I have a dream.

This year, more than ever, I have taken a lot of time today to reflect on what a great man Martin Luther King was. We've always taken this day off of school, but I guess I just threw it in to the pile of holidays that I could care less about (like the ones having to do with war). But this year, I've taken a different approach. I don't know if it's because these days I'm more of a civil rights activist than in years past, or because Obama will be inaugurated tomorrow, or if it's a total coincidence. 

Anyway, today I was at Whole Foods, eating pizza. I was sitting a table close to the massage booth, which is up and running most days. The lady running the booth was an African American. While I was eating, a white gentleman walked by me and the booth and just looked at the woman and smiled and said plainly, "bless you" and the woman replied with a smile and a "thank you, very much." He didn't make a show out of it, and I was the only one who heard other than the two of them. 

But, this really touched me. 

As a middle-classed caucasian, Christian, I am anything but a minority. However, this year I am finally starting to grasp what a great thing MLK did for everyone. Not just for blacks, but for all minorities, and I think celebrating his 80th birthday with the inaugration of a black president during the same week, is the complete fulfillment of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. 

Favorite 10 Albums of 2008

1. The Envy Corps- Dwell

I love this album from the first second I heard it, amazing music, lyrics and dynamics. Could not be better. 

2. Coldplay- Viva La Vida

My second favorite Coldplay, behind Parachutes. This album is really great and is different than all of their other albums. Very intelligent and original. 

3. Death Cab For Cutie- Narrow Stairs

Not my favorite Death Cab. Like Coldplay, this album is very different, but I do like it. They have really taken a different route musically. 

4. Television Dreams- Chris McLeod

Even if I didn't know him, I would still like this album. Very creative and incredible song-writing. 

5. The Sucker Punch Show- Lovedrug

Again, different than their other stuff. This album was actually a lot more rock than the others. The lyrics were a lot about how he lost his faith. 

6. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals- Cardinology 

A great album. I think I like it almost as much as Cold Roses, which is his other album with The Cardinals.  

7. Jenny Lewis- Acid Tongue 

This is Jenny Lewis, of Rilo Kiley. Good album. 

8. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes

Not a lot to say, but I dig. 

9. Conor Oberst- Conor Oberst

First solo album. Bright Eyes is his main project. 

10. Cold War Kids- Loyalty To Loyalty 

I like their first album better, but this one is alright. 

Honorable Mention: Sigur Ros- Sigur Ros

I don't own this album, but when I heard it, I really liked it. 

So this is the new year...

...and I have no resolution. 

This is going to be a very interesting year for me. As a student, I usually view "years" based on the school season, but now I'm taking time to view things in the eyes of the rest of the world. 

This year, I graduate high-school, start college, move out, change schools for the first time, and turn 19. This is one of the most significant years in someone's life. (But I've only lived for 18 years so I really don't anything about the significance of years). 

Anyway, this year is going to be big, but for the first time in a while, I didn't really come up with any new resolutions. 

I guess I could start working out, but I don't really want to. 

I could spend less money on coffee, but I really like coffee. 

I could save to buy a new car. But for now, my car works.

I have no resolution, but I'm not sure if I think that's so bad.