He Likes Her Christmas Gift

Well at least it is getting used but is there any wonder why Jazzie hates me and why she insists on beating Pumpkin's ass out of jealousy?

It was as if she got nothing at all for Christmas...

She's going to kill me whilst I sleep one night.

Oh yes, she is.

Merry Christmas and Happy Decemberween, Everyone!!!!!

I hope everyone has a great time this day with lots of prezzies, food and of course, family fun.

Prezzie lists to come but thank you all so much for being the best frenemies we could have.

Edit on 12/25/09 @ 5:51 p.m.:

Thanks to everyone for the goo'd times! I hope you all enjoyed your presents as much as we did (except you, TD5.  What happened there?! We are stunned you did you not like your print... stunned and depressed.  In our mind, we're still convinced you were fascinated on some level by that movie and not disturbed as you pointed out.  Now it looks like you will be disturbed for the rest of your life! Even so, a storm trooper...surrounded by petals...American Beauty style.  It's funny!).

This year, the tree did not spew presents into the living room as it usually does...

Who lives in a pineapple in the Christmas tree?

But it somehow managed spew up lots for B'H.

Curse that kid! I'll never win the present war again!

Although H1 has been owning me the last few years...

Curse you, Luuuuuiiiiisssss.

The Christmas Day Massacre went down like serious buisness today.  I am waiting to get mine but I think a lot of us have it coming...

H1's LIST

1.   From Bughie J. : Breads of all kinds! And brownies! Yummy.

2.   From Sandy Cheeks: Moose Munch!
3.   From Faye: stylesque clips
4.   From Alex: a monogram tote bag.  Ooooo.
5.   From E. and A.: a baked goodies basket.  (I see some cookies in there that I might need to get into soon).
6.   From Luuuuiiiissssss: Hot pads, make-up gift certificate, clothes, Rachel Ray cooking book (let the REAL massacre begin), and a Nook (not Tom.  He's a biatch).
7.   From Boobey Head: a watch
8.   From Momma Ho and Papa Ho: a sweater, and a sweet emerald & diamond ring
9.   From MC & KIMPOSSIBLE: The Pioneer Woman's Cook Book (I'll have to send it away to be autographed), and Modern Art Appreciation Breath Freshner.  Ooo, you guys are in trouuubbbbllleeee.
10. From TD5: The Labyrinth Soundtrack (finally! One of those things I never got for her but always wanted to)
11. From X: An addition to the Christmas Day Massacre in the form of 4 ramekins (X, see the picture? Notice how she's clutching that popcorn stuffing in anger!!!!)
12. From Sons - Mons
13. From Or 2: Le Creuset cookware set with ramekins, casserole dishes, stock pot and 3 1/4 quart pot (sorry I didn't get a bigger pot, H1), J.R.R. Tolkein's The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún,Arctic Monkeys ticket (although she my argue that I forced her to go), and "Lunch Atop the Skyscraper" print by Mike Stimpson.

Added on 01/02/2010:

14. From Aims: Makeup and a pair of silver earrings
15. From Frass: A pair of blingy earrings (and an awesome skate tag with bells)

Or 2's LIST

1.   From Bughie J.: Lots of yummy breads and brownies.  Which everyone ate off! Curse them! The gift of music and space on which to store it.  Ooooo.
2.   From Gen' Frien': My very own awesome Lucky Bag complete with bento box, special winter edition snacks and stationery/pencil sets.  Ooooooo.
3.   From MUSE: Yes, I can always count on them to send me a digital prezzie of a video.  This year they sent a video of "MK Ultra" live from Italy.
4.   From Faye: Stylesque hair clips (for my hair that's always in a mushroom and the hair I'm constantly bitchin' about).
5.   From Sandy Cheeks: Skeleanimals! A Christmas style Skeleanimal, and a set of keychains.  They're so cute! But not as cute as Gen' Frien's Skeles.
6.   From Alex and J.J.: Manga! Wheeee! D. Gray-Man and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles.
7.   From Luuuuuuiiiissssss: Manga! Wheeee! D. Gray-Man and xxxHolic
8.   From Boobey Head: an Invicta red-faced watch.  I was told it was to show off whatever displaced Trini was in me.  I'm not sure I am agreeable to this.  I also got Christmas Eve Pajamas that are not trying to trip me.
9.   From Momma Ho and Papa Ho: Space.  An awesome chest of drawers that I needed and am excited to set up so I can finally display all my things and clean up.  Oooo, can't wait to organize! And a nice sweater, as well as TWO tins of Royal Dansk Butter Cookies.  Oh yeah.
10. From MC & kIMPOSSIBLE: Hotel Dusk for the DS.  I hope this game doesn't drive me nuts., and bacon bandaids.  Ah, bacon.  Can't go wrong there.
11. From TD5: Monster.  Only the best Anime series, ever!!!!!!
12. From X: Bleach Season 2 dvd.  Oooooo.  Love that damned show.
13. From Sons: Mons
14. From H1: The Beatles Stereo Box Set!! (I did pay for half but it was the one thing I wanted most! Wheeee! Now I can educate myself!)
15. From Me to Me: Scribblenauts for the DS, Persona for the PSP, tickets to MUSE @ WS 2010 and tickets to MUSE @ MSG 2010.  Ugh, yes...already it has started.
16. From The Cheat & Diderick: Royal Dansk Season Tin Butter cookies.  I thought this was a recession!
17. From Gnomey-Gnome: The coolest gift of all- a mini-ornament shaped bottle of Diet Coke.  Greatness.

Awww, here's my little Gnome chittering away to the bottle of Coke. 

He makes friends easily.

Added on 01/02/2010:

18. From Aims: A marzipan piggyh, Rock Band: Unplugged (PSP), Bleach Season 2 Box Set - sadly, Amazon screwed up by giving me a duplicate to X's (har har) and I will have to exchange.  But for what I wonder...hmmmmm...

19. From Frass: Bleach Season 1, and an awesome box of cadburys goodies and a catch.  Saweet!

Currently: Feeling sleepy... and disturbed that we're having these random thunderstorms in winter.  They scare me.  Man, I hate Christmas Day sometimes - it always goes by so quickly.

Fall's Over! Winter's Here!

And is it ever... after a stretch of warm weather, we got blasted with coldness and a snow storm.  There's the freezing rain report for tomorrow Christmas Day, and bad weather for the Midwest but we're hoping everyone has a safe, happy Christmas.

So farewell Fall and farewell Scarecrow.

Bye Harvest Feasting and the crispy leaves.

Until next year...

Now we usher in Christmas with two friends in the tree...sparkling through the night whilst watching over the presents and waiting for Santa to come (Santa exists now, apparently according to B'H).

They will wait, smiling happily, telling snowy tails to each other way into the night and into Christmas morning until the HOchieS awake and celebrate together.

Decemberween Eve!

I failed this year.

The Cheat and Diderick got me Royal Dansk Butter Cookies in a fancy schmancy bag-like thing, and the tin is fancy schmancy as well. 

And I got them NOTHING.

Well, as soon as that Buffy comic comes out, I will be buying it for them...or The Cheat rather.  Diderick needs his classic reads.

Perhaps I can pull a fast one and wrap up that Simpsons Scene It game for them.

Shhhh.

Don't let them know!

The Airing of Grievances 2009

My anger is fierce.

1. Chase and Amazon.  If Chase didn't eff me over big time this year, I could have had a billion gift certificates from Amazon by now!

2. X -  This grievance is for you and you alone so stop your bitchin'.  Prezzies from Japan while welcome become null and void if they are bought to distract.  Don't forget that I cannot be bribed! Because I will take your 'bribery' and STILL I will remember your misgivings.  Don't think I forgot that you left us for Bim this year!

3. Bunji - What the heck? You come live with us for a few, make me stay up way late on work days, had me playing Resident Evil 5 until 2 a.m. and then you go to N.C. to live? At least it wasn't Arizona or out nyo again, and since N.C. is like Westchester, then that is the only thing securing your place after X and not before.

4. Beetchie - I accept that you needed to move from the island.  It's great that you did because it needed to be done.  But there was no reason to go to Oregon and begin the Hippy process.  Getting an iphone did not do you any favours either because your smug is overwhelming.
Also, stop ditching us for booty.  Pretty soon, we won't feed you if you come around.

5. MC! Wow, last year you were number 1 and this year...look! Number 4! And no, I'm not incorrect in my count.  This year, you went ahead and got married which is fine but you only introduced us to Kimpossible the night before the wedding.  Wha'?! And you didn't feed us! And on top of that, you made this Ho take in sun not only in Trinidad but Tobago too? You know, I was proud to be displaced - I was the only Trini to never have been to Tobago and now my displacement is in ruins.  Thanks, thanks a lot.

6. Frass - you weren't really bad per say this year.  You didn't feed us like you did last year but you're forgiven being that you had to get a new job and all.  You did bring us alcohol which is becoming a frequent event that we enjoy.  However, you did sleep through Black Friday plans again.  Should we just come to an understanding that we shouldn't make plans that day?  Afterall, I probably cannot support both you and my Amazon addictions on that day.

7. TD5 - Hmmm...you are only on this list for getting "505" before H1.  Other than that, you were awesome for coming in August and sharing great times with me.  We saw YYY together, got sick (or rather I got sick), braved assland NJ and almost got struck by lightning.  Oh! and we shared a new GCS tradition of eating ice-cream on the train after a concert.  And Arctic Monkeys was great.  You almost made the top of the list for inviting people to eat my stuffing but as it turns out, we like them a lot so you are spared.  We heart you.

8. Bughie J. - Bread? Greatness.  Brownies? Extra Greatness.  Not enough brownies? Grievance list for you.  It's not your fault that there was a Beetchie, Bunji and Bo Brownies incident but if we had TWO batches, I'd not be crying now! Thanks for our treats!

9. Clee - threatening us with 1 week MAYBE of visits next year is like slapping us in the face! What happened to our 5 weeks?! Okay, we understand why no 5 week sand we can't wait to watch Toy Story 3 with you.  But please, keep your smuggery at home.

10. Gen' Frien' - No grievances against you.  I just didn't want you to feel left out.

11. Anj. - no grievances against you either - I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention.  Are you?

Happy Festivus, All Frenemies!

The End of Year Review IV: Broadway, Concerts and the Best of the Blog 2009

This year I saw a couple of favourites again for the millionth time, some might say.  And you guys should shut it!
I also finally saw two of my favourite bands for the first time and what will be the last time for the foreseeable future.

It turned out to be a busy year afterall for shows, but also, we had a sad year overall but we're thankful for lots as usual and hope for an awesome 2010 for all!

7.  U2 at Giants Stadium turned out to be a damned nightmare.  I never wanted to go to this to begin with and only went for MUSE.  It turns out that not even MUSE could correct the awful night we had (but of course they were awesome).  U2 toured on a crap album and they're really showing their age - with forgotten lyrics and timing-off.  Yeesh.  This was definitely the worst show we saw this year and that's surprising.  Oh, it didn't help it that we missed Yeah Yeah Yeahs for this.  Psh.

6. All Points West on Friday.  This was the best free concert surprise! TD5 came up to see AM and just like that, tickets appeared and I got to see YYY and he got to see Vampire Weekend.  Though I suppose nothing is for free because we did have to trek to assland.

5. I never expected I would see Arctic Monkeys twice this year and I don't want to go back to a concert in December.  There's always that risk of the coldest night of the year which is exactly what happened to us.  Then there's always the trauma of having a crappy support band as AM likes to pick them.  And the threat of a not so awesome show.  That should never happen with AM but this isn't the best album either.  It did not help that the show was at the cornerstone either.

4. I may never be that close to Alex, Matthew, The Cookie and Nick again in my life.  It was not the best show I've seen from Arctic Monkeys due to material played but it was quite memorable being in such a tiny space such as The Highline Ballroom with my favourite boys.  And to think, I could have reached out and touched Nick! Too bad that effin' P. Diddy had to ruin things by showing up.  I really did not need to see that.

3. I like Green Day and was upset with myself when I missed the American Idiot/Bullet in a Bible tour. They had a really stupid album this time around but I was not expecting what transpired at MSG. They played for three hours straight and were incredible! I would recommend that everyone see them if given the chance.

2. I never thought the day would come when Jude Law would be on any list of mine.  That man is an ass, let us just get that out there but I suppose you can be an ass and still be a great actor.  Aren't most of them are? We saw him in Hamlet and I am still in awe.

1. Nine Inch Nails.  It took me 15 years to see one of my favourite bands and just as they were on their way out.  I discovered I hate Terminal 5 with a passion and I am really thankful I will never have to experience NINfluenza again.  But I am really sad that I will never get to see them again or that H1 will not get to see them.  That was one of the best shows I have been to.  Oh NIN, come baaaaackkkkkk!!!!

Like I said, this year wasn't the best but surely we had some good memories each month!!!

January saw this HOchie with a not so pg13 lucky lucky bag.  I'm still trying to pass off the sekshi toys on some unsuspecting fool but do you people remember the the hip parade?

Hmmm, what do you suppose we should give up for Lent  this February?

Hey, looks like March wasn't that bad.  We made good memories with Bunji and A'Face even though both were kinda scary moments - all I have to say is, zombies scare the eff out of me but still be pretty funny. And I feel really sorry for Spiderman.

April brought me new shady, pirate friends and made me remember one of the horrors of video game history and just how bad I can be at saving people..

What's that they say about Spring and May Flowers? And NKOTB? Say it ain't so...

Our little MC got married in June and while we got to share in the happiness and greatness that is Trinidad and Tobago, we sadly did not get to see our little Pandy get married.

H1 likes to torture me and also make fun of my 'lack' of skills.  She has no idea how that keeps me up at night... But I suppose it was only payback for what I did to her.  Though she seems to be have had lots of debacles of her own.

August is always an ass month but we were quite busy! With NIN, Arctic Monkeys and All Points West, we had quite the few weeks and then of course, August always proves what it is and hits me with sickness like never before.  Ack, damned NINfluenza.

September saw us having crap with U2 but at least we made it up by having fun memories with our friends in the kids room.

October was surprisingly quiet but it wouldn't be October without a Zombie panic attack.

We had fun times in November with Thanksgiving week including attending Hamlet.

And here we have December - there are still days left for memories but so far, it's been a crazy not-so-great month but we're looking forward to Christmas and some time off with each other.

Currently listening to: Whatever is playing in The Hangover.

The End of Year Review III : Video Games 2009

I divided up my time between gaming and watching anime this year, it seems.

Somehow, I managed to touch 14 games!

Even I was impressed but mostly disturbed by this revelation.

Well, 'touching' 14 games does not necessarily translate into my having played them in full.  That is an annoying 'tick' on my part since I am all about doing one thing at a time when it comes to gaming but here's my list of the best of for 2009 -

Oh, before I start I have a disclaimer - I downloaded FFVII and FFTactics for the PS3/PSP this year and they will not be counted towards the 2009 gaming list because those two games would own all else.  Yeah...I try to be fair sometimes, I guess.  I still have a game or two that made this list that were not released this year.  My life will always be that way as there's just not enough time in the year to do everything.  My pile will continue to grow but damn it, even if it takes me 12 years to get to something, I will! I'm looking at you FFTactics!!!!

12.  Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! (DSi)

Oh those Mini Marios.  I played the first part of this game a few years ago and was happy to see another installment for play on DSiWare.  I had free points to use and why not on this fun puzzle game? I ran through a first play but it was not as challenging as I had remembered.  The time attack mode is always challenging though and I haven't looked back since.  Ha.

11. Little Big Planet (PS3)

I probably could have benefitted more from this game if I were to use the level creator or played with someone.  This game was charming yet frustrating as most platforms can be.  The Sack Boy was the cutest and the best is playing dress up with him/her.  The music was great and well suited to its corresponding level, and generally the level designs were something quite formidable and impressive.

10.  Final Fantasy : Dissidia (PSP)

Final Fantasy heroes and villains in a battle brawl? I could use Sephiroth to destroy everyone?! Woohoo! Umm...except, I did not have as much fun as I thought I would.  While I enjoyed playing through story mode with an entire battle chessboard set up, complete with stats upgrade, new moves to learn, items, equipment and summons to collect - I could only do those things with the individual heroes.  There was no mode for villains to play through a story!

So, it was not much fun because then I could not have Sephiroth be all bad-assed in a hurry.  It took forever to level him and I didn't even really do that.  Did I do something wrong? I don't think so...?

In any event, the game was still filled with good rpg elements and a fun daily moogle mail system, great memories and music from FF installments past but the story was just 'meh'.   This being a game for fan service for FF fans, it was what was.

9.  Rock Band 2 (PS3)

Rock Band continues to be a great game with DLC released every week and my obsession to dress Zarnyx in any and almost everything is still strong.  He's so rich now that he can buy any ugly guitar he wants.  Beetchie may claim that I 'stole the money from the band' but she forgets that he is on a successful solo career while not touring with The Oxtails.  There were a few good track packs this year including one from Queen.  While I was mostly dissatisfied with the song selection this year, I often have to thank that there is not something I want every single week because then I'd be poorer than I am now.  It's hard keeping up as it is.

8.  Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor (DS)

I was not expecting a strategy game when I bought this but I tackled it anyway even though I am mostly lame at these.  It was challenging and an excellent blend of both strategy and traditional rpg elements and had a mostly good story.  I had the choice to be evil but for some reason chose to be good.  I think it was easier to be good than evil and I did not want to be slayed anymore! The monster creation was a cool system but I did not feel much for the characters on a whole.

7. The Sims 3 (PC)

This was our first The Sims game since the first one.  We were rather excited for it and while the game is amazing, it's so time consuming (it always is but I just don't have that much time anymore)! I also do not like that my Sims age.  I think I can make that not happen but it would be interesting to see what happens to them.  I did not re-create any of my old winner families but did make a household of two of my favourite Hitman Reborn characters.  The hilarities that ensued with Gokudera were instant classics.

6.  Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 (PS2)

This game was all the rage recently so I finally decided to play.  I was not sure how to feel about a game that makes me go to school and build relationships and then be a vigilante at night but this simulation was actually really interesting and different in a good way.  I liked the action battle rpg style gaming too, the battles were not out of the ordinary but still a bit challenging and monster creation made things difficult for me.  It's like spending money and building an army of strong creatures (much like a job class system) - two things I hate! However, who wouldn't want and like to build an army of misfits?

The music was great, gameplay was awesome, the story was great and the characters were likeable.

All this and I hear part 4 is better! I'll have to break that out soon...

5.  Patapon 2 (PSP)

My one-eyed little army returned to me, or rather I the Great Znyx returned to them.  After reaching an ocean in the hopes of find "IT", the Patapons built a ship and set sail for the end of the world.  One giant sea creature later, a lone Patapon washed up on a distant shore and prayed to me for help.  Being a kind saviour, I decided to help those little fools out.  The beats were much tighter as well as game mechanics, and the introduction of a new system for building additional and unique units plus the Hero made the game much more enjoyable, challenging and a little bit frustrating.  New songs and new moves helped with the new challenges.

I can't wait for the third installment.  I'm a little bit scared to see what awaits on the other side of that bridge.

4.  Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (DS) 

I cursed this game so much this time around.  The puzzles seemed harder than the previous installment and once again I had everyone pitching in to help solve some of the questions.  The presentation was beautiful, the music much more enjoyable and not as repetitive and the story unravelled more brill. than the first witha slew of new mini-games to collect.  Professor Layton and Luke are as cute as ever and I look forward to the rest of the games in this series to be released in the U.S.  Yes, so I can curse some more.

3.  Resident Evil 5 (PS3)

While not the best Resident Evil of the series, I had so much fun playing this game with Bunji making it high up on my list.  For starters, I have never played an RE on my own.  This is a Bunji game and I am a spectator, who unwittingly occasionally gets drafted to run around zombies without 'wasting ammo'.  It's scary! This time around with co-op play, Bunji and I took on the zombies and lickers together!

Being a co-op play, this was the least scary Resident Evil made I feel.  It was less a survival horror game but very much an action game.  Let us say that I proved that I am the one with good aim as my head shot percentage was high.  There were lots of debacles and many hours spent awake near 2 a.m. busting up some lickers.

2.  The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks  (DS)

As I write this, I am not quite finished with it.  Thus far, I remember having much more of a blast with Phantom Hourglass.  I will always love little Link and the Zelda series is one that is the best of all time.  This one is still great - my train skills are the best, and I can shuffle people to and from like nobody's buisness.  Having Zelda play a bigger role has been interesting.  She has a great personality and is so cute! Who knew she could be of use to me...ha.  I have not been as impressed with the boss battles as I usually am but they're still innovative.

Musically this game is one of the best in the series but the controls can be sketchy at best sometimes if it's not absolutely quiet.  The use of the mic for my pan flute creates difficulty while on the train and becomes frustrating at times.

1.  Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS)

I had to give number one to this game.  I never played a console version of the GTA but always enjoyed watching Luuuuuiiiiiisss play.  I always felt that it would be too overwhelming for me so when the DS version came out, I figured "hey, small system, small game, right?" Okay, that never should be said knowing full well the capabilities of the DS and game developers.

I cannot tell you just how much fun I had with this thing.  I played non-stop! The missions were crazy, fast-paced and exciting.  The controls were sharp and made good use of the stylus.  Selling drugs always gave me the pure joy of making tons of cash at once, running from the cops and crashing cop cars is always an adventure and putting down hippies at a riot - well, that's what I do.

There was laughter on the daily with this game and Uncle Kenny got what he deserved.

Honourable Mentions:

I did not finish it but Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door was rather cute and a little bit umm, shocking.  And The Beatles: Rock Band is amazing - the band is one of the greatest and the game is visually stunning.  Finally, I played Chrono Trigger for the DS this year...man, that was some awesome times.  Again.

The End of Year Review II : Music 2009

2009 was supposed to be the year of excitement.  Most of my favourite bands were releasing new albums and I couldn't wait!

Then everyone released their albums and they all mostly sucked.  Big time.  This is a very sad list to make but things need to be ranked and bitched about.

There are a couple of albums that were not released in 2009 but I listened to them this year and they will be counted.  I realize I usually do this and while unfair, meh...ask me if I care too much.

Also this year, I tried to do a 'mathematical equation' to get results suited to best and worst albums.  I ranked songs out of five and added the total - obviously this experiment failed for the most part as not every album has the same number of songs but it did force me to listen to each song individually and make a determination as to which songs really were great, horrible or just okay.  In that sense, my stupid method was successful because 1 great song does not make 1 great album.

11. U2 - No Line on the Horizon

U2, WTF? For the first time in our lives as U2 fans, we can honestly say that they have an album that's unlistenable.  For many people, those albums were Pop and Zooropa (why? I continue to question...those albums are fantastic!), but for the HOchieS it was definitely this latest.

There are many words to describe this album: recycled, lazy and boring.

Anyone who tries to tell me this is experimental, needs a slap.  This is not experimental - it's bad.  I can hear a lot of old and new U2 merged into one and somehow it managed to be crap.  Maybe that's due to the fact that they ripped off themselves? I expected more.

So great was the disappointment after the whole Giants Stadium debacle that I have self-imposed a ban on U2 songs for the rest of the year.  I refuse to listen to anything by them!

Also, I have re-named this album to something a bit more suitable: No Hope on the Horizon.

Best Songs: Any? Yeah, okay.  There was at least one.  Maybe two? Two too many! "No Line on the Horizon" was a decent one, for H1 it was probably "Moment of Surrender".

Album Cover Review: Grey and dull, much like the music.  Ha.  Truthfully, though, I like this cover.  "B".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 > 6.  H1 wins.

10.  Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown

After the awesome album that was American Idiot, Green Day decides to follow with a WTF.  If only that were the title of the album and it was good.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  I was wise to GD's tricks...  The album had over 20 tracks but quantity does not translate to quality.  That was a failed cover up, GD.  It really was.

The songs were much more appreciated in concert but that does not save this album in any way.

Best Songs: "Peacemaker", "East Jesus Nowhere", and "Song of the Century".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 > 6. H1 wins.

Album Cover Review: As BH would say, "boring".  I really dislike this cover.

9. Illinois - The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe

Ever since they opened for The Fratellis at the Roseland Ballroom, I have been anxiously awaiting something from this band.  It may be that they translate better live but this was just a  decent album.  The vocals can be odd, the lyrics are more put together but not really all that fun as with "What The Hell Do I Know?" for many of the songs and the music was still uniquely arranged for a bit of it but a bit 'mainstream' on most.  Well, I still love the banjo!

Best Songs: "Old Saloon", "An Open Door", "I Hate Love" and "Kid Catastrophe".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 < 6. A winner is me.

Album Cover Review: Designed by a fan (or fans), I think I like the entire series, kind of.  "B-"

8. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

I never would have picked this up on my own but two degrees of separation away from the band, and a free album - keyword being "free", the least I could do was listen.

Never a fan of Bruce Springsteen (GA has been compared to him) and certainly never a fan of NJ (yes, they hail from none other), I listened with reservations but was not offended by what I heard.

While I have not been converted as I will not seek out anything in a similar style or maybe any follow up albums by them, I can still admit that this album is not bad at all actually.

Best of Songs: "Here's Looking At You, Kid" (a song I quite love, really), "Casanova, Baby!" and "Great Expectations".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5< 6. A Winner is me.

Album Cover Review: Blargh.  Why do I need to look at you? "F."

7.  TV On The Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain

Having only discovered TVotR last year thanks to their incredible Dear Science, I had to get this album.  I did not love this as much as the aforementioned third album but respect that this was very solid.  I felt it was a bit too similar between songs in a way but not dull by any means.  Far from it, really and a great introduction to a really good band.

Best Songs: "Playhouses", "Wolf Like Me", and "Dirtywhirl".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 > 6. H1 wins.

Album Cover Review: Hmm...it looks like a giant nest and I don't really see any cookies... "B".

6. The Horrors - Primary Colours

Things that throw me off - bands that turn 180 degrees.  I enjoyed the Brit. goth trashiness of the first The Horrors album a lot.  It was scarily 'bad' and incredibly entertaining.  I liked the fast pace nonsense, and the electronica.  I was happy to discover they would be releasing another and lo and behold, I questioned whether or not I was listening to the same band.

What's this? Songs that aren't creepily dark? Songs that aren't fast? Songs that....sound well-thought out?! Oh the horror! Umm...sorry.

But you know? It's not so bad.  In fact, it's a pretty good listen.  But I still feel betrayed and cannot accept the fact that it's all so sullen with cleaner arrangements.

Best Songs: "Scarlet Fields" (ooo, one of my favourites all year!), "Sea Within a Sea", "Three Decades" and "I Only Think of You".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 < 6. A Winner is me.

Album Cover Review: "B-" They're there yet not.  I like it.

5. Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

This was a pretty huge disappointment for me for the most part.  I must have listened to it briefly once when I first got it and had to force myself to listen for this review.  It turned out not as horrendous as I initially thought and still not bad enough to be at the bottom of the list but it really is a bottom of the list as far as FF albums go.  It should not even be on a list from them as it is that embarrassing.

The songs are not as clever as their other work and that is the charm to FF.  That charm is mostly gone as they created a dumbed down 'club' collection of songs with annoying sounding bits.  What happened to my smart Scots?

Best Songs:  "Dream Again", "Ulysses", "Lucid Dreams (original)", and "Bite Hard".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 < 6. A winner is me.

Album Cover Review: "C-" While I do not mind having to see them, I do appreciate their trying to avert my eyes from a horrible album but if only they would have done more to block my ears when I really needed them to.

4.  Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

There are so many hateful things I can say about this album.  This year was so bad for music that even Arctics with their crap third album they still managed to make it as high as number 4.  Truly, this is a mostly crap album.

Why is it so crap? Let me point some fingers -

Alex Turner and his happiness from that stupid girl.  Where's your wit, AT? I'm glad the boys are comfortable with who they are and what they do.  H1 and I have 'watched' them grow up but it doesn't really make me too happy that is the end result.  This album was supposed to have been the one I listened to a million times by now but that is not the case at all.  It saddens me how boring it is.  Not enough biting wit, lyrically not as challenging and sharp if at all, and 'boring' musically.  Matthew always needs to shine and he doesn't.

I am pointing the finger at Josh Homme.  You, J.H. need to stay the eff away from Arctic Monkeys.  They did not need a desert experience.  As a producer, J.H.'s signature is all over that shit.  It SOUNDS like Queens of the Stone Age a bit.  And I don't even LIKE them (save Era Vulgaris, which was just stellar), in fact, it is safe to say that I am close to 'really hating' QOTSA.  His insistence on producing AM pushes me of the edge to taking out the "really" in that 'really hating' phrase.

::sigh::

Best Songs:  "Pretty Visitors", "Potion Approaching", "Secret Door", and "Cornerstone".

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 > 6. H1 wins.

Album Cover Review: "D".  There's not enough Nick! Where is he?! I do see Matthew though and Alex looking like a hipster.  Ugh.  The Cookie I can do without.  'cary.

3. The Killers - Day and Age

It's been a long time since I listened to an album by this band that I liked.  Okay, so maybe there was only one in between their first and this but considering I had an O.D. of The Killers, it was amazing I even decided to give this one a spin.  It came out in December of last year and I had every intention of avoiding but Rock Band has on more than one occasion forced me to buy a song or listen to a band for their often excellent song selection.

I loved the song "Spaceman".  It's a pretty stupid song and most songs on this album don't make too much sense.  Artfully stringing together some form of pop I can sing along to is one thing The Killers know how to do.  I was also intrigued that the vocals did not sound much like Brandon Flowers to me.  Then I actually listened to the album and found it to be much better than the crappy Sam's Town.  In fact, they were back to form almost (nothing can be better than Hot Fuss)! And I actually wanted to go back on the Almost Pop Drug called The Killers!

That's so wrong of me...

Best Songs:  "I Can't Stay", "Spaceman", "Losing Touch" and "Goodnight, Travel Well"

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 < 6. A Winner is me.

Album Cover Review: "A".  You know, I really like this one a lot.  It's so purple and mosaic like.

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

I never felt that any of the previous YYY albums I could like as a whole.  Collectively, they're good but as stand alone albums they've never been very solid for me.  They have lots of great songs and they're certainly a great band but they never had that one album I salute and hail as all greatness.  The only thing that came close was the Is Is EP. 

And now It's Blitz!

I struggled with my number 1 album of 2009.  This almost made it (and didn't not because I am biased) but as I rated songs, I realised that for the most part, the album had really great songs but mostly mixed with average tracks.

It's an amazing album nonetheless, with the TVotR producer working his magic.  This is a point I wanted to make - when I first got the album, I was amazed at how much influence a producer has because there were elements similar to Dear Science.

The songs are fun, David Chase as a drummer sounded like he had lots of fun, Karen O. has one of the best vocals of all bands these days and I heart Nick Zinner's guitar'ing and experimenting.

Best Songs: "Hysteric" (another fav. of the year), "Dull Life", and "Heads Will Roll"

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 > 6. H1 wins.

Album Cover Review: "B".  I kinda like it; I'm kinda grossed out by it and I can just see the rage against that poor egg.  Be kind to eggs.


1. MUSE - The Resistance

Really, I am not biased.  I can admit when MUSE got crap going on with them! Of the 5 albums, this is probably my 4th liked (Showbiz is still not the greatest to me).  It's pretty good though.  There's a symphony but honestly, while the symphony itself is really good, I am not as impressed with the fact that Matt wrote a 3 part symphony only due to the fact that I listen to a lot of Final Fantasy video game music and Anime music where music often classical in nature and otherwise is so vital to the feel of those forms of art that the music is often guaranteed to be amazing.  It's been done and continues to be done.

The Resistance is grandiose, much more so than Black Holes and Revelations - with more stadium anthems than ever before.  What I do like about this album a lot is how much fun my boys are having.  They're comfortable, doing more than quite well, produced this themselves (and the sound is quite great, actually) and now they're just doing what they want to do and I can respect that.

Song wise, this album is plenty radio friendly with not enough (or any?) killer riffs Matt is known for but despite all of this, it's still MUSE at its core.

Best Songs:  "Unnatural Selection" (THE song of the year for me! followed by Arctic Monkey's "Catapult" from the b-side to "Cornerstone"), "Exogenesis Symphony", and "Uprising".  And yes, I even love "Undisclosed Desires" as pop as it is.  Ugh.  But MUSE also had the WORST song this year that got a big fat zero from me in the form of "Guiding Light".  What a nightmare that was.

H1 vs Or 2 = 5 < 6.  A Winner is Me.  Big time.  H1, you got "Guiding Light" and I do feel sorry for you.

Album Cover Review:  "A+".  For the first time in the history of MUSE album covers, I like this one a lot.  It should have been the first indicator that the album would not be that good, I guess.  Aha.  Next time I'll know...

ANIME and VIDEO GAME Best OST List - 2009

1.  Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
2.  The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
3.  Soul Eater 2
4.  Kuroshitsuji
5.  Sayonara Zetsubuo Sensei (series)
6.  Persona 3
7.  Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou
8.  Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
9.  Rock Band 2 (2009 was a sad year for DLC but did have Queen!)
10. Patapon 2


Currently listening to: "I Think I'm Paranoid" by Garbage.

The End of Year Review I : Anime 2009

Methinks I may have barely watched any anime this year.  I seemed to have been busy with video games and still I've a pile of epic proportions to get through! It makes me overwhelmed just thinking about it.

I may have watched half a year of Bleach and no Naruto since last year as they also started the year with filler, so I cannot even really place those two on a list of any sort.  And that's just terrible because I know the Naruto manga is just fantastic (though I wonder what happened after my beloved Kakashi was revived? Man, that was some trauma there for me).  Bleach has been going well too but after my beloved Ulquiorra got killed (and some time after that after my beloved Shinji made an appearance), I have no clue as to what is going on in the Bleach Universe.  That's a real shame.

So honestly, was there anything I watched? Enough to make a list?

10. Soul Eater

I finished Soul Eater this year.  While the manga is still ongoing and I've no idea what's going on in that either, the series ended horrid-like.  It was one of the worst endings I have seen in a long time.  Justin didn't get to do anything super great, and the whole ending they created was so mushy, typical rubbish with copious amounts of lack luster, that it almost makes me forget how intense this anime was for the most part.  That makes me sad.

Favourite Characters: Justin Law and Crona.  After a while, I was not even happy to see Death the Kid or Frankenstein.  That was probably due to the fact they were barely in it and when they were, they made them wusses.

09. 07 Ghost

Fairly generic character design, an interesting story that was not executed quite right and only the beginning of things to come, this anime could have benefited from continuing the manga (from the little I know anyway).  I suppose most series can though but this was almost Berserk in nature - the prologue to real adventure.  Still, not as gutting as some things I've seen, there were still a few tugs at the heart strings.

Favourite Character: Castor

08. Kuroshitsuji

I began watching this at some point last year, and fell off.  I resumed to find that this series that did not quite have a niche at the start, had become something awesome.  It was always beautiful, dark, weirdly comedic and not in a great way but much more in depth at the halfway mark.  I actually felt a little bit troubled as it went on, watching in awe at times and growing to love every character some more as episode after episode carried on.  I'm looking forward to Season 2 and of course, it really helps that the soundtrack was brilliantly composed by Iwasaki Taku.  That man is a genious.

Favourite Characters: Grell - the cross-dressing crazy Watanuki.  Wha'?, Sebastian Michaelis, Ciel Phantomhive.

07. Moyashimon

Talk about weird.  I liked this quirky, strange little series about microbes and agriculture school.  Huh? How dull you say? Yeah, maybe but its weirdness translated to charm.  Really it's the story of college life and kids on their own and that one kid who could have conversations with various bacteria.  Maybe my description is not making anyone want to watch this but I'll have my memories.  The music was downright quirky too.  It was a fun experience while it lasted.

Favourite Characters: Kei Yuki and Tadayasu Sawaki

06. Darker Than Black

A stylish, dark (har har) anime feel for a dark (again, har har) story about assassins or contractors as they are  called in this series.  There's a second series I have not yet started to watch but I will at some point because I was not disappointed with the first.  I do have complaints though and that's that I found some similarities to Cowboy Bebop.  Of course, it was never as loveable or great as Bebop but few things are.  The soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno made it even more Bebop in likeness but getting past that, the story was a decent sci-fi breed (by the way and this is unrelated, why did the channel Sci-Fi change to SyFy?) with an interesting story to tell with characters I became attached to but did not quite leave me feeling satisfied with the ending.  I suppose that's what a second series is for? Hmm, I'll just have to see...

Favourite Characters: Hei and November 11

06. Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou

H1 and I miss this anime.  Season 1 was good enough to retain our interest for a season 2 and when that began, we were hooked.  The episodes felt more coherent, more daring and bit more endearing as to the fate of Natsume and of course, Sensei.  It was a pleasant watch with an ending I enjoyed.

Favourite Characters: Natsume Takashi and Nyanko-Sensei

05. Bakemonogatari

A twisted love story? Something like that.  Vampires? Well, one and then less than half of one.  Crazy girls with crazy curses? Yeah.  Sometimes shocking? What story about monsters should be without a shock here or there? Dialogue reminiscent of a Quentin Tarantino movie?! Brilliant! This anime as incredibly heavy on the talking, sharp on the artistic direction making it Indie from music to presentation and story.  Quite an interesting watch, this anime.  I enjoyed it immensely.  Let me not forget two of my favourite voice actors also contributed to its greatness and deliverance - Hiroshi Kamiya and Takahiro Sakurai

Favourite Characters: Koromi Araragi and Meme Oshino

04. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Probably the most memorable beginning to any anime I watched this year, this story while no means anything stunning, it put spunk into an otherwise straight-laced deal: Oppressed boy breaks free by seeking the stars, loses his best friend in the process and is forced to come out of the shadow of said friend to attain greatness.

Did I mention it put spunk into two otherwise straight-laced stories? Now leader of the 'free world', boy meets further oppression attained from 'freedom' and the politics behind it.  He saves the princess but endures suffering at the end anyway (well, that's not Western standard but an anime standard, sure).

And all this, all the while in a giant robot.

I'm not one for Mech anime but that's where it becomes interesting - yeah, your standard bad-assed giant robot is present but your standard bad-assed giant robot takes on the personality of the pilot in often stylistic, comical ways that match the edgey art of this series.

It's a 'big' scope anime where nothing is impossible with fun, fun-loving characters that make you feel sadness but pride when their time comes.

Again, Iwasaki Taku masters yet another bit of composition.

Favourite Characters: Leeron, Simon and Kittan

03. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (series)

I'm not quite done yet and I can benefit from knowing a lot more about Japanese culture to fully enjoy this series, but even with the knowledge I have, this anime is insane.  I cannot tell you how fond I am of the stupid Tulip song, or how much I laughed during the first season's characters' introductions (tail fetish? Poor animals...).  The gags are sometimes overdone but the beauty is that they know it and often break that 4th wall.

Favourite Characters: Zetzubou Sensei (of course), and who do I keed? The entire cast both the girls and the boys.

02. Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn!

The only long-running shonen series I kept up with this year and it continues to make me giddy.  The characters continue to grow ever more loveable, the battles mostly impress me still with the few shocking bits here and there that make me cringe.  Alliances are formed with former enemies (oh, they're still enemies mostly...ha) and new characters add to the level of cuteness and keeps the series interesting.  The filler was good too and as more serious aspects of the series are brought forth, Hitman Reborn! manages to mature the characters at a pace that adds depth to the characters without being brought on unexpectedly or feel rushed.

Favourite Characters: Gokudera (old favourite), Tsuna, Mukuro Rokudo, Yamamoto (who I'm loving more the more I see him), and Spanner.

01. Ouran High School Host Club

Vowing never to watch a show about a host club of boys in a high school, I caved one day and I'm not sure why.  Maybe it was the popularity? Maybe I was bored? Whatever it was, I am thankful for it.  I am also feeling a bit as though I should closet my love for this series.  I am beginning to think I might be a sap sometimes - first Love Hina and now this? At the heart of it all, it's a romantic comedy but as we all know, the Japanese do not do romantic comedies that are cut and dry.  I wish this series would come back for a second season but in the meanwhile, I'll just hope someone gifted me the box sets for Christmas so I can re-watch the antics of the Host Club.

Favourite Characters:  Kyoya Ootori, Kaoru Hitachi, Tamaki Suoh (as much as it kills me to love anyone voiced by Light (Mamoru Miyano)! He's actually quite a good voice actor...grrrrr, and Haruhi Fujioka

That Time of Year

This Season's first Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookie.  Mmmmm.

Did I mention I'm addicted to those things? The order of butter cookie greatness -

1. Spirals
2. Pretzel Shapes
3. Sugar Rectangles
4. Sugar Rounds
5. Plain Rounds

Raisins should never be in a butter cookie.  Please remember that if ever anyone of you consider doing me a kindness, and keep those unkind raisin butter cookies in the store.

More Christmas related things this day (and I've been feeling rather un-Christmassy this year thus far) was the wrapping of the presents.  The picture is dark but y ou can guess who was all laid out on my paper as if he owned the place, or alternately, wanted to be wrapped up and put into my stocking.

I can assure him, no one wants a bottle-blonde for Christmas in The HOchie Household.

Treat Box Check List

It's December 1st, which means lists upon lists are upcoming.  I am not certain I am fully prepared for that and oo! that reminds me that I probably only have 7 days to finish Final Fantasy Tactics, huh? Well, THAT'S not going to happen with my poor, but-much-improved skills.  Oh 1998, I remember the slaughter...

The Pyo List is looking pretty good (my monies and I have been parting ways thanks to my obsession with Amazon...yeesh.).

And the Treat Boxes are going to be made soon.  What'll be inside and who's geting one?

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit. Hare, Hare, Hare.

The end of year is almost upon us but we're still hoping for the good luck and goo'd times this month.

Hope all will be well for everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving, All!

More to come...

And here it is:

Thanksgiving Week has been a whirlwind of goo'd times.

We made new friends (Hardy Har, Daw and Shar), shared lots of good food and plenty of laughs.
The menu was similar to what we usually feast upon for this time of year but was it ever so and always GREAT.

1. Turkey with the best stuffin eva'
2. Pork Leg
3. Collard Greens
4. Sweet Potato Souffle
5. Green Beans
6. Saffron Rice
7. Corn pudding
8. Olive bread
9. Ham
10. Homemade bread
11. Flan
12. Blackout cake from Homestyle Bakery, complete with turkey.  Not Cake Wreck worthy though.

Roast, Turkey!!!!!

In the days leading up to the feasting, TD5 was quite busy! Not only did he, Momma HO, Papa HO, Luuuuuissss and H1 go to see South Pacific on Friday, but then he went to see West Side Story on Tuesday after stuffing his gut with Pongsri.  The friends LOVED it and I joined in because I wanted to see Frass, who was supposed to come up today but rejected us! Where were you, Frass?! Are you shopping online?! You forgot us didn't you!!!!!!??!!!!!

Today TD5 and co. went to Woodbury for some Black Friday dealies at 7:30 a.m.  I saw lots of bags come into the house, so I guess the shopping was a success.

I, on the other hand, with H1 shopped online today.  It was from Amazon, of course and we made out like bandits...perhaps, too well.  Ack, money spent and gone.  Blargh.

Gen' Frien' gave sent me the most awesome packages!!!!!

Oooooooo, exciting, yeah? No, not Pom Pom and the gang from Homestar Runner but what's behind them! Thanks so much, Gen' Frien'!

I'm wondering what I should be doing now but TD5 has me watching Cherry Blossoms.  He likes to traumatize me, that one.  All the time.

Movie Nights:

Thanskgiving Night: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure; Rambo III

Friday Night: Labyrinth; Wolverine (I watched White Collar and Burn Notice with TD5)

Memorable Conversations of the Weekend:

::While watching Rambo III::

Hardy Har: You know, you remember that movie Cliffhanger? I saw that and after I did, I went rock climbing without any gear or anything.  A tall rock, eh?! Then about a year later, I found out that itwas all filmed on a stage! I did mine for real without equipment!!!  I could have died! All because of that movie!

H1: Look! Do you remember this?! Pear soap!
TD5: What? The only soap I know is Life Buoy. 
H1: And you had to put it in your mouth as punishment, right?
TD5: Yeah.  And the blue one.
Or 2: I remember that! Gross!
TD5: Yeah, my cousin and I ate that.  A whole bar each.  We had to be rushed to the hospital.
Or 2: What the hell did you do that for?!
TD5: Well, we were pretending we were at a restaurant.
Or 2: And you ordered the soap?

And thus 'ends' another Thanksgiving at the HOchieS' but as we all know, it doesn't stop there until the turkey soup has been made.

Christmas is up next and already the madness has begun.  This was probably the most impressive package delivery I've ever received...