best

As i approach the end of 2008, the year which indeed did not get me. The year i didn't suffer from depression after the two very long years of struggle before. The year that, in many ways, i discovered myself. The year that brought about so much change and upheaval. The year that had promise. As i approach the end of it, albeit a little bit melancholy, there are a few things which made the year great.

Music. Music, what can i say. Music moves me, traps me, inspires me. Music is a huge part of my world. 99% of the titles i use on this blog are lines from songs i like. I listened to tons of new music this year. Some of it old, like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, but most were artists new to me. I was browsing through my itunes purchases this year (i buy all my music) trying to decide on my favourites. It's not always easy to decide because i tend to obsess over an album for a month or so and then move on.

Best - Bon Iver For Emma, Forever Ago I love this whole album. I love the image of him recording it, alone, in a cabin. I love the raw anger. I love that i feel a strong connection to so many of the lyrics. You can often find me, driving home from work late at night, singing very loudly along to "Skinny Love."

I read. I used to read more. This year i tried to get back in the habit of reading every single day. Often either work or children come first. But, i did manage to get through quite a few books. I have been trying to re-read my favourite novels from university. In particular from my two favourite courses: Modern American Fiction and British Romance Novels 1800's. That being said i also enjoyed some great books by chefs, artists and poets.

Best - Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje. The timing of reading this novel with events in my personal life made it a magical read which swept me away.

Part of what makes it difficult to read as many books as i would like is time spent on the computer, well, reading. I click my way through a ton of blogs and websites. I still have the same thirty or so blogs i have been reading for four years and more, but every now and then i stumble upon one that becomes a favourite.

Best Jess is not technically a new read for me or a stranger. We met when we were both staying in the psychiatric ward. Our paths only crossed for five days, but, a bond of sorts was formed. I care very much about her and what happens to her. She has begun, finally, telling the story leading up to that hospitalization and, i hope, how she ended up married last month.