and go pick Ryan and his friend up after the show. I took off my clothes and got in bed. Since misery loves company, I called Victor, who was playing video games with Aaron, Debbie, and Mark. After I hung up with him, I rolled around on the bed for a few minutes, lamenting my stomach and wanting to die. Then I decided that I was being pathetic. I decided to take matters into my own hand.

So, I went into the bathroom. And I gagged myself until I threw up. My cat, Liam, follows me everywhere, so he sat with me while I puked. And puke I did! I felt so much better, so I brushed my teeth and drove back to the club. I got there about 2 or 3 minutes before Placebo started. I didn't find Ryan, but I was pretty close to the front and right in front of Brian Molko. It turns out that I was closer than Ryan was.

Anyway, the show was fantastic. I had never seen them before, and I figured they would be good, but I had no idea. Brian swaggered and strutted all over the stage. He was way more confident than I thought he would be... but then again, he did study drama. The bass player, Stefan, was half-naked and writhing all over the stage. And they only played two slow songs... thank God! Anyway, I started feeling ill again at the encore, and I spent the last two songs outside. But La Zona Rosa has glass doors, so I could still see and hear them. I'm so glad that I went, even if it means I had to use the finger.

Arkansas. It's a Natural.
Oh yes, Victor and I watched Paris Hilton and Nichole Richie make fools of themselves on The Simple Life tonight. I'm worried about this show because I'm still an Arkansan at heart, and I don't want to see my home state made to look backwards or whatever. Even if some parts of it still are backwards. Anyway, I think I'm going to really enjoy this show. I grew up on a farm in Northwest Arkansas, and while I've never plucked chickens (just turkeys, and I've skinned and gutted quail and pheasant), I've done a lot of the things they're making those little rich girls do.

I've been playing around with the template here a bit more. Let me know if it's looking wonky on your browser or anything.

More 2003 Top Tens!
I've added some more top tens to the Top Tens page. You can go there to see them, or you can head right here:

Victor's List

Mark's List

Ryan's List


There are some overlaps with my list, which is understandable considering the amount of time we spend with each other. Do you think we should get all analytical and do one big ranking based on our lists? Sounds like a job for the former Texas state calculator champion...

What a mess!
I totally screwed up my blog template tonight. It's taken about an hour to get it back up and functioning. Sadly, it looks like I've lost my comments. Hmm, maybe it's time to try that new comment feature that I purchased several months ago?

Top Ten Albums of 2003
Here it is, finally. It took me a long time to do the list this year. It was a weird year for me since I spent four and a half months of it in India, where it's pretty hard to find anything you would like to buy in the record shop. Alrighty, here's the finished product:

10. Logic Will Break Your Heart – The Stills. Many critics heralded this as a classic, a perfect album from a perfect band, or something like that. I wouldn’t go that far. This is a good record, very tired and love-worn. Influenced by a slew of 80s bands, the Stills take their cues from previous masters and channel them into artful tunes. It will be interesting to see where this band heads.

9. Room on Fire – The Strokes. It’s not a very big departure from their debut Is This It, but that’s OK, since that was a fantastic album. It’s amazing that they didn’t buckle under the pressure surrounding them during the recording of Room on Fire. The Strokes have added some new sounds and rhythms, and Julian Casablancas still tells interesting stories in his slightly tired, worn voice. They could have used another song or two to flesh it out, but maybe they’re just leaving us wanting more. And we’re wanting it.

8. The Decline of British Sea Power – British Sea Power. I’ve had about enough of those trendy bands that are popularized by the British press (namely, NME) because of their schtick. Granted, many of these artists also make great music, but wearing wacky outfits/matching colors/the same haircut/neckties doesn’t mean you’re a good band. British Sea Power happen to have a crazy stage set and dress in WWI military outfits. However, their debut album is definitely a grower. They sound a bit like Bowie, but not in a bad way. The lyrics are obscure (Shakespeare, Russian lit), paranoid, and sometimes whispered or howled, while the music is alternately frantic and beautiful. This one will crawl under your skin.

7. Phantom Power – Super Furry Animals. Yet another solid album from SFA. It is their most radio-friendly and accessible to date. We have come to expect the harmonies, politics, and witticisms from them, and they don’t fail to deliver. Standout tracks like “Venus and Serena” “The Undefeated,” and “Cityscape Skybaby” make up for the less-than-stellar “The Piccolo Snare” and “Golden Retriever.” I do miss the earlier days, with all of the wackiness, freak-outs, and chupacabras/aliens/revolutionaries/whatever. It’s a good album, but I think it fails to make as vital a connection to the listener as their previous releases.

6. Dear Catastrophe Waitress – Belle and Sebastian. B&S have come back from the faltering should-have-been-an-EP Storytellingwith an odd assortment of tracks on this album. There are some true masterpieces here, but sadly, there are some which just don’t quite make the grade. The first half of the album is amazing, but the second half struggles a bit. B&S have moved from the sixties into the seventies, and their new sound only works some of the time. Still, songs like “Piazza, New York Catcher,” “If She Wants Me,” and “Wrapped Up in Books” make this a worthy album. All long-time B&S fans surely welcomed the official release of “Lord Anthony,” a sleepy, beautiful song that claws at your heartstrings. This album is definitely a grower.

5. Us – Mull Historical Society. Colin MacIntyre has done it again – put together an eclectic masterpiece. From the West Coast harmonies of “Live Like the Automatics” to the pop balladry of “Am I Wrong,” this album is full of winners. The catchy melodies can be misleading, as this album tackles heavier subjects than just love and loss. Much like MHS’s previous album Loss, Us comments on commercialization and globalization, which is understandable coming from an artist who was raised on an isolated Scottish island. Like Colin MacIntyre, I think we all would like to feel “real, not confused.” Another great album.

4. Chutes Too Narrow – The Shins. Hooray for the amazing sophomore album! It’s impossible to dislike the Shins, who write catchy, beautiful music and seem like goofy, ordinary guys. Their second album is full of hooks, harmonies, and shimmering melodies. When James Mercer’s voice comes in on “Saint Simon” after the “la, la, la” harmonies, it’s as if the heavens opened with rays of glorious sunshine. The production is slicker than their debut, and the songs certainly don’t suffer for it.

3. Elephant – The White Stripes. A lot was riding on this album for the White Stripes. Could it possibly live up to the hype? The answer is yes… yes it can. What a great album. At once caustic and then caring, Jack White continues to sneak in surprisingly sweet songs like “I Want to Be the Boy to Warm Your Mother’s Heart” among the rockers. He uses the word “girl” so many times, you’d think this was a Backstreet Boys album. This band has continued to grow and evolve, which is fantastic considering they’re just a guitar and drums twosome. Even Meg White’s foray into lead vocals wasn’t that bad.

2. Give Up - The Postal Service. Is it the return of synthpop? You could wish for worse! The pairing of Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Dntel’s Jimmy Tamborello has created some of the most shimmering pop music of the 21st century. From the syrupy “Such Great Heights” and “Brand New Colony” to bittersweet breakup song “Nothing Better,” it’s obvious that Gibbard has love on the mind and isn’t afraid to sing about it. Tamborello’s bells and whistles are a perfect fit to Gibbard’s soft, steady voice. As far as side projects go, this possibly the best one out there. Let’s hope they continue doing double duty.

1. Her Majesty the Decemberists – The Decemberists. What an amazing, sweeping, literary, wonderful album. Colin Meloy’s lyrics are antiquated yet amazingly fresh. From tongue-in-cheek humor to heart-wrenching beauty, this album has it all. This may be a sweeping generalization, but the shimmering chorus of “The Gymnast, High Above the Ground” has more heart in it than everything on the radio today combined. No song has threatened to draw tears this year like “Red Right Ankle.” If there is one misstep here, it is “Song for Myla Goldberg,” which is just a bit over the top… but if that’s a misstep, I’ll take one too! The lush, dense music is awash with percussion, organ, piano, and accordian, mixed with traditional guitar/bass/drums. With its vivid imagery, language of days gone by, and engaging stories, this album is truly a gem for those who enjoy escapism.

On the cusp:
Sleep/Holiday – Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci
Hail to the Thief – Radiohead
Ether Song – Turin Brakes

Disappointments:
Twelve Memories – Travis. I shouldn’t be surprised, but what a disappointment.
Escapism – Robbie Williams. Shut up. He has had some good albums in the past.

Single of the Year (tie):
“Hey Ya” – OutKast
“Cry Me a River” – Justin Timberlake

Single of the Year, India:
“”Kaanta Laga” – DJ Doll

Hilariously Terrible Song Destined to be a Cult Classic:
“Me and My Monkey” – Robbie Williams

I'm expecting lists from Victor, Mark, and Ryan, so I will post those later today, probably during lunch.