baby, it's cold outside ...

ASH'S MUST LIST

Dec. 17, 2008

1) All-American Rejects-When the World Comes Down

If you're expecting to be blown away, then this album might let you down.  But I was expecting it to be great, and my wait did not disappoint.  Highlights include the catchy single that has already made an appearance on this list, and new tracks "Damn Girl" (first fave), "Breakin'", "Another Heart Calls", and of course the title track, "Mona Lisa (When the World Comes Down)".  The innuendoes in "Damn Girl" are particularly pleasing to me.  "When he's inside you know there's no room for me", "I'll press your lips and I taste everyone that you've had tonight" ? Awesome.  Plus, this line: "I'm like your victim and all that you need is an alibi" ... gave me chills the first time. So. Good.

2) Lady Antebellum-"Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Conveniently timed, I logged into the iTunes store and featured on the front page was this exclusive holiday single.  I already knew I was going to love it, because it was both Lady Antebellum and Christmas-themed.  30 seconds in, I was hooked.  I love the ending ... they are so cute!!! Thanks Nashville, and thank you Lady Antebellum for just being amazing.

3) Christmas cookies

I made about a thousand on Sunday.  Want some?  They're delish, but the sugar is starting to get to me.

4) Jonas Brothers

I'm going to see them in less than three weeks.  At the RYMAN.  That's about all there is to say about that. It was so sweet of them to give me such an amazing Christmas gift.  /sigh.  Look at them ... that is the most disgustingly perfect family I've ever seen.  Listen to some JoBros Christmas tunes--"Joyful Kings", "Girl of My Dreams"--for good measure.

5) KingBilly

I've been saying for 2 1/2 years now how big a deal this band is going to be, and not just because I'm biased.  Because they are the most talented musicians I've met in Nashville, and they're blessed to have found each other and make music together--it's just magical.  Watch their show on GAC ("Who Is KingBilly") and look for their debut on iTunes in early '09.  :)  Love these boys.

6) Christmas episodes of TV Shows

The office party on The Office is a particular fave each year.  And House never disappoints, either.  So check out Meredith's intervention and the "virgin pregnancy" from this year.  That's all I've got for these so far ... I'm hoping Pushing Daisies will give me something to remember. *tear*

Living in a world that you don't understand ...

ASH'S MUST LIST
December 7, 2008

1) Mitchell Davis/livelavalive





He is just adorable...I can't even stand it. I think he is hilarious ... and such a smart kid! His editing is just brilliant. I'll watch one video, and then all the rest pop up at the end, and I click on one of those ... and it just never ends. So much time in my life has disappeared watching them ... and laughing my ass off. I'll still be expecting him to be waiting under the tree. Counting on you guys to make it happen.

2) The Gap holiday ads

I was first hooked by the ones in print, I always love Gap ads, especially around the holidays for all their snuggly sweaters and scarves. This year, I was thrilled to see Jon Hamm and Jason Bateman, as well as the delicious Ben Barnes and Cam Gigandet. So much yum and awww and giggling going on for me.




Also, at their website there are adorable holiday song videos/mix-ups, like this hilarious one with Rainn Wilson and Selma Blair, and then you can make your own re-mix and send it as a holiday email.

I. love. Gap, Inc.

3) Relient K- Let It Snow, Baby...Let It Reindeer

I love bands that love Christmas, and Relient K is definitely one of them. I saw them live at the Winter Wonder Slam! concert on Friday night, and not only are they incredible live, but they had a whole Christmas stage set-up, and they play this video while performing "Sleigh Ride". Love.

4) House

Season 5 has really started to pick up, with the return of Wilson (bad move, writing team--you need him around and I'm glad you realized it) and House's friendship, and the sexual tension between House and Cuddy has never been thicker. They are also bringing back a lot of Chase and Cameron ... never a bad thing. I need Jesse Spencer around for my constant viewing pleasure!



Jesse and the rest of the diagnostic team are back on my Must List for the week ... I can't wait to see where they're going to go with 13's storyline now that she's started Foreman's clinical trial. Will they keep her around?

5) Brad Paisley & Keith Urban - "Start a Band"

Two of the most talented guys in country music doing a duet? Sign me up. Oh, and it's adorable and catchy? What a great deal for me!



I just love the whole idea of the song. When all else fails ... start a band. :-)

6) Christmas movies

Yes, folks, it's that time of year! Here are some of my musts: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (both the original and the Jim Carrey remake), A Charlie Brown Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas (yes, the little known gem starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas ... laugh all you want, I love this movie, it's charming!), White Christmas, A Christmas Story, and of course, It's a Wonderful Life, which is not only the best Christmas movie, but also one of the greatest movies ever made.



Jimmy Stewart. The man was pure genius.

This year for Christmas, there's something[s] I'd really like ...

In case any of you were wondering what you could get me this year for Christmas, I figured I could list some easily attainable items for you all and aid you in your shopping!

• cruise control for my car
• an auxiliary input jack for him, as well (see, I'm reasonable ... not a new car, just improvements on the one I already love!)
• Nick Jonas to adjust to his post-puberty voice and start singing well again (and also for him to learn to breathe during halftime performances)
• Season 1 of Pushing Daisies and Season 4 of The Office on DVD
• Verizon to get the Google Phone and iPhone, and then one of each, please
• a Mac, and Photoshop to go with it
• a Wii, complete with Mario Kart and Wii Fit!
• the Friends DVD box set
• unlimited iTunes purchases ... or just some gift cards
  
• plane tickets home for the holidays so I don't have to drive/pay for gas
• a new, bigger external hard drive (500 or 750 gb, please)
• a long dinner/date with the Jonas Brothers (that's all I ask, I'll do all the rest of the work ...by the end of the night, we'll be great friends, I'm sure of it)
• a new digital camera ... or the clicky wheel fixed on mine :-(
  
• someone else to pay for my next trip to Disney World
• to see the Eagles play, just ONCE, sheesh
  
• a private plane and/or tour bus so I can just follow SK6ers everywhere and see EVERY concert
• and last but certainly NOT least ... Mitchell Davis. Just have him meet me under the tree, thanks.

Making it official.

I am making my blog more "official" by moving away from MySpace and setting up camp over here. Although for a while, I guess I'll probably just copy and paste it in both places, since everyone just reads it on MySpace. :-)