musica

Here's my top ten albums of 2008. I know you all are itching to know what I think everyone should have in their itunes library. (sarcasm) Anywho, here they are:

10) Matt Costa's "Unfamiliar Faces"

Matt Costa never fails. His music is so poppy and happy but in a good, delicious way. His second album is almost as good as his debut album "Songs We Sing," but I may also be a little biased. Regardless, it's a great album to make you feel good.

9) Britney Spears' "Circus"

Although I know this album has gotten bad reviews, it has been my guilty pleasure while driving around for the past few weeks since it's release. I will always secretly love Britney even if I sometimes deny it to make myself look "cool." It's good dancing music.

8) Jenny Lewis' "Acid Tongue" I've always loved loved loved Jenny Lewis in Rilo Kiley, so the transition from listening to her in Rilo Kiley to listening to her solo work was an easy one. With her soothing voice and simple melodies, it was easy to fall in love with this album.

7) Sigur Ros' "med sum i eyrum vid spilum endalaust"

Sigur Ros is such a unique band. Although I never know what they're saying, I love listening to their beautiful music. With one song in english on this album, it is probably one of their best. Great for listening to when in need of relaxation. I listen to them when I study constantly.

6) Rivers Cuomo's "Alone, Vol. 2 -- The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo"

Way better than his volume 1 of home recordings, in my opinion. With gems that Weezer fanatics (such as myself) have known and loved for years like "Paperface" and "Walt Disney", this album is something that should have come out a long time ago. He also has a beautiful cover of The Beach Boys' song "Don't Worry Baby." I love this album and will continue to for a long, long, time.

5) Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through The Static"

Sexy music by a sexy man. I will always love this guy and his newest album did not fail. Period.

4) Ra Ra Riot's "The Rhumb Line"

I discovered this band this year and am so glad that I did. They are fabulous. I would not be surprised if this band continued to get a bigger fan base; their talent is pure and raw and I dig it.

3) Death Cab For Cutie's "Narrow Stairs"

I may be a little biased in these last three albums since they come from three of my favorite bands, but they're still good, regardless. Death Cab fans rejoiced with the release of Narrow Stairs with an epic 8-minute single, "I Will Possess Your Heart." Ben Gibbard's lyrics always speak to me and they did yet again with this album.

2) Weezer's "Red Album"

The combination of Weezer being my favorite band of all time and being disappointed in their last album, "Make Believe", I wasn't getting my hopes up TOO high for this album. I was pleasantly surprised with this album. They let all of their stereotypes go and finally made music for themselves again. It sounded like the good 'ole Weezer, taking me back to the Blue album and Pinkerton. This album is something unique to today's music, mixing it up and letting the drummer and bassist play guitar and sing for some songs. I'm happy Weezer has finally stopped letting what society wants contribute to their music; they are being themselves again..finally. And I'm jumping for joy for that simple fact.

and number 1 is...

Coldplay's "Viva La Vida"Yes, this album tops Weezer's in my book for the year 2008. I could listen to this album over and over and over again and still not get sick of it. It's so much better than "X&Y." I'm so glad that Coldplay has shown the world what they are capable of once again. Although it doesn't top "A Rush of Blood To The Head" in my world, it's way up there. Don't believe me? Listen to "Strawberry Swing" and "Death and All His Friends" and if that doesn't change your mind about this album, I don't know what will.

happenings.

So let's see...

new things.

I guess I shall start with last week, which would include the Coldplay concert. I was lucky enough (or willing enough to spend lots of money to see this ridiculously amazing band) this past week. All of my girlfriends from home came up to Dallas and we witnessed an amazing concert by this awesome band. I'd seen them before, and I noticed quite a change in Chris Martin. He's so just...more talkative. And I love hearing him talk. So it was very blissful. And then the girls came and crashed at my apartment and it was so fun to just get to spend some time with them. I never truly realize how much I miss them until I get to spend time with them.

The next day, we have quite an adventure in our apartment. Sabrina and I had been hearing something in our laundry room for a few days. We thought it was a mouse and when we looked for it, we came across a hole in the wall for the "lent tube" (I don't know what it's real name is..) and so we assumed it was crawling up that hole. On this particular day, the "scratching" by our mouse, Rascal, was quite loud. So, Sabrina and I, called up a few of our guy friends and had them come over and rescue us from the mouse. They had all these shoe boxes lined up outside the laundry room door in case the mouse ran out. Hilarious! After figuring out that it was in the tube, one held a shoe box to catch the mouse under the tube and one cut off the zip tie holding the tube to the wall. Expecting a mouse to simply fall in the box, we were all very very very shocked when a HUGE bird flew out and about our aparment. Amidst our screamings, I ran to the balcony door and just opened it and it simply flew out. It was hilarious but terrifying all at once. We were all out of breath with shock and laughter. I'm just glad it didn't poop on our rug or something. :)

I saw Twilight at midnight. I recommend reading the book. That's all I'm going to say on that topic considering I've already angered random girls in my english class by stating my opinions of the movie.

ANYWHO. Last week I was surprised with the best surprise ever. Karl told us all he had a surprise and we had no idea what to expect. It ended up being Christopher Bolton, back from Canada, with the news that he was returning to UNT in the spring. I am so stoked to have on of my bestest friends back in the states. He's always been a great friend to me and I think him being away only made our friendship that much better. He's a great person and I can't EVEN begin to explain how ecstatic I am to have him back. :)

Thanksgiving was yesterday. My grandmother has always cooked Thanksgiving dinner for our family. Ever since I was a little girl, her cooking on Thanksgiving has always been a vivid memory for me. These past couple of months, however, she's been having troubles with her blood pressure. She gets sleepy faster and just needs to sit a lot. Which isn't a HUGE deal and I know the doctors will get it under control, but it effected her ability to stand in the kitchen all day cooking. So, this year, for the first time ever, my mother and Aunt cooked everything EXCEPT the turkey, which my Paw-Paw cooked. It was amazing to see how much my Grandma appreciated it. I literally saw her wiping tears from her eyes as we were all helping to get the spread of delicious foods ready for consuming. My Paw-Paw just held her and kissed her forehead. It was a beautiful thing to witness. I love my family. I think that's one of the reasons Thanksgiving is my absolute FAVORITE holiday.

Anywho. I guess that's all that's new from Beth. Hope all is well with you all. Love.

It's your God forsaken right to be loved, loved, loved.

A couple things.

First off:
the election.
The wonderful thing about this country is that you are not obligated at all to say who you voted for, who you voted for, or if you even voted. It is your privilege as a citizen to vote and many men have died for us to have this right. So, me, being the patriotic American citizen that I am, voted. But alas, I do not have to say who I voted for. Regardless of who my vote went towards, the election is over and we now know who our future president will be as of January 21st 2009. Barack Obama is our future president. Now, all biases beside, I am very very proud of our country for electing this man. Looking back, we have been prejudice against anyone different than a white man. And, regardless of the prejudices that still exsist, we have come a long way. And it makes me absolutely ecstatic to think that in the future my children and my children's children can look at what we did this year in 2008 and no longer see African American as a "inferior"race. Maybe Obama will stop this racism for good. I know I'm jumping the gun here. He may turn out to be a horrible president and ignorant people will never want to elect a African American again. ANYWAY, I'm very proud to be an American at this point in time. This election has had a huge impact on me. The fact that I myself made a different in this country -- regardless who I voted for -- have made me feel important and adultish. Watching other countries celebrating in streets for Obama's victory made me feel happy about our country's future. Seeing McCain humbly take his loss and urge the country to support Obama regardless of who won made me happy; most politicians seem slimey and I'm so proud of both of these men for what've they've been aiming to accomplish for our country. What I did NOT like the night of the election/the following couple of days were the endless facebook statuses bashing Obama and his win. I understand McCain followers were upset, but the things I was reading were not just "So-And-So is disappointed in who won." it was like "What's-Her-Face is ashamed to be an American tonight and is not looking forward to the downfall of this country." or "This Guy is moving to Canada because Obama is friends with terrorists and is going to kill everyone who is alive." Or the even more ridiculous claims that Obama doesn't support the militairy, will tear the economy and our health care system apart, and will make this country socialist. Be proud to be where we are. America is in a sticky situation. The economy has gone to crap and we have troops in a war that no one really understands what is being fought for. I understand being upset that your guy didn't win. But not supporting your country?! This is ridiculous to me. As a nation, we can not get anything accomplished without being united. McCain even said this in his speech on election night after Obama's victory. McCain wants his supporters to support Obama because he truly believes this country needs it. Not since September 11th, 2001 have I seen this country been united. After that terrible incident, the country came together as one to ease the mourning. What is it going to take to be united again? Another terrorist attack?? I sure hope not. It's ridiculous and outrageous and furiates me to no end. The next day people were sporting black because "America died" and had shirts with upside down American flags with "R.I.P. America". So. Dumb. I just wish that people would understand what happened this year is HISTORIC. It would have been either way with Palin being the first female to be Vice President. Be proud that we got over our prejudicism and elected someone different. I'm so proud ofwhere this country has been, is now, and is headed.

Ranting: over. Promise. :)

This weekend I got the privelege to indulge myself in very educational things that I haven't gotten to do in a long time. Friday afternoon a few friends and I ventured to Gainesville to go to the Frank Buck Zoo. Which, if you get a chance, go. It's only 6 dollars and the people there are super nice. We saw Charlie the macaw and Ruby the red fox. Charlie says "hello!" when you say "Hey, Charlie!". Adorable. I was in complete awe after realizing that this world is so diverse. God is good. And a genius. Saturday afternoon Sabrina and I went to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. Which, I also recommend going to if you get a chance. There's a free section and one to pay, but we just walked around the free section. Which is great. It was very intriguing. We met a really nice museum watch-man? who talked to us about the pieces of art on display. People who love their lives always make me so giddy. He literally was just walking around talking to everybody.

Anyway, I guess that's about all for now. Until next time. :)

Bloggings

Hey all! It's Beth here. I'm assuming if you're reading this that you know that already, though.

So, I guess this will be my first "blog." And...I don't know what to talk about.

I guess I could talk about the upcoming presidential election. This is a very exciting time for our country, I think. Despite the outcome of the election, this country will experience a historic breakthrough, either with a black male president or a white female vice president. It's an exciting time and I'm very very anxious to see who will win. It'll be a close call, I think. This country is kind of split with who they love and hopefully this election can change that. Change has been a word that has been uttered from the lips of politicians for months and months and months; it's all coming down to this. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

Also: UNT won this weekend. For those who don't know, UNT was ranked last in the nation of college football. That being said, we hadn't won a single game until this past weekend. And we won 51-40! Regardless if it was against Western Kentucky or not. We won! My roommates and I celebrated by making a sign on cardboard that says "Holy dump! UNT WON!!" I really do love that our apartment faces the street so we can express our school spirit to this great city.

I guess that's all for now. I should get to work on my Spanish presentation for tomorrow, but I'll probably just read and go to bed. Love love.