Favorite/Least Favorite Song of 2006 Thus Far

Maybe it has something to do with that whole new-fangled iPod thing-a-ma-jig, but it seems like a lot more good singles have been coming out lately. So, w/o further ado, let's see what people's favorite/unfavorite songs of the year are.

I want to go with Hips Don't Lie since it might just be the strangest song I've heard in a long while and I probably should pick Crazy, which is great. But instead, I'm going to go with the (unfortunately named) Death Cab For Cutie song I Will Follow You Into The Dark. Because it's just a simple beautiful song. For most unfavorite song of the year, I think there can be no arguing after everyone listens to Fergalicious.

Favorite

"Crazy" Gnarls Barkley:
"I Will Follow You Into The Dark" Death Cab For Cutie: 1
"Hips Like These" Shakira:

Least Favorite

"Fergalicious" Fergie: 1

5 Tips To Give a Decent Karaoke Performance

I believe that Karaoke is something everyone should try at least once in their life (and group singing doesn't count). Being willing to stand in front of a group of strangers and belt out a song when you have a mediocre voice builds something in a person. Whether it is character which is built, that is another question. Still, if you are going to go for it, I do recommend following a few of the below helpful hints to make your performance at least a little less embarrassing.

1. Pick a Song You Know Well
The better you know the song the better. You'll be less dependent on the screen and might even remember a flourish here and there.

2. Pick a Song That fits your pitch
This is kind of harder to know, but matching a song to your personal timbre can make you seem like a better singer than you are. Good singers can pull off any range. But then again, if you're a good singer you have nothing to worry about.

3. Avoid Long Instrumental Solos
Maybe I'm alone here, but if I'm singing I kind of forget I'm up there. But if I'm just standing there I feel like a total idiot. Even worse, I start to feel pressure to dance or at least groove a little w/ the tune- which is a bad bad idea for this soul-less white boy.

4. Get Into It
There's no worse performance than the person who doesn't want to be there. You know, the one who sings quietly and keeps on laughing uncomfortably. If you're going to do this, get into it. And that doesn't mean you need to put on some crazy extreme diva display. But everyone can at least belt it out a little.

5. Get really Drunk
Although you can be too sober for Kareoke, you can never be too drunk. Case in point was a bad Karaoke night for me when I sang (or rapped I guess) Bust a Move stone cold sober (and also violeted rules #1 and #3) and ended the night with full-on wasted meandering Rainbow Connection. Guess which performance I'm still embarrassed about?

Central DIvision Predictions 2006

Looks like a pretty heated race will be on between Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago. Indiana and Milwaukie will be happy to make the playoffs.

1. Detroit Pistons
Last Year: One of the best starts in NBA history fizzled in the playoffs. Did Flip lose the team? Were they too tired? Did the new rules catch up with them. Or maybe it was just Dwayne Wade...

This year: Losing Ben Wallace will hurt them and they will not dominate the regular season like last year. But the other starters are very solid and I do think Flip deserves some credit for the offenses he creates. This is still a very good team, and who knows? Maybe they'll go with McDyess at Center and have no gaps offensively in their starting line-up.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Year: They made all the big off-season moves last summer, all of which pretty much did nothing. Fortunately, Lebron blossomed into the super-star we've all been waiting for and made them contenders.

This Year: Don't see much difference. Lebron is amazing and the hard-core handchecking rules make him that much more. They ended the playoffs almost toppling the Pistons and I see them in the hunt for the Eastern crown all year. Additionally, there's a chance some of those last-season moves could payoff (pick it up Damon, Larry, and Donyell!).

3. Chicago Bulls
Last Year: Mostly last year was a step back and they barely made the playoffs a year after being the East's 4th seed. But they ended the regular season strong and played Miami very tough in the playoffs.

This Year: What happens when you take an average team's biggest strength and make it stronger? The Bulls already were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and now they add PJ Brown and Wallace? Some have criticized the move since it didn't give them any of the low-post game they lacked. This is a valid point and probably means they won't be jumping up to Detroit's level yet. Neverthless, I am happy to see them get rid of the endless project that was Tyson Chandler and add some veteran presence. They also have some guys who might take a step up next year (Kirk, Gordon, and Deng are all solid). This looks to me a like a good team, but not a great one yet.

4. Indiana Pacers
Last Year: It was supposed to be their comeback year and instead it was the same old same old crazy Ron Ron issues. Many people predicted them to win the East, instead they ended at exactly .500.

This Year: Some interesting moves by Bird in the off-season. Overall, they made a lot of little moves that increased their overall athleticism. But their main men are still the same- Tinsley, O'Neal, and Jackson, and I don't see them as making them contenders. I also don't see Harrington doing all that much for them.

5. Milwaukie Bucks
Last Year: Started really strong and still pulled out a playoff spot.

This Year: I believe they will compete for a lower playoff seed, but might not pull it off. Redd is very good, but Bogut is still a couple years away from being an all-star. Villanueva is kind of the wild card. He had his amazing 48-point break through when he got to start at power forward and that's where he should be all of this year. But it also wouldn't surprise me if he took a step back this year. He might have gone from underrated to overrated.

Are These Good Books?

Over the past 3 years I've read three books that all reminded me of eachother: The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen, Russian Debutante's Handbook by Gary Shteyngart, and Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. All 3 are first books by young male authors, have something to do w/ Eastern Europe (Lithuania, Czech Republic/Russia, Ukraine), and seem to all share a great love for absurdity. Although I don't regret reading any, I still have to ask, are any of them actually good books?

I just finished Russian Debutante's Handbook and there was much I liked about it. First of all, it's really funny. I particularly liked his descriptions of the New York Hipster scene and the Prague ex-pat community; he manages to exagerate and steoretype while also making each character unique. Still, I felt this same quality hurt the actual story. For me, these weren't real people, so I could laugh at them or w/ them, but I felt no sympathy. And even though I laughed everyone time I picked up the book, it was very easy to put down since I didn't really care what happened next.

In terms of impact, I think The Corrections is the best book of the three. Although the characters also didn't feel like actual people to me, Franzen is taking aim at modern society and his exagerated characters and plots did make a point. What stuck with me the most was the technologically obsessed family, and I do find myself still thinking about it. Still, he goes on and on and on. And can I really say it's a good book when I only read half? And even in that half I was often skipping? Shouldn't a "good" book be readable (Ulysses lovers need not reply)?

In terms of a good story, I think Everything is Illuminated was my favorite. It has an interesting plot (young man returning to parent's homeland), some great characters (one of my favorite's ever- the young trash talking Ukranian), and a creative style (switching from the Ukranian to the American, to the fable-like story of the town). But there were some significant issues as well, the biggest of which was that the fable-like story was horribly boring. In the end I would give it a "B", that garnered extra attention b/c of its creativity.

Whether these are bad, good, or great books is of course up to interpretation. But I think for sure all three did commit the sin of trying too hard, or at least, trying too hard to be unique. Reading John Coetzee's Disgrace and various Graham Greene novels over the same period reminded me that a really good book needn't reinvent the wheel. The power and importance of a book should be in its characters and plot and not in its style or gimmick. Perhaps as these authors age they will tone the theatrics to good effect. Or perhaps they are just part of a new movement in which being noticed is the number one priority.

CDs I Have Too Many Of

There are some bands I own lots of CDs of whom I regularly listen to (The Beatles, Steve Earle, Insane Clown Posse...) And there are those I do not listen to anymore but am still happy I own b/c it reminds me of a time that I did listen to them a lot (Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and, I have to admit, Phish). But then there are those certain bands who for some unknown reason you have multiple CDs of but it's hard to explain why. Here are 3 of mine

1. Beck
All I should own of Beck is Odelay. But somehow I find myself with about 5 of his CDs. What gives? I think I'm just a sucker for sucker critics who always says seem to fall in love with his latest. But of the last three I've bought (the 3 most recent), each one had some good songs, but failed to maintain itself for a whole album. And, even if I didn't dislike any of them, I never I find myself putting them on.

2. Gorrillaz
I own 3 Gorrillaz albums even though they've only put out 2 albums (wife's plus two of mine). I actually like the Gorrillaz, but this seems like way too many CDs for a band I probably should have just downloaded the main singles from (Clint Eastwood and Feel Good Inc.).

3. Seu Jorge
What is it with me and Seu Jorge? First, I randomly listened to his CD at Everday Music and got it. Then, I found out he was the guy who sang the Portugese David Bowie songs and got that as well. AND THEN, for Christmas, my brother-in-law got me another of his albums b/c we had bonded over the (incredible) movie City of God. I like all of them fine, but 3 Seu Jorge albums? I must have the biggest collection this side of Brazil. Seriously, do you think you will meet another Oregonian in your life with 3???

Yahoo! Atlantic Division Predictions!!!

Sort of a middling division. Other than New Jersey, the rest seemed pretty clumped in the Bad to Medicocre area. I could see 2-5 in any order.

1. New Jersey Nets
Last Year: New Jersey has nothing to be ashamed of about last year. Still, the question remains whether they are actuall Eastern Conference contenders. They ended the year looking good, until they met the Heat. But then again the Heat did win it all...

This year: Everyone's lauding them for their late round pick of Marcus Williams and he may very well pay dividends as Kidd ages, but shouldn't be much of a factor for them this year. Nevertheless, even w/o any big changes, the Nets should win their division pretty easily (unless 2 of the trio Carter, Jefferson, or Kidd gets injured- which is a possibility).

2. Boston Celtics
Last Year: Went with only Pierce in the veteran role and weren't able to pull out a playoff spot.

This Year: For them to get into the playoffs again, at least one of the following players needs to emerge as a star: Telfair, Gerald Green, Perkins, or Al Jefferson. If one uses summer league play as an indicator, it might be 0 for 4. Telfair probably has the best chance. He'll be playing in an offence (fast) that suits him and he already might be the quickest PG in the league. He also has something to prove. Ainge better hope he turns it on, b/c Brandon Roy (who the Blazers drafted w/ the pick they got for Telfair) looked like a can't-miss star in Summer League.

3. Philadelphia 76ers
Last Year: Middling middling middling. Got close enough to sniff the playoffs, but that's not saying a lot in the East.

This Year: Why oh why didn't they trade Iverson? This team is going nowhere and this is probably the last off-season they'll be able to get anything for him. They won't be terrible, but they aren't going to be very good either. Iverson and Webber's contracts are dragging them ever further down as the two ex-superstars continue to age. And as nice a guy as Cheeks is, I'm not sure he's NBA coach material. This year could be ugly.

4. Toronto Raptors
Last Year: I seem to remember them not being terrible last year, but checked to see that they only won 27 times. Ouch. But Bosh did emerge as a start (just in time for a contract extension!)

This Year: I am intrigued by the Raptors. It appears that, along w/ Colangelo, they are importing the Suns offence. So, who knows? Maybe speedy TJ Ford will be Steve Nash Canada, Bagnini will have a Gasol-like rookie season, and Bosh will take that next step up to Lebron/Wade-super-stardom. More likely, this will be a transition year, but is at least in the right direction.

5. NewYork Knicks
Last Year: Total utter disaster

This Year: And a man named Isiah shall lead them. Let's hope so. The Knicks' overpaid underachieving roster has become the biggest joke in the league and part of me thinks some type of Karma will be on the Knicks' side this year. On the other hand Curry is lazy, Marbury and Francis are ball hogs, and I don't see the addition of Balkman or Jeffries really doing much. Maybe a fast-paced offence under the more positive leadership of Thomas will do the trick. Probably not.

Gay Retards

I have a confession to make. Not only do I think the word "retarded" is funny, but I find it disproportionately funny. Like, if someone uses it in a joke, I will laugh twice as hard b/c of their word choice. Sort of like when you were 12 and someone used "fucking" as an adjective.

I guess it's not that big of a deal, but I do like to think of myself as a non-developmentally disabled dissing guy. Or at least not an utter and total hypocrite (I get on students who use the same word). I guess in the end, I like think that I find it funny not in a let's-laugh-at-disabled people sort of way, but more of an I'm-so-beyond-that-type-of-thinking-that-it's-funny-in-a-weren't-we-lame-as-teenagers sort of way.

I had pretty much grown pretty comfortable with this reasoning, but then it all got thrown off the other day when a friend used "gay" to make fun of something. And I think he was using pretty much the same logic. I mean, I know that he's completely non-homophobic, so it seemed to be more of an I'm-so-beyond tact. Maybe even with an edge of I'm-somehow-making-fun-of-the-type-of-people-who-use-this-word-by-using-it-when-I'm-not-prejudiced sort of way. Either way, the logic seemed to be convuluted, at the least and made me question whether I should continue using "retarded".

Still, I do think it's a little different. "Retarded" really is just a synonym for "dumb" or "idiot", and although that's not nice, it's probably no nicer to make fun of dumb idiots. Also, there seems something kind of evil about using "gay" purely as a perjorative (did I use that right?). I'd actually be more okay w/ it if it had something to do with gay people, but instead it's just a synonym for "lame" or "dumb". Most importantly, I guess I'm just more concerned with the plight of gays than the plight of retards, so it does slightly worry me to here that connotation being brought back, even if it wasn't meant that way.

So where I'm at presently is that I'm okay saying "retarded" but not "gay". And gay retards? Well that's fucking hilarious.

Movie Reviews

Little Miss Sunshine: A
Very good movie. If you've seen the preview and thought, that it could be good or could be cheesey, see it- they pull it off. All good actors, funny, and deep if you want it be.

Trust The Man: C+
On the other hand, if you saw this preview and thought it might be good, run run run away to the next theater. It's almost okay. The actors are good, some of the situations are interesting, but it just ended up being kind of lame. They would do stuff like set up an important scene and then have one of the actors start choking or spitting up; it was sort of like an R-rated sitcom.

The Wire- Season 1: A+
Okay not a movie, but rentable. Great great great series. Incredible characters (I think my favorite is the snarky lawyer who defends the gangsters, but there's so many to pick from), feels extremely realistic, and is highly addictive. The only downside I can think of is I'm finding myself becoming increasingly open to the Patriot Act (Fuck all the paperwork and warrants! They need a wire and they need it now).

The Wire- Season 2: A-
At this point there is no going back, I will watch this show every season in its entirety. But a bit of a let down. Besides the acting being weaker (Ziggy???), it just felt more diffused. They spent a lot of time picking up on the lives of the other characters and they were balancing the towers and the dock. I liked the focus of the first one. At times it seemed like even the characters were missing the first season (like when they waxed poetic about the Barksdale Case). Still good, but a step down.

The Puffy Chair-First 5 minutes: F-
Weird baby talk, jostling camera, dumb... Okay, maybe it got better. Wife and I wouldn't know b/c we happily departed to attend Friends With Money (B).

Worst Song Ever?

The other day I heard the Aerosmith song Dude Looks Like a Lady and the thought crossed my mind, could this actually be the worst song ever? Let's see how it does on some important "Bad Song" criteria.

1)Badly Catchy
Obviously, you could make a much less listenable song than almost anything on the radio. Is cats screeching over discordant guitar chords harder to listen to than Dude Looks Like a Lady? Of course. But you would never put it on and it would never be on the radio, so you'd never be tortured by it. No, the worst song ever needs to not only by radio accessible, but the type that sticks in your head. It doesn't matter if you turn off the radio, b/c it will be back. I think Dude Looks Like a Lady definitely qualifies in this category, with its annoyingly repetitive anthem-like chorus.

2)Pointlessness
Would the world have changed in any way if Dude Looks Like a Lady had never been sung? Exactly. There is just no reason for its existence. Possibly, you could argue that it gets at the Crying Game subconsious fear in men. But then it should have been called "Lady Is a Dude" (and anyway, Pharcyde covered this territory well with Oh Shit).

3) Negative Connection
When you end up connecting a song to a bad story or negative experience, it can often make a bad song terrible. What makes Dude Looks Like a Lady even a worse song for me is my sister telling me that a fraternity across the street from her used to play "Sigma Beta Pheta" to the tune of "DLLAL". Not my experience, but certainly adds an extra cringe factor when I hear it.

So yes, after really analyzing it, I think I have convinced myself. Dude Looks Like a Lady just might be the worst song ever.

Armenia or Bust

For my last international recipe of the summer I made Stuffed Lamb Flank (login: IWMS password: wolverines) and the end result was mixed. The lamb itself was great, but the insides...

I think the initial problem is that it's kind of difficult to get non-ground lamb. I had to get them to debone a leg at New Seasons and it ended up being a lot of thick meat. The downside was that it took about an extra hour to cook and it still wasn't quite done. The upside, was that bloody lamb is pretty bloody good.

I did have issues with the stuffing. They butterflied it, but the meat was so thick I couldn't really fit anything inside of it. It was kind of like trying to stuff between two blocks of wood, it just kind of made its own layer and then fell out. This meant that most of the rice never cooked. So the dining experience itself was a little schizophrenic. Hmmm juicey tastey lamb. Chew Chew Chew. Ouch, hard piece of rice. Hmmm. back to the...

As for the summer cooking, I really did expect to get farther than Armenia, but that's okay. My new plan is to finish off the A's (3 more to go, but shouldn't I just skip Australia?), and then pick the three top A's and get good at those this year. So if you're looking for some good Albanian, you will know where to go.

Recipes A-Z
Afghani Chicken
Albanian Baked Lamb
Algerian Malt O Meal
Angolan Fish Stew
Argentina's Matahambre