We're almost done with 2002, which, of course, means an endless parade of best-of lists....
here's part of my end-of-the-year best of float.

Best Albums of 2002
(not in any real particularly particular order...which means they are somewhat ordered, but not religiously so):

1. Wilco
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Nonesuch
This was actually my favorite album of 2001 - but since it didn't come out until this year, I had to wait to list it. The beauty of this record lies not only in its marriage of pop and folk and rock and electronica - it's in the melancholy cynicism of Jeff Tweedy's voice and lyrics.

2. Mirah
Advisory Committee
K Records
A winning blend of folk, hip-hop, pop and electronica with poignant, funny and smart lyrics. Sort of an updated Liz Phair without the scathing self-loathing.

3. The Mooney Suzuki
Electric Sweat
Gammon Records
Pure rock'n'roll fun

3. Paul Westerberg / Grandpaboy
Stereo/Mono
Vagrant
I know this is actually two records - not one - but for me they exist as one body of work. A gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, touching, angry, sad, spiritually-drunk, wonderful body of work

4. The Streets
Original Pirate Material
Vice
Refreshing British hip-hop that's totally infectious, mesmerizing and fun.

5. Sahara Hotnights
Jennie Bomb
Jetset
The Runaways as redefined by four Swedish girls...

6. Badly Drawn Boy
About a Boy (soundtrack)
Artist Direct / BMG
Simply beautiful.

7. Ben Kweller
Sha Sha
Ato Records
Former rock boy wonder (he of the infamous Radish) delivers an angsty yet self-deprecating and totally catchy pop / rock record.

8. Departure Lounge
Too Late to Die Young
Bella Union
Beautiful pop and electronica that is slowly absorbed into your soul and consciousness like a memory.

9. Rilo Kiley
The Execution of All Things
Saddle Creek
It may sound like sugary-sweet folk-pop but go deeper and listen to the lyrics and you will find the wonder and truth of the decay beneath the surface. All that and the band features two former child TV stars - what more could you want?

10. Puffy AmiYumi
An Illustrated History Of...
Bar None
American pop redefined by a Japanese girl pop duo - with traces of Cheap Trick, the Beatles and the Who coursing through this duo's music it's at once familiar and amazingly new.

11. Beck
Sea Change
Geffen
Painfully sad and real.

12. Elvis Costello
When I Was Cruel
Island
Don't call it a comeback....

13. Aimee Mann
Lost in Space
United Musicians
Angry, scathing, bewildered, mournful and amazing pop.

14. The Raveonettes
Whip it On
Crunchy Frog
This CD seems to be stuck on "repeat" on my player - just can't get enough of this Jesus and Mary Chain-inspired wall-of-sound Danish duo.

15. I Break Chairs
Damien Jurado
Sub Pop
Jurado's trademark hatful of hollow is amped up by a full rock band.

with strong showings by: Iron & Wine, Sleater-Kinney, Doug Martsch, Mates of State, I Am the World Trade Center, Sondre Lerche, Spoon and Blackaliciuos

Best shows of 2002
(Not that I saw a ton of shows this year - in fact I saw fewer shows in 2002 than I normally do in a given year):

1. Jon Brion & friends
Largo
Los Angeles

2. Paul Westerberg
Virgin Records
San Francisco

3. Mirah/ The Blow
Magic Theatre
Nevada City

4. Wilco
Warfield
San Francisco

5. Flaming Lips / Beck
Paramount
Oakland

6. Blondie
Fillmore
San Francisco

7. Elvis Costello
Reno Hilton
Reno

Shows I wish I hadn't missed:

The Mooney Suzuki
Sahara Hotnights
Puffy AmiYumi

Biggest disappointments live:

The White Stripes.
Don't get me wrong, I love the White Stripes and I think Jack White is incredibly charismatic...but that whole blues jam thing doesn't do much for me. I'm in the minority here....

Favorite films of 2002:
(so far)

1. About a Boy
2. Punch Drunk Love
3. Adaptation
4. Lovely & Amazing
5. Bowling for Columbine


more lists later, perhaps - I know there is stuff I'm forgetting...

by the way, I'm 33 today - how did that happen?

Oh fuck, Joe Strummer died yesterday - heart attack. Age 50.

So the snake outplayed the rat - but my question is, did Survivor winner Brian Heidek's wife Charmaine remain at least 100 feet away from estranged husband during last night's reunion show?

So, Trent Lott is out, now who is in?

i have a major, major headache ... this is not helping the fact that I have three more stories to write in three-and-a-half days plus Christmas shopping / cooking / gift-wrapping.
On the upside, however, I have finished my final term paper. It is revised, proofed and turned in. And, at this point, I really and truly don't care what the outcome is. I'm sure I'll feel differently a week from now when the grades are posted. But right now I am so mentally fatigued that I just can't even think about thinking, much less caring....
I have a million and one things that I want to post here --I've been very remiss lately and I'm sorry - but they will have to wait until my head stops spinning / imploding / exploding ....blah blah blah blah.

and, in other sad news....Stereolab vocalist Mary Hanson died today when she was hit by a vehicle while riding her bike.

Want to teach your kids (or niece, nephew, whatever) how to play war? Check out this link to a new just-in-time-for-the-holidays toy that JC Penny is selling on its web site - yes, it's a doll house that looks as if it's been bombed.... Burned out walls, broken balcony - this 75 piece set includes "one 11½"H figurine in military combat gear, toy weapons, American flag, chairs and more ... Ages 5 and up.". That's right, fun for the whole family.

Umm ...hmmm

I have issues with...

gender submission society work mother

Take Word Association Test

and…..well....considering how I even have the Enid doll....

Ack, has it really been more than a week since I updated?

....So, you'd think I'd be very happy right now...last night I finished a draft of my 18 page term paper and e-mailed it to my professor. Since I had my last workshop on Tuesday and I can't do anything on this lit term paper until I hear back from the professor next week - I basically have no homework this weekend. Bliss right?
Er, wrong. I think my head is spinning even faster than it was before. There are only 19 shopping days left until Christmas and I haven't even started buying gifts much less figured out what I want to get people. Oh, and I have two weeks of work before I go on a two week vacation. Again, should be in bliss right? Again, you would be wrong. I have eight stories to write for work - plus, major prep work for two stories I have to do as soon as I get back on Jan. 6. And then there's always the chance I might have jury duty on Jan. 6 (they were supposed to reschedule my jury duty from the fall to a time during my semester break, but I haven't received anything yet) - so I really better be prepared to kick work ass because the two stories that are supposed to run that week, can't be pushed back.

Oh yeah, and I have a freelance story to write this week. Why. Why. WHY do I do this to myself? No comments from you, Cory : )....I know I've been a pain to be around lately (a bigger pain than usual, I should say), and I'm sorry! Really....I'm going to try and calm down a little bit....my hourly freakouts are not fun for anyone, including me.....
OK, deep breaths....