This has year in music has been a relatively slow year in music for me as most of the stuff churned out this year didn't seem to really sink in. The good stuff came from all over the place and I have to mention that one of the albums that almost made the list was Givin It Up by George Benson & Al Jarreau. I say almost because I don't put the compilations or greatest hits into the list...

Bands that I usually like such Jet, Kasabian, Snow Patrol, Keane and even The Killers seem to be in some sort of weird time warp. Yes, they released albums that were pleasing but that's precisely the problem. The albums were pleasing - a good effort with nothing great to shout about.

I had a hard time filling this year's list of my favourite 10, and the list this time is eclectic, if any. Surprises - well, I can safely say that this year, no one will faint. I hope :P

10. The Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. Like the Netizens around the world, all it took was a download and it was love. The album has a lot more to offer than I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor...

9. Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah! The one album that was infectious as all hell and got me to put on my dancing shoes. If I wasn't a girl, I'd most probably be a...

8. Take That - Beautiful World. This is an ode to an old favourite but the boys have definately gotten better with age and are miles better than Westlife and the droll Boyzone. We finally get to hear Jason sing! Robbie, who?

7. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium. They attempted to get funky with Hump de Bump and continue on a winning streak with this double album. A band still a force to be reckoned with today.

6. Prince - 3121. If sexy never left the building, how the hell can Mr Timberlake claim to bring it back? Severely underrated and monstrously satisfying :o)

5. Placebo - Meds. The Brian Molko's voice is still as grating as ever and sometimes serves to remind us that not everything is as shiny and as beautiful as it seems. Kind of like a musical Nip/Tuck...

4. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit. Caught me by surprise and I actually like it more and more because it's not as depressing as 2003's Dear Catastrophe Waitress. Hah!

3. Jarvis - Jarvis Cocker. Pulp was one of the most underrated bands of the 90s and are sorely missed in today's manufactufed pop world. Thank God for Jarvis... oh and Weird Al, who came really close. Ya, ya, so I have a thing for werid white guys, bite me.

We're almost at the end...and I must say that if my list were just the two of what I thought were the absolutely best albums this year, it'll be these two. Jostling for space for almost permanent rotation on my iPod:

2. The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers. Jack, no matter what color your last name is, you seem to have talent in spades. Where The White Stripes have gone more experimental with their last release, these guys are just balls out rock...I love, love

1. Muse - Black Holes and Revelations. Well, paint me blue can call me converted...a monstrously brilliant album full of raunchy guitars, strong vocals, and an impenetrable wall of sound loaded with delicacy. Totally unlikely, but supremely worthy. I never though Matt Bellamy had it in him..."Starlight" and "Supermassive Black Hole" are two of my favourite tracks of the year... I can't wait to see them here next month!

And you didn't think I had it in me...you should be ashamed!

Which is yet another career option if the whole PR holoobaloo falls through. Gosh knows I've got enough stored angst to write a novella of sorts ;P

I came across this little nugget while doing media monitoring this week...it's also the reason why I love quirky white boys, like Jason Mraz: "As I get older, the more I truly enjoy being single. The more I'm single, the more I blog about it." And it's like - hey, that's whay I blog too! Well...that's part of the reason - mostly I blog to whine about work and bitch about some deserving parties.

I commiserated over singleton status with one of my close friends, whose constantly been unlucky in the dating scene and had a good laugh. We came to the conclusion that well, people as a whole will never reallybe satisfied with the lot they've been given. And if they are, they're compelled to bitch about something because being happy for the sake of it is just not done.

We've been asked a few times why we haven't gotten together and well, frankly, people - it's like a frigging disaster waiting to happen...kinda like Airplane!

The rain over the past two days has certainly put a damper on things. Not having much Christmas spirit to begin with is also part of my problem, so while some excited friends are humming their jolly tunes or clamoring to take a picture with Santa, I'm snarling and growling like a grumpy cat.

One of the things that got me fairly excited was a calender that a client sent over. While it's not the most fantastic that I've come across, it certainly brought back memories of a little adventure that I had over the past year. My fellow conspirators will surely recall something like the picture on the left - now, that's leaving your mark!

The rain also set the mood for some anti-festive brooding. Not that I usually have lots to brood about but getting excessively wet even with while being partially sheltered by y yer brolly just puts you in a cantankerous mood. While I do occasionally feel the need to run out in the rain to pay tribute to Gene Kelly, this is definately not one of those times.

And since I haven't done this for a long time, here's yours truly's Top 10 songs for a rainy day. Something to really get you get yer brood on:

1. The entire Grace album by Jeff Buckley - whenever I'm in a funk, I turn to someone who's more fucked up than me
2. Forever Blue - Chris Issak
3. I am the Highway - Audioslave
4. Drive - Incubus
5. Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots
6. Rootless Tree - Damien Rice
7. Baby Don't You Break My Heart Slow - Vonda Shepard & Emily Saliers
8. New York State of Mind - Adam Pascal
9. I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues - Elton John
10. November Rain - Guns & Roses

Theme to the list? Of course, now while the songs will generally not inspire one to kill themself, they just build on the general greyness of the days hopefully by the time Axl sings his last note you'd feel a little bit better about everything :o)

And now for a little mood lifter to end the day with - or what I would like to call, something old, something new, something perverse...specially for you. For The Dude: the Transformers trailer. Robots everywhere! For you Viggo fans out there: Alatriste...for the one that brought back memories: Perfume oh and one of course, purely for me: Babel - I'm not a Brad Pitt fan but it's Alejandro González Iñárritu who directed the really fab Amores Perros...and well, my indulgence for the season. A girl can hope!

When you're feeling like a Monday :P...there are two things that you can do: hide in a hole or watch yourself on the Tube, apparently.

I'm amused as anything that some video junkie uploaded this little nugget online. Bless yer, l'il heart :o)

Oh and someone actually commented that the guys are pretty cute too, so good going, boys! Maybe I'll run an online poll where people can vote for their favourite guy...heh

Here's a little pick-me-up for those monday blues: "Some day Ill be saturday night/Ill be back on my feet/ I'll be doin alright/It may not be tomorrow baby, thats ok/I aint goin down, gonna find a way.." Bon Jovi

Just my little way of getting into the spirit of things this year :o)

Buh-bum.. buh-bum...
Santa baby, just slip a Tivo under the tree, for me
Need to catch up on shows
Santa baby so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, a 5'9 blond, with eyes of light blue,
From L'pool,
Drives an Aston Martin
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I've missed,
Think of all the fellows that I haven't kissed
Next year I could be just as good
If you check off my christmas list

Santa baby, I want a watch and really thats not a lot
Just Piaget, been an angel all year
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa honey, one little thing I really need, the deed
To a condo that's mine, I'm not waiting in line
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with travellers cheques, oh yes
Sign your x on the line
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my chirstmas tree,
With some decorations bought at Tiffany's
I really do believe in you,
Let's see if you believe in me

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring,
I don't mean on the phone,
Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry, tonight.

The year is winding down at last and boy, am I happy to see it come to a calm (or rather, I'm certainly hoping so!) end :o)

2006 has been a year filled with lots of fun, a handful of upsets, a string of surprises, a whole host of new experiences as well as some of the most unforgettable people. The good thing about having friends in other countries is that you are almost assured of having a local tour guide when you visit their home territory. Which is great on many counts and what is even better is getting into hijinks when you are together.

I also made discoveries of the old, new, borrowed and somewhat blue sort:

1. Leopards will never change their spots - so that is an old adage but also one that applies to certain people that I know. I would actually like to thank each and everyone of you; for being the assholes that you are, you made me open my eyes and see your true colors... that, I cannot thank you enough for
2. People who bemoan together, work better together - we bitch, we complain like aunties and almost die when faced with our weekend stack of newspapers but when help is needed, there's always someone who will get your back
3. Comfort zones do not have actual barriers - I am ready for new things. I know what I want to do and I have to push those imaginary boundaries in order to move ahead, wish me luck!
4. I march to my own drummer - cos being a sheep got me nowhere. Being a bitch got me places however, not the right ones so strike a balance, I must
5. One day, I'll be able to do this publicly (see picture on the right) and people will be blown away. If anyone bugs me about it, I can also shove the cane up their arse and that, I can do now...and publicly too
6. Take That still sound great for a bunch of uncles - their new album soft-rocks my world and yes, like many hormonal teenage chickies in the early 90s, I adored them...and still wear their concert tshirt to bed...
7. I am afflicted by Superman complex - while I definately cannot fly and occasionally think I'm an alien, I sometimes think I can and/or should save people from themselves...Life has been easier since I bought blinkers
8. Working like a dog keeps me happy - it's strange but true...even though work can be a pain on the brain, with crazy people yelling and just plain irritating at times, it keeps me occupied and happy...most of the time
9. Cameras do not scare me - I can safely say that is is the year of the photoshoot; be it for work or some funky-ass play, I've done so many before. And when faced with a camcorder, I can also ad-lib like crazy and yak like a news reader on SNL... sheesh
10. I've learnt to enjoy life in moments and also the people I know. Sure, not every single moment is great but I've lived through enough big bad ones to know that the little ones can be easily overcome. Nothing is a tragedy unless you make it so...

Hey, It's my year end dedication to you all and I'm allowed sappiness, dammit! To all the friends that I've made and those who've stuck with me through the years, without you, I would never see other possibilities. You've given me a lot to ponder over and definately celebrate, well, Madonna style:

"I'll remember the strength that you gave me,
Now that I'm standing on my own
I'll remember the way that you saved me
I'll remember"