Happy New Year!

Sorry for the belated New Years Wishes. There was a lot going on around New Years, then I woke up early yesterday morning with my stomach disagreeing with the rest of my body. The rest of the day was spent on the couch. Literally, I got off the couch maybe two times before 9 last night!

Shaylee came down for the New Years weekend. Also, the Marquezes were staying with us. We had a full house, which was very fun for all. We didnt do too much. A lot of movies, eating and football...all the things a good new year should have. Like every year, there was a huge fireworks show on the strip. We found a great place to watch them and Shaylee and I sat and talked for a long time. She is a great girl!

Jake went into the MTC yesterday. It hasnt really hit me yet. I know I will finally feel it when I am watching the NFL playoffs this week and start to text him about something. I talked sports with him more than anyone else! We worked out a deal to end my NBA strike also. We decided that I would take over his NBA viewing duties once he left, which would end my 2007-2008 boycott. For those of you who dont know, this is a huge deal. I think the WGA should bring me in to handle their negotiations!

I have a few more Top 10 lists for you to finish that off. The first is actually a Top 5 list.

Top 5 TV shows of 2007
1. Scrubs
This is my favorite show of all time! I hope the writers strike doesnt keep me from seeing how it ends.
2. Heroes
I watched the first season on DVD in about 4 days. The second season started off slow, but the last few episodes totally made up for it.
3. The Office
The third episode of this season was my all time favorite. I am glad they are back to the half hour format.
4. Friday Night Lights
An amazing show with an amazing cast.
5. 30 Rock
I think I found a show to replace Scrubs once it ends this year.

Honorable Mention
Private Practice
Pushing Daisies

Weird...all 5 are from the same network. Go NBC!!!

The last two lists are special this year. Since I missed 2005 and 2006 due to a mission, I am going to do my favorite albums I have found since coming home.

Top 10 albums
1. Jack's Mannequin - Everything In Transit
2. Cavalier - Your Honest Answer
3. Dave Melillo - Talk is Cheap
4. The Format - Dog Problems
5. The Early November - The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path
6. Acceptance - Phantoms
7. Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal
8. Cartel - Chroma
9. Tyrone Wells - Snapshot
10. Until June - Until June

Movies

I got back from a quick trip to San Francisco last night. Out hotel didnt have wireless, so I wasnt able to provide any updates! Here is the top 10 movies list. Hopefully I can get sometime later today to go over Christmas and San Fran...until then, enjoy!

Top 10 Movies 2007
1. Dan In Real Life
Steve Carell turned in a surprising performance in my favorite movie of the year. This was a funny movie with a great story line. Even Dane Cook was good!
2. Juno
I had very high expectations for Juno and I was not disappointed. A great soundtrack and great acting made this a personal classic.
3. The Bourne Ultimatum
A fantastic end to a great franchise. The fight seen through the slums of Morrocco may be my favorite part of any action movie.
4. I Am Legend
Again, high expectations for me on this one. Will Smith turned in an award winning performance. The special effects were amazing and even though it was a sci-fi storyline, it didnt seem over the top, like War of the Worlds.
5. Hairspray
I dont know if I have ever laughed harder in a movie than I did during John Travolta's dance solo at the end of Hairspray. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie.
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Through 5 films, they are finally figuring out how to make a Harry Potter movie. The actors are getting more mature and have really become their characters. The whole Deparment of Mysteries scene was fantastic!
7. Transformers
Judging by the trailer, I did not expect much from this movie. Little did I know it would be fantastic. Shia Lebouf is becoming one of my favorites.
8. Blades of Glory
Behind Anchorman, my favorite Will Ferrell movie yet.
9. Disturbia
Again, I had low expectations for this Shia Lebouf movie, but I was wrong. Well written, with an actual story line, which is weird for a horror movie.
10. License to Wed
The Office cast has been well represented on this years list. A great chick flick.

Honorable Mention
Spider-Man 3
American Gangster (Judging by the trailers!)

Next Top 10...and other stuff

It is the day before Christmas...I dont know where the last year has gone! I was talking to Shaylee last night and she asked me about the differences of being home for Christmas and being on a mission. My answer surprised me. I think it was easier to be on a mission around Christmas because you really appreciate it for what it is. In Brazil, Christmas is not nearly as commercialized as here in the US. Even the most affluent families only get their children one or two presents. Also, as a missionary life is a lot simpler. Because of the work we were doing, it was much easier to focus on the whys of Christmas than what comes from it. Although, nothing can replace the joy that comes with being together as a family during the holidays.

Jake spoke in Church yesterday. He did a great job. I really liked the sports analogies he used. They had a little get together at his house afterwards, which was fun.

Now on to the next Top 10 list. This one will be my favorite songs of the year. Here it is.

1. So, In This Hour... - The Rocket Summer
My favorite song from my favorite CD of the year. One of the highlights of the year was seeing The Rocket Summer. Since this was a newer song I wasnt sure if he would play it or not. FInally, he came out for an encore and satisfied me.
2. Rollerskates - Treaty of Paris
Just an upbeat, fun song to listen to.
3. Song In My Head - Sherwood
Even though it has such a catchy melody and upbeat sound, this is actually a downer of a song. At one point, it was the best way to explain what was going on in my head.
4. Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...) - Jay-Z feat. Kanye West
My favorite rap song of the year. It doesnt take much for this position, but lyrics that talk about Black Bar Mitzvahs are hard to beat.
5. Light Up the Sky - Yellowcard
The first time I heard this song, I was sitting at work. Near the end, there is a big drum solo. After hearing it, I had to walk out to my car and listen to it louder to completely appreciate it.
6. Realize - Colbie Caillat
Sometimes we just need to take a second and look around at what we already have before wanting more.
7. The Shade of Poison Trees - Dashboard Confessional
I still have no clue what this song means, but I like it a lot.
8. Imagine - Jack Johnson
A great cover of a classic song. Personally, I feel it is better than the original. Everything Jack touches turns to gold in my book!
9. Stay Close, Dont Go - Secondhand Serenade
This song was included on the re-release of their first CD. I could see myself singing these lyrics on a regular basis.
10. Thriller - Fall Out Boy
How can I keep a song with an intro by Jay-Z off this list? Not only that, but the Jay-Z part was probably my favorite ringtone of all time.

Honorable Mention
The Second Coming - Juelz Santana
Movement - The Higher
Underclass Hero - Sum 41
Direction - The Starting Line
Brink of Disaster - Mae
Lose It - Cartel
You're Not a Whore - The Format
I couldnt choose one song from the new Jimmy Eat World album!

Stay tuned for a few special Top 10's to come. Since I missed 2005 and 2006 on my mission, I am going to do a Top 10 new albums and songs from the new stuff I have discovered since being home. Also, a Top 10 movie list is on its way, but I am going to wait and see Juno before making that list, as I feel Juno will end up pretty high!

Feliz Natal para todos!!!!

Top 10 Time

Over the next few days I am going to share a few different Top 10 lists with you. Today I will start with my Top 10 Albums of the year and there will be 3 or 4 more to follow, with my Top 10 Movies of the year as the final installment.

Albums of 2007
1. The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel
For the first two months after buying this CD, I listened to it everyday. At the beginning, I was even considering making it number 1 all time, but it ended up not making it that far.
2. Sherwood - A Different Light
This is what I call happy music. Great to turn on in the car alone, turned up loud and singing at the top of my lungs.
3. The Higher - On Fire
A great sophomore effort from the Vegas boys. By far the best band Vegas has to offer.
4. Colbie Caillat - Coco
This is on many people lists this year. Every song is fabulous, with so much emotion expressed through the lyrics.
5. Yellowcard - Paper Walls
A surprise on this years list. After a dismal follow up to Ocean Avenue, Yellowcard got down to business for this years Paper Walls. Listen to the amazing drum solos on a few tracks.
6. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
I am a long time JEW fan, but have never felt satisfied by their music since Clarity. Chase This Light will be loved by long time fans and new followers alike.
7. Dashboard Confessional - The Shade of Poison Trees
Chris Carrabba surprised the world with this album, announcing it only 5 weeks before the release date. A completely acoustic CD, it got everyone ready for the great solo tour that had been 5 years in the making.
8. Treaty of Paris - Sweet Dreams, Sucker
The first LP release from Andrew McMahon's Airport Tapes & Records label is a fun, upbeat rock album.
9. Paramore - Riot!
This teenagers figured out their sound on this second release. With great melodies, I will listen to this record for a long time.
10. Farewell - Isn't This Supposed to be Fun?
A surprise find from my recent music quest. These guys know how to get your feet moving without using to many computer generated sound. I cant wait to see them live and get the full experience.
Honorable Mention
Angels and Airwaves - I-Empire
The Starting Line - Direction
Cartel - Cartel
Mae - Singularity
Hidden In Plain View - Resolution
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Anberlin - Cities