Jen

Be prepared for my longest post in ages.

Today, as I was driving and stopped at a red light, a guy pulled up next to me in a pick-up truck and motioned for me to roll down the window. I did my best to try and ignore him, but I could hear him yelling at me. So, I roll down my window and he asks me if I would like a home theater system and motions to the back of his truck where there are 6 or 7 boxes. I said no and that I already had one. He then says “Thanks, Sweetie” and cuts me off as the light changes. I forgot to turn off my freak magnet this morning.

Just as an update for those that are interested, there have been no further problems with the downstairs neighbor and I. It's strange, but I still feel uneasy about his presence. It’s just that he was such a dick to me and I was really very nice. I didn’t even swear at him, which is highly unusual for me. Anyway, he hasn’t been the best neighbor since he moved in (breaking bottles in the alley, blasting annoying polka and techno Friday night through Sunday, having his d-bag fiends lay on the buzzers for all the apts, etc) but as long as there aren’t anymore incidents like two weeks ago, I can deal.

On a lighter note, I read Mike’s list for 2005 and thought I’d chime in with a few of my obsessions from last year. I figure I haven't written 2006 on a check yet because I kept forgetting the year has changed, so it’s almost like I’m still talking about this year. Does this make sense? I didn't think so.

TV obsession – Lost
Yes I know, this program aired the fall of 2004. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that I got hooked. Matt used to work on Wednesday nights, so without anything to do, and still getting settled in California, I began to watch “Lost.” I couldn’t figure out how they were going to make a television show about being stranded on an island interesting. After seeing an episode, I couldn’t help tuning in to see what was going to happen next. The complex characters, storylines and even the mysteries of the island itself, all lend to my fascination with the series. The main characters, most notably for me, Jack, Sawyer, Locke, Kate, Sayid, and Walt/Michael, have just as interesting pasts as well as their present lives and interactions with each other on the island. This season is just as good, introducing the survivors from the other half of the plane and finally, appearances by “The Others.” It’s awesome and I can’t stop watching.

Music obsession- Tie between Minus the Bear and The Dandy Warhols
Minus the Bear’s album “Menos el Oso” is possibly the best album I’ve bought this year. “The Game Needed Me” and “Pachuca Sunrise” are my favorite songs on the album. The lyrics are amazing. Go buy it if you don’t have it.
I bought the Dandy Warhol’s “Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia” back when “Bohemian like you” was a hit on the radio. I was never a big fan of “Come Down” and figured this album might be the same for me. I took a chance and loved “Thirteen Tales” which would have made my list for favorite albums in 2000. It was after I watched the movie Dig early last year that I became obsessed with the band again. The fact that The Brian Jonestown Massacre, or more specifically, Anton Newcombe, a prima donna and a jackass, had such an effect on Courtney Taylor’s songwriting was almost inconceivable to me. That is why I had to revisit old songs again and get new music too. Matt and I managed to get the rest of the albums on our I Tunes (thanks to Nathan and Senuti) and I can’t tell you how much I dig the new stuff.

Book obsession – Still Harry Potter.
I know, of all the books to be obsessed with, it’s a children’s book. However, it is one of the most engaging, well-written children’s book series I have ever read. Book Six still managed to keep me engaged with the story and the characters. I can’t even imagine how Rowling is going to end this series, and to tell you the truth, I’ll be sad when she does.


Store obsession – Kid Robot
Maybe it was boredom or just the idea of having a hobby, but I started collecting these “limited edition art-toys,” last year. I now own 21 toys and most likely will buy many more. I was also thinking about opening my own Kid Robot here in Chicago until I found out about Rotofugi on Chicago Avenue, which sells almost all of the Kid Robot toys and to top it off, Matt and I saw The Coctails perform a live set there in conjunction with their new action figures! Good times!

Enough from me.