Saw this photo on Jack’s blog and it made me laugh.

First off, I want to say that this was one of the best years for music since the 90s.  Granted, almost all the music I purchased this year is either a band that was around in the early 90s or has members from that era.  Still, an awesome year for music.BEST ALBUMS OF 2009

	1. Dinosaur Jr – Farm. It’s no mystery that I love Dinosaur Jr more than any other band out there. It’s also no secret that they could put out a mediocre album (by their standards) and it will still be my favorite album of the year. But imagine this year when they released Farm and it’s one of their finest albums ever. Farm is so far beyond (no pun intended) anything else that came out this year. I’d even say it’s leagues above anything that has come out this decade. Okay, I’ll go even further, Farm is the best album released since You’re Living All Over Me in 1987. There you go. Totally epic. Best band ever.
	2. Pissed Jeans – King Of Jeans. This album totally benefits from Dinosaur Jr putting out such a good album. Dinosaur Jr pretty much satisfies my cravings for indie rock, metal, pop, garage, noise, etc except Dinosaur Jr doesn’t do trashy gutter punk. And oh boy did Pissed Jeans fill that void this year and then some. I absolutely love this album and the simple lyrics. It reminds me of early 90s grunge/punk masters like Jesus Lizard, Nirvana, Tad. Love it.
	3. Boston Spaceships – Planets Are Blasted. They put out two albums this year. That’s common for Robert Pollard, but it still amazes me. This one edges out Zero to 99, but really, both albums are awesome. Boston Spaceships really know how to deliver the hooks. They do awesome lo fi indie rock to perfection. This is another album that reminds me of how music was made in the early 90s. The song Keep Me Down was runner up for me to skate to in Off The Couch if for some reason I was banned from using Dinosaur Jr.
	4. The Thermals – Now We Can See. This is the first Thermals album I’m not completely in love with. There are three songs I could totally do without; When I Died, We Were Sick and Liquid In, Liquid Out. Those songs lack the energy I want in the Thermals. Not only are those songs weak, but When I Died and We Were Sick start the album off. With that being said though, the rest still makes me happy in the way that only the Thermals can do. I think the songs When We Were Alive and I Called Out Your Name are up to par with any great Thermals songs.
	5. Polvo – In Prism. Good ol’ weird indie rock. I’d probably like it more if it wasn’t a double LP with only two songs on each side so you have to flip the record over so much. I mean did you really have to do that Merge? You have to play it at 45rpm too. Why not just put 4 songs on each side and play it at 33?

Honorable mentions: Sonic Youth – The Eternal (If there show would have been good I’d like it more), Boston Spaceships – Zero to 99 (Two albums in one year awesome)Decent, but disappointing:Obits – I Blame You.  Just not heavy or interesting enough.Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band – Outer South.  I’m glad you’re having fun Conor, but we just want to hear you.Please stop existing as a band: BUILT TO SPILL.  Seriously, call it quits while I still have some respect for you.  Your shows are horrible and uninspired and the new music is beyond boring.Songs of the Year:Best Dinosaur Jr song – I Don’t Wanna Go There.  4 minutes of meat and potatoes Dinosaur Jr.  5 minutes of solo.  EPIC.Best non-Dinosaur Jr hype me up song: Pissed Jeans – False Jesii Part II.  Runner up The Thermals – When We Were Alive.Best pop song: Boston Spaceships – Let It Rest For A Little WhileBest Video: Dinosaur Jr – Over It.Concerts Of The Year:1. Dinosaur Jr – Aggie Theater in Fort Collins, CO.  Totally epic setlist played perfect.2. Jesus Lizard – Capitol Hill Block Party Seattle, WA.  The Mighty Jesus Lizard delivered!3. Dinosaur Jr – Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO. Something a bit lacking about this show, but still loud and awesome.4. The Thermals – Marquis Theater, Denver, CO.  Such a fun time.5. Conor Oberst – Waiting Room, Omaha, NE. Christmas show party. Awesome. Some of the old Bright Eyes songs were so good.Worst concert of the Year: Sonic Youth at the Ogden.   Play a hit you elitist assholes.Looking forward to in 2010: Haven’t heard of much yet other than a new Thermals album.  Hope to see more Dinosaur Jr obviously and hopefully Pissed Jeans tour.

After a “game night” at some friends and a few drinks I had to keep the streak alive and wanted to skate.  It was pretty warm so I was pushing for Red Curbs, but ended up being lazy and did a solo Rampy session.  Turned out the drinks were hitting more then I thought and skating was not so easy.  For some reason I had it in my head to try switch front rocks.  After a few runs of the basics I settled on a line of axle stall, front axle stall, rock fakie, tail stall, rock fakie, switch front rock attempt.  I fell a lot sliding out.  It was kinda fun.  I ended up getting a few bad ones.  Oh well, it’s a fun new one.