2008

the year is just about over. just shy of three hours from now until it’s officially 2009. looking back on the year, it’s hard for me not to be pessimistic about what 2009 has to offer. 2008 started off so well and then began a slow decline, and so far, this night seems to be a very fitting end to cap it off with. the biggest thing I’m struggling with is in terms of my career. I’m one of many I’m sure, but this is a new thing for me and I’m kind of starting to really freak out about it. and now that I’ve written about the more depressing parts, I can try to focus on the good things that happened this year. most importantly, I can take solace in the fact that I have a clearer idea of who God is which I think will lead to a closer and more meaningful relationship. secondly, I think that me and my wife have built an even firmer foundation for our marriage, and that we’re understanding each other much more clearly. and lastly, I’m really enjoying the friendships I’ve recently made or grown at my church. it’s nice to know that my church has a lot of quality people there and that there’s more I haven’t even met yet. so, 2008, you weren’t exactly a banner year for me, but once again I’m going to let hope be a deciding factor about 2009

christmas time is here

i’ve discovered that i still hate (almost all) christmas music. the good news is that i’m pretty sure i know why now. there is no winter wonderland, i really wouldn’t know how fun it is or isn’t to ride in a one horse open sleigh, no one i know is roasting chestnuts, santa claus is not coming to town, very few people ever have a white christmas, and baby, it’s not cold outside. and really, it’s not like too many christmas songs are actually that good from a music/songwriting standpoint. you can try to defend that all you want, but you know i’m right. and this dreck is what i have to hear in the mall every day. i do have a theory about whoever makes the playlists though. i like to think that that person feels the same way i do and tries to sneak in a few awesome songs just to spite their elderly boss. so in the spirit of christmas cheer and whatnot, here’s my list of awesome christmas music, the 3-minute glimmers of hope that get me through the day.

-the entire soundtrack for “a charlie brown christmas”
-the “songs for christmas” compilation by sufjan stevens
-various artists: “maybe this christmas”
-the smashing pumpkins: “christmastime”
-jimmy eat world: “last christmas”
-the carpenters: “merry christmas darling”
-john lennon: “happy xmas (war is over)”
-the beach boys: “little saint nick”
-dave matthews and tim reynolds: “christmas song”

there’s a few more that i can think of, but they’re mostly covers of those same songs i just listed. what are your favorite more overlooked christmas songs?

(p.s. my other christmas themed blog is right here)