So, here’s my 2009 mixtape. These are songs that I liked at some point during ‘09, although I know that some were released before ‘09. Point is, these are the songs that will forever remind me of what the year that was, 2009.

First, here’s my top 5. No way to order these, pairing down to 5 “top” songs was hard enough! So suffice it to say, these were all awesome to me. All of these but Jay-Z I got to see live in concert at some point this year. Enjoy!

Top Songs of 2009

1. Notion – Kings of Leon
2. Sometime Around Midnight – The Airborne Toxic Event
3. Sleepyhead – Passion Pit
4. Take Your Time (Coming Home) – fun.
5. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z

Mixtape ‘09: (No particular order)

1. The ‘59 Sound – Gaslight Anthem
2. Notion – Kings of Leon
3. Sometime Around Midnight – The Airborne Toxic Event
4. Washed By The Water – Will Hoge
5. Dive In – Dave Matthews Band
6. It’s My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry – Glasvegas
7. Her Morning Elegance – Oren Lavie
8. Can You Discover? – Discovery
9. So Insane – Discovery
10. Innocence – The Airborne Toxic Event
11. Sleepyhead – Passion Pit
12. Daylight – Matt & Kim
13. I’d Rather Be With You – Joshua Radin
14. I’ll Fight – Wilco
15. Currently – Keaton Simons
16. Say – The Damnwells
17. Little Secrets – Passion Pit
18. Bruises – Chairlift
19. Where Have You Been? – Manchester Orchestra
20. Take Your Time (Coming Home) – fun.
21. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z
22. Pursuit of Happiness – Kid Cudi
23. Basic Space – The XX
24. Everything’s Right – Matt Wertz
25. Edge of Desire – John Mayer

Let’s face it, most everyone agrees that Home Alone is one of the greatest holiday movies of all time, if not movies in general. I was about Kevin McCallister’s age when the movie came out, and ya, I was pretty sure I would have done the exact same thing in his situation. Anyway, watching it almost 20 years later, it dawned on me that there are a few awesome things in this movie that no longer exist (or aren’t prevelant anymore). So, here is my list of things found in Home Alone that I wish still existed:

- Micro machines. Also the speed talking dude from the commercials.
- Starting Lineup action figures.
- Brut cologne. Man, that stuff was manly.
- Aerosol deodorant. Smelled like locker room. Today, we call it ‘Axe’.
- Named criminals. They were the ‘Wet Bandits’ for leaving the water running everywhere. And the ‘South Bend Shovel Slayer’? Creepy. You just don’t hear cool criminal names anymore.
- VCRs. Because they don’t sell a DVD version of ‘Angels With Filthy Souls’.
- Crunch Tators potato chips. These are included in a long list of potato chips that need to make a comeback (Pizzaria chips anyone?)
- John Candy. Ok, I don’t miss his character, or really anything about him in Home Alone, but John Candy was awesome and tops off my list.

I’m on the train to meet my parents at the airport and thinking about how time flies and all the great things I have to be thankful for. I’m thankful for parents that will come up here to spend Thanksgiving in the city. So, as I prepare for Thanksgiving 09 here in Chicago, here’s a list of things that I am thankful for:

- Cliche-ish or not, I’m thankful for many friends, both old and new. Im continually amazed atthe friendships I have attained just in the last few years when I started out knowing nobody. Chicago is reffered to as the City of Big Shoulders, for embracing all types of people. And I now see why. And not to forget friends from long ago that still keep in touch, that I still get excited to see the few times a year that I do. The friends that can get together all at once one time a year, and no matter how things have changed, can still tell the same stories of yesteryear and laugh together.

- A sweet gig. I love my job. I love coming to work, and although there are still mornings where I just don’t want to get up, I don’t feel like it’s work. It’s just fun. I’m in an industry of computer geeks when being geeky is about as cool as it’s ever been. The people I work with are amazing and I get to work on and with the ever-changing Internet everyday!

- My dog, Karl. Karl keeps me busy, but he also keeps me active and social. I’m lazy, and without Karl around, I wouldn’t go outside and enjoy simple walks thru fall colored parks or snow covered streets. These simple walks, that I literally do 3-4 times a day, can be quite annoying, but honestly, the joy and time of solitude it gives me are worth it. And yes, it can be very entertaining to watch Karl interact with the city.