dangerblog: Christmas in Jenville

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Bookshelf

Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler's Wife
What an amazingly well-written book. Imaginative, compelling, terrific characters. Deeply affecting. (*****)
M.T. Anderson: The Feed
Thankfully, Dangerguy has read this book as well, because I make reference to this book more than any other I've ever read. It is a young adult fiction book, and it is science fiction, and it has a dialect to it that takes some getting used to, but the concepts that are introduced in this novel will be with us more and more as the world becomes more computerized and run by corporate interests. (*****)
Marian Keyes: Sushi For Beginners
This is a great book for a throwaway vacation read. It had great characters, snappy writing, and very little in the way of plot...but all in all, a very fun read. (***)

« Caffeine for the Holidays | Main | Ouch »

21 November 2004

Christmas in Jenville

I have been hyper-busy working on getting my apartment ready for my Mom's visit. I've been keeping it super-neat anyway, so I don't have to do much in the way of straightening, but I do plan on doing a thorough cleaning in case she brings her white gloves.

But instead of actually cleaning this weekend, I spent all day Saturday getting ready for Christmas. I realize to some folks it may seem a little early to be decorating for Christmas.

Actual conversation overheard while I was sorting through Christmas stuff in my storage closet:

"Why is she getting her Christmas tree out already, Mom?" says the sweet little 6 year old who lives behind me.

"I don't know, honey...I don't know," says Mom with sort of a resigned everyone-in-the-world-is-crazy-but-us tone.

I am thrilled with how it looks after just a day. Normally I spend an entire weekend in the height of Christmas season working on this stuff, as I have an entire closet full to the ceiling with garlands, wreaths, and well...Christmas stuff.

Here's a glimpse:

Posted on November 21, 2004 at 10:11 PM | Permalink

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Comments

Kids can be so rude. Next time you're alone with her, tell her you heard her parents are going to sell her so they can buy a new couch. (kidding)

Posted by: Karen | Nov 21, 2004 10:20:29 PM

Pretty as a picture :)

Posted by: Greg | Nov 21, 2004 11:44:33 PM

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In My CD Player

Pinback: Summer in Abaddon
This CD was recommended to me by a friend at work because he knew I was a big Modest Mouse fan. (They're like Modest Mouse on morphine.) All of the tracks are excellent, and every time I hear it I have a new favorite. This is the best album I've gotten this year. (*****)
Silent League: Orchestra Sadly Has Refused
I first heard of the Silent League on Salon.com and spent weeks trying to track down their CD. I finally had to get it on Amazon. The songs are soft and really melodic, just the way I like it. It has a Flaming Lips meets Radiohead kind of feel to it. Go to 3hive.com and download "Breathe" if you want to hear a track from this terrific group. (****)
Keane: Hopes & Fears
When I first got this CD, I just wanted to hear the two radio tracks over and over. But then I started liking more and more tracks. Some of the unreleased tracks, like "Bedshaped", really give me chills. This is one of the best albums in my collection. (*****)
Franz Ferdinand: Franz Ferdinand
I'm sure you've all already got this CD, but it's pretty new for me. The two tracks they play on the radio, "Take Me Out" and "This Fire", are really the best tracks on the album, but there are no bad tracks, and they're all good fun. (****)
N.E.R.D.: Fly Or Die
This is way out of my normal music realm, but this is a great CD to have on random. The songs are well-written, often funny, and totally fun for a Friday afternoon when you're getting psyched up for the weekend. (****)
Jem: Finally Woken
I got this album completely on a whim because I love "Come On Closer". (I'm not sure what that song is really about, but it sounds like a stripper song), but was happily surprised at how good the rest of the album is. Her voice is magnificent, and all the songs are different and interesting. (*****)
Dogs Die In Hot Cars: Please Describe Yourself
Frisbee. No seriously, did you ever wonder what the rest of Dexy's Midnight Runners' (of "Come On Eileen" fame) album must have sounded like? It never even occurred to me until I heard this CD. "I Love You Because I Have To" is great, though. (*)
Snow Patrol: The Final Straw
I am currently obsessed with Snow Patrol. I'm going to see them in May (on my birthday no less!) but now I just have the CD to hold me over. The songs they play on regular radio are kind of boring, but "Run" and "How to Be Dead" are absolutely incredible. I am their new biggest fan. (****)
The Killers: Hot Fuss
Yeah, yeah, everyone has this CD. I know. I kind of played it out when I first got it, but it's definitely going to be one to stay in my CD player for years to come.
Interpol: Antics
I hated Interpol when I first heard them on the radio because the guy's voice totally got on my nerves. But then they released "Evil", and I started listening to the music and found that it was really gorgeous. Now it's absolutely one of my favorite CDs. I highly recommend it. (*****)

Six Great CDs You've Never Heard Of

World Party: Egyptology
You may have heard of this band before, and you may have heard their one and only single, "Ship Of Fools", which appeared on a Greenpeace CD in the 90s and had some MTV play. This CD is not as well known, although the song "She's the One" has appeared on a movie soundtrack. This entire album has amazing complex melodies and layers and tremendously good lyrics. What I think is even more impressive is that the lead singer of World Party actually plays the majority of the musical instruments on the album, as well as writing the songs and producing this album. He had a conflict with Chrysalis, his recording company, and all the copies of this album were pulled off the shelf shortly after the release. A few years ago, I bought one from someone selling their copy on Uselink. Recently, it was re-released, so pick up a copy and enjoy while you have the chance! (*****)
Ben Taylor Band: Famous Among the Barns
I've reviewed this album previously, but I just cannot begin to tell you how much it has grown on me since I originally purchased it almost a year ago. Extremely catchy and inventive and different. I look forward to it rolling around again on my CD player. (****)
Muse: Showbiz
Although their first single from this album, "Muscle Museum", got a fair amount of airplay on alternative radio, Muse quickly faded in popularity in the United States and did not re-emerge until their most recent single, "Time is Running Out", appeared this Spring. This first album from Muse is very inventive with layers of intense melodies. Many have said that Muse is a Radiohead copycat. While it is true that their music is in the same style, I think that you may find that Muse is the more talented of the two. (****)
Ours: Distorted Lullabies
Everybody needs some dark, moody music for rainy days, rotten days at work, dark spots in your life. This one will work just fine. The lead singer of Ours has the most beautiful voice, and his voice is paired with incredibly dramatic music. The melodies will suck you in and will stick with you like a tiny rain cloud. If you don't believe me, check out the Amazon reviews by clicking on the album cover above. (****)
Catherine Wheel: Ferment
It's been over 10 years since this album was released, but still it pops into my head from time to time. Occasionally I hear "Black Metallic", the single from this album, on Sirius on their Chill station, but for the most part, Catherine Wheel is not wellknown in the US. Which is a shame, since their floaty, melodic music is world's better than much of what is played on today's alternative charts. (****)
Kara's Flowers: The Fourth World
Kara's Flowers is actually the precursor to one of the most popular bands on the pop charts today: Maroon 5. While Maroon 5 may be a little funkier and a lot more mature, "The Fourth World" is a collection of terrific poppy, happy little tunes that will brighten your day, and will stick with you longer than the "Songs About Jane". (****)

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