I can't believe this

The Seattle P-I is being put up for sale. Now, I know that print journalism is slowly and unfortunately becoming archaic, but it still just breaks my heart a bit to see it go like this. True, there is the Seattle Times, but I am just not a fan of it. There is something about the P-I, perhaps the ties to SU and all the people I know who have interned or worked there, that makes me choose it over the Times.

I suppose the silver lining of this all is that it if it does not get bought that it could continue as an online only paper -- which would still make me happy. This is yet, just another reason that makes me question the career path that I chose. While, journalism isn't dead by any means - and really its not as though it will ever leave- it is just changing in a way that I don't know if I am prepared for. Its no secret that my time in college I was taught mostly old school journalism and by the time any digial media classes were offered, I neither had the space nor time to take them.

Perhaps some of my sadnesses of the sale is linked to what it means in the greater world of print media in general. But nevertheless it is yet just another reason why my love for this city is slowly but surely coming to an end.

Christmas Mexico Style

Well, I think that I have found my new tradition of Christmas in a sunny, warm beachy area. Mexico was AMAZING! It could basically be summed up into: eating, drinking, sun and beaches. It is easier to break it down into list form:

• Having a guaranteed spot in the front due to car sickness
• Not really killing each other after a week with 6 other people (The Real World, Sayulita)
• "That's what she said"
• Marathoning 'How I Met Your Mother"
• "Have you met ..." and all other HIMYM references
• Being loud and annoying in public places like airplanes and shuttles
• New Mix
• Drinking on the streets
• The "Yes/No" game
• Coca Light
• Starting a gang
• The great exchange rate
• Ice Cream and choco bananas
• Watching baby sea turtles that just hatched
• Being on Mexican news
• Watching fireworks up close and unsafely personal
• Not wanting to come back to the cold and rain

Getting back to my roots

Ha -I mean touching up my roots. So I am back to a red/brunette color - still not my natural one, but its not like I want that color anyway.

p.s. yes, that is my office partition in the background

Best of 2008

If Stephen King can publish his list now, so can I!

Here we go again, my top 10 albums of the year. This year I seemed to get a lot more music than in past years. This is in large part due to the fact that I was able to take full advantage of the public library system. There are some Top 10 lists that use albums that were released in 2007, but maybe did not make it big until 2008 - I call this cheating, which is why MGMT or the Juno Soundtrack (yes, I am talking about you NPR and the All Songs Considered Poll) are not on the list.

1) New Kids on the Block "The Block" - I will be perfectly honest, I had no intention of buy this album - that was until I saw them live. After hearing the new songs I couldn't get them out of my head and the album has been on repeat ever since. The songs are typical pop songs - but have also evolved to what pop music sounds like today. The songs, which most of the time, are very sexual are also very addictive and catchy. Check out "Grown Man," "2 in the Morning" and "Summer time."

2) Girl Talk -No matter what an naysayer might say - he knows what he is doing and does it well. The ability to know music so well to take songs from all different types of genres and make it flow as well as he does is nothing less than amazing. Plus, he is one of the few artists that gets incredibely and noticable better as each album progresses.

3) The Submarines "Honeysuckle Weeks"- I was beyond excited when I found out that they were coming out with a second album having fell in love with them over a year ago after hearing "Peace and Hate" on Indie 103. This second album is by far more upbeat and catchy than the first. They are also an awesoem band to see live. When I listen to the songs, it just makes me feel happy.

4)Death Cab For Cutie "Narrow Stairs"- It took me awhile to get into "Plans" when it came out a few years back. So I was afraid that the same would happen with Narrow Stairs, especially with the dramatic "I Will Posse Your Heart" intro, but boy was I wrong. I loved the album from the very first listen. It is the album that made me remember why I loved DCFC, the lyrics, the music, everything just fit perfectly.

5) Vampire Weekend "Vampire Weekend"- Their name had been thrown arond a while on the indie stations, but it wasn't until that fateful day with Ash bought their album at the Sonic Boom sale (alas we both discovered the albums we bought we not actual part of the awesome sale) that I heard them. I think that their music is fun and light - it is the perfect music for a drive in the summer.

6) She & Him - This has been my year of the Deschanel sisters (Emily is on "Bones") and when I heard "Why Do you Let Me Stay Here" I fell instantly in love with Zoey's voice. She has a bit of twang, that goes so perfect with M. Ward's guitar work. My favorite track is "Sweet Darlin'" which was coinscentaly written by J.S. who is also dating Zoey.

7) Mates of State "Re-arrange Us"- The first time I had really listened to them was at Quadstock '07. This album is on par with all the rest of their albums - with dance worthy beats and catchy choruses. My favorites off the album are "Blue and Gold Print" and "Get Better." And they are not Sweedish as it was once discussed.

8) Phantom Planet "Raise the Dead" - Ok, let's be honest here, Jason Schwartzman was th best thing about Phantom Planet - and when he left the music basically sucked. So when I heard the first single off this album "Do The Panic," I was really surprised. This is the album that shows a matured Phantom Planet who went back to their roots of a popier, rock sound. It sounds like Southern California and beaches and sun - just like the albums before JS left.

9) Jenny Lewis "Acid Tongue" - I wasn't a fan of Rabbit Proof Coat - it just seemed too mellow for me at the time I listened to it, but I my opinion has changed of JL's solo work with this reccent album. The songs on this album, while still have a mellow feel are also upbeat and fast paced. Plus, the numerous back-up singers she has including Zoey D., Jonathan Rice (her bf), Elvis Costello and Chris Robinson give it a more well-rounded feel.

10) Cold War Kids "Loyalty to Loyalty" - I loved their first album, I loved the sound of the band, with the tambourine, the keyboard and the raspy vocals. This second album delivers the same feel and did not fall into the sophomore slump. While the songs that make radio play follow the common, verse chorus, verse chorus, the real gems of their albums are the story songs. The songs like "Everyman I Meet" and "Golden Gate Jumpers."

Honorable Mention

Weezer - I don't know if they will ever make an album as great as the Blue Album or Pinkerton and I can't just put them on my list as default

Matt Costa

Nada Surf

The Hold Steady

N.E.R.D.

Albums from 2008 that may have affected my Top 10 if I had been able to get them before the end of the year

Ingrid Michaelson

The Killers

Ben Folds

Fall Out Boy

Best Concert Ever

Words cannot describe how amazing the New Kids on the Block concert was Saturday night. I could not stop smiling for a good hour after the show was over. I have never been that excited and happy and lusty at concert. It was everything I could have ever expected and more. The best thing of the night is the upgrade tickets that we got -we were 24 rows away from the stage (!!!). So since a picture is worth 1,000 words - here are a few to show off the greatness that is The Block.

I have new love for Donnie

Oh Jordan, sa-woon

My first crushes

Love the ascot, Joey Mac

Strictly gratuitous movie of Jordan with no shirt





I'll be his Cover Girl any day








Jordan Knight can give it to me anytime he wants


Joey Mac, I do hope you stay the same*



Step by Step oooo baby


I think about them, not just in the summertime (oh god - these titles for videos just seem to be getting worse)

They had the right stuff, that's for damn sure

*there is only about a min. of these songs because I wanted to actually enjoy the songs - but also save some for posterity. Though "Stay the Same" is full length, because, well I don't care for that song, say as much as "I Love You Came too Late," Joey Mac. Also, I apologize for the shaky camera work.

A good old fashion case of reveritgo

Revertigo as defined by Urban Dictionary by way of HIMYM, "When you see people from your past, you start acting like you did when you used to spend time with them."

This past weekend I "suffered" from a good case of revetigo. But the bestie from h.s. (known as the only person from I still consistently talk to from then - but trust me, this probably a good thing) came up for an impromptu visit. It was a lot fun and needed for the both of us. Though suffered is the wrong word because it had a negative connotation and revertigo is not something terrible like a cold or food posioning. Well at least for those of us who have it, it might be a different case for those who are around when I do have revertigo.

The symptoms of my revertigo include but are not limited to:

1) Drinking diet coke at every meal

2) Watching old MKA tv shows

3) Sitting around reading for hours and hours

4) Seeing great tween movies like "High School Musical 3" (so good)

5) Being able to watch the very last episode of TRL with someone who could appreciate the significance of it

Yesterday was my favorite day of the year because ....

Starbucks has its holiday cups!

It really is starting to become the most wonderful time of the year.*

*yes- of course I am extremely happy about the election results. I think I am still in shock of it all, which is why I kept it light hearted