Bah Humbug

It's that time of year when everyone is compiling their Top Ten lists for albums of the year. While I enjoy reading these intensive, inclusive and exclusive offerings of opinions, I wanted to add a twist on this day of presents, pajamas and poinsettias. After the past year and a half of major life changes and emotional roller coasters, I have done everything I can to avoid the holiday spirit this year. I'm tired and worn out. So as I sit here with my mug of coffee and trolling Facebook, I am staring this holiday in the face and offering my Top Ten list of my favorite Christmas songs  paired with my Top Ten favorite beverages to try and make my Grinch heart grow three sizes too big. Happy Christmas to all!

10.) Christmas Time is Here-Vince Guaraldi Trio  /  Manhattan: This quintessential classic song from a very poignant and timeless Peanuts Christmas special still evokes a warmth and quiet found only in the innocence of childhood. The opening soft percussion reminiscent of youthful shuffling through snow, contrasted with the adult slow jazz piano allows this song to carry on for decades and see us through the transitions of age. I pair this song with the classic Manhattan cocktail while sitting with the living room lights out, tree lights lit and in front of a fireplace after a long Christmas day.

9.) Mele Kelikimaka- Bing Crosby / Mimosa: I didn't find this song until my mid-twenties and started my Christmas morning for several years listening to the bouncy lyrics and Bing's crisp, yet smooth voice. I still smile when I hear it. Chris Isaak performs an admirable rendition on his Christmas album, but Bing's is still my favorite. I pair this fun song with a Mimosa to start the day off in a light hearted, adult fashion.

8.) Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms or Hall & Oates / Bourbon: This was always one of my favorite songs to listen to on vinyl when we would decorate the Christmas tree at my mom's house. The original version by Bobby Helms would crack along with the turn table needle and has that good ol' rock and roll feel. Hall & Oates covered the song, but I give them equal standing for Darryl Hall's soulful, fun throwback imitation of the original that reminds me of my Philly roots. I pair this irresistible toe tapping song with Bourbon. Whether in your nog or neat, this smooth and slightly sweet brown liquor brings on a warm smile while swaying in your chair to the beat and watching the snow fall.

7.) Baby, It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin / Martini: Ah, the Rat Pack. Who can resist Deano pleading his case for a one night stand? The duet of banter and coy lyrics camouflaged, though not effectively, as sincere care always makes me laugh. The only allowed pairing for this song is a classic dirty Gin Martini. And Deano, one more drink and cigarette and I just may think about staying.

6.) Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie / Red Wine: This song makes most people's Top Ten list and for good reason. The duet of old and young, the beauty of the rich depth of their voices together accompanied by a genuine emotion from both singers brings on a desire to want to believe in the message, if even for just one minute. I pair this song with a glass of bold, red wine to highlight the fullness of the emotion from the song, their voices and the warmth of listening to this track at a quiet moment of peace during the holiday season.

5.) My Christmas Card To You - Partridge Family / Champagne: First of all, Don't Judge. I grew up listening to this song on vinyl and whereas my mother enjoyed the album, she would indulge my repeated and well, lots of repeated plays. This 70s bubble gum pop group opens up their holiday album with this song and David Cassidy always makes me believe that his 'simple wish to me, my family, neighbors and friends' is true. The mix of 70s pop, simplicity and recognition of tradition, especially while heard on vinyl, takes on a life of its own for all 2:34. It's simple, it's cheesy and it's not Christmas for me until I hear it. Champagne is the pairing for this song due to the bubbly nature of the sparkling beverage and the simplicity that it can stand on its own.

4.) All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey / Kettle, soda, lemon: Again, don't judge. From the sparse opening bells to Mariah's basic wish for her man to be at her door on Christmas morning, I am addicted to this song. It is a basic pop song, but Christmas themed and I own it. As this song is overly laden with sap and teenage girl desire, I pair this song with the crisp JHC go-to of Kettle One and club soda with a lemon to cut the dripping saccharin sentiment.

3.) Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses / Shit, cheap beer: This song carries a ton of great memories for me, mostly in my early and mid-twenties, and who can resist an 80s song with horns? More relevantly, I finally appreciated the lyrics of 'but I think I'll miss this one this year.' The other aspect that gets me with this song is that I convinced myself that fairy tales don't exist, and yet this song always pokes me with the possibility of finding that magical moment. In honor of when this song was on constant rotation in my twenties, I pair this over played, but now a standard Christmas song with a basic, no flavor, mass produced American shit, cheap beer. Crack a Bud Light and dance around your Christmas tree!

2.) Happy Xmas (war is over) - John & Yoko / Wookey Jack: We all become reflective during the holiday season and the message of this song resonates with an inclusivity for all people and the basic need to be kind and for peace. Whenever I take the moment to actually sit and listen to the lyrics, I am reminded that there are greater issues in the universe and John's plea for peace warms my black heart. One of the only other things to warm my black heart is Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA from Firestone Walker Brewery. Pour a pint, reflect and smile. Cheers!

1.) Fairytale of New York - The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl / 7 & 7: I could write a thesis about this song and still never convey what this song means to me and how much I adore the artists, lyrics, and characters. The raw honesty and humour brilliantly executed by Shane Macgowan, only to by matched by Kirsty MacColl's strength, takes this song from a modern Christmas Carol to an actual story about life. As I sit and listen to it now, the reality of aging hits home with the fact that Shane is pretty banged up these days and Kirsty passed away entirely too young in a boating accident off of Mexico while recovering from her divorce. This song takes the Number One spot for it's humour, rawness, emotions and realistic portrayal of the holidays and love. The pairing is, of course, with my favorite holiday classic beverage of a 7 & 7.

Honorable Mentions: Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, and Harry Connick, Jr.

Cheers to all of you and may your holiday season be filled with peace, togetherness and as always, a tasty adult beverage.

Minutes, Moments & Decades

Well folks, it's been a while. As most of you know, a lot has changed in my little world in the past few months. Christian and I decided that it was time to take separate paths and I moved out in the beginning of December. To say that it has been an adjustment is an understatement and there are days, like today, where life itself and the responsibilities of my job seem insurmountable, and well quite frankly, fucking overwhelming. 

Besides the actual split, it's been the little things in life like having wi-fi/cable at home, toe nail clippers, a dining room table & chairs, tools to put together said dining room table and chairs, couches that fit into my new apartment, etc. that have really taken a toll on my nerves. When I moved out, I moved into a temporary apartment that was generously offered to me--which I will be forever grateful for the space! However, moving twice in six weeks, dealing with everything else, well, I'm only human and well, as I've been told recently, have made me slightly bitchy and moody at times. Yeah, I'll own it. I'm sure I have had moments of complete snappishness and insanity, but wait, there will be more to come. But really, it's starting all over again at almost 39 and the adjustments, emotionally and physically, and the financial fear of having no backup that keep me up at night. 

So, I have turned to my dear friends, old and new, some that I didn't expect and others that I knew would be there and have been through every other life altering event with me. I also have an awesome roommate, 2 of the world's greatest best friends and a community of family, friends and work family--all of whom tolerate my roller coaster, kick me in the ass when needed and make me laugh. I have also, as always, wrapped myself in music. I have to admit that right now you never know whether you're going to hear Dr. Dre or Civil Wars or Elvis Costello, but I embrace all of it and need to lean on each and every beat and lyric. 

Really, I can't wait to be able to slow down enough to read again--I miss my books! or get caught up on all of my addictive HBO series and Downtown Abbey; I just don't have the patience at this moment, but I'm looking forward to that day soon. As much as my ass loves a bar stool, I'm looking forward to staying home and making dinner again. In other words, I just want to breathe.

So in typical JHC style, here are my Top 10 artists that have been on my playlists for the past few months:

1.) The Lumineers: This album has been a crutch for almost a year and I cannot wait to see them in concert this week. 

2.) Carbon Leaf: Every album, all of the time, no matter where I'm at in life, these guys get it. 

3.) Blue October: Great listens when I want to slam someone's head through a wall or cry myself to sleep. There is so much raw emotion & passion and gorgeous arrangements that happen all at once.

4.) Dr. Dre/ Snooop: Chronic 2001...nuff said

5.) Ray Lamontagne: amazing voice and amazing lyrics--each and every album

6.) Dawes: they just get better with each listen. Amazing lyrics and perspectives on life and each minute situation.

7.) Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin: few things make me smile like listening to Frank on a Saturday morning.

8.)Beatles: I grew up with them and still keep them on my ipod. 

9.) JD McPherson: love the throwback, rockabilly sound and they are amazing live. It's the rawness of "Signs and Signifiers" that made me love them back at XPoNential Fest in July.

10.)Guster: the sarcasm, the simplicity, the dreams

So kids, there you go. A Readers Digest update and my trivial venting. It'll be ok; it always is. Just takes some time and patience, neither of which I'm good at handling. I hope to catch up with all of you soon and now that I again have internet at home (thank fucking god!) I hope to write more and find that off- center centeredness that is my usual home.