My Faves

For 2006, my most common blog will be about my favorite things. Categories will vary. But, I think by having a theme I will be more likely to blog more. Also, if you see some things that you like you can resonate with me and even share some of your faves so I can check it out too. If you see things you don't like, then you can say so as well :)

Favorite Things about 2005:
1. Sydni Mae Wilson (how could she not be #1?)
2. My wife's toughness - any woman who goes through that much is way tougher than me.

Favorite X-mas Gifts:
1. TiVo
2. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
3. Nerf Crossbow

Fave Books for 2005:
1. Seven Practices of Effective Ministry - Stanley
2. Radical Reformission - Driscoll

Fave Song 2005:
Don't Funk with my Heart - Black Eyed Peas

Fave Album:
Monkey Business - Black Eyed Peas

Fave New Group:
Mae

Fave Old Group Newly Discovered by Me:
ColdPlay - I'm a loser for taking so long - these guys are incredible

Fave Movie:
Narnia

Biggest Surprises of 2005:
Brad and Jennifer, Jessica and Nick - I thought they would be together forever :)

Fave Restaurant:
Buffalo Wild Wings (Does anyone have a half million I can have to bring one to Q-town?)

Fave Food:
Lobster Lasagna from Macaroni Grill

Fave Drink:
Chocolate Milk (always will be)

Fave Dessert:
Chocolate Tall Cake - Ruby Tuesday

Fave word that I over-use:
swell


Alright, that's all I got for now.
I hope your year was swell.
Have a Happy 2006.
Matt <><

Paste

I love Relevant Magazine. Inside a recent edition they wrote about the magazine "Paste". Imagine that, a magazine promoting another magazine. I thought that it looked pretty cool and I would keep my eye out to check it out sometime.

So, I am in my local County Market (that's right, go Nieman foods!) when I see Paste on their shelf. I pick it up because although it costs $8 it has a free sampler CD and sampler DVD inside. I honestly did not read much of the magazine which includes mostly reviews on music, films and books. I did however take advantage of the free CD sampler and DVD sampler. It is worth the cost of the mag alone. Their latest edition has Fiona Apple on it. The one before has Death Cab for Cutie.

Paste's theme is basically to bring to light music and film that is not necessarily popular but maybe just under the radar. They don't get wrapped up in fads and go more for substance. It is good stuff. You might know them from CNN where they do weekly Paste picks at 1:54 PM. They cover some new music and film. You can check out the mag at http://www.pastemagazine.com/.

Today, I discovered the music video by Tracy Chapman called "Change". The song is incredible. HBO is using it for their spots this winter. I don't get HBO, but I can understand why they like this song so much. The lyrics to Chapman's song is so good and the video is basically her just strumming. It is very cool. The lyrics are so thought provoking. I would like to know what you think she is singing about. You can read her lyrics here:

If you knew that you would die today,Saw the face of god and love,Would you change?Would you change?
If you knew that love can break your heartWhen you're down so low you cannot fall Would you change?Would you change?
How bad, how good does it need to get?How many losses? How much regret?What chain reaction would cause an effect?Makes you turn around,Makes you try to explain,Makes you forgive and forget,Makes you changeMakes you change
If you knew that you would be alone,Knowing right, being wrong,Would you change?Would you change?
If you knew that you would find a truthThat brings up pain that can't be soothedWould you change?Would you change?
How bad, how good does it need to get?How many losses? How much regret?What chain reaction would cause an effect?Makes you turn around,Makes you try to explain,Makes you forgive and forget,Makes you change Makes you change
Are you so upright you can't be bent? If it comes to blows are you so sure you won't be crawling?If not for the good, why risk falling?Why risk falling?
If everything you think you know,Makes your life unbearable,Would you change?Would you change?
If you'd broken every rule and vow,And hard times come to bring you down,Would you change?Would you change?
If you knew that you would die today,If you saw the face of God and love,Would you change?Would you change?Would you change?Would you change?
If you saw the face of God and loveIf you saw the face of God and loveWould you change?Would you change?

You can hear a sample of the song at http://www.atlanticrecords.com/tracychapman.
This song alone makes me want to buy the CD. Let me know what you think of the song.
I know this post has nothing to do with Christmas. Except for the fact that if you are looking for something for the music lover in your family, I would check into Paste. Obviously, it would be something more for adults than kids. And by the way, if you still have not purchased me a gift, I don't yet have a subscription to Paste : )

Paste

I love Relevant Magazine. Inside a recent edition they wrote about the magazine "Paste". Imagine that, a magazine promoting another magazine. I thought that it looked pretty cool and I would keep my eye out to check it out sometime.

So, I am in my local County Market (that's right, go Nieman foods!) when I see Paste on their shelf. I pick it up because although it costs $8 it has a free sampler CD and sampler DVD inside. I honestly did not read much of the magazine which includes mostly reviews on music, films and books. I did however take advantage of the free CD sampler and DVD sampler. It is worth the cost of the mag alone. Their latest edition has Fiona Apple on it. The one before has Death Cab for Cutie.

Paste's theme is basically to bring to light music and film that is not necessarily popular but maybe just under the radar. They don't get wrapped up in fads and go more for substance. It is good stuff. You might know them from CNN where they do weekly Paste picks at 1:54 PM. They cover some new music and film. You can check out the mag at http://www.pastemagazine.com/.

Today, I discovered the music video by Tracy Chapman called "Change". The song is incredible. HBO is using it for their spots this winter. I don't get HBO, but I can understand why they like this song so much. The lyrics to Chapman's song is so good and the video is basically her just strumming. It is very cool. The lyrics are so thought provoking. I would like to know what you think she is singing about. You can read her lyrics here:

If you knew that you would die today,Saw the face of god and love,Would you change?Would you change?
If you knew that love can break your heartWhen you're down so low you cannot fall Would you change?Would you change?
How bad, how good does it need to get?How many losses? How much regret?What chain reaction would cause an effect?Makes you turn around,Makes you try to explain,Makes you forgive and forget,Makes you changeMakes you change
If you knew that you would be alone,Knowing right, being wrong,Would you change?Would you change?
If you knew that you would find a truthThat brings up pain that can't be soothedWould you change?Would you change?
How bad, how good does it need to get?How many losses? How much regret?What chain reaction would cause an effect?Makes you turn around,Makes you try to explain,Makes you forgive and forget,Makes you change Makes you change
Are you so upright you can't be bent? If it comes to blows are you so sure you won't be crawling?If not for the good, why risk falling?Why risk falling?
If everything you think you know,Makes your life unbearable,Would you change?Would you change?
If you'd broken every rule and vow,And hard times come to bring you down,Would you change?Would you change?
If you knew that you would die today,If you saw the face of God and love,Would you change?Would you change?Would you change?Would you change?
If you saw the face of God and loveIf you saw the face of God and loveWould you change?Would you change?

You can hear a sample of the song at http://www.atlanticrecords.com/tracychapman.
This song alone makes me want to buy the CD. Let me know what you think of the song.
I know this post has nothing to do with Christmas. Except for the fact that if you are looking for something for the music lover in your family, I would check into Paste. Obviously, it would be something more for adults than kids. And by the way, if you still have not purchased me a gift, I don't yet have a subscription to Paste : )