Best of 2009: Movies

Quick! The end of the year is coming! We need a new list!

Well...here's one about movies. But I haven't seen that many, so I'm only going to do five.

1. Inglorious Basterds

2. The Hurt Locker

3. Humpday

4. Where the Wild Things Are

5. Funny People

That's it?

Yeah. 'Fraid so.

first draft #1

Been writing much?

Man, not like I should. But I do have a new first draft, hot off the press.

I hope it doesn't have cliches like "hot off the press."

Well, that used to be the name of this bluegrass band in Southern California a long time ago.

But anyway, here it is. I hope you like it.

snow

i need it to snow

i need it to snow so hard

that i can’t make it out

of my own front yard

and i can’t go to work

and i can’t go to the store

and i don’t have to face nobody

‘cause i can’t do it any more

i can’t do it any more

i’ve got enough food

i’ve got a little bit of weed

i’ve got a bottle of wine

what else do i need?

i’ve got the internet

and a few dvds

and there is nobody

on this earth i want to see

there is nobody to see

hey world outside my door

don’t make me go out there any more

i don’t want to be rude

i just need some solitude

i need it to snow

i need it to snow so much

so i don’t have to face

any need for a human touch

any need for a kind word

or a helping hand to lend

or an arm over my shoulder

or a lover

or a friend

i can’t go through needing you again

hey world outside my home

would you please remain unknown

i don’t need your smiling face

representing the human race

i need it to snow

i need it to snow and then

i need it to snow some more

so i never see anyone

again

Best of 2009: CDs

So what are your favorite CDs of 2009?

I'm glad you asked. Thanks! Nobody ever asks my opinion about nothin'. Pisses me off.

I'm not a critic and I don't have much money, so I don't buy many CDs. But I can hear stuff on the internet.

Yeah, yeah. What are the fuckin' CDs?

Okay. Geez.

Number 1: Hospice by the Antlers.

From age 10 to 20, my mother was very ill and in and out of hospitals. And I ended up thinking, where are the songs for us. I mean, so much of popular music is for that small percentage of people who are happy and normal. So when I heard Hospice it was a huge relief for me. It's also stunning musically as well as lyrically, and I love the honesty of it.

Number 2: Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective.

Pure pop music for now people, with a conscience and a heart to boot.

Number 3: Dark Was The Night, various artists.

Mainly for disc one. Many beautiful moments by artists who seem like nice people.

Number 4: Album by Girls.

I even saw them at the Doug Fir here in Portland, Oregon.

Number 5: A Friend of a Friend by the Dave Rawlings Machine.

I always loved Dave Rawlings' playing and singing, but this was better than I could have ever expected. More Old Crow Medicine Show than Gillian Welch (with some Red Clay Ramblers thrown in), this is amazing.

Okay, I'm finished.

Wait up, farmboy. Where's the other 5?

Okay, well...

6. Oh My God Charlie Darwin by the Low Anthem

7. Around the Well by Iron and Wine.

8. Blood Bank by Bon Iver

9. Manners by Passion Pit

10. The List by Rosanne Cash

Okay. Satisfied?

I'm sure you'll be posting the ones you've forgotten tomorrow.

I'm sure.

Question #2

And so this is Christmas. And what have you done?

Hung out with family, which is always good. Drank coffee with Irish cream, ate lamb and tamales (but not at the same time), and watched Neil Young's "Rust Never Sleeps". I was also sad a bit, so I took a nap. The sadness went away. Good thing I'm not Rust.

question #1

Nice handle, farmboy. You sound like one of the Waltons.

I wasn't always farmboy. I used to be banjoboy!

Why banjoboy?

Because it sounds like a superhero, somebody saving the world with a banjo. But it might be that banjoboy needs to be saved himself. But, you know, I'm not that good a banjo player.

So you're a great farmer?

(laughs) Well...no. But, you know, I feel like a farmboy, a hick. I'm no kid, but I still feel like an innocent in the great big world.

Is farmboy a superhero? Is he going to save the world? Or does he need saving himself?

Hmm, I dunno. Let's find out.