How do I remember and reminisce about a year when I can hardly remember yesterday? (These are hard times, I know. Being relatively young, childless, full use of all my limbs and still able to party if I want to OR go to sleep at 9 pm. Able to dance by myself in a dark apartment OR get on a plane to Argentina. I am stupid lucky. Retarded lucky. Every day I wake up, I have more than I deserve.) Now, back to that year-end stuff. Here’s the stuff that I remember freaking out about over the last 12 months. Come, let’s go freak together. (The Fine Print – Not all of this came out in 2009, but that’s when it found me, so, yeah.)
Visions of Grandeur
Up
This was my first 3D movie and the only movie this year that had me a) hunched over weeping hysterically behind my 3D glasses, then b) laughing out loud and c) wanting to reach out to touch the screen. Brutal and beautiful in every way.
True Blood
The second season got everything right, thanks to some amazing storylines but mostly because of Alexander Skarsgård’s Eric. Any girl who says she wouldn’t drop her panties for this guy is a fucking LIAR.
Surprised Kitty
Put this 17 seconds of wow on for a gathering of girls and wait for the ensuing squealing.
Beck & Charlotte Gainsbourg’s video for ‘Heaven Can Wait’
Fucking nuts in every way.
Jay-Z & Jay Reatard
My two favourite live shows of the year. Vastly different in venue (GM Place vs The Biltmore) and style (rap spectacle done UP HARD and EXPENSIVE vs fast garage rock in a cave) but I loved every millisecond of each show and both evoked that tangy “Fuck, I wish I could make music” feeling.
Quarantine
I have never been that scared watching a movie. The amazing Jennifer Carpenter, (so good on Dexter) has to maintain a state of panic and fear for most of 89 minutes, and I was with her EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. At about the 86 minute mark, I screamed, out loud, in my living room behind a blanket.
Auditory Awes
This is my 2009 Playlist. GoodNESS, I love these songs.
1. Death – Let The World Turn (For the Whole World to See)
Unearthed 70’s black punk = Yes Please.
2. The entire Heist Series
Drawn in initially by the amazing album covers, but then I downloaded the mix cd’s and they are perfection. Each of them = that background party music you need.
3. Grizzly Bear – While You Wait For The Others (Veckatimest)
Yes, everybody had a love affair with this album this year. On my list because it’s the only song that makes me unconsciously conduct an orchestra with the entire right side of my body.
4. Jay Reatard – It Ain’t Gonna Save Me (Watch me Fall)
Sigh. The only track I liked off this album. His ‘Matador Records ‘08’ and ‘Blood Visions’ got me through school and I was so stoked when I saw this was coming out, and GD it, I just don’t like it. My biggest disappointment of the year, besides forgetting every thing I learned about Photoshop.
5. Julian Casablancas – Out Of The Blue (Phrazes for the Young)
This line kills me: “Yes I know I’m going to Hell in a leather jacket, least I’ll be in another world while you’re pissing on my casket.”
6. Jay-Z – On To The Next One (The Blueprint 3)
Impossible to hate.
7. Milli Vanilli – I’m Gonna Miss You (Greatest Hits)
I stopped mid-conversation at my Christmas party to sing along LOUDLY and FEELING IT to the chorus of this song. So good.
8. Blakroc – Coochie (S/T Album)
Man, RIP ODB.
9. Ida Maria – Oh My God (Fortress Round My Heart)
Her voice, so smoky and 70s, caught me right off the bat.
10. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Buriedfed (S/T Album)
Mentioned last week. And again, I love this somuch.
11. Franz Ferdinand – Ulysses (Tonight:Franz Ferdinand)
Have multiple times danced, sang and KICKED it out to this track. My favourite song of the year.
12. Girls – Hellhole Ratrace (Album)
His voice should irk me, but somehow it just doesn’t.
13. The xx – Intro (S/T Album)
They live up to the hype. Also, file under Most Regretted Missed Show Of The Year.
Touching
Best thing I touched in 2009, other than newborn niece ears, was people. Lots and lots of people at my new favourite place ever, Consumers Produce on Kingsway. You gotta get ROUGH and COMFORTABLE rubbing up against people in here. The stuff is so cheap because it’s not pretty and because you have to shoulder check around to make it down aisles and through the checkouts. It’s so worth it though just to shed my timid white girl-ness at the door.
Smelly!
I got some Jo Malone hard soaps for my birthday and they are from Holt Renfrew and I would eat them if I could and they make me 75% classier when I bathe with them, so that is the best thing I smelled this year, the end.
Tasty Love
Liquid: Drank my first hot toddy’s this year. Will now repeat for every year of my life. Solid: Best taste in my mouth of 2009 (aside from the sweet sweet taste of the last day of school): Recipe courtesy of a school chum – Pecans that have been smothered in orange juice and brown sugar, dumped on top of a cut open wheel of Brie and melted together in the oven. Fuck crackers, eat this with a spoon and a wall to brace yourself against.
See you next year friends!
