He Knew All The Words

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Well, Dear Readers, the year draws to a close. Nationally, we had a pretty major election. There isn’t a lot for me to say about this that I haven’t said before–just take a look back at the great majority of this blog in 2008: it’s all politics all the time. I’m thrilled Obama got elected. And I think he’d do a good job as president. He’s certainly got his work cut out for him. I intend to hold his feet to the fire to make sure he keeps the promises he made. We all worked too hard to make it happen to slack off now, right? Bookmark the White House website, put your Senators’ and Congressmen’s phone numbers in your Rolodex, and get your pens ready for some letters to the editors–we’ve got a lot to do next year.

The recession is now in full bloom, kicking ass and taking names. I’m ready for the fight, but jeez, the next 6-to-12 months look pretty scary.

Personally, the year was a weird mix of turmoil, novelty, and upheaval. Much of it good, some of it bad, and some of it is still waiting on the proverbial jury. On the decidedly bad front, Florent closed. Sigh. Perfect is impossible to keep hold of. How do you keep a wave upon the sand? You don’t. You just move on.

And I just moved on–literally–to Brooklyn. The jury’s still out on this one. More space, fabulous commute, bad air quality, and no urban density at all compared to Manhattan. It’s fine, I guess, but it’s just not me. Perhaps in 2009 I’ll find my place here.

I did not, however, move on to any proper vacation. I plan to rectify that situation in the first week of March. More about that later….

But look at all the great things that happened in terms of those I love: Dad celebrated a milestone birthday back in May. And the best part of that is that he doesn’t look or act (most of the time!) older than his late 50s. We had a great time celebrating his birthday in North Carolina–a real party. A bit younger than Marco, by about 70.25 years are the newest members of my family–Avery and Luke, born to Sarah & Josh and Amanda & Zack, respectively. I haven’t had a chance to meet these littlest ones yet (I will in June), but since my cousins are such great people in general I trust that their genes and their parenting skills will turn these babies into wonderful people. And speaking of wonderful people, Patsy finally got her ass out of San Francisco. It was an abrupt move, but my god, after 16 years of living in separate cities it’s so wonderful to just be able to watch a movie together or have dinner together or meet up for a drink without having to take a 6-hour flight!

That about sums it up. I never got around to writing about a lot of the great new music I listened to this year, so I’ve compiled a multimedia 10-Best list for your enjoyment. Here it is:

DAVID ZAZA’S 10 BEST SONGS OF 2008

1. Fleet Foxes: White Winter Hymnal

2. Okkervil River: Calling and Not Calling My Ex

3. Vampire Weekend: A-Punk

4. Robert Forster: Demon Days

5. American Music Club: The Decibels and The Little Pills

6. Okkervil River: Singer Songwriter

7. The Dandy Warhols: Love Song

8. Bonnie Prince Billy: So Everyone

9. Willie Nelson: Moment of Forever

10. Beyonce: Halo
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