Forget all your politics for a while; let the color schemes arrive.

The year is over, but what a wonderful year it has been. There have been some "fun" surprises, new adventures, and definitely more growth. My heart is so full. I have been so blessed! On a lighter note, I have decided to catalog 2008 with the best memories, and the worse ones. Some of these are just silly, but these are the things that I will remember when I look back on 2008.

2008 was welcomed in.....
...practically with an exorcism. Yeah, pretty wild. For New Year's Eve last year, I was in the process of moving into the casita, so Jamie and I decided to just paint all night. Well, a couple of friends wanted to get together, so we decided on a small party at my place. A couple of my friends that were there drink, so they brought alcohol, which I thought would be okay since I don't drink, and a freaken Ouija board. One of my friends (who wasn't even drinking) thought she was posessed by a spirit. It didn't help that it was super windy outside either. We didn't get to sleep until about 4am because everyone was freaking out. Needless to say, I started off 2008 with a couple of new resolutions: No alcohol or Ouija Boards in my house EVER again, even if I am not directly involved with these activities. But it was definitely a good omen...I mean things could only get better from there, right? But, it is definitely a fun fun memory

Best of: Music

• Weezer (The Red Album)- I know that I don't need to remind you, but in case you missed the memo... This CD is absolutely fantastic! It is officially ranked in my top 3, which are all almost too close to even rank! Dang you, Weezer, for being so amazing!
• Weezer LIVE at The Forum in Inglewood, CA on October 14th, 2008- This concert was so stinking good!! I'm pretty sure that when they sang "Greatest Man", the angels cried. Plus, I got to share this beautiful experience with the lovely Monica and my too cool sis Linds!
• Mates of State- Now, this is not a new band, but 2008 is the year I was introduced to them and it is love. They are such a cool band! A husband and wife duo that make fun music. They have two little daughters that they take on tour with them and they are just the cutest little family. They did release a new CD this year (Re-arrange Us) which is practically the second best CD of the year. And I also was able to see them in concert in LA back in May. They are just so wholesome and good! You should check them out!
• Tokyo Police Club- Now, these guys aren't brand new this year, but this year I listened to them for the first time and they are numbered among my top five favorite musicians. They opened for Weezer, which was super awesome. Their CD Elephant Shell was released this year and is a good CD to listen to in the car.
• Way to Normal, Ben Folds- Ben's new CD is so good! It's always a delight to hear new things from him, but this CD is dang good. I cannot get enough of "You Don't Know Me" featuring Regina Spektor. In fact, I had to put it on right now because I'm hooked!
  

As Far as Television Goes...

• The Office once again reigns supreme, of course. It is just so funny! After all, I do in fact live with Michael Scott himself. I still need to make my The Office-esque documentary on Cecil. But yeah, the highlight: Jim and Pam are engaged! Also, Meridith's hair caught on fire.
  
• Arrested Development is obviously not a new show, but this year I FINALLY watched it and I absolutely love it. GOB and Tobias are my favorites. If you haven't already, you really need to jump on this band wagon. Here's a youtube compilation of the chicken dance.
  
• It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (once again, not a new series, but a very funny addition to my list of television viewing), always keeps me on my toes. It just finished with it's fourth season, and I just love it! The beautiful Amy Elms bought me seasons one and two for Christmas and I can't wait to watch them! And little known fact x 2... Charlie Day (Charlie) is married to "the waitress" in real life! And Kaitlin Olsen (Sweet Dee) and Rob McElheny (Mac) just got married this year, too! It's a not so good, not so clean, very very fun show!!
• Friday Night Lights was signed this year for another season, season three!! I would have been so sad if the contract wouldn't have been renewed after the writer's strike that ruined so very many things in my life!
• Saturday Night Live has lately been hit or miss, and by lately I mean within the last few years. I pretty much quit watching it sometime during or shortly after high school. However, this season has been pretty entertaining. But what else can you expect when Andy Samburg, Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, and Bill Hader get together?? I am only very sad that this was Amy Poehler's final season. But Andy Samburg's digital shorts make me pee my pants laughing. So I'm not necessarily encouraging you to watch it, but maybe record it and then fast forward through the sucky parts and watch the good ones, which have been plenty.

And the Oscar(s) Goes to...
Best Animated Movie- Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who! I'll be honest; I am just not that into animated movies. However, this is too wholesome and wonderful to not LOVE. A) Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss? B) It's fun for the kiddos and the big people, too! and C) When you throw in such amazing actors as Steve Carell, Jim Carrey, and Will Arnett, what's not to love?
Honorable Mention: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. I could not wait to see this one! I love love love the Madagascar movies! They are good, clean, fun movies that make me laugh oh so much. Who likes to move it move it? ME!
"I Nearly Burst Into Hysterics at the Mere Reference to This" Movie - The Strangers. You can ask any one of my friends or family members. This movie will haunt me forever. It has quite literally ruined me of ever being carefree or unscared of the dark. No contenders, THANK GOODNESS!
Big Fat Flopperoo Movie- The Happening. I had truly high expectations for this one, and my man M. Night Shyamalan really left me hanging. The trees?? Angry unicorns would have been far more frightening.
Honorable Mention: The Day The Earth Stood Still. Dear Hollywood, please take your crunchy granola, Obama worshipping, tree huggi-ness to Singapore, which is so very far away from me. Also, take Keanu there, too.
Deserted Island Movie- Step Brothers. I am a sucker for comedy (especially Will Ferrell movies), but hands down, this is my favorite movie of the year. It is rated R, but my vow of higher standards in entertainment didn't start until 2009. So yes, if I could take only one movie from 2008 with me on a deserted Island, this would be it. SOO good!
Honorable Mention/Almost Tie: Yes Man! Jim Carrey hasn't made me laugh this hard since Ace Ventura. I cannot wait until this movie comes out on DVD! I am contemplating going to see it at the theatre again. It's THAT good!
Tickle My Funny Bone Movie- The Rocker. I am obvioulsy a big fan of Rainn Wilson, Will Arnett, and Fred Armisen as I have mentioned, but I wasn't even prepared for how funny this movie is! It pleasantly surprised me, as did Demitri Martin's cameo appearance as the director of the music video. I. LOVE. HIM. But yeah, good clean comedy. If you love School of Rock as much as I do, I highly reccommend this movie.
Honorable Mention: Tropic Thunder. Tom Cruise dirty dancing in a fat suit? Come one. Even if you don't watch this kind of movie, please youtube the tom cruise dance scene. It will be worth your time.
Best Butt-Kicking Movie- The Dark Knight. This movie was well done. Everyone, everywhere loved it. Batman sounds like Satan, and I never realized it before seeing this Batman movie. Also, Heath's performance was amazing.
Good Ol' Girly Movie- 27 Dresses. Fun movie. James Marsden is super sexy.

YouTube and such
These weren't all made in 2008 necessarily, but they were new to me and brought me much laughter.
Pork and Beans
This is the best music video of the year. I have probably only seen two music videos this year, but despite my bias, this video is amazing.

The McCain-Obama Dance Off
Wow.
>
If The Other Party Wins
This one is something everyone can enjoy!

The Dark Knight- Joker Interrogation
If you think that Batman's voice is as entertaining as I do, sit back and enjoy.

Heavy Metal Farmer
I was on the phone with Monica when Shelby showed her this and I was wondering why I could hear them all laughing so hard, so I checked it out and Lindsay and I laughed so hard.

Psycho Teddy
Super random, but it makes my friends and I laugh so hard. I honestly don't know why. Maybe we're losing our minds...

I'm Your Brother

The Grape Stomping News Reporter
This one is older, but I just saw it for the first time recently. And Stewie mocked it on Family Guy just a month or so after I had seen it, which was hillarious. Props to the anchors back at the station for not busting up laughing! The noises! They're insane!

Herpex!
If you are suffering from herpes, you should probably look into this. If not, you should definitely laugh.

Herpex - Watch more Free Videos

The last moments of 2008 were spent...
...with my family and a few good friends at my house. We all got dressed up, played some games, ate some good food, and had some delicious non-alcoholic beverages. Then at midnight-ish, we all jumped, hand in hand, into the freezing cold pool (in our swim suits, of course). A night to remember, for sure!

The Good
Braces off!
The Writer's Guild strike ended!
Became more acquainted with some of the coolest cats in California!
Got closer to my family
Discovered how amazing my sister is (and the rest of my family, too. If you haven't noticed, they are so cool!)
I went back to school
Watched Lindsay make very good, very important decisions/changes in goals
I voted in my first Presidential campaign!
We won Prop 8!
I was blessed to be able to serve in some pretty awesome callings in church this year.

The Not-So-Good
Braces back on :(
Allyson moved to the lamest place in all the land, far far away from me
The election didn't turn out quite how I had hoped...
Economic crisis.
...but you know what? We find ways to be happy and move on, hoping for the best.

Hope is the anticipation that the outcome will be good. Worry is the anticipation that the outcome will be bad. Faith is the anticipation that whatever the outcome, it will be for our good.
I have faith that this year is going to be another amazing year. I look forward to making it amazing with all of you.