10 Reasons Why Life is Going Well

The economy may be on the fritz these days and life might be throwing you a few obstacles but today I'll give you ten reasons why life truly is beautiful.

1. Finally, the writer's strike is over. The strike wasn't pretty but at least it's over.

2. Tipsters are saying that the iPhone and iPod Touch prices are due to drop about $100. This sucks for anyone who just bought their gear, but for prospective buyers, enjoy the extra Benjamin in your pocket.

3. I read in Time Magazine that the number of death's in Iraq has dropped significantly since August of 2005. Regardless of party affiliation or ideals, this is undoubtedly a good thing.

4. Artists like Tristan Prettyman and Kelley Stoltz are investing time and money in energy credits and other greener strategies.

5. David Anderegg wrote a tribute Nerds entitled Nerds: Who We Are and Why We Need More of Them. It's been praised by many media outlets, so if you're a Nerd this is your limelight.

6. If you've been upset that 2000 didn't bring flying cars, at least you now have a reason to rejoice with the Swiss. They recently invented an underwater car called the Squba.

7. Heidi Klum says she will open up her home and do whatever she can to help Britney Spears. Maybe Britney will finally get the friend she needs, and Chris Crocker can create a new, happier YouTube video.

8. Even though our world is heating up, some coral reefs are naturally protected from global warming with the ocean's natural thermostat system.

9. A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that reaching 100 is easier than most would think, largely due to a new trend of doctors who treat older people the same as they would younger individuals.

10. When all else fails there's always music.

I dare not leave you without a music recommendation. If you're into the cutting edge rock, dance pop I've been recommending The Teenagers are a sure hipster winner. They're a bit more dissonant than you usually hear on the radio, but the group's debut Reality Check has gotten them lots of attention.

The Teenager's song below is called "Homecoming." If you we're a young teen who doted over "Unemployed Boyfriend" from Everclear's Wonderful album then you'll appreciate the dumb sounding satire of this track.

The Slightly Uncomfortable

In the interest of conforming to the most popular literary style for year end publications, I've chosen to blog today about ten things that make me kind of uncomfortable. Not totally uncomfortable, but the types of things that stir me up just a little (in no particular order).

1. The word "footsie." Even worse, footsie in the plural form, "footsies."
2. Cirque du Soleil. It's amazing what these people can do, but please, spare me the costumes. There's something slightly creepy about that.
3. Buying toilet paper. I know everyone does it but for some reason it embarrasses me just a little.
4. Stretching. This one actually makes me physically uncomfortable though, while the others give me a slightly uncomfortable feeling in my gut.
5. Calling businesses. There's nothing I'd rather do than avoid calling and talking to a stranger, especially if I have to disagree with them or ask a question.
6. Accidentally unzipped flies or UFO's in people's teeth. That's one's self explanatory.
7. Asking for favors or for people to pay you back money they owe you.
8. The action of other people cutting their nails in public. I had one of those in my Spanish class last semester and her nail clippings would fly. Sort of discomforting.
9. Eating with people who eat fast. I like to enjoy my food, and when the waiter takes my friends' plates but not mine, and then I'm left savoring my meal, I feel like an inconvenience to the waiter. Oh well, I'd rather enjoy my food.
10. Wet paper products. Actually this makes me more than "kind of uncomfortable" but what would a list about things that make me feel weird be without my phobia of wet paper products?

As we turn to music, I'd like to talk about an artist that also makes me kind of uncomfortable. His name is Jandek, but he's not really a man. Instead, Jandek is a collective referring to himself/themselves as "Corwood Industries." Jandek is mysterious, and anyone who appears in Jandek's name is simply a representative of Corwood Inustries. He chooses to remain reclusive, depressive, and mysterious and his music sounds similar. It's Daniel Johnston like, and causes infinite unease. But if you're into that type of thing, enjoy Jandek. Below is a 1985 interview between Jandek and SPIN Magazine. It's a nice, compact introduction to the lighter side of Jandek and Corwood Industries. The interview is only audio and the images are typical of Jandek's album covers.