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To Download:  Episode 11 (RAW) (Ental) DDL  Thanks Kireta and Aja -Aja!!!

If you just can’t wait for the DDL, here is a link to episode 11 torrent (RAW) (Ental). Make sure to double click on the link. In a world of single clicks, I happened to find the place that requires double clicks. Be forewarned: as of this time there are no peers and no seeders. Which would make it completely useless, but I hope you find comfort in the possibility you will be watching the episode soon. Call it desperation, call it pathetic. I call it being ahead of the game.

To watch stream with Eng. subs: Episode 11 Thanks Arashi!! Who happens to be pretty sick right now so please thank him with extra cherries on top when you stop by. That’s true dedication, people.

To download Eng. subs: Here   Thanks Froglivers and Aja-Aja!!!

Episode Recaps: Episode 11   Thanks Javabeans!!!!

THE 2009 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS ARE OFFICIALLY RELEASED!! WOO-HOO!!

Isn't it time to revamp this thing?

I thought I’d take a break from my Asian culture obsession/illness and return to something native to my side of the world. I love the Grammys!! Not so much the actual ceremony but I’m more interested in the results. Unless they don’t go the way I wanted them too. Then I use them as an excuse to complain. Although, there’s nothing better than finding out that the album you’ve been obsessing over for the past year was also recognized and acknowleged by people in their same field. You can’t help but to feel you have some personal stake in the success of your favorite singer or band after you’ve bought the albums/concert tickets/”limited edition” lunchbox.

Now that's devotion. I had a Sesame Street lunchbox that was very special to me....until I found an Animaniacs lunchbox.

I’m no exception to this rule. John Mayer and I…..we have a very close relationship. He just doesn’t know it yet : ) I am proud to announce that not only do I own all of his albums but that I have attended a large handful of concerts, have stood in line for a number of hours just to attend a meet and greet, and am a Mayercraft alumni (also a Mayercraft 2009 future attendee. WOO-HOOO!!!). Yeah. It’s become a problem…..for everyone else I know. So, of course, I tend to keep a closer watch on the Grammys if I know John has released something that particular year.

John and I have something special. Jennifer's just a stand in when I'm away on business.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who does this. As a matter of fact, I KNOW I’m not the only who does this. If you really think about it the Grammys were the original American Idol without the “Democratic” process they have famously incorporated. The Grammys are more or less an American Idol that practices the Oligarchic process (It’s a type of government. Find it here.)

Let’s check out some of the nominees for this year……and you can check out my never ending opinions on them. Because I know you were wondering, right? I knew it.

Album of the Year
• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay
• Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne
• Year of the Gentleman, Ne-Yo
• Raising Sand, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
• In Rainbows, Radiohead

*** I’m rooting for Coldplay. This album is amazing and Coldplay deserves any kind of recognition they get. To be honest I haven’t really heard the other albums fully. I’ve sang a rather off key version of Robert Plant & Alison Krauss’s “Gone Gone Gone” a few times in the shower. I’ve never really understood Radiohead. All of the singles from Ne-Yo’s album are rather annoying to me. And if I have to hear Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” one more time I think I might lose my mind. We know what the lollipop is and that’s gross!!

Record of the Year
• “Chasing Pavements,” Adele
• “Viva la Vida,” Coldplay
• “Bleeding Love,” Leona Lewis
• “Paper Planes,” M.I.A.
• “Please Read the Letter,” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

*** This is hard!! I feel so sorry for the people who have to vote in this category. All great songs that unearth complex feelings that every human can relate to. I guess it would come down to three top choices though: “Chasing Pavements”, “Viva La Vida”, and “Paper Planes”. ”Chasing Pavements” was simply soul stirring. From the lyrics to Adele’s haunting voice….perfect. “Viva la Vida” is a song I never get tired of. You know you are dealing with a genius band when they weave a beautiful fall from grace and set it to an uplifting beat. “Paper Planes” is so cool……even though I can only understand about half of what she says.

Song of the Year
• “American Boy,” William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle featuring Kanye West)
• “Chasing Pavements,” Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele)
• “I’m Yours,” Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz)
• “Love Song,” Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles)
• “Viva La Vida,” Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay)

***Again, this is a tough one. I love all of these equally. This one makes me grateful I’m not voting in this one. It’s like deciding which member of 1N2D would need to be kicked off the show. You may have one guy that you like over the others but you know all the other guys bring a certain dynamic to the group as a whole and to get rid of one of them would be bad. And that concludes my Asian culture reference for this post, ladies and gentleman. Just wanted to let you know I haven’t forgotten the real reason I write this blog.

BTW…I’ve always wanted to ask this……WHAT THE HECK IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RECORD OF THE YEAR AND THE SONG OF THE YEAR?! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME?!

Best New Artist
• Adele
• Duffy
• Jonas Brothers
• Lady Antebellum
• Jazmine Sullivan

***Prayerfully it comes down to Duffy and Adele. Both albums were amazing!! Adele’s songs are a permanent fixure on my iPod’s “My Top Rated” list. Duffy’s album never leaves my sight. I always keep it close just in case. It’s truly shocking how many times I’ve sang “Warwick Avenue” and “Delayed Devotion” (Best lyrics in DD? ”I’m no longer under your spell. Here it is in song. You can go to hell!”) . And I cannot express to you how much I want to throw on a little black dress, red heels, and belt out ”Mercy” for all to see. You think I won’t? Ok. The heading for the next post? “My Night as Duffy” :  ) 

BTW #2….. THE JONAS BROTHERS?! REALLY?! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve caught myself belting out “Burnin’ Up” more than a few times but a Grammy nomination? If that’s the case Miley Cyrus should be in there too, right? I’ve belted out “7 Things” more times than I want to remember. I guess they’re really pulling for that younger crowd this year. 

I want to beg for mercy too.......in red heels.

 Pop Vocal Album
• Detours, Sheryl Crow
• Rockferry, Duffy
• Long Road Out of Eden, Eagles
• Spirit, Leona Lewis
• Covers, James Taylor

*** Duffy’s “Rockferry”. All the way. Considering she’s going up against a few worthy competitors who have had a few trips to the Grammy stage its rather unlikely. But I’ll keep hoping. If not Duffy then I guess James Taylor. But only

Years from now this will all be a bad dream.

because I’m a long time fan. I actually hate cover albums. I don’t have a problem with an artist taking on one or two songs on an album made up of original material but a whole album of covers?! That kinda sounds like taking the easy way out. At least I know he’s actually talented and, for the most part, I trust his artistic judgement on many of his albums. I think I’m still a little bitter from last year’s Album of the Year result. They had a choice between Foo Fighters, Kanye West, and Amy Winehouse (My pick!!) and they chose HERBIE HANCOCK!! No, correction….Herbie Hancock’s album of COVERS of JONI RIVERS songs!! They weren’t even his songs!! In a nutshell, he took the original work of someone else and won a Grammy over people who were nominated for their original work. Even he was surprised when he won!! And not the fake surprise some entertainers put on when they walk up on that stage…..he was REALLY surprised. See, my theory is that they called the worng name that night and by the time they realized the mistake it was too late and to renige would look really bad. Herbie knew he had someone else’s award. **COUGH** Amy Winehouse **COUGH**. He knew the truth.  

Rap Album
• American Gangster, Jay-Z
• Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne
• The Cool, Lupe Fiasco
• Nas, Nas
• Paper Trail, T.I.

***I’m not a big rap fan but out of the aritists I’ve heard in the last decade I must say that I have a genuine respect for all of these rappers. It looks like a win-win-win-win-win on this category. I heard some songs from all of them in the past that I thought they should have gotten recognition for. Maybe this will be the recognition they had been cheated out of in the past.  

Rock Album
• Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay

Coldplay.....FIGHTING!!!

• Rock N Roll Jesus, Kid Rock
• Only By the Night, Kings of Leon
• Death Magnetic, Metallica
• Consolers of the Lonely, The Raconteurs

*** Coldplay. No question. I hope I haven’t jinxed them now.

Country Album
• That Lonesome Song, Jamey Johnson
• Sleepless Nights, Patty Loveless
• Troubadour, George Strait
• Around the Bend, Randy Travis
• Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love, Trisha Yearwood

*** Don’t do the country too much. I have a problem with plaid shirts, distressed cowboy boots, and people who have a problem pronouncing their R’s. The irony? I live in Nashville, TN. Yeah. It can be rather painful some days. I was born in California and remain a California girl till this day so that may have something to do with my inability to listen to this particular genre. In my lifetime I think I’ve only been able to withstand a few country artists: Shania Twain, Leann Rimes, The Dixie Chicks, and, most recently, Taylor Swift. But no more than that. Anymore and we’re officially on torture territory.

Just a few things to mention though:

• Raphael Saadiq’s album ” The Way I See It” is nominated for three Grammys which is pretty cool. If you haven’t heard this one then pick it up/download it ASAP. It literally sounds like the muse that helped Barry Gordy create Motown’s history making sound came down to him and decided he wanted to make a comeback.
• Alicia Keys’ duet with John Mayer (!) ”Lesson Learned” is also up for a Grammy. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the song but if it means another Grammy for John then I’m all for it.
• “No Air” is up for a Grammy!! I never got sick of this song. NOT. EVER.
• What else?…..oh! Wayne Brady is up for a Grammy also. I don’t know why that’s funny to me, but it is.

If you’d like to see the whole list please feel free to click here. I know most news outlets are directing you towards Grammy.com because…they have to. Well, as you know, I’m a bit of a rebel (yeah right!!) and I thought I’d mix it up a little. My little link takes you to a page where its simply listed. No big graphics and no need to “Install Java”.

And last but certainly not least: “BOYS OVER FLOWERS” STARTS JANUARY 5!!!!! WOO-HOO!! Why is it pushed further out than what was originally announced you ask? Well it seems that the “powers that be” decided to give “Worlds Within” four more episodes. Which means it went from an 16 episode drama to a 20 episode drama with low ratings and bad reviews. Craziness.  

Boys over Flowers starts January 5!!!!!

…..To the GOOD Women in their lives. Courtesy of James Morrision.

JAMES MORRISON AKA RIDICULOUSLY UNDERRATED

“Better Man”

There was a time
I had nothing to give
I needed shelter from the storm I was in
And when it all got too heavy
You carried my weight
And I want to hold you
And I want to sayThat you are all that I need
For you, I give my soul to keep
You see me, love me
Just the way I am
For you I am a better man
I said you are the reason
For everything that I do
I’d be lost, so lost, without you

Now if you happen to have one or some of those BAD women you may want to let “Pastor John” have some words with her:

John Mayer AKA PASTOR JOHN because he only speaks the truth

“I’m Gonna Find Another You”

It’s really over, you made your stand
You got me crying, as was your plan
But when my loneliness is through, i’m gonna find another you

You take your sweaters
You take your time
You might have your reasons but you will never have my rhyme
I’m gonna sing my way away from blue
I’m gonna find another you

When i was your lover
No one else would do
If i’m forced to find another i hope she looks like you
Yeah and she’s nicer too, yeah

So go on baby
Make your little get away
My pride will keep me company
And you just gave yours all away
Oh, now i’m gonna dress myself for two
Once for me and once for someone new
I’m gonna do some things you wouldn’t let me do
Oh i’m gonna find another you

I found this and got pretty freakin excited about it. I mean I already walk around with background music in my head so now the world will know what exactly is playing. ANNNNND….. ACTION!!!!! 

Opening Credits: Be Gentle With Me – The Boy Least Likely To

Waking Up Scene: Shine – Laura Izibor

Car Driving Scene: Valerie – Amy Winehouse

High School Flashback Scene: Could Be Anything – The Eames Era   

Nostalgic Scene: God Only Knows – The Langley Schools Project

Bitter, Angry Scene: Not Ready to Make Nice – Dixie Chicks

Break-up Scene: Slow Dancing in a  Burning Room (The Village Sessions) - John Mayer

Regret Scene: This Woman’s Work – Maxwell

Nightclub/Bar Scene: F**k Me Pumps – Amy Winehouse

Fight/Action Scene: Misery Business – Paramore

Lawn Mowing Scene: I’m Like a Lawyer the Way I’m Always Trying to Get You Off – Fallout Boy

Sad, breakdown scene: Save You – Matthew Perryman Jones 

Death Scene: The Other Side – David Gray

Funeral Scene: I Will Follow You Into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie

Mellow/Pot-smoking Scene: Is This Love – Bob Marley

Dreaming About Someone Scene: Coffee Shop – Landon Pigg

Sex Scene: Crash Into Me – Dave Matthews Band

Contemplation Scene: Kindly Unspoken – Kate Voegele

Chase Scene: What Ever Happened – The Strokes

Happy Love Scene: I’m Yours – Jason Mraz

Happy Friend Scene: Never Know – Jack Johnson

Closing Credits: Follow – Brandi Carlile

 Whew. That was tough. I think it’s pretty accurate though.