You choose the Crush of the Year

This blog is a cheertatorship, not a cheerocracy, but every now and then I like to throw my dear readers a bone. Usually during this time of the year, I reflect upon all of the previous Crushes of the Week and choose one women who best exemplifies what it means to be a Crush* and crown her the Crush of the Year. But for 2008, I'm going to let you folks select the CotY.

So, here are the rules:
1) Vote by leaving the name of your pick in the comment section to this post. No votes via e-mail, text, phone, other posts' comments, or other methods will be counted. I do this so there'll be a virtual paper trail of clear intentions**.
2) No write-ins.
3) You may only vote once.
4) Only the candidates listed below are eligible.
5) Should no Crush receive a plurality/majority of the votes, I shall choose the CotY (and I already have one in mind).
6) Voting ends when this post leaves the front page of the blog.

With that said, here are the eligible Crushes for 2008:

• Rebecca Gayheart


• Mary Elizabeth Ellis


• Julie Benz


• Marion Cotillard


• Marketa Irglova


• Marina (HotForWords)


• Lights (Valerie Poxleitner)


• Kym Johnson


• Alicia Witt


• Natalie (Big Brother 9)


• Kate Bosworth


• Alyssa Milano


• Megyn Kelly


• Amy Ciupak Lalonde


• Meghan McCain


• Liv Tyler


• Débora Nascimento


• Anne Hathaway


• Misti Traya


• Domenica Davis


• Christina Hendricks


• Amanda Seyfried


• January Jones


• Mid-90s Alternative Chicks


• Alicia Sacramone


• Stephanie Rice


• Jennie Finch


• Leryn Franco


• Gov. Sarah Palin


• Kerry Washington


• Amy Robach


• Brea Grant


• Mila Kunis


• The new Bond girls

So, go ahead and vote! Rally your friends, family, and co-workers to vote for your favorite Crush. Then check back in a week or so to see who reigned supreme.

*Don't ask me to verbalize exactly what those qualities are.
**This dimishes the potential risk of electing an unqualified sketch comedian to such a lofty position. But that's kooky talk. What kind of whacked out people would actually vote someone like that into office?

Song to get you through the weekend: "The Girl" by City and Colour

Well, I'm knee deep in '08 music, reevaluating what needs to be reevaluated before I post my list (maybe it'll pop up next week). One album that didn't totally grab me and probably won't make the Top 10 is Bring Me Your Love by City and Colour (sorry, SBN1). But I do love his song "The Girl" a lot and that'll likely make my Top Songs list. With the tempo shift midway through, it's like getting two songs in one!

Rock the Kwanzaa!

And have a lovely Boxing Day while you're at it.

My Charlie Brown Christmas

This has been around for a few years now, but I just discovered it last week. Funny stuff, especially if you're a "Scrubs" fan.

Merry Christmas!

Bonus Crush of the Week: Mug Shot Chick

This week's Bonus Crush is this lovely girl featured in the Smoking Gun's 2008 Mug Shots of the Year. Apparently, she was ejected from a Jersey bar and then "kicked, punched, and bit some cops."



Crazy chicks. You gotta love 'em.

Crush of the Week: Ashley Williams

This week's Crush is actress Ashley Williams, who I discovered this week when I watched the TV movies Snow and Snow 2: Brain Freeze.



I only tuned into those ABC Family movies because I'm a big Tom Cavanagh fan (ever since "Ed") and, honestly, they weren't all that great. But Williams is a cutie and worth tuning in for.

Happy Festivus!

I've wanted to throw a Festivus party for quite some time now. Maybe next year. I'll likely have even more problems with you people by then.

Note: Picture originally taken by this guy.

Happy Chanukah!

Got wassail?

This weekend was the 3rd Annual Jones Family Christmas Caroling Extravaganza, in which that family is kind enough to open their doors for some Christmas cheer amongst kith and kin. And this time I took some video (of our near-flawless take on "Jingle Bells").

Unfortunately, though, there were no D'Angelo sightings*. But a kid did get mauled by a dog.

I think it was a smart to move the party from July to December this year. There were too many puzzled looks and brandished shotguns by their neighbors last year.

*He reportedly lives in the same neighborhood as the Joneses.

It's good to be the king

Congratulations, Spiders. What a game!

Song to get you through the weekend: "Christmas in Hollis" by Run-DMC

How can you not like a song that includes the lines, "I approached very slowly with my heart full of fear/Looked at his dog, Oh, my God, an ill reindeer"?

Incidentally, this song his my current ringtone, so get used to it, people around me in public. Ain't no half-steppin' on this Christmas.

Another forgotten Christmastime birthday

Sorry that I've been pretty lax around these parts this week. Several things have contributed to my absence: the Christmas rush, writer's block, illness, injury, re-evaluating tons of '08 albums, and a general sense of malaise.

One big thing that I've overlooked this month, though, is that on December 2nd this lil' blog turned four!

According to the National Network for Child Care:

"Energetic" and "imaginative" best describe the 4-year-old. Often impatient and silly, they discover humor and spend a great deal of time being silly and telling you "jokes." A 4-year-old's language may range from silly words such as "batty-watty" to profanity. Loud, boisterous laughter may accompany such language.

Underpants! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Now all I need is a dog to fetch 'em

For my entire 33 years on this planet, I have always been a wear-socks-while-in-the-house guy (my footy pajamaed toddlerdom excepted). Wearing shoes while safe within the confines of my own home has always been an anathema to all that I hold dear (i.e. comfort). I've always seen slippers as shoes' less-durable cousin, so wearing them has never even been a consideration.

That is, until I talked to a friend a few weeks ago. Somehow, our conversation steered toward the topic of slippers and he extolled their virtues, namely that they have all the warmth of socks, but they provide more comfort when standing (like when one cooks dinner or does the dishes) than socks. That intrigued me.

So, after a period of comparison shopping, this weekend I bought my first pair of slippers (pictured above*) from Target, which, of course, went on sale the day after I bought them. But I've got to say that I'm now a slippers fan. In addition to the whole standing comfortably thing, I also find them to be less confining than socks. The traction that they provide is nice, too. Gone are those unsightly elastic marks around my ankles and shins!

While I am not going to be ditching my socks any time soon, consider my comfort paradigm shifted.

*For anyone curious as to what my sheets look like, there you go...ladies.

Song to close out the weekend: "Fairytale of New York" by the Pogues with Katie Melua

Katie's no Kirsty MacColl, but she does a capable job. And Shane looks...rough. But, hey, it's Christmas.

Bonus Crush of the Week: Laura Silverman

This week's Bonus Crush is actress Laura Silverman, from "The Sarah Silverman Program" and the late, great "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist."



She's former Crush Sarah Silverman's real life and TV sister. Unlike her sister, though, you can probably take her home to meet mom.

Crush of the Week: Jennifer Aniston

This week's Crush is actress Jennifer Aniston, widely known for her work in Leprechaun.



I'm not really the biggest fan of her work, but she does look smokin' in her new GQ layout. That said, I doubt I'll ever see Marley & Me.

30 rock tumbler

Tonight's new episode of "30 Rock": "Christmas Special"

The Christmas spirit takes over as Liz attempts to fulfill children's wishes.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "Moroccan Christmas"

A Moroccan-themed holiday party goes up in flames; Dwight corners the market on the hottest toy of the season.

Discuss.

mistleTunes and Holly

I've strung the last bit of tinsel on this year's edition of A Very Micah Christmas and now a big, warm mugful of Christmas music is ready for download. Like usual, it was a lot of fun to put together. Since I've been doing this for nine years now, a lot of the seasonal standards have already been used, but luckily new classics seem to come out every year.

Songs that you'll (hopefully) be enjoying this Yule:

1. "White Winter Hymnal" - Fleet Foxes
2. "It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas" - Shane & Shane
3. "All My Bells Are Ringing" - Lenka
4. "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer" - Dean Martin
5. "Let It Snow" - A Fine Frenzy
6. "The Christmas Song" - The Raveonettes
7. "Wake Up! It's Christmas!" - C.W. Morris
8. "It's Christmas So We'll Stop" - Frightened Rabbit
9. "Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year" - Rosie Thomas
10. "Jingle Bells" - Rev. Horton Heat
11. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" - Dustin Kensrue
12. "Toy Packaging" - Sara Groves
13. "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - C.W. & Laura Morris
14. "Holly Jolly Christmas" - Bon Voyage
15. "A Cold, Cold Christmas" - Stephen Colbert
16. "River" - Sixpence None The Richer
17. "Home For The Holidays" - Perry Como
18. "It Really Is (A Wonderful Life)" - Mindy Smith
19. "Are You Coming Over For Christmas?" - Belle and Sebastian
20. "Winter Wonderland" - Ella Fitzgerald
21. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" - Tony Bennett
22. "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Psapp's Lady Remix)" - Les Brown And His Band Of Renown
23. "We Three Kings Of Orient Are" - Stan Kenton
24. "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Faith Hill
25. "Silent Night" - Frank Sinatra
26. "My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year)" - Regina Spektor
27. a surprise!

Conveniently grab a .zip file of the whole shebang here.

I'd love to hear what you think of this Christmas mix. Go ahead...leave a comment.

Unlike last year, I got off of my duff and actually tagged the songs correctly so that they will appear as one album when loaded into your iTunes, iPod, or what have you. Also, all songs are in mp3 format (you're welcome, Zune owners), but the volume level varies from track to track. Sorry 'bout that.

I'd like to thank my nephew Hunter for his invaluable assistance in helping me with the CD artwork and my brother and sister-in-law for their contributions (tracks 7 & 13). Friends and locals should recognize some of the imagery in the former song.

Unfortunately, my contacts - or I should say spydrz's contacts - at the Corner Cafe have dried up, so there currently aren't any plans for the usual "CD release party." But if you have access to a bar or restaurant's PA system, hook me up and I'll give you a CD and my gratitude.

The coolest t-shirt ever? Yes.

Though I'm only a casual reader of webcomic Questionable Content, I just had to buy its "She Blinded Me With Library Science" t-shirt when it was brought to my attention. It took the folks behind the comic/merch site over 2 months to actually fulfill my order (just in time for winter!), but it was well worth the wait.

Is there anything wrong with wearing my fetish* on my (short) sleeve?

*Well, one of my fetishes.

"The beard stays. You go."

Well, it's time to put an end to Beard Week. What better way than with one of my favorite Kids in the Hall sketches?

Song to get you through the weekend: "A Shogun Named Marcus" by Clutch

While doing some research for Beard Week, I read a joking suggestion from some random person on the internet that if one's going to start growing a beard, one should also start listening to Clutch. Better them than, say, the Spin Doctors, I guess.

While Clutch's lead singer sports a long beard nowadays (see this video), my favorite song from them is 1993's clean-shaven "A Shogun Named Marcus." When I really want to rawk out in my car, this is one of my tunes of choice.

It also reminds me of a service that I subscribed to in the early 90s. Each month this company would send me a VHS tape full of alt rock videos and this Clutch song was featured on one edition. Ah, memories. I'm going to have to dig out those tapes some day.

Requiem for the weird British man who lives next door

R.I.P. Paul Benedict, 1938-2008.



You're now truly in a deluxe apartment in the sky*.

*I reserve the right to reuse this line when Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, and Ned Wertimer each pass away.

Micah World Bearded Awesomeness Hall of Fame

Originally, I had planned on recognizing a litany of people who have achieved excellence in facial hair and life*, but then realized it all boiled down to the yin and the yang of bearded awesomeness: Ernest Hemingway and Jim Henson.



One was tough, rugged, manly to the Nth degree, and a literary master. The other was funny, sensitive, good-hearted, and a master of puppets. Both are two of my favorite people that have ever walked the Earth.

I doff my beard and raise a glass to you, good chaps. Although you were two very different people, both you and your beards made this world a better, more bad ass place.

*Rick Rubin, the dude from Iron & Wine, Uncle Jesse, Moses, 2/3 of ZZ Top, Katie Holmes, Jasper from "The Simpsons," Santa Claus, Willie Nelson, Gandalf, Stonewall Jackson, etc.

30 rock tumbler

Tonight's new episode of "30 Rock": "Reunion"

Liz goes to her school reunion, but has to take Jack due to bad weather. Don Geiss finally wakes up from his coma and shocks Jack with his announcement of who the new CEO of GE actually is.

Discuss.

Office chatter

Tonight's new episode of "The Office": "The Surplus"

A budget surplus causes factions to break out in office over how to spend the money; Angela and Andy visit Schrute Farms.

Discuss.

Deck the cube with a tree that just needs a little love

I may be a blockhead, but I did adorn my cubicle with a nice tree.

My cube's Yule decorations are nice and simple. My work neighbors' cubes? It's what I would imagine Burl Ives would see if he was on a bad acid trip.

Note to self: name my first born son "Burl."

I'm a very metro mountain man. And also a pirate, I guess.

In years past, I would just grow my beard out all willy nilly. I'd trim it every now and then, but leave it at that. This year I'm going to do it right, though. Official Friend of Micah World SBN1 suggested that I follow his lead and give Bluebeards Original Beard Saver and Beard Wash a try.

Product...for beards? At the risk of introducing an element of douchebaggery to my facial tresses*, I splurged.

Although I've only been using them for a week, I'm digging them thus far. The lime and aloe in the Beard Wash does indeed leave my beard feeling clean (go figure). And the Beard Saver is doing whatever it does, I assume. I didn't use any of it over the long Thanksgiving weekend and was plagued with an intense itching fit on Sunday night. After resuming use of the Beard Saver on Monday, I've had nary an itch on my face. It could all just be a coincidence, but I'll give the beard cream (ewwwwwww!) the benefit of the doubt.

So, I guess this is what it takes to be a 21st century suburban mountain man. There are some other beard care products that I'm curious about, but I'll wait until I use up (or tire of) what I've got now.

*Yes, I do use some product in my hair, but if I didn't I'd suffer the wrath of the cowlick from Hell. Plus, you can't really tell.

Everybody's heard about the beard. Beard beard beard. Beard is the word.

It's that time of year again, when the harsh winds and biting cold force me to become all woolly.

Traditionally, I wait until Thanksgiving day to start growing my winterbeard, but I decided that this year I wanted to get a jump on my bearded awesomeness and started it a week earlier than usual.

To commemorate this most joyous time of the year (for my face, at least), I figured that I'd proclaim this Beard Week at Micah World. The test will be whether or not I can stretch this theme out for a week's worth of posts. I doubt it, but we'll see.

I invite all of my readers - well, just the male ones, I guess - to join me in this endeavor. Need a good reason to do so? How about ten very good reasons?