2005, The Life I Lived

Normally, I wouldn't post this until after New Year's thereby defying a direct order from Patsy not to share the Top 10s with anyone until after we discuss them at the bar on New Year's Eve. But, since no one I know that will be at the bar reads my site, I think I'm safe with my picks.

2005 was great, but tiring in a way I'd prefer not to do again. We had to break up the Real World House and this was very traumatizing for me. I cried so much the day we signed the lease on our current apartment that I think the rental agent knocked off $100 a month because I couldn't stop bawling.

Rental Guy: "This place is great, it's got free heat and possibly A/C (side note; it didn't) and new appliances (side note: it didn't) all for $900."
Sean: "Yeah, but it's a fourth floor walk up and there's no working fireplace or back porch."
Me: "BAWHAH, BAWHAH, I don't wanna move here! BAWHAH! I don't wanna ever move!"
Rental Guy: "Would you consider it for $800?"

So, there was that. Then we had to actually move again, which is pushing me to stay in this apartment for another year since we have dragged up so much IKEA furniture up these stairs, it'd be a shame to do it again in another five months. There's been wedding planning which as been gong on for so long now, I just want it to be over. Some assorted family things and situations that hopefully will be done with next year too. This year wasn't terrible at all, it was just like a stepping stone to some other big stuff that I just want to either have happen or be over with.

That said, there are a lot of other people's year end's that are great to take a look at; Entertainment Weekly, Newley Purnell's, Stereogum's readers, Greg Kot's albums, etc. So peruse those, then make fun of mine.

My 2005 Top Ten Albums
1. Sleater Kinney, The Woods
I didn't like this album at first, it wasn't until just recently that I could listen to the whole thing on my work iTunes without wanting to turn it off halfway through. Now, I'm just spinning it into the ground.
2. Spoon, Gimmie Fiction
I have listened to the Beast and Dragon, Adored so many times, it's sick. And now it's I Turn My Camera On. I.CAN'T. GET.ENOUGH.
3. Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary
I came to this album very late in the game, I'll admit (thanks to Sean's iTunes gift card). But I'll play.
4. Bloc Party, Silent Alarm
My secret shame. You can only see them open for Interpol so many times before you give in to Tulips.
5. Ashley Simpson, I Am Me
Only for the Boyfriend song. That's it, I swear.
6. Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
See also; The Six Feet Under Soundtrack
7. Ivy, In the Clear
Reminds me I need to replace Apartment Life, because I can't find it anywhere.
8. Calla, Collisions
I totally fell for it. There I said it.
9. Air, Late Night Tales
I always love me the Air. Thanks Fred.
10. Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine
As Sean will attest, she's getting a rebirth around here.

My Top 2005 Movies
1. 40 Year Old Virgin
Every time I saw it, I spit Coke out of my nose.
2. Crash
Made me enjoy Brendan Fraser again.
3. Shopgirl
Made me enjoy Jason Schwartzman for the first time ever.
4. Wedding Crashers
If only to see Vince Vaughan walking off with a life size painting of himself.
5. Enron, the Smartest Guys in the Room
I watched it with my dad, the only movie we sat down to together this year.
6. Just Friends
It was actually worth it to see Chris Klein in this movie.
7. Waiting
"Welcome to Thunderdome, bitch." I am Ryan Reynolds biggest fan.
8. The Squid and the Whale
Jesse Eisenberg is so amazing in that movie. The end scene is beyond words.
9. Constantine
I can't really explain why I like this movie, I just do.
10. Comedians of Comedy
There are some excerpts of this as a series on Comedy Central. It's brilliant.

And the #1 single of 2005 is Sleepover Makeover You by So Suburban. It's catchy. Right click to download it.

I didn't see as many movies in 2005 as I would have liked, because if I had, I'm sure I would have put Syriana on the list as well as Match Point. Perhaps this will motivate me to better choose a movie when I go out, because I don't do enough of it.

All in all, I can't really bitch about 2005. I'm not making any resolutions for myself this year. I'm just going to have some goals. And hopefully this time next year I will have a different job, a different couch and be enjoying married life. Happy New Year everyone.

› 2004's Top 10

Comments

[Manders]

I also mourn the loss of The Real World House. The suburbs are so boring and I no longer get the shout outs I once demanded. I MISS YOU :-(