Favorite Albums of 2007 (#'s 6-10)

Let us continue...

6. Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger












7. The National - Boxer











8. Turin Brakes – Dark on Fire











9. Andrew Bird – Armchair Apocrypha











10. Spoon - GaGaGaGaGa

Favorite Albums of 2007 (#'s 11-15)

Finally, on to some important lists! Here is part 1 or 3 of my favorite albums of 2007.

11. Richmond Fontaine – Thirteen Cities











12. Great Lake Swimmers – Ongiara











13. Rogue Wave – Asleep at Heaven’s Door











14. Eluvium – Copia











15. Rocky Votolato – The Brag and Cuss

Favorite Seinfeld Episodes of All Time

This was very difficult to do with SO many incredible episodes over it's 9 year run. To even get this down to 15 was nearly impossible but these are my favorite episodes. It just didn't seem fair. Here are my top five favorites followed by the next 10.

What are your favorite episodes?

1. The Burning

George devises a new plan to end every conversation on a "high note" and "leave them wanting more". Kramer and Mickey take jobs acting out diseases for medical students. Elaine discovers that Puddy is religious, and becomes angry when she learns he doesn't care about her soul. Meanwhile, Jerry is intrigued when he learns that his current girlfriend has a secret "tractor story" she hasn't told him.

2. The Junior Mint

Jerry has a date with a woman whose name he has forgotten, but it "rhymes with a female body part." Could it be "Mulva"? Elaine visits an old boyfriend who's in the hospital for an operation; he was once fat, thin she's interested again. Kramer gets an opportunity to witness the operation and he drags Jerry along, while watching they have an accident with a "Junior Mint."

3. The Contest

George's mother is forced to hospital after she throws her back out when she falls down after catching him doing "you know." When George says he'll never do it again, Jerry challenges him to a contest of being "master of your domains", when he accepts, Elaine and Kramer want in on the action, or rather the lack of it.

4. The Non-Fat Yogurt

When they begin to gain weight, Jerry and Elaine suspect that Kramer has made a bad investment in a non-fat yogurt shop. Jerry inadvertently uses the "F" word, as a result so does Maryedith's son Matthew, a lot. George meets an old childhood friend whom he is convinced is trying to humiliate him. Elaine begins dating this friend and gives him an idea for his mayoral candidate's campaign. Kramer's date with a lab technician results in strange test results for the future mayor of New York City.

5. The Marine Biologist

Jerry meets an old college classmate who asked about George, whom Jerry says is now a "marine biologist." An infuriated Russian writer tosses an electronic organizer belonging to Elaine out of a limousine that hits a passerby on the head. Kramer struggles with his golf swing and sand. While walking along the beach, George is called on to use his marine biology skills to save a whale.

The Best of the Rest...

The Merv Griffin Show

After Kramer finds the set of the old Merv Griffin Show in a dumpster, he begins to treat his entire life like a talk show. Jerry's new girlfriend has a priceless toy collection that she won't let him play with, with leads him to some questionable behavior. George runs over a squirrel with his car, and he's forced to spend time and money on its recovery. Elaine has to find a way to deal with a new co-worker, whose 'sidling' is both annoying and potentially dangerous to her job.

The Puffy Shirt

George thinks he's made it big when, shortly after moving in with his parents, he gets work as a hand model. Elaine arranges for Jerry to appear on The Today Show to promote a charity benefit. However, when out to dinner with Kramer and his new "low talker" girlfriend, a misunderstanding has Jerry agreeing to wear a ridculous, pirate-style puffy shirt on TV.

The Outing

No thanks to Elaine, Jerry must work hard to prove he is straight when a college reporter mistakenly reports that he and George are gay, "not that there is anything wrong with that." Things really get out of hand when the article is picked up by the New York Post. Jerry ends up dating the college reporter to clear his name, but all does not go well.

The Opposite

George comes to the realization that he should try to do the opposite of everything, so he does, his luck changes and everything begins to go his way including getting a girlfriend, a job with the Yankees and moving out of his parents' house. Things begin to be unlucky for Elaine after she buys a box of "Jujyfruits." Kramer appears on Regis & Kathie Lee to promote his coffee table book. Rachel wants to break up with Jerry and he readily agrees, because his luck has been "even Steven." Elaine's eating of "Jujyfruits" causes Pendant Publishing to go under, and later she realizes that she and George have traded places.

The Race

Through his current girlfriend, Lois, Jerry meets an old rival, who suspects that he cheated in a high school race and he wants a rematch with Jerry to prove he was faster. Elaine is put on a "blacklist" for Chinese food delivery and finds out her boyfriend is a Communist. George responds to a personal ad in a Communist newspaper while at work, when Steinbrenner hears about it, he wants to see George in his office. Through his friend Mickey, Kramer becomes a department store Santa, who later spouts out Communist propaganda.

The Heart Attack

George thinks he's had a heart attack. The doctor tells him otherwise, but he might want to get his tonsils and adenoids removed. Elaine is interested in the doctor and he is interested in her tongue. George not wanting to deal with the cost and the procedure decides to take Kramer's advice of going to see a naturalist, which only makes the situation worse.

The Pen

Elaine regrets accompanying Jerry to visit his parents in Florida, and Jerry comes to regret accepting a gift of a pen that write's upside down from one of his father's friends.

The Library

Jerry is investigated by the library for a book he checked out in 1971 and never returned. Elaine fears for her career when her boss hates her recommendations, and Kramer strikes up a relationship with the librarian. Meanwhile, George believes that a homeless man is his old gym teacher, whom he got fired.

The Nose Job

Jerry's brain and penis play chess against one another to decide whether he should keep dating a vacuous model with whom the "sex is great" but not anything else. George is dating a woman with a big nose, Kramer tells her it like it is and she gets a nose job; however, there is a complication. Kramer gets Elaine to help him retrieve the jacket.

The Boyfriend (1 & 2)

Jerry meets Keith Hernandez and wants to make a good impression. Meanwhile, George is out of time on his unemployment and he works harder than ever on his scheme to get a 13 week extension. He tells the unemployment office he was really close on Vandelay Industries, a company that makes latex products and whose main office is Jerry's apartment. Kramer and Newman hate Hernandez back to a time when they were allegedly spit on by him; however, Jerry supports the "second-spitter theory." Keith asks Jerry about Elaine's status. Keith makes a date with her and breaks a date with Jerry.

The Parking Space

Kramer tells Jerry about something his friend Mike said about Jerry being "a phony." After borrowing Jerry's car, Elaine comes up with a wild story, because the car is now making a strange clanking noise. George gets into a confrontation with Mike about a parking space in front of Jerry's apartment. Everyone one the street debates about parking etiquette.

The Bubble Boy

Jerry's girlfriend, Naomi has a laugh that sounds like "Elmer Fudd sitting on a juicer," and when she hears George's message to Jerry, she breaks up with him. So instead, Jerry asks Elaine to accompany him on a trip to a cabin in the mountain with George and Susan. Kramer isn't invited. Jerry agrees to a side trip to visit a sick fan, a "Bubble Boy." George gets into a fight with the "Bubble Boy" over the correct answer to a Trivial Pursuit question. Kramer and Naomi also make the trip to the cabin and get the fire started.

The Soup Nazi

The gang all loves the soup from a new, temperamental cook unofficially called the "Soup Nazi". Jerry and his girlfriend are beyond affectionate, and their nickname "Schmoopie" drives George crazy. Elaine buys an antique armoire on the street, but it is stolen while being guarded by Kramer.

The Strike

An increase in the minimum wage is enough to finally meet the demands of the striking employees of H&H Bagels, and as such, Kramer announces that after 12 years, he's going back to work. Jerry meets an attractive woman at a party, but when he later tries to date her, she doesn't look nearly as good. Elaine's use of a fake phone number backfires when she loses a card that will entitle her to a free sandwich. George tries to get away with giving away fake donation cards as Christmas gifts at work, and much to his chagrin, his father decides to revive Festivus, a unique holiday he'd invented years earlier.

The Cheever Letters

Jerry and George begin to work on the pilot for the series they pitched to NBC. Jerry says the wrong thing while "messing" around with one of Elaine's co-workers. George & Susan tell her father about the cabin fire, he becomes distraught and letters saved from the fire soon explain why. Kramer goes to the Cuban Embassy in search of cigars and makes a deal. Seinfeld turns his girlfriend off by talking dirty.

Favorite Movies of 2007

A disclaimer before you read the list:

---I know nothing about movies. I am not a big movie watcher, I don't see a lot of movies, and I really don't care that much about movies. I don't even know what makes up a good movie other than I find it entertaining. I know nothing about directing, acting, producing, and do not pretend in any way to know about those things.

What I am saying is that this list has no credibility at all! Read with caution....

1. King of Kong; A Fistful of Quarters
One of the most entertaining and enjoyable films I've seen in a long time! This is a fantastic documentary of a battle of epic proportions: the world record at Donkey Kong. Be prepared to laugh, a lot.








2. Bourne Ultimatum
The "shaky-cam" was even more over the top on this one. I wanted to vomit, but in a good way. Can't go wrong with these movies. Matt Damon's a stud.








3. Hot Fuzz
Hilarious mock-up of police movies from the guys that brought you Shawn of the Dead.









4. Reign Over Me
This is a great movie and Adam Sandler's performance was award worthy. I will agree with Bill on that one. Loved it.









5. Ratotouille
Animation - fantastic
Storyline - fantastic
Characters - fantastic








6. Breach
I feel like this was one of the more overlooked movies this year. This is what The Good Shepherd (which was awful) should have been.









7. 300
Kelli loved the outfits. I didn't care for them so much, but felt like I wanted to fight someone by the time I left. That's a quality I like in a movie.










8. Live Free or Die Hard
Bruce Willis-bloody and beat up in the first 10 minutes. Luckily there's another hour and 50 minutes to go!









Worst Movie of the Year:
Pirates 3 - Hands down the worst movie of the year, if not the decade! One of the only movies that I wanted to actually ask for my money back. I still can't believe how a movie this bad could be released. Terrible, horrific, just straight stupid.

My Wife is Famous!

But not for singing! She's in the newspaper anyway.

Click HERE to read!

Favorite Fiction Books Read This Year #'s 1-5

Alright, time to finish off the book list.
December 7th - List 7

1. The Brothers K – David James Duncan
I still have yet to meet one person who has not loved this book. The characters are extremely well-developed, the storyline never lulls, every emotion is felt while reading this book. Plus, this is one of the only books that has made me laugh out loud while reading.








2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
Some may think this is heresy to put this book above Lord of the Rings, but come on, it's the year of Harry Potter. It's kind of required.









3. The Lord of the Rings – J.R. Tolkien
Finally read this for the first time and wow! Quite a bit that is left out from the movies, although, unlike Harry Potter (who's movies always disappoint), these movies are actually quite good! Any man who can create his own world complete with a language is brilliant and has accomplished something of obscene proportions. The creatures were awesome. Loved the Ents.







4. The Pastures of Heaven – John Steinbeck
Back to the brilliant John Steinbeck. These are a series of short stories that all tie together. Not quite as good as Travels with Charley, but better than Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row.









5. Wise Blood – Flannery O’Connor
Two Flannery O'Connor books on one list. Who would have thought? One man's deluded attempt to create the "church without Jesus Christ". This is a great book if only for the great cultural significance. You can see people trying to do the same thing today! (Joel Osteen - did I need to mention his name?)







Coming soon:
-Favorite Seinfeld Episodes of All Time
-Favorite Albums of the Year
-Top Five Beers of the Year!
This is the most self-indulgent I think I've ever been and I'm loving every second of it!

Favorite Fiction Books Read This Year #'s 6-10

December 6 - List 6 (Not running out of steam yet!)

6. The Power and the Glory – Graham Greene
The story of a whiskey priest on the run after Mexico outlaws the Church due to greed and corruption. Like every Greene novel I have read, it is bleak but it is rich.








7. Tortilla Flat/Cannery Row/The Moon is Down – John Steinbeck
I put all of these together because they are all short novels and I read them all at once. Plus Tortilla Flat and Cannery Row are pretty much the same story, so what the heck. Even when Steinbeck's not great, he's still entertaining. His characters in these stories may not be extremely well developed but they're still interesting. Anyway, I'm like Radiohead fans in this respect-Steinbeck could poop on a piece of paper and I would find it interesting. I probably didn't need to say that.



8. The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne
Hawthorne can be drier than any writer I've ever read, but he can also pack quite a punch with very few words. There are some great moments in The Scarlet Letter, not to mention the huge theological themes of sin and guilt throughout. Not the most exciting book in the world at times, but it's a must read.






9. The Violent Bear it Away – Flannery O’Connor
This was my introduction to Flannery O'Connor and while this is a very strange book that leaves several questions and is open to interpretation, I loved it! I loved the eerie way in which she writes and I am fascinated by her messy characters.







10. Life After God – Douglas Coupland
I think I've said this before on my blog but after reading half of this I thought, "What in the world is this guy talking about? What he is saying is random and incongruent" and then I realized, "oh, that's the point."

Favorite Songs of 2007

December 5 - List 5 (don't worry, there's no end in sight)

Before we do favorite albums, it would be a good warm-up to do favorite songs.

These are in no particular order:

• Be Good or Be Gone – Fionn Regan

• Resurrection Fern – Iron & Wine

• The Temptation of Adam – Josh Ritter

• I am John – Loney Dear

• 4 Walls – Richmond Fontaine

• Silver Trees – Rocky Votolato

• I Taught Myself to Grow Old – Ryan Adams

• Don’t Make Me a Target – Spoon

• Bye Pod – Turin Brakes

• Your Rocky Spine – Great Lake Swimmers

• Intervention – Arcade Fire

• Heretics – Andrew Bird

• Don’t Lose Yourself – Laura Veirs

• Slow Show - The National

• Salina - The Avett Brothers

• John Allyn Smith Sails - Okkervil River

• The General Specific – Band of Horses

• White Dove – John Vanderslice

• Prelude for Time Feelers - Eluvium

• Old News - Dr. Dog

• Atlas - Battles

• Sun in an Empty Room - The Weakerthans

• Sleeping Lessons - The Shins

• Am I Only - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

• Hair Like Spanish Moss - Calexico

• Oh John - Jeremy Enigk

• Chicago X12 - Rogue Wave

• Here Comes the Phantom - The Clientele

• In the Time We've Got - The One AM Radio

Tomorrow - Favorite Fiction books read this year! Woohoo!

Favorite Christmas Movies of All Time

The Fourth Day of December - The Fourth List. I'm right on track. No explanations needed with these!

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas








2. A Christmas Story











3. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation












4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas









5. Elf












6. Gremlins











7. Die Hard











8. Home Alone

How much help...

do the Patriots need to stay undefeated? My goodness. They lost the game like three times last night. But lucky for them, they got bailed out three times by the refs. Ridiculous.

Favorite Trips/Hikes of the Year (in no particular order)

1. Lake Tahoe

This Fourth of July Kelli’s aunt and uncle paid for our trip to Lake Tahoe. We stayed at their place for about four days and did so much. Went boating, biking, hiking, rafting, it was crazy. This was Kelli's favorite spot. We kayaked out to this rock which at the top has this little structure that used to be some woman's tea house!

2. Newport Weekend

In the spring Kelli and I made our way down for a weekend on the Oregon coast. Visited Rogue (as many of you remember!).

3. Angel’s Rest

This was the hike that Mike and Katie Alpert took us on that got us into hiking and led to us buying the 50 Hikes within 50 Miles book. Thanks guys!

4. Triple Falls Hike

The Triple Falls Hike was awesome because we got there early and there was literally no one on the trail until our way down. I didn’t think we were ever going to find it but when we turned the final corner it was well worth it.

5. Lost Lake Hike

After an eternity of driving we found our way to Lost Lake (the name is no longer a mystery) with Elvyss and Kristen and climbed Lost Lake Butte which has a phenomenal view of Mt. Hood.

6. Ben and Angela’s Wedding

In September we went to Moline, IL to take part in my cousin Ben and Angela’s wedding. Great time, beautiful wedding (or at least from my vantage point!).

7. Astoria Weekend

This summer we spent a weekend at a house in Astoria with Chris & Karli, Bob & Amy, and Mike & Katie. We only have three pictures of this event and for some weird reason all three of them include Ania! What a camera hog.

8. Visit to Illinois

In the spring we got a chance to visit our families in our respective small towns in Illinois. I always love going back and visiting. Very relaxing trip. Plus we were able to catch a Peoria Chiefs game and see Ryne Sandberg.

This was an incredible year. Kelli and I were able to do so much and we are extremely thankful for that. We look forward to another awesome year with more trips, hikes, and experiences in Oregon.

Best Non-Fiction #1-5

My Favorite Non-Fiction Books Read This Year (#'s 1-5):

1. The Forgotten Ways – Alan Hirsch
I'm not even done with this and I can already say this is number one! I love Hirsch's honesty as he tells the stories of his failures as they experimented with new ideas of church. It's refreshing. It's not a sales pitch to sell you an idea like a lot of church books. "This will change your church, blah blah blah." He's really laying down some foundational stuff. Sure, he uses his own language for it (which some will find tiring), but I don't get the sense that he's trying to sell me anything. If you have anything to do with the church I would recommend you read this slowly and think through it.



2. Into Thin Air - Jon Krakauer
This is Jon Krakauer's account of the disaster at Mt. Everest of 1996. He initially went there to investigate the commercialism of Mt. Everest but got way more than he bargained for. I couldn't put this one down. It's exciting, it's terrifying, it's sad, and it's not without controversy. I felt like I was on the mountain. This one really got me hooked on the fascinating culture of Mt. Everest. Love those sherpas.

3. Choose the Life – Bill Hull
Great book on discipleship. I believe that is pretty much all Bill Hull writes about. Uh, not much else to say. It's challenging.

4. The End of Memory – Miroslav Volf
I think I enjoyed this book so much because it was so different than what I had read before. Part psychology/part theology, Volf examines the role of remembering in forgiveness and uses his own brutal experience being taken for a spy and held for a year of questioning/torture. I have thought about "remembering rightly" a lot since I have read this book.

5. Soul Survivor – Philip Yancey
Yancey gives (I believe it's thirteen) portraits of people who have inspired him to hold onto the faith throughout the years when he wanted to leave the church. Some of these include MLK Jr., Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Nouwen, Buechner, Chesterton, and some people I had never heard of but am glad that I did. These are all fascinating people, plus it's obvious that Yancey is just a really good writer.