Good morning, Detroit!

It's been a while, eh? I really have no excuse...it's a combination of I really have nothing going on, and well, there's nothing happening that would be entertaining enough for people to read. Though I do enjoy everyone else's blog, so if you keep writing, I'll keep reading. Life's been pretty good, though. Work is a bit slower than I had anticipated, but I got into this business knowing full well these kinds of things shouldn't be surprising. But I'm paying my bills, so I can't complain. 'Alias' has been a bit of a disappointment so far. Yeah, Sydney and Vaughn are cute together, and Marshall is my hero, but where's the cliffhanger ending? Where are the wild twists and turns? When Ron can start predicting the end of every episode, then JJ Abrams hasn't been doing his homework. We do know one thing now: the Russians are looking for Arena and Jack is a sneaky bastard! I like that Jack is slipping toward the 'dark side.' And who IS that baby in the photo? Well, in my perfect world, it's Sark! Bring him back! I really hope that they try and work him in somehow. Mmmmmm...

Well, dodgeball offically kicked my ass last week. I mean, seething pain for days after we played. This is uncalled for. My muscles were bruised - BRUISED! I don't understand how this happens. Where we played was larger than in the RO league, so we're talking running starts and wild flying balls toward my...never mind. This week we'll be taking a break - tonight Ron and I are seeing "Aliens of the Deep." It looks amazing - James Camereon worked with Sony to create a special digital 360-degree camera. The mechanics of the technology escape me, but man, does it look cool!

Anywho, it's been decided that we've been neglecting the WAB on Sundays - anyone up for a bloody mary? I have my personal trainer appointment on Saturday morning...I'm not concerned, simply because it's the YMCA, and I doubt they take a 'work you 'til you puke' stance on exercise. I just want to learn how to be fit!

Okay, must work now...rawk.

Random music notes

Am I a hipster? Really, do I qualify? I've heard Bloc Party for the last three days in a row and I find myself needing to dance. An instinctual need. Unfortunately, I'm not alone in the office, and I might freak out the UPS guy. Does anyone know if their album is out yet in the States? Also, does anyone want to go to The Futureheads next month? Dance, dance, my indie feet have got to dance!

That's all for now...back to work...

Saturday is my favorite day of the week

Nothing soothes the muscles after an intense step aerobic workout like coffee liquor and cream. All the pain just melts away...Anyway, this weekend was most eventful. Friday I had the magic in my fingers as I bowled two games above 100 - 114 and 145. I rule! Never in the history of bowling have I been so consistant. It's no Garden Bowl, though. Oh, the days when we were all unemployed, spending a cool summer's Monday night whining and drinking and bowling for free.

Saturday - field trip - A2. Shopping at Encore requires a list. We wondered aimlessly for an hour. It's just so overwhelming. So many shelves, so much to look at - your mind begins to wander...I wonder if they have this...I can't believe they have this album...I have to go to the bathroom. I picked up some choice back catalogue finds (Deftones "Around the Fur," NIN "Downward Spiral" - re-release double disk - BOO YAH!) and Pete Yorn "Live In New Jersey." Next, a hearty meal and some bitter but tasty brews at the Ann Arbor Brewing Company. I love brew pubs! Requirements include brick walls and wood...lots of wood. Color and type are not important - if there are hard flat surfaces a-plenty, Liz will be found there. Next up, Saturday Looks Good To Me. The kids couldn't stop dancing, and I was one of them. They are so much fun. A little guitar, a little sax, some keyboard, and a lead singer who was totally crushable (Matt couldn't help himself). Perfect pop music - you must bob your head back and forth...you have no choice! I had a blast...after the two worst opening bands in history. Fucking art school projects. If you come across either The Genders or The Pazzazz, run. The other way. As fast as you can. Other than that particular smudge on the evening, good times were had.

Laundry, laundry. It never ends. My fingers gots ta keep folding. Laters!

iShuffle and Strawberries

Do you want to know the quickest way to my heart? 'Cause I just figured it out. Chocolate. Covered. Strawberries. For real, I think I fell in love for a split second yesterday with a fruit. Even better, put them in a box with stems - a bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries? I mean, is there a more sexy combination out there? Strawberries+chocolate=instant sweet lovin'. All you dudes out there, don't dismiss this: it will work. I'm putting my official stamp of approval on this love tactic.

Watch out, PCs everywhere! Mac is blowing the lid off of a new line of products. Mini-Macs are essentially economy hard drives, available (without monitor or keyboard) for $499! "Macs are just too darn expensive" won't cut it anymore. I personally find Macs much more easy to navigate than PCs, so this is good news for all of us who ached for the good life - take it, it's yours! The iPod Shuffle is a half-gig music flash drive which holds 120 songs. It weight about half an ounce and can fit on your keychain! And it's available for $99 (the one gig sells for $149 and holds 240). Now, if you buy into the iShuffle buzz, you're getting ripped off. If you compare gigs per number of songs stored, the 20G iPod should only be giving you 2460 (according to Shuffle's pricing) - sorry, but last time I checked it stores 5,000, busta! I think $99 is dumbity dumb dumb - make it available for $49, then we'll talk about this quirky little toy being worth the money.

Well, I'm outty...back to work. Mmmmmm...love me some miso noodles!

Honorable mentionables

Honorable mention for 2004 goes to Pixies "Wave of Mutilation" compilation. Coachella was fantabulous, but it was the Fox Theater show that clinched it for me. My musical history lesson revealed.

Poof...it's a best of list!

It's amazing what pops into your head while sitting on the couch. Maybe it's the bottled water. Anyway, here is my Best of 2004. This, as you'll notice, is a little bit different. These albums weren't all necessarily released in 2004, but I heard them for the first time in 2004 and said 'well, damn, this is alright.' And away we go, in no particular order:

1. Sun Kil Moon "Ghosts of the Great Highway" - from start to finish, I get lost every single time.

2. The Damnwells "Bastards of the Beat" - after listening to Sleepsinging for the 411th time, I found out the rest of the album is just as solid.

3. Brendan Benson "Lapalco" - found in the used bin at Vertigo in Grand Rapids. Shameful.

4. Placebo "Without You I'm Nothing" - why didn't I realize this album was great six years ago?

5. Kanye West "The College Dropout" - I think with Kanye's workout tape I can get 22s on my Focus - for all my peeps, it's free ninety-nine!

6. The Bens EP - Folds, Lee, Kweller; "Bruised" is one of the best songs ever written. Go ahead. Fight me.

7. The Killers "Hot Fuss" - my favorite new band. How very indie of me.

8. Keane "Hopes and Fears" - I'm such a girl!!! British boys...pianos...*sigh*

9. Snow Patrol "Final Straw" - Why can't all pop music be this good?

10. Beastie Boys "To The 5 Bouroughs" - seeing them live topped it off for me, I was 12, 14, and 17 years old all in one night. Best.

This list is subject to change with mood, appetite or plain ol' forgetfulness. Thanks for reading.

Doesn't it figure?

Great new band alert! Very much in the vein of Pretty Girls Makes Graves and Sleater Kinney, Forget Cassettes can't be beat. Actually, they can. I have a strange history when it comes to discovering new bands. When I really start to do some research, they break up. Or have already broken up. Shit! Why can't I catch a break? Well, check them out anyway. Do it for me.

Step aerobics is kicking my ass, but I'm loving all the lunges, the kicks, the V steps...um, loving is a strong word. Tolerating is more like it. And I'm convinced that Kenny G was actually commissioned by aerobics instructors because there was a serious lack of music for the cool down. I can barely stretch; whenever I hear that saxophone, I just start laughing.

Question: Is anyone a fan of Belle and Sebastian? I like the songs that I hear, but it's not catchy enough. It's too sissy, not enough catchy. Am I missing out? What should I listen to that will make me change my mind? Just an idea.

Remember - Lost and Alias this Wednesday...the menu changes every week...

I am only five years old!

For those of you who enjoy mindless, adolescent humor, the you'll be sure to enjoy Dr. Tran. It's becoming a staple at the Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Animation Festival. To those of you who have way too much free time, I salute you. Also check out this - stick drawings have never been so entertaining.

Looking forward to the rawk this evening...now that I'm back from the gym, time to be lazy...and make homemade coffee liquor. Who says we can't learn anything valuable from our grandparents?

Rapid Eye Movement

After having iTunes on shuffle (the ULTIMATE way to mix it up if you have not idea what you want to listen to), it seems that my computer really like REM's "Up." I have to admit, this is an album that I go back and forth about. I never decide to pick it up and make it part of my weekly commute, but if I happen upon a number of songs in a row, I love this album. It's beautiful. Long, drawn-out vocals; xylophone; pedal steel. If "Walk Unafriad" doesn't get you motivated, then buddy, go back to sleep! I've listened to "Beyond the Sun" a couple of times all the way through. I do enjoy it, particularly the song with Q-Tip. Just as good as KRS-1!

Today's feature presentation: Napoleon Dynamite. Yeah, I'm the last person on Earth to see this movie. I can't wait. Being a former (?) nerd myself, I can appreciate the daily ins and outs of Napoleon's life.

Cynthia, I'm listening to "Daysleeper" and thinking of you!

I think Tony Hawk will steal my boyfriend away from me.

Reality....uuuuuGGGGHHHH

Long time, no blog. Well, I was enjoying lots of time off, and it was devistating to go back to work - at least that was my feeling yesterday. For some reason, I dreaded going to work. Dramatic, I know, but I was so pissy! But today, I'm so glad to be back! I have a sense of refreshment about the new year. So, here's the speed recap: lots of good friending (Como's, Catch Phrase, Spike and Mike Sick and Twisted Animation Festival), a case of the stomach flu that kept me from friending, a new wine tower, lots of kick-ass media, great family get-togethers, New Year's Eve at Old Man Kelley's (Mean Mother!), NYE dinner at Sangria, Dance Dance Revolution EXTREME (I'm awesome).

Still have to reorganize our storage unit, throw things away, make room for new things, and get a membership to the YMCA...tonight! Hope to see you all at Lost/Alias Headquarters on Wednesday for spinach dip, rye bread, and Jennifer Garner!