2010 is not only a start of a new decade. From where I sit, it marks the close of the decade that laid the framework for all my remaining years. Every decision I made these past 10 years will linger with me forever (physically, emotionally, & financially).

2000: I was a high school senior, full of hope and expectations of what the world would give me after all these years of making straight A’s.  I lost my grandpa just before graduation and by year’s end, had called home crying to my mom about fearing failing Spanish more times than I care to admit and was on my second roommate.

2001: I started & ended my first relationship. It lasted exactly 30 days. I had to listen to Tchaikovsky’s greatest hits or OK Computer every night to sleep.

2002: I was begging them to let me change majors and camped in a line for the first time in my life in the main hall of my dorm. I got my single room and despite a few rented out room scenarios in later years, have lived alone ever since.

2003: My third relationship, the longest, coming in at a year (and last, for this decade anyway), finally came to an explosive halt. My dream of working for Birds & Blooms was a distant memory, as I became the queen of Classic ASP. I got my first apartment.

2004: I became a senior once again, bitter and ready to leave, but anxiously awaiting what the world was going to give me anyway. I got my first industry-related job building a website that wouldn’t survive this decade. I adopted a dog, lost a grandma, and bought a house.

2005: I sold a house. I got a second, third, and fourth job since college. I realized I hated everything about my career choice. At the close of the year, I created my “52 things to do before I die” list.

2006: Changed my job role twice.

2007: Changed my job role twice more. I was paid to be funny three times.

2008: I quit my job of 3 years. I was unemployed for 4 months, lived with my parents for one of them, and moved across the country when a new job finally came through. Experienced the only surprise party ever thrown for me. Got my heart broken twice, neither by a boyfriend.

2009: I traveled more than I ever have: Nashville, LA (twice), Santa Cruz, and multiple bay area excursions. Made some solid new friends. Officially lost some others. Initiated another job role change. Realized I’d only marked 15 ½ things off the “list” but had done some pretty cool things that weren’t even on the list, too. (Never thought meeting Trent Reznor was an option.)

Was it a good idea…To change majors? I think so. To buy a house so soon? No. To try changing jobs so much? Probably not. To move across the country? Not sure.

Do I have regrets? No…well, the relationship was a really bad call (but I am smarter for it). 

So, 2010, what hopes and dreams do I have invested in you & your new decade?

  • A boyfriend would be nice. I was single 86% of this decade. Don’t get me wrong, it was pretty awesome for the most part, but I’m ready to move on (I think).
  • A new job role…and let’s make it stick this time.
  • No more car payments. (We’re on track, god willin’ and the creek don’t rise) And cheaper insurance would be awesome (Must I really wait until I’m 30?)
  • Teleportation. I ask a lot, I know, but let’s keep trying, okay?
  • Comedy, can we be friends again?
  • Counting on a massive road trip in the stars

And unlike last year, let’s talk about music. I’m not doing albums or music of the decade. That would be a horribly tasking and pointless undertaking. We have Rolling Stone for such things, so they can do all the work and we can complain about what they pick.

My picks are not at all official. It doesn’t matter when they were released. It only matters when I discovered and fell in love with them.

2009 Top 10 Albums

  1. Veckatimest - Grizzly Bear
    Somehow, I listened to this album exactly 1 more time than OK Computer this year. That’s a big deal. OK Computer is always on my iPod. I first heard some tracks on their website and literally manually repeated them that night until I could get the album the next day.
  2. Useless Creatures - Andrew Bird
  3. Noble Beasts - Andrew Bird
    I purchased the deluxe edition, and to be honest, I fell in love with the instrumental album first. But like every other Andrew Bird album, I was eventually won over by whistling and big words I don’t understand. And if I weren’t over trying to figure out the CSS, these would be on one line as #2 & #3
  4. The Resistance - Muse
    I let the last couple Muse albums slip by me but the irresistable beat of Uprising and the moving orchestration on the closing Exogenesis tracks, this album was impossible to ignore.
  5. Tonight - Franz Ferdinand
    I always find their albums pretty enjoyable, but this one delivered song after song. I can’t help but shamelessly rock out to these guys no matter where I am: in the car, on the bus, or at my desk. Or at Starbucks…where I am right now.
  6. Hold Time - M. Ward
    It’s no big change from his last few albums, but I’m not complaining. There are some real gems in “Stars of Leo” and “Oh Lonesome Me”
  7. Kingdom of Rust - Doves
    I had nearly forgotten the Doves when an email to download “Jetstream” arrived in my inbox and showed off a new sound from the band. The album still holds on to their classic style but it’s changed up just enough to keep it fresh. “10:03” & “Lifelines” are ones to keep on repeat.
  8. Bonfires On the Heath - The Clientele
    I was embarrassed to discover the track, “Tonight,” which initially hooked me on this album was a cover of some obscure Swedish band. But the cool sounds of “I Know I’ll See Your Face” and “Jennifer & Julia” are a pleasant blend of Beach Boys meets Simon & Garfunkel and straight out of a decade that’s long gone.
  9. From Comet to Calm - Tyler Bender Band
    I know I’m biased but the last.fm stats speak for themselves. 76 official album listens in about a month. I air drum to “In Between” and get a little tear in my eye for “Fight in Me”. A few songs are refreshed versions from Chicago Sessions but there’s no sign I’ve tired of them yet.
  10. You & Me - The Walkmen
    I bought this album at the close of last year. For me, The Walkmen have always been a winter band, meant to be heard while driving through the ice & snow. After a couple so-so albums, with You & Me, I finally feel like I got my Bows+Arrows follow-up. “In the New Year” is everything I want in a Walkmen song: an organ-powered inspiration to run outside in the snow in the dead of night and frolic with one-part merry and the other part angst.

HM:
Tribute To - Yim Yames (I’m not a fan of the name Jim James gave his alter ego, but I can’t argue with the tunes.)
Hazards of Love - The Decemberists (Loved it initially but the staying power wasn’t there)
The Greatest - Cat Power (Can’t believe I was slow to this one.)

2009 Top Songs

  1. “So Far Around the Bend” - The National
  2. “While You Wait for the Others” - Grizzly Bear
  3. “The Barn Tapes” - Andrew Bird
  4. “Uprising” - Muse
  5. “The Hazards of Love 3 & 4” - The Decemberists
  6. “In the New Year” - The Walkmen
  7. “Spaceman” - The Killers
  8. “In Between” - Tyler Bender Band
  9. “Some Racing, Some Stopping” - Headlights
  10. “What She Came For” - Franz Ferdinand
  11. “Lifelines” - Doves

HM:
“Fitz & Dizzyspells” - Andrew Bird
“Jerry” - The Clientele (unreleased)
“Say Please” - Monsters of Folk
“Fight in Me” - Tyler Bender Band

And so, farewell 00’s. You managed to turn out okay, but I have my sights set on the 10’s being a little more upbeat. It can only go up from an economic depression right? I’m really counting on a 40’s replay about now.

And, I’m gonna toss in some photos from NYE.