We still have two weeks left, but the past one year has been a full of surprises and changes. No one can blame on those - except economists and fortune-tellers - who predicted the would-be 2008 events (The 10 Worst Predictions in 2008, Foreign Policy). They ain't Nostradamus. But, it's even surprising we're now immune to such surprises as Lehman's bankruptcy, all the baliout packages to financial and possibly to auto industries, layoffs, volatile stock and oil prices, America's new president-elect, etc.
Personally, I had some changes and a surprise this year as well. I quit my job, and passed U.S. CPA exams at last. And surprisingly, I haven't found a job yet. Given today's economic conditions, it's not surprising, but I don't regret my decision. Rather, I feel lucky not to be working at a Titanic company, and even feel excting and fun to be exposed to the stormy ocean.
We shall overcome!!
12/18/2008
12/11/2008
Best Albums of the Year
According to Digital Music Report 2008 of IFPI, an international music industry association, digital music accounted for 15% of music sales in 2007. This new business has been growing rapidly, up by 40% from the previous year. Well, yes, downloading music is easy, instant and convenient. Upon watching MTV or listening to radio, one can buy a song at any time, even at midnight. No one will be lost in a huge HMV.
Yet, CDs (not credit-default swaps!) could be an insurance. With my computer frozen, I lost hundreds of music files several times, and had to upload them. While it's economical to buy a specific, favorite song at iTunes Store, some CDs like listed below are worth buying.
"The DEY Has Come" (the DEY)
A good news for those devastated with the Fugees' breakup and patiently waiting for a new album of Black Eyed Peas. !Muchas Gracious! Can't name favorite tracks 'cause almost all the songs are grrreat!! But, "I Need You" (M3) and "And I Miss You" (M4) make me cry.
"Seeing Sounds" (N.E.R.D.)
Speechless. This is the state-of-the-art music. Don't know which genre it belongs to. Rock? HipHop? Whatever. The best is the best. "You Know What" (M11) is my most favorite track.
"Hard Candy" (Madonna)
This is the first Madonna album I've ever purchased in my life. Well, she's a great performer, but it's Pharrell and Kanye who are doin' a fantastic job!!
If the credit crunch somehow had an impact on your budget this year, here are some songs you should check out at iTunes or any other online music stores.
"Live Your Life" (by T.I. feat. Rihanna): O-Zone's "Dragostea Din Tei" ("Words Of Love" or "恋のマイアヒ") was reborn.
"Change" (by T-Pain feat. Akon & Diddy): This year's keyword! Eric Clapton wrote "Change the World", the original song, in 1999, but did he expect somebody would "change" (i.e. arrange) his song?
"We Made It" (by Busta Rhymes feat. Linkin Park): My anthem of this year.
Bonus track:
You can check this "激ヤバ (Dangerous)" mashup at YouTube.
吉幾三×Capsule×DaftPunk×BeastieBoys StarrySky - IKZOLOGIC Remix
Yet, CDs (not credit-default swaps!) could be an insurance. With my computer frozen, I lost hundreds of music files several times, and had to upload them. While it's economical to buy a specific, favorite song at iTunes Store, some CDs like listed below are worth buying.
"The DEY Has Come" (the DEY)
A good news for those devastated with the Fugees' breakup and patiently waiting for a new album of Black Eyed Peas. !Muchas Gracious! Can't name favorite tracks 'cause almost all the songs are grrreat!! But, "I Need You" (M3) and "And I Miss You" (M4) make me cry.
"Seeing Sounds" (N.E.R.D.)
Speechless. This is the state-of-the-art music. Don't know which genre it belongs to. Rock? HipHop? Whatever. The best is the best. "You Know What" (M11) is my most favorite track.
"Hard Candy" (Madonna)
This is the first Madonna album I've ever purchased in my life. Well, she's a great performer, but it's Pharrell and Kanye who are doin' a fantastic job!!
If the credit crunch somehow had an impact on your budget this year, here are some songs you should check out at iTunes or any other online music stores.
"Live Your Life" (by T.I. feat. Rihanna): O-Zone's "Dragostea Din Tei" ("Words Of Love" or "恋のマイアヒ") was reborn.
"Change" (by T-Pain feat. Akon & Diddy): This year's keyword! Eric Clapton wrote "Change the World", the original song, in 1999, but did he expect somebody would "change" (i.e. arrange) his song?
"We Made It" (by Busta Rhymes feat. Linkin Park): My anthem of this year.
Bonus track:
You can check this "激ヤバ (Dangerous)" mashup at YouTube.
吉幾三×Capsule×DaftPunk×BeastieBoys StarrySky - IKZOLOGIC Remix
12/02/2008
"Change" (by T-Pain feat. Akon & Diddy)
I have "apple" allergies. My throat gets itchy when I eat an apple.
Can't scratch my throat
Also, I've barely used an Apple product like a Mac computer or an iPod. I've been a Catholic Sony user for long time. Having purchased an iPod Nano a couple of weeks ago, however, I decided to moonwalk away from Sony's "walkman" brand. I warned you, Sony.
Can't scratch. No turntable
Of course, I have to bear some costs. Given incompatible formats of Sony's and iPod's, I spent my weekends for uploading hundreds of CDs. Not surprisingly, iPod has a shorter life of the battery than that of Sony's. I have been struggling to appropriately tune the volume since it is a bit intuitive in turning up or down just by using the click wheel in a rotational manner. Last but not least, it looks so ordinary. It's a little sad to accept the fact that I ain't a "like.no.other" any longer.
But, as Obama says, it's time to "CHANGE", isn't it?
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