Life In 2009, According To iTunes; TV Shows & More

or TV Shows I Would Like To Watch, Since I Don't Watch TV That Often
and the trials and tribulations that follow when does not watch TV often...

EDIT: I STARTED THIS IN MARCH ON THE 17TH, COMPLETED MAY 10TH!

Glee

I first became aware of Glee by working with Fox to help promote the series. After watching some of the episodes, I fell deeply in love with the show and wanted to do anything for it to stay around for an exhaustive while.

I love a good pilot. A good pilot will keep me around longer than an unsatisfactory pilot that, "just needs time to grow" and a fabulously sung rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'" by a hopeful pack of teens makes it a good pilot. Especially when it makes you cry.

I loved the characters, though felt that some of the students performances were kind of weak or tired in the first few episodes (but that may be understandable considering how much bloody work they do). However, Matthew Morrison, who plays Will Schuester, the new Glee teacher, really brings it. He's charming, he knows how to move, and you understand instantly why Guidance Counselor, Emma Pillsbury (played by wide-eyed, skinny lady, Jayma Mays) is head-over-heels in love with him.

I am confused as to why the series is so incredibly long (these days I am used to a good 12 episode season) and why they thought it was a good idea to take such a long break, it probably is a good idea, since they'll build momentum with a show and quick twitter search shows that lots of people are still getting into it, but still, want. glee. now.

I also like this show because its easily accessible online. You can pay for it and own it or you can watch it for free for a good chunk of time, I think that's fair and how all TV shows should be in the online world... because I love Glee, but that love did not stop me from missing the last few episodes before it went on break. I have NO CLUE WHAT IS HAPPENING. I AM FREAKING OUT. No, it's okay, I'm fine. I'm fine.

I also just left this office suite where a girl who was about the same size and look of Lea Michele and that really freaked me out, and somehow, we don't like each other. I don't not like her really, because I don't know her. But due to those weird mystical forces that rub you the wrong way, I just know that we don't like each other. It's sad, really.

30 Rock

I think Tina Fey is a genius writer and comedian, and I am glad she brought Alec Baldwin back to a good place, and I LOVE that the freaking guy she is obsessed with for four episodes is JON HAMM. I only recognized him after watching a whole season of Mad Men and seeing him cry, "Aww, too soon," in an promotion clip for the show. But when those episodes were actually new, I had no idea who he was... it's the hair. With his hair floppy, he's a whole other person.

I really don't find Tracey Morgan that funny, but I probably will one day. One day, I'll get it. Its happened before. Will Ferrell. Just didn't get it. One day, re-watched one of his films and the next thing you know I was renting his SNL DVD. So hopefully that will happen with Tracey and I.

I am not a faithful 30 Rocker, though. I was regularly aware of the last season's episodes when I lived with people who knew how to remember how TV programming works and could keep those dates in their minds or sometimes I'd watch it with Luke on his Apple TV or just his computer, but now, with those people lost, I will probably miss it all over again.

Breaking Bad

I have never seen this show, I can't wait to finally watch it one day. What am I waiting for? I don't know. Lot's of money to spend on DVDs or Downloads. I don't want to only be able to afford one season or episode and not the others, so I will bide my time. I'm excited... sigh, "viewing life" would be so much easier if I just freaking understood that at a certain time, you stop what you're doing and you go home and watch television... That was rarely a part of my life except for three shows, Charmed (the season when Paige comes to town), The O.C until the third season... and Lost, for only one season. If I miss an episode, I pack up my mind and go home for the rest of the season, and then I'll buy it one big go like I do with Gossip Girl.

Mad Men

I bought this season on Blu-Ray before I had even watched an episode. I knew it was good because everybody loved it. I liked how it looked, I had some cash and I spent. It took me ages to finally watch it, and when I did I became a very happy person for a couple of weeks.

While watching the extras on the first season, a lot of the cast members discussed how Mad Men was such a popular script during Pilot Season and how everyone wanted to be on the show and how everyone wanted that audition, and if I were older and living in New York during that time, I'm sure I'd also be one of the envious hopefuls who was vying for any possible whiff of Mad Men action.

I wish I hadn't known the plotlines I already heard people gossip about or the great reviews I read in magazines, because it made the ending of the first episode a little anti-climactic, since I was expecting the whole time, but I could imagine what a shock that might have been for unsuspecting viewers and envy their role in that shock.

Jon "Stop that!" Hamm is brilliant as Draper, transfixing and confusingly steady and cool, you know where his minds at and then he throws you completely, same goes for Betty Draper, played by the gorgeous January Jones. Then there is the stunning, Christina Hendricks and Elizabeth Moss, who is a confident actor and very admirable.

The boys are great too, my favourite being slimy, bittersweet, Pete Campbell, played by the Vincent Kartheiser who always seems pleased as punch to be doing what he's doing.

I have only seen Season One so far, I was going to wait until I could own Season Two and Three but I may just have to rent them from Netflix. I can barely describe the show because I'm still amongst the powdered cheeks and gin-soaked breath and I can't possibly have any idea of what the fuck is going on until I can delve amongst the bones.

Or I could sum it, cruelly, with SNL's rather terrible version of the theme song (they could have done better, I'm sure), "Mad Men, Mad Men, 60's, Cigarettes..."

Battlestar Galactica

The only episode I have watched was the last 10 minutes of the last episode ever. Isn't that terrible. Nevertheless, it has that guy from Bridget Jones and a lot of other people from other places, and so, I want to also become a fan of this and be just like you.

Dollhouse

I was really excited about this show when its pilot was being promoted. I was pumped. I was like, I missed out on the hype of Firefly, I was always too young to stay up late and watch Buffy, but this show, this show I will bring the love for. I will be there and I will fight with the rest of them when it is ultimately canceled... because that just seems to happen, but hey, here's hoping they grow some balls at let the show grow. So, then the premiere day rolls around and what happens, I forget... I can't find it... I forget again... I catch a snippet of it... I forget to look for it online due to all the other crap online getting in my way (such as writing a blog about not being able to watch it) and there we are. Another future love, just waiting, brimming over in beautiful Eliza Dushkuness.

The Simpsons

What Season are they up to? It always seems like a ridiculously small number... "Oh, they are only up to that many seasons? Well, that's strange. You would think they'd be up to Season 23 by now," so I'll go check on IMDB and tell you its at... Season 21. Well then... Would you look at that... pretty much as many as I thought... that didn't really help my joke... um. Yeah, not far off at all. Which means The Simpsons is as old as me in Seasons. Cool. Maybe I can use that as some kind of reasoning for using far too many Simpsons quotes for day-to-day things, like TV or Chairs, by saying, "Well, hey, The Simpsons is myyyy... teacher, mother, secret lover." Sigh. I did it again.

I still get a chuckle out of the show and quotes, of course. At least one solid one from every episode. I have always found that The Simpsons has one really big laugh and the rest is either moral tales or giggles or smiles and if you get more than one big laugh in an episode you've struck yellow gold. I am sure I have missed entire seasons and I am sure I have seen every episode of at handful of seasons, but you can never tell, because other than the voice actors changing, its all one big beautiful yellow blur.

Family Guy

I haven't watched this show in a while. I always enjoy it. There is usually always more than one big laugh and there is usually always one sentence that you want to memorize for an inappropriate moment.

Ken Burns: The National Parks - America's Best Idea

I love how each episode is a feature-length. This was one premier that my mind could not let me miss. I almost got through the whole thing and then Molly called and told me that I was coming out. I was like, no, I don't think I-and she was all, "Yes, you are!" and I think she was right and I had a good time, though I have no idea what it was for.

Another series to buy on DVD or watch online on iTunes/Netflix... all you need to know is that, yes, it really is the best idea. Ever.

Reality TV Is Not For Me
I don't really ever want to watch any kind of reality TV other than America's Next Top Model and VH1's Scream Queens, even though I haven't seen anyone I really like in ANTM and Scream Queens hasn't come out yet, but is going to be awesome. Acting and Horror Games. Best. Thing. Ever. Hopefully James Gunn will make an appearance at least once. I'll miss him.

Gossip Girl

I purchased episodes of Season One until I was up to date with the Television and actually remembered to tune in for all of it. I was quite pleased, but then again, I am one of the many children of Schwartz. His witty retort is our command... or something.
Season Two I tried to keep up with but ended up missing episodes and losing interest until I bought the expensive season on iTunes and watched like a rabid beast. Coke was foaming at my mouth. I'd lie for hours, getting smellier and smellier while watching more beautiful people float across the screen and Jenny Humphrey increasingly scary and Chuck becoming more and more of everything we ever wanted and Serena become sort of annoying. I even got a certain male hooked.

Molly and I and Felicia too would try to do Gossip Girl night. That lasted for a few episodes of the second and maybe some of the third. We played Nylon's Gossip Girl shot-game, but then I'd be busy or something or they would watch ahead of me (understandably because I wasn't around and I wouldn't deny GG to anyone) and so I gave up. I'll just wait until it's all on iTunes and become a Coke Cola Monster all over again.

It's sad to admit when I actually fan-girled enough to go down to the set and watch them set up the shot that we couldn't see because they shooting on location...inside. It was still brilliant fun though, and a gorgeous day.

I don't want Gossip Girl to lose it's punch. I don't want the show to MB all over again. What? I didn't say anything.

Wizards of Waverly Place

I try to enjoy this show, but I'm really not interested. They always get themselves tangled up in love and though I appreciate being able to watch the cute brother and the cute sister, my levels of care don't rise that high... plus, interestingly enough, it is not something the kids I live with watch all that much anyway. I love Selena Gomez though... and will probably watch the movie someday and love it... and become the fabled Coke Monster for it.

REAL LIFE RIGHT NOW: I am going out to get some candy, because this is so long and I don't know why I have to do it, but I have to do it because I will feel awesome when I finish doing it. After this blog, I have 5 drafts left to finish writing and then I will even better! I can't wait. I'm going to CVS, baby.

***

Back, and I bought pickles, soft brown cookies, reese's piece's shaped eggs and a hair straightener... ha.

Hannah Montana

I just really don't find it funny. I somehow find myself watching it with the kids, which is happening less and less since they are on the computer more and more or I'm strong and do something else with my time when I have to "mind" them. Every now and then Miley gets me with her Texas charm, but I'm just not charmed.

Top Gear

Oh, my parents watch this all the time. Jay Leno totally stole their concept for his show.

South Park

I don't watch it enough. I am either bored or laughing hysterically depending on the episode. My favourite was the Osama bin Laden episode where it's like a Warner Bros. cartoon. I feel guilty for saying that I enjoyed it, but it was quite well done.

iCarly

I first heard about this show from Natalie when she mentioned that someone had wrote her telling her that she was iCarly and I was Sam and that they had stolen our lives. So, I googled and went on the site and wasn't really impressed and if I ever stumbled across the earlier episodes throughout the last few years I would still be unimpressed... and then, after a few too many sit downs in front of the TV with the ladies of the house, I started to find it funny. Carly started loosening up, Spencer started to become hot and funny, Sam started becoming really funny, and Freddy too, just recently, probably after the iSaved Your Life episode started becoming funnier to me and cuter.

It disturbs me so much to enjoy it, but they do a pretty good job. Definitely more enjoyable then the other tween comedies on Disney.

True Blood

I was so excited for this show when I first saw the ads around town. I thought, wow, this is brilliant! What an idea! Then I missed the first episode, as usual and came into the second one late and it was really weird and there were so many characters and I was completely turned off. I find something unsophisticated about it and I don't know why.... could be the author... but what have I ever done?

I really like Anna Paquin and I know just from hearing it about it all the time that it's got a lot of people captivated and there are great actors in the show all the time, I'll get in the loop eventually and love it, I'm sure.

Dexter

Luke and I really wanted to get caught up on this show because the advertisements for the new series looked so good, but it never happened for me. Another future box set purchase, I'm sure. I want to see John Lithgow!

The Office

Something I'll stumble on from time to time. Sometimes there are classic lines and other times I feel like I'm wasting time. I still like the UK Office more, though I like the individual actors (apart from Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman) in the US series more and I'm always excited to see them in new films. John Krasinski was the best thing about It's Complicated.

LOST

I've told this story so many times... I don't know why I'm forcing myself to tell it again. I'm sure nobody is reading this far down. My Mum and I would watch Season One together, it was a good time. I'd come back from Theatre, that weird Las Vegas show would just be finishing and it would come on. Followed by that american race show that I'm forgetting the name of right now. I loved that show!

Anyway, then theatre rehearsals went longer and I couldn't keep up with the second season, so I just gave up. I'm so glad this is the final season so that I can one day buy the box set or something and catch up with everyone.

House

I just watched part of an episode this evening. It's still a great show. I was surprised that the whole cast was still there, I thought they had changed everything. I'm glad they haven't completely.

Same story with LOST really, avid watcher of the first season. Missed a few episodes of the second and just fell out of touch. Definitely one for the box sets though.

I mainly really loved this show when it first started for Hugh Laurie of course, but mainly for Robert Sean Leonard, because I had only just seen Dead Poets Society and thought he was dreamy and wonderful and bam, there he was.

NCIS/LA

I wanted to watch the LA one, because of Chris O'Donnell, but I am just not a TV person. I've discussed that before.

24

I didn't realized Freddie Prinze Jr. was still acting until I read a NY Magazine article about the show, which I have never watched. Definitely want to watch one day.

Not Mentioned:

Law and Order

Oh man, I want to get my hands on Law and Order: Criminal Intent Season One so badly... and watch all the episodes of the new season with Jeff Goldblum too. I love that show. I find SVU a little too dramatic and Law and Order a little too mild, Criminal Intent is just perfect for me. Plus Detective Goren? Oh man, give me a tissue.

Skins

Internet started to get too slow to get through Season Two quickly on Netflix. I was also starting to get annoyed with Cassie so I had to take a break. Season Two's are always difficult to get through.

I'm just really glad I was not a teenager when I saw this film. I'm easily influenced and I really didn't need these kids giving me any kind of impression of a how a cool, yet dysfunctional teen should be. Since, my life was fairly ordinary. Maybe because I was always dancing or doing theatre. I think you rebel less if you're super passionate about something and have something live for and nobody is stopping you from doing it.

Spartacus is the biggest gay romp on TV right now. It's soft core porn for men and women and it just makes you feel really naughty. Plus a lot of the men who have female love interests still come off extremely homosexual, which is fine and probably fitting, but I wonder whether the TV people behind the show want them to come off that way (like managers making musicians pretend they are single) or if the actors just can't act straight that well.

Spongebob Square Pants

Every now and then an episode will come on, because it's always on here, that will make me laugh and recently they aired the 'Normal' episode where normal people are portrayed as smooth and shiny and it was just such a good thing for a kids TV show to do. I really enjoyed it.

Victorious

I knew when I saw Victoria Justice in the last episode of Zoey 101 (best episode ever, because the writers take a visible stab at Jamie-Lynn Spears with a "You're not pregnant, right?" joke - so awkward) that she was going to do really well.

She's very pretty and looked very thin (that's not why I thought she would do well, it was just one of those visible, almost too thin, moments) and seemed to have a little spark all her own.

When I saw some other episodes (somehow, probably on The N), I was like, 'I think Nickelodeon really wants her to be a big deal.' And hey, now they've given her her own show and it sounds like she can really sing, which is good, and she'll be blasting up Radio Disney (much to their horror) most likely and we'll see more of her in Tiger Beat... or at least, you know... tweens will. Not me.

Ha, I have read a Tiger Beat but never purchased one. This is a good thing for me.

I was looking forward to this show and it's alright. I really like the Elizabeth Gillies and Ariana Grande, they are a nice fresh take on typical stereotypes popular with sitcoms.

Big Time Rush

I don't listen to the story line, I spend my time counting up evidence for who I believe is gay or not in this group. It's not easy to do, because people aren't defined by their sexuality but their personality, but I still try to build up evidence for my case... What else am I meant to be doing while baby sitting? Cleaning? Taking care of children?

EXTRA - Best Apps of 2009

The only Apps I've played are Flight Control, which I discovered from Luke, and was pleased as punch when I read in TONY that Ricky Gervais was also enjoying that game, and The Moron Test, which is actually quite fun and not as moronic as I thought it was going to be.

The only audio book I have ever listened to was a X Files novel and I have a lot of podcasts in my feed, but usually don't listen to it, since I have music to play with and the WNYC radio station to fall in love with.

So, that's my review of iTunes 2009 completed. I'm so glad I'm almost done with reflecting on 2009 so I can start enjoying 2010. I am a procrastinator, obviously, but I'm working really hard at my procrastination so I can get it over and done with faster. I hope you're all moving forward with your own lives and watching the Good TV and reading when the Bad TV is on.

The Slouch and The Gotta Be On A Call At 3PM Haven't Even Left The House Yet Fuck My Life

Life In 2009, According To iTunes; Movies

Why am I still doing this? I don't know, but I will know better when I have finished. So, either quietly ignore me or spill your own thoughts below. They make it really hard to reply to anyone on this thing, but I do read them all.

UP

I saw this with Luke and Brooke and Molly... or just Brooke... or just Molly. I can't really remember. It was dark. And both are blond. As am I, but still... I just asked Luke and he can't remember either. Both were in our life so much that year. Aww. Hugsnickles.

The short film before UP almost made me cry and the opening section of UP did make me cry. I found the journey fun and quotable, but I still couldn't help thinking of all the real world problems he would face when he returned home.

1. He hit some government employee.
2. They wont believe that he didn't kidnap the kid.

So he probably went back and spent a lot of his time in court and probably died in jail. That's a DOWN to me.

STAR TREK

I saw Star Trek twice, the first on IMAX and the second with one of those horrible balcony bars cutting off the bottom half of the screen, where a lot doesn't happen, but somehow you feel like you're missing out anyway.

I loved it. I know next to nothing about Star Trek apart from that I once won the Star Trek: Next Generation chess game on this TV Show with a bunch of other shit I no longer remember... I really wanted the Crayola prize. So badly. Anyway, back on track. I thought Abrams did a good job and all the actors seemed committed and judging by all the laughter in the audience at certain jokes that must have been referencing the show that I also found funny, most general Trek fans also enjoyed it.

I didn't know the difference between Kirk's dad and Kirk the first time I watched it, so that seriously confused me, but looks good genetics-wise. I loved that Simon Pegg was in it. I loved that the Leonard Nimoy was in it. I can't get the shaky-zoom-in shot of them plunging into the planets atmosphere out of my head, because they made it look so real, it's just burnt into my memory and I just like thinking of that shot for fun.

A great film. I didn't think it got enough wins at the Oscars.

THE HANGOVER

Only saw this with Molly on DVD a few weeks ago. I thought it was very funny and instantly recognized the guy from Community who is just brilliant. I also enjoyed seeing Vegas drenched in Sun, since we saw mostly clouds when Kate and I were there. I don't really have much to say about it except maybe that the commentary isn't that interesting, but I did really love the real-life looking photos they took. They could have looked like the standard photos you see that you can tell were taken by a professional on professional equipment... and even if these photos were taken by a professional on good equipment, it looks so much like a decent click-and-shoot camera that it gave the story this whole other element. I don't know, that's a wee bit over the top, but I just thought that was brilliant. They really made it look like everyone had the time of their lives that night and that just made you reflect on the story with so much more fondness.

ADVENTURELAND

This movie just didn't feel 80s to me. Only a few of the side characters did. Like Lisa P. and her crone. The rest just seemed like they were in a modern day indie flick and even though it was nice they didn't make the 80s this over-the-top decade, it also really displaced me because their are so many teen-angst movies out there that were made in the 80s and set as modern day, so it didn't feel very authentic.

I adored Jesse Eisenberg in this film. I liked the way he leaned with his hips. Kristen Stewart was fun too, though her evil stepmother didn't appear that evil next to her. Party Down actor, Martin Starr was also brilliant. I really liked him more than the other characters. I enjoyed it more the second time around at home, because the first time I saw it with my freaking cab driver because I didn't know how to tell him how to leave me alone. He bloody drove me to the theater for the midnight session, asked to come with me and then sat through it. I told him it was long. He didn't care. Maybe when he realized I wasn't a prostitute or into him at anyway (I mean, does he just go out with strangers just to hang? That's just creepy. Sure, do it at a bar. But with a young girl at midnight? Fuck off.) he started to want it to hurry up and so I wanted the film to hurry up so that I could leave, but I somehow couldn't not tell him I didn't need a ride home.

At least I didn't have to pay cab fair... because I paid for his ticket. What was I thinking? It was fine. He's a nice guy I'm sure. But man was it awkward.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

I saw this in my least favourite, always crowded theatre at Union Square and I loved it. I love the time Tarantino took with the dialogue. He's said himself that he's good at dialogue and somehow that annoyed me at the time, how confident he was... it almost came off arrogant, but he really did a beautiful job with this film.

I wish he wasn't writing his own history but that it was real. It really was a much better way for things to end than the way they did. Malicious and bloody yes, but unjustified... Well, I can't possibly be the judge of that can I?

I adored the oozing charm of Christopher Waltz and his nomination was just a hands down guarantee of an Oscar. A film I'm sure I will enjoy again and again in years to come.

(500) DAYS OF SUMMER

I saw this film with Luke the first time I saw it, and he already dressed like the lead character, so it was hard for me to not constantly nudge him and say, "Hey, look, it's you." But only style wise.

When we left the theatre I was depressed. I didn't feel like I'd ever have that kind of experience with somebody and I also loved the stylized look of the movie and wanted to have been a part of it so badly, that it made me sad... or envious.

Then I saw it again for a birthday outing, and enjoyed it much more the second time around.

I love the musical dance down the street. As a musical/Disney person, it made me so happy and now whenever I hear Hall & Oates "You Make My Dreams Come True", I have to dance around like a loon, as I did in the lobby of a Las Vegas hotel. Though when quizzed about who actually sung the song, I wasn't able to remember the name, and though it wasn't said, the man with the question was instantly able to peg me as a, "Oh, you're just one of those (500) Days girls."

SUNSHINE CLEANING

I saw this by myself at the cinema on 12th St early in the afternoon when it was just me and an old man in the theatre.
I enjoyed the story, and Emily Blunt just rocked it in the movie. I found the weird lesbian vibe between her and the woman she follows a little confusing. I didn't mind the vibe, but because it was left unexplored I was left wondering whether I had stereotyped the woman, placed a vibe where there was no vibe, or took what I thought was a look of attraction as a look of desperate loneliness and a need for companionship.

ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL

I was just saying to Luke, "Wow, it's so obvious that we lived together in 2009" because almost every film I've seen I could relate to him in some way, either that I saw it with him OR texted him about seeing it (aka, rescuing me from Taxi Man during Adventureland). This is another film that begins with Luke. Or, let's switch it up and start it with Jake. Jake actually invited me to the New York premiere of the film, but I was out of the state, I think, during the day so I couldn't go, which sucked because I ended up really loving the film and missed out on one of their special Movie plus Show performances which would have been so wicked. Luckily, Luke, also wanted to go see it, and took me along to a session.
I was SO FREAKING HAPPY when the actual bloody stars of the film walked down the aisle at the Angelika and proceeded to give a Q&A. I even got a photo with them and they are REAL. It was a highlight, that's for sure. Just a brilliant film. Really made me want to get some balls and spend my whole life working for my dreams too.

CORALINE

Another Luke. I should just refer to the first 9 months of 2009 as The Year of Luke with an Extra Dose of Brooke Brodack. HEE!
I was bored and watched this with him on his Air. I only saw the last half an hour but was thoroughly confused. It felt the same as other Tim Burton films. Steady and not entirely climactic. I'll have to see the rest of it some day... BUT WAIT A MINUTE! Tim Burton didn't direct this film. Henry Selick did. So when I saw the tagline, 'From the Director of The Nightmare Before Christmas', I assumed that was Tim, but Henry must have just helped steer the ship while Tim was busy with the art on Nightmare, possibly? That happens in a lot of films... but I'm not that much of Burton fan girl, so I don't know how much of Selick's role on Nightmare was just a sort of "Yes/No Man" role or if he had a large hand in how Nightmare came about. Either way, I tip my hat to the marketing people. Who obviously must have known that a lot of people think that Tim Burton also directed the film, so it was a cunning but also true way of marketing itself. Clap, clap, indeed.

Films done. You can see some of the films I saw in 2009 (I didn't start recording them until after the Summer, I believe) on my YouTube page

The Left Butt Cheek Feels Hollow and the Too Sweet Brownie That Really Shouldn't Go In The Same Sentence as a Butt Cheek

Life In 2009, According To iTunes: An Epic Blog Post

Click on the link below to see the full list!
iTunes Rewinds 2009 : MUSIC

*This blog is mainly for my own records, but I rarely post, so I made it a public blog. Just know that while you're reading all my drivel*

The iTunes 'New Music Tuesday' email, which, I have been slowly teaching myself to learn, does not need my full and utter attention, appeared in my Inbox at 2:54am and I discovered it just after returning from a meeting.

I was delving into a 85% purchased sandwich from the Deli (Turkey with avocado, with extra cranberry sauce; my favourite) and I had scraped together some money for the Strawberry Cupcake ($1.50 at Crumbs) and had just finished deleting my 5min email, where I did distract myself with a nose-crinkle-inducing online show.

The iTunes New Music Tuesday email consisted of the usual freebies and now over-priced songs and it's Top Selling Songs and other popular and notable Albums, Artists and New Artists as well as Movies, TV Shows, Audio Books and Podcasts.

As I was reviewing the songs and podcasts that were popular for 2009 (not all of them released in 2009), I had memories flowing back to me and other feelings of detachment, as well as some distaste for the likings of the majority of the American public.

Artist Of The Year: Michael Jackson

I purchased Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits album five years or so ago, so I'm not going to rush out to buy his concert album, though I do really want to see the film.

He was a great performer and his songs are classics, that's really all that I need to say.

Other than learning of his death on my way to a Demi Lovato concert, there was no related signifance that his music had to me on 2009, other than getting to hear them more often and all over the place, which is always a pleasure.

Album Of The Year: Only By The Night by Kings of Leon

A popular band I am kind of happy to say has evaded since they first became popular. Sure, every now and then I'll belt out, "Your sex is on fire!!!" before I feel quite silly for uttering such nonsense. Don't know any other songs by them or who the band consists of or anything. Usually I don't like be unaware/ignorant of things, but sometimes I enjoy not being a part of the hype of the time. I'll probably be given the CD to copy someday by a friend and realize what I've been missing for all these years... or something quaint like that.

Best New Artist: Lady Gaga

A talented, creative lady. There is no doubt about it. I enjoyed her costumes and music videos, however I'm still kind of happy that I've never seen or heard the full version of Poker Face, and this is another artist that I'm happy to not be a part of the hype for.

Why, when she is so remarkable? So, now?

There are just some songs that seem far too calculated. That are just too obvious that they come from someone who has studied Media and its history. She created a lot of music she knew the masses would like and calculated it to hit a time where it would matter most and I just find that sort of unsettling.

The age of instant fame, the age when almost every one is obsessed with celebrity and has more access than usual. A time when any one can walk down the street as Lady Gaga did before she was Lady Gaga, like a fucking star.

Sure Celebrity and Fame are old topics as is Delusion and Grandeur, but... there is something cold about her music that I just can't get into.

Luckily, I am still human enough to just sit back and enjoy her music when I let myself just hear it... Bad Romance, mostly.

Country: Best Album: Fearless (Platinum Edition) by Taylor Swift

I didn't have any connections with the Best Albums, Singles and Artists of Alternative, Christian/Gospel and Classical music in the list, which led to the next artist on the list, Taylor Swift.

2009 was certainly my year for loving Taylor Swift. After a few songs, a few very smart choices for music videos and her vlogs, I let myself fall in love with the tall Swift Monster.

I don't care for the rumors or conspiracies, I know her voice is strong and I really don't care how many people helped write her songs, she is still an artist and a damn good one at that. She also really loves her fans and seems to be fighting really hard to stay true to herself and her roots (casting her best friend in her most recent music video, for example).

I brought Sam to her concert at Madison Square Garden and it was a little ridiculous how crazy the crowd went for her. Sure, she milked the applause at all her events, but it was when you saw her go from "act" to "genuine surprise that MSG have been cheering her for far longer than she anticipated", you couldn't help but laugh along with her.

Love Story brought back all my teen love for Jane Austen and that hopeless romance that goes along with it, You Belong With Me made me recall the similar feelings I had when I was a teenager, The Best Day reminds me of times with my Mum... and it's just an innocent little piece of goodness that kept me perky throughout the year. It was also nice to just like a popular teenage girl. There are so many girls of celebrity that irk me, and it always makes me feel bad.

Hip-Hop/Rap: Best Single: Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

Well, what New York dweller didn't encounter this song in 2009? It was played so often on the radios in New York city and also by a hell of a lot of people in cars. It almost made me sick whenever I'd be walking along the street and someone in car would come by blasting the song. It's an uplifting song, but it made me feel so bitter at the same time for some reason.

Maybe it was because I just felt like the people looked stupid, maybe it was that they were in a car in New York, maybe it was because I poor, maybe I wanted to be cynical because I'm usually so optimistic, maybe it was simply because I was on Avenue A.

Luckily, I still enjoy the song from time to time and if its been on the radio or someone else's playlist, I may find myself humming it later that day as I walk through New York and am feeling particularly cheerful.

Does anyone else actually look at the pavement while singing the song. Whenever I think about the song, I recall staring at a lot of pavements, particularly the dip that leads to the cross-walk.

"Concrete Jungle where dreams are made of!"

Maybe it just made me feel nervous... like maybe, just maybe, I couldn't make my dreams here. That I'd go back to suburbia like so many people and not be able to hack it. That would be disappointing for me, since there's nothing wrong with suburbia, it's just that everything I want to do in life is right here.

I suppose it's especially significant because the end of 2009 was when I started getting my head straight and figuring out how to do what I really, truly want to do for the rest of my life.

Top Seller Songs
I skip songs and in that process the number the song is posted at has been messed up and this stupid long blog has taken me long enough to do without trying to fix that...

1. Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas

I loved Elephunk and some tracks from Monkey Business and I almost admired Will.I.Am's uplifting contributions during the 2008 elections, but I'll admit that when I first heard Boom Boom Pow (I was in Los Angeles at the time) I said, "Ugh, this sounds like they are trying to be the Black Eyed Peas." I searched the song. "Oh my gosh, it is the Black Eyed Peas."

I think what really ruined it was that Fergie (an amazing singer) just sounded like she was over-singing or something. Whatever it was, it was irritating.

2. Right Round by Flo Rida

Played a lot on the radio. Always heard it on the station that the construction crew listened to while they built the offices.

3. Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Successfully avoided.

4. I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas

Another song that doesn't really move me. I added it to my iTunes anyway, in case I ever did have a party that needed a generic "we're meant to be having a good time" song.

5. Gives You Hell by The All-American Rejects

Oh, boys and their hurt, hurt feelings. They can come back so cutting. I find myself absentmindedly singing this song when it comes on and then when I realize I switch it off in defense of women everywhere.

6. Just Dance by Lady Gaga and...

Another construction worker's favourite song.

7. Party in the U.S.A by Miley Cyrus

Well, I couldn't avoid this song even if I wanted to, the news about the award show performance and then the story that she hadn't listened to a Jay-Z song before recording the song or something absurd like that.

Whenever I'm in a good, peppy mood, I enjoy the verses in the song about being the outside but just doing my own thing (not exactly ground-breaking lyrics, but uplifting all the same.)

8. The Climb by Miley Cyrus

"There's always gonna be another mountain, I'm always gonna wanna make it move!" When you aspire to things, the innocent version of you really digs that part of the song.

9. Dead and Gone by T.I. (feat. Justin Timberlake)

Another song I heard for the first time on the trip to Los Angeles. I loved it straight away. It was such a unique message in the music industry. A lot of hip hop music can be really violent and it was really great to hear a song about a guy who realized, what the fuck is all that for? I'm going to do my best to be good and be my best. Plus, Justin Timberlake rocks almost anything.

10. Use Somebody by Kings of Leon

This always sounds like every other popular music band that has their time in the spotlight on Top 40 radio until they sing "Use Somebody!" and then I say, "Ohh, it's that band that everyone likes right now."

11. Don't Trust Me by 3OH!3

Firstly, ridiculous band name.

Secondly, this caused a small apocalypse in my mind when I stumbled on to someone's posting on one of those Q and A sites that asked something along the lines, "What is the Hellen Keller dance? How do I do it? Who is she?" The person replied was exactly the same kind of stupid and it just made me really sad. You don't need to know every fact and figure revolving around Hellen Keller, but how do kids not know about such an inspiring figure, for children above all others.

Thirdly, the only good this song did was inspiring Julia Nunes to create one of her brilliant versions of it, with asides to her Grandma for an extra does of happy!

I also remember hearing this song while in Sarah Austin's Ford Fiesta on our way to Bear Mountain for a hike. After a while we all got really uncomfortable and it was turned off.

12. Skipped.

13. Down by Jay Sean (feat. Lil Wayne)

A catchy beat that would get stuck in my head after hearing it on the worker's radio.

16. You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift

I loved the video so much I bought it. Isn't that silly? I just adored the direction. Sure, there was the overdone "what-kind-of-girl-am-I" montage, but I loved her silly dancing, that's something you don't always see a artist doing because sex is meant to sell. It was just so age appropriate in a time when late-twenty year olds are teaching girls to "pop that!"

I also remember having feelings like that for SO many boys. I don't think it'll ever end.

19. I Know You Want Me by Pitbull

A perfect nightclub song. I think I heard it a few times in 2009 and it was almost always in a club... For the record, I went to ohh, four (one in New York, three on the Las Vegas NightClub tour Kate's Dad set us up on... It was awkward, at first), but it was always a song that got me up dancing like a loon. Just some good ol' fun.

Every experience I've had a nightclub in America has been fantastic by the way. With Ester in NYC, I got wonderfully drunk and danced so much and with Kate in Las Vegas, I got wonderfully tipsy and met some fun guys who gave us a few dances, it was funny.

20. Love Story by Taylor Swift

Okay, so not is her (or her team, whatever) insanely smart for making every girl feel like they were in their own Romeo & Juliet love tragedy, but then the director puts a Jane Austen twist on the music video and sends anyone who has loved that period of dress and "intense but oh so romantic female repression" (I'm being slightly sarcastic here) into a "aww" frenzy.

At the concert she came out in a dress and her "dancers" danced and they made the stage look like a castle. Aww.

21. Halo by Beyonce

Another song to shop to and try to sing to.

22. Single Ladies by Beyonce

I heard the song and didn't care for it. I was like, oh this is just another, we're single, let's go out and dance song! Whoop-dee-doo, Basil! Then I saw the music video and was blown away, like most people.

I loved the dancing, I loved the almost one-take look, the direction, the art... It was just so fresh and made a fairly ordinary song an iconic classic for the decade.

Plus, how many people ended up trying that crazy hip spinning into a squat move Beyonce pulled off so seamlessly? Brilliant fun.

23. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

Nothing really new sound-wise, but still sweet as Cadbury Caramel Chocolate.

24. Whatcha Say by Jason Derulo

I was a little sad to hear Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap mixed into this hip-hop stuff.

26. Day 'n' Nite (Nightmare) by Kid Cudi

I first heard this song or the brilliant mix of this song in an AXE ad/promotion that was running on YouTube. The ad was good but the music behind it made it all that much better. I'm still searching for the exact mix (by searching I mean, I've written a note to search for it) but I love the song. It's fun.

27. Blame It by Jamie Foxx (feat T.Pain)

Another nightclub classic.

28. Knock You Down by Keri Hilson...

When I think of this song, I see me in the office bathroom listening to this song while washing my hands. Oh, those construction workers and the music I wouldn't have heard.

29. LoveGame by Lady Gaga.

Successfully avoided.

31. Good Girls Go Bad by Cobra Starship (feat. Leighton Meester)

I adore Leighton Meester but I can't remember this song off the top of my head and I really don't think I like Cobra Starship.

I want Leighton Meester to be successful, because I enjoy her perfect performances as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl AND all the fashion inspiration her character (and the people behind her) has been to this city AND I just like knowing those cool kids are hanging around in the city, making music. It's a sweet idea.

32. Circus by Britney Spears

BLARGH. I don't care. Do what you want.

33. Waking Up In Vegas by Katy Perry

Didn't listen to the song, but hummed the title line a fair few times when I looked out the window of our hotel room in Vegas and Kate would laugh and I would go back to bed.

34. Fireflies by Owl City

Very popular on YouTube for some strange unknown reason. I feel like I'm missing something. There seems to be more than just fandom for Owl City on YouTube but almost like some kind of duty to make him very, very popular. A conspiracy? We'll see.

I think the song is silly. Since usually if you try to catch a firefly, you end up hurting them and they slowly die in your hand or on the pavement where you dropped them and you have to watch as their beautiful magic slowly fades in and out, a glowing green.

So, I wouldn't recommend fraternizing with fireflies or lightning bugs and I bet that man is responsible for the killing of a fair few thousand of them. Bastard. :)

35. Hot N Cold by Katy Perry

How can one who went to YouTube Live not love this song? She did a good job and it was kind of cool seeing her participate in the event and she wore a very tight costume and "PhillyD" abused her with his eyes! Plus her high heels were very high.

Ahem. I actually really like the lyrics too... because boys are so annoying, omg! :P

36. Skipped for stupidity.
39. Skipped because The Pussycat Dolls sound like they are trying to do some Rhianna shit with that song.

40. That's Not My Name by The Ting Tings

This is sort of a guilty pleasure song since a lot of my friends look at me disdainfully when I show any interest in it.

I also can't think of this song without thinking of Gossip Girls and iJustine's version of it... which is confusing... and frightening? The power! I think a lot of YouTuber's though about what they could do with that song, but iJustine is always on the money! Go girl.

43. Paparazzi by Lady Gaga

I tried really hard to not hear the full version of this song for some strange reason, but I didn't escape the music video and it was one of the first things I saw by Lady Gaga and it confused me greatly.

Due to her speaking Italian in the beginning of the video and then seeing her amazing vocal range while performing it at the MTV Music Awards, I made up some weird story that she must be the product of some European mastermind... someone who had analyzed the West's fascination with fame and glamour, and plucked out some unknown former Opera Singer and created a character with her... only to learn, after discussing my imagined findings with Jake, that she was simply a talented New Yorker/NYU student who did some record deals or something and had complete creative control over her look... or something, I really didn't pay attention because I didn't like that version as much as mine haha.

Either way, her performance of this song on MTV was amazing, made me realize she wasn't just laugh and was a nice change from the usual sucky awkwardness (read: Britney or Lindsay Lohan) of any MTV award show.

44. Viva la Vida by Coldplay

I also first heard this song on an award show of some kind, perhaps VH1 or MTV, and felt that it was another well-crafted/calculated track, aimed at being a Number One hit (I guess, I like happy accidents that just fit with the times naturally... what an innocent way to think, because there is no way half the songs I adore aren't calculated and planned perfectly).

I still sing along to some of the lines though, incorrectly I'm fairly sure.

I also tried filming Brooke and I singing and clapping to the song at Angelika Film Center with Luke filming, but by the time we got organized the song had finished.

46. Sober by P!nk

Started singing away to this song after her very good performance at the MTV Music Awards. One of the few songs I've enjoyed since her debut. Everything else by her just felt too simplistic or whiny.

48. Live Your Life by T.I. (feat Rhianna)

The Numa Numa song, right? That's why any Internet loser would know this song... and then there's the catchy "so live you life... ayyyyyy ayyy ayyyy!" Well done, jerks.

51. Obsessed by Mariah Carey

Don't care much for Mariah Carey, she just seems like too much trouble. All I know from this song are the few lines I've paid attention to... ahem, "Why you so obsessed with me?" Yup.
Oh, and then there is that whole story about Eminem trying to prove that they've dated. That's just awkward.

52. Battlefield by Jordin Sparks

She did a duet with Chris Brown and then sung, "why is love always like a battlefield?" That's funny.

53. Skipped because does any consistent YouTuber care for Soulja Boy?

55. Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z (feat. Alica Keys)

Would have loved to have actually heard Beyonce singing along to this song during the MTV Music Awards. That was very cute. The idea of those two being the King and Queen of Manhattan is just adorable to me.

56. Skipped, sorry Shakira... P.S: Your line about "breasts like mountains" from that other song was totes cut out at Whole Foods the other day! I was annoyed, that's my favourite part. : )

57. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

Journey freaking owes Glee a hug or a great second season or something for bringing this song back to a positive place. Growing up, my parents gave me the impression that this song was for pathetic losers and was just total dribble, and yeah, it kind of is... but then Glee put their magical uplifting, almost-perfect pilot spin on it and it suddenly became perfect for my generation and then I heard it in Rock of Ages and it was one of the few songs I actually knew.

I cried during the pilot episode of Glee and I'm sure that song had something to do with it. Dammit.

63. 3 by Britney Spears

I don't think I've heard the full song by Britney, but I have watched the full video of BrittaniLouiseTaylor's version of 3, about not being Easy, but being a good girl. It was so full of morals that it made me want to go to Church and confess how I stole Nutella from my friend once, but I'm sort of glad I don't have Britney in my head.

64. If You Seek Amy by Britney

This song I have heard and probably danced to at a nightclub... I knew there was something about the title and I couldn't remember what it was... I was all, "Is this about anorexia again? What was it...?" and then I sampled it in iTunes and heard "all of the girls and all of the boys are beggind to Eff You See Kay Me..." and my mine mind was BLOWN. I HAVE NO MIND! HOW CLEVER ARE HER WRITERS? IT'S TRUE, BRITNEY! HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT I WANTED TO FUCK YOU SO BADLY? OH MY GOD, IT'S LIKE THEY SAW RIGHT INTO MY SOUL... AND LOOK HOW CLEVER THEY WERE; SIDE-STEPPING THE RADIO REGULATION PEOPLE! WHOA. MOVERS! SHAKERS! MUSIC MAKERS!

66. One Time by Justin Bieber

Damn. I watched his music videos on his YouTube channel. His ex-girlfriend is also named Caitlin and I stumbled onto that during some kind of ego-session of mine (it happens really late when I've had too many cookies or just feel the need to be an ASSHOLE) and so that's gross.

I saw some footage of him at a photo shoot and he was all, "I've got to do some texting!" in the middle of the shoot and proceeded to grab his phone and take it back to set-thing and it was so awkward. The photographer just went with it and every now and then told him to look up, but it just felt so rude. Can you imagine him doing that on a high profile magazine with a distinguished photographer. Unless they loved him and in were a peppy mood, I would think they'd be fairly unimportant. It's almost like saying, yeah, so make it work, photog, because your art is less important than mine.

Ugh.

Also, Lauren, a friend of mine and talent spotter, spotted this guys videos back when he was even littler and was like, this guy! This guy is gonna be big. Lookee now.

68. Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon

This song was on Triple J's Hottest 100 CD (which doesn't consist of 100 songs) and this song was on it. I purchased in the last time I was in Australia and took my first and only stereo player (from 1998!) and played the CD over and over again while I was there. So I heard this song quite a few times. At first I got into its catchy beat and then it just sort of became ridiculous. Making everybody in the house give me weird looks when I played it.

One awkward moment was when Harry was sleeping over, because he had planned my whole week for me, which was very kind of him, and we had gotten back late and were getting an early start the next day to see more people, and then that song started playing. I thought it was funny. Can you imagine having sex to that song seriously? I couldn't imagine it. I would just feel like such a tool. Ugh. Gross.

69. Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti & Spearhead

I'm not a huge fan of this song but I am really happy to see Michael Franti on this list. To me, he was just an artist that my rather bohemian best friend Emily and her family and friends listened to... and its always fun when you realize that a little fact about your best friend that you sometimes enjoyed to, actually belonged to a world of fans.

It also makes me happy because I think of Em whenever I see his name anywhere.

70. Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback

My Mum and I really liked one of their albums, we listened to it quite often... and then I came to America and learned that a lot of people actually detest them quite heavily. I don't mind their songs, but that whole way of singing is kind of boring now.

Plus, whenever that song is heard everyone, including me, just mock-sings it... "Gottaah bee sumbodayyy!"

71. Skipped because its called, Birthday Sex. Blargh.

72. I'm on a Boat! (feat. T-Pain) by The Lonely Island

Did you know that though I own an I'm On A Boat badge on foursquare and know most of those famous lyrics, I have never actually seen the music video.

75. White Horse by Taylor Swift

Yeah, it's catchy. I like Miss Swift but I only know about three of her songs very well and this is not one of them.

77. Untouched by The Veronicas

Wow, this has been out for quite a while. "I feel so untouched right now..." I have a video of a certain pretty someone singing along to this song. Tee. Hee.

80. So What by P!nk

This song feels lazy for me and I am always annoyed at myself if I found myself singing along to such a basic song structure... I mean the lyrics are just awful... "So what? I'm still a Rock Star (no you're not), I've got my Rock moves!" Rock moves? Really? It just seems to be blatantly written for the teenagers who want to pretend they are actually famous for a second. We've got to get rid of that want in our society. It's so poisonous.

83. Womanizer by Britney Spears

Yeah, we all know this song. Britney's "great" return. Copied and edited my many a-youtuber. I think it's shithouse... and I use to love Britney. She doesn't seem to grow as an artist... but her team certainly does.

84. Hoedown Throwdown by Miley Cyrus

Why the fuck is this on the list? And why did it so easily amaze so many young people? Telling everyone to do the "throwdown" as some kind of megabyte waste for a video request?
I just don't get it. The dance for one thing is the simplest shit and doesn't even top the "Bootscoot" dance and the song is just a jumble of trash. Rawr.

88. Disturbia by Rhianna

Does anyone know any lyrics of this song than... "Disturbiaaa"? When I only hear these songs on the radio they impact me so passively.

96. Love Sex Magic by Ciara feat. Justin Timberlake

I loved this song when I first heard it. I loved the video clip though Ciara needs to learn how to point her toes if she going to try to dance along with the rest of her dancers. I loved how crassly sexy it was or at least trying to be, somehow that just upped the appeal. I guess I'm still a fangirl for Justin Timberlake, but every move he makes seems to be the right one. I like it.

97. Right Now (Na na na) by Akon

I can't not like any song from YouTube Live. Even though since we were filming a lot of the action, I felt that the audience as a whole, apart from the true hardcore fans at the back, were reacting quite passively. I respected how hard Akon worked to get our attention... he even seemed a little confused. "Why aren't these people dancing?" and then he took his performance to a higher level and we all just got into it. Great night.

So, that was 2009, but I mainly listened to Clare Bowditch, The Beatles, The Killers, David Bowie and other pretty things. I am trying not to buy any new music for a while, to better learn what I owe, but having the radio and iPhone apps occasionally keeps me updated.

Hopefully this year, I delve even further into music's past and really get to know my music and not just the songs but the culture and events behind it... maybe even the people who sing the bloody songs for once...

The Tip of the Hat and The Unsweetened Peach Ice Tea

Life Lists and Genius-I-Guess Recommendations #1

Oh my! I have about 9 drafts saved that I need to finish and post. I've been doing this thing, where I quickly jot down a few thoughts or quite a lot of thoughts, but haven't finished any of them. I'm glad that I'm not letting myself forget and leave the possible writings to the wind, but I definitely need to finish.

EDIT: I began doing the same thing with this blog, so I've broken it into pieces.

So here's something quick and easy that I, and you, can have fun with and can do from time to time... iTunes Genius, I do like how it works, but do you ever purchase anything they recommend? I rarely do.

Lately, I've taken to jotting down names of artists or songs that I think I should have in my err, Life Playlist, but shouldn't purchase just yet because they are really a frivolous expense.

Here's my list so far - and this isn't a "classic artists I should listen to" list, it's just a weird, random list of artists I jotted down whenever browsing iTunes, which isn't often.

Dolly Parton's 'Joelene' - when you get over any objection you have to country, or abuse of plastic surgery, Dolly Parton's Joelene truly is a little work of genius. How universal is this song in the world of women or even, men? "Please, don't take him just because you can!" Who has looked at a girlfriend or frenemy and thought this? I know I have, but maybe I'm more insecure than the next girl... or maybe I select my boyfriends or infatuations unwisely (YES! I DO and I'm thinking of my Australian boyfriends/infatuations just in case anyone is reading this and feeling weird) Luckily for me, it's always been for the best, since none of my infatuations or boyfriends have ever been right for me... but that's what makes this song a guilty pleasure, because infatuations are fun and this song dances sillily along with it... pouting.

Lightning Dust - a band I'd like to listen to more.

Kid Cudi's 'Day N Night', but which mix of the song? Whatever mix the AXE commercials use. Yes, yuck, AXE, but the music is what made their advertisements worth tuning in to. I need to research and find that mix. It's so much fun.

Phantogram - Courtney and then Brooke brought this band to my attention, and I'm not sure if I like all their songs yet, but they are on the list to investigate, and Brooke's video, if you haven't seen it, is rather spectacular. Just goes to show that its the editor not the software that makes a good video (Edited in iMovie09)

Firelight - I'm not sure if this band is good or not, but I always love a little delve in Christian Rock, it can be an uplifting time, even if you're not religious. Maybe this is just me because even without my faith, I still enjoy anything Michael W. Smith (HA!) but Firelight's song, "Fire in my eyes", which I've only heard 30 seconds of so far, may make it to my Life playlist because I often like to indulge in mindless, everything-is-better-now-it-use-to-be-bad-but-now-I-have-fire-in-my-eyes music.

Hot Chip - A friend shared the album that pushed them more prominently into the map, but I don't really know if I like it that much. I haven't yet connected to any of the songs yet, and its just background music at the moment, but it often takes a long time for music to win my heart, so maybe it willone day hit me how much I love Hot Chip... maybe while eating Hot Chips??? That'd be magical.

Their latest album, One Life Stand has a good single, Thieves in the Night, which I want to hear more of, but until I can determine whether I actually like Hot Chip or not, I can't waste my money on another album purchase just to keep up with the cool kids.

Lou Reed - I definitely need to "know" Lou Reed. I think he is an artist that one has to investigate at some stage of their live since he seems to have made such an impact on so many music artists and many other people who enjoy creative expression.

Smashing Pumpkins - the only song I really know by them is End is the Beginning is the End because of my (strange?) love for Batman Forever and it was played over and over again on Video Hits on Saturday mornings in Australia, but I think they are also a band that I should investigate... just because of his fabulous head?

Damien Rice - oh, Damien. All I own by him is the Blower's Daughter which is sweetly painful, I think I should explore his music more. I love a little ache coming out of my crappy mac speakers.

I probably should put together a list of classic artists that I haven't listened too, but maybe, if you're still engaged at this point, you can suggest some music you think I should listen to?