the lord jesus christ.

i'm not a religious guy at all, so Christmas doesn't hold that kind of meaning for me.......instead, i like to use the holiday time from work to see members of the family that i rarely get to see, hang with my buds from high school and college, and generally reflect on the year that's gone by and where the fuck i am in life. a sobering and depressing thought? perhaps. while i continue to tell myself that 2005 completely sucked balls on many levels, the reality is that i continue to be one lucky little fucker: gainfully employed at a place i continue to love; roof over my head; an automobile; and i'm still drawing breath. 2005 has fucked over SOOOOO many people throughout the planet, from weather disasters to bush's fucking farce of a war to job layoffs and random acts of senseless violence.......bottom line: there are tons of folks who have lost everything, be it possessions or loved ones or whatever and won't be having the best of holidays this year, so my petty little whimpering about not having a great year seems pretty fucking lame in comparison. i'll be taking the holiday time to remind myself just how fucking lucky i am and thank whatever powers above for continuing to bless myself, my family and the folks that i care about. have yourself a peaceful holiday, wherever you are, and remember to count the blessings for just how lucky you really are.

chappelle.

a theory about the downfall of one Dave Chappelle.

2005: The Year In Music

On first blush, I would say my 2005 sucked balls, but that's merely a subjective opinion. The music that was created/released this year has been incredible, so the following titles are the ones that rocked my ass throughout 2005 and continue to get regular spins. Please note that I have not ranked my favorites EXCEPT for the first title. The Woods by Sleater-Kinney is hands-down the best fucking release this year. Viva la Riot Grrrrls!

Nine Inch Nails - "With Teeth"

Youth Group - "Skeleton Jar"

Nada Surf - "The Weight Is A Gift"

The New Pornographers - "Twin Cinema"

Franz Ferdinand - "You Could Have It So Much Better"

The White Stripes - "Get Behind Me Satan"

Beck - "Guero"

System of a Down - "Mezmerize" & "Hypnotize"

Nine Black Alps - "Everything Is"

The Mars Volta - "Frances The Mute"

Brendan Benson - "The Alternative To Love"

Soundtrack - "Thumbsucker" (score by The Polyphonic Spree + unreleased tunes by Elliott Smith)

Mike Doughty - "Haughty Melodic"

Metric - "Live It Out"

King's X - "Ogre Tones"

Kings of Leon - "Aha Shake Heartbreak"

Spoon - "Gimme Fiction"

Wolf Parade - "Apologies To The Queen Mary"

Big Star - "In Space"

Louis XIV - "The Best Little Secrets Are Kept"

Robbers on High Street - "Tree City"

Lab Partners - "Wicked Branches"

eels - "Blinking Lights and Other Revelations" (double disc)

The Fall - "Fall Heads Roll"

Queens of the Stone Age - "Lullabies to Paralyze"

Ryan Adams - "Cold Roses" (double disc) + "Jacksonville City Nights" + "29"