I've moved yet again. Click it.

- I think I'm going to end this blog and start a new one.

- Why?

- I just can't write in longform anymore. It's not my style. I don't have any stories to tell.

- Beg to differ, but what will you do instead?

- Maybe I'll start a Tumblog. Those seem to be in style.

- Well you always were into trends. See you in the new year. 

It's Christmas Day and strangely enough, I'm doing almost exactly what I did last year: sitting alone in an apartment, watching TV and faffing about on the Internet.

But it's not that bad.

The biggest difference between this year and last is I'm now living in a country where Christianity is so prevalent, everything closes on Christmas. Not that I'd really want to go out now anyway, since it's raining and gloomy and all, but as I said to my flatmate last night, not even having the option is odd.

However, this gives me a chance to kick back and relax and not feel bad about it. Also, I've already done my washing AND won two Scrabble games, so let's here it for productivity while relaxing!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Somewhere along the line I decided I was not very good at anything.

This sounds like the opening line to a bad short story, but I assure you, it's merely a reflection on my life. Some will say this is matter of opinion, but I beg to differ. For it's fact, you see, you can't tamper with it. Try as I might, I don't foresee myself doing anything productive or useful or creative in the future. Even if I wanted to. Which is a sad thing to come to terms with, but I think that's just how it is. And you might think I'm depressed and that's why I'm writing this, but my mind is quite clear now. I'm not crying, and I'm not even feeling the least bit low. I just feel like giving up, throwing in the towel, building a giant cave using my linens and not coming out. Because what's the use anyhow? If I'm not good at anything, then...

Or I could just suck it up, head to the library, and check out some books on neuroscience.

Remember when it took me forever to write that stupid Irish cinema paper?

Just wrote over half of a 3,000-word film theory paper in a mere few hours. And it might actually be good. And coherent.

Does enjoyment of a topic lead to increased motivation? Or does depriving yourself of food? You decide!

Next week, I intend to see the following:

1. Where The Wild Things Are (opening Friday, HOLY SMOKES I AM SO EXCITED!)
2. A Serious Man
3. Cracks
4. Me & Orson Welles
5. The Box

I might also see Harry Brown and/or The Informant! if the mood strikes.

Oh, and The Limits of Control, though it was critically panned and looks like it might be a yawnfest, even if it is Jarmusch.

ALSO: I intend to see Unmade Beds again. So the romantic in me can weep. I can't recommend this film more highly...despite having seen it in March, scenes and images from it cross my mind all the time.

Addendum (1:34 AM Thurs.): How could I forget New Moon?!

What is there to say? I've been depressed off-and-on (but mostly on) for about 2 weeks now. If it weren't for my aunt visiting, I wouldn't even get out of bed in the morning. Hibernation sounds good right about now. Really good.

First things first: I don't pretend to know anything about music. I know what I like, and sometimes it coincides with others' tastes, and sometimes it doesn't. But I don't understand mass "underground" popularity with certain bands. I keep telling myself: well, if the music bloggers like it, then so should you. But no matter how many times I try and give these guys (and gals) a listen, it all sounds like noise to me.

A list:

1. Grizzly Bear
2. Dirty Projectors
3. Fever Ray
4. Joanna Newsome
5. St. Vincent
6. Vivian Girls
7. Beach House
8. Girls (Women, however, is a good band)
9. Panda Bear

Yeah, I think that's nicely bookended.

Okay, now here are somewhat obscure bands that get mentioned on music blogs all the time and are actually top-notch (according to me, the person who knows nothing about music):

1. Ola Podrida
2. Noah and The Whale
3. Great Lake Swimmers
4. Doveman
5. The XX (I don't know if they're big yet, but their debut album is sweet)

And here are bands that are pretty well-known, but you should be listening to regardless:

1. The Books
2. Explosions in the Sky
3. The National
4. Yo La Tengo
5. Editors
6. Elbow
7. Tom McRae
8. The Unicorns (even though they've broken up–their stuff is still relevant!)

When Damon Albarn sings, "I got no distance left to run," I feel a slight tingle of recognition.

So begins day number three.

Yesterday was a particularly downer day. Like most of these days, I couldn't tell you why, that's just the way it is.

HOWEVER:

My friend Nevan (who is my co-conspirator at Midnight Breakfast) talked to me for an especially elongated period of time, despite having a migraine and a shitload of design work to do, so there's much thanks to be had in that department. Anyway, if you're ever feeling blue, I would recommend going here. Maybe you need to know him, but looking at it brings a huge smile to my face. This does, too. (But in a different sort of way.)

Fingers crossed today will be better. My mood seems all right as of now, but seratonin is a tricky bitch like that. Only time will tell...