Welcome 2010

Hope everyone had a nice new years, mine was low-key. I was supposed to go into New York City but ugly weather put a damper on those plans. I am still working on my best of '09 list, it's turning out to be much more difficult than I thought. But I thought I'd just do a quick post to hold any followers over until that list is posted.

Today in the headlines is Pat Robertson making a complete asshole of himself in light of the absolutely terrible news of an earthquake in Haiti that is rumored to have killed over 100,000 people.

The Haitians "were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever," Robertson said on his broadcast Wednesday. "And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story. And so, the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' "

Native Haitians defeated French colonists in 1804 and declared independence.

"You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other." Robertson has previously linked natural disasters and terrorist attacks to legalized abortion in the United States. Soon after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, killing more than 1,800 and wreaking unprecedented devastation on New Orleans, Louisiana, Robertson weighed in with his own theory.

Just in case this guy wasn't already on your shit list, there's some stunning evidence. Why this guy has his own television show or still gets attention from the mainstream media is beyond me. Click here for some more wonderfully stupid quotes from Robertson, but also check out The Big Picture's coverage of the earthquake in Haiti. Condolences to the people of Haiti and everyone affected.

Winter break wasn't very interesting for me. Just spent some time relaxing, watching some good tv and catching up on my 2009 music (Ambivalence Avenue and Ashes Grammar, why did I not listen to you earlier?!). Here's my definition of good tv as of late:

• Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
• Man vs. Food
• Mythbusters
• It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
  
• Weird, True & Freaky
• Californication
• Burn Notice
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
• Man vs. Wild

Most of the shows are starting or are almost beginning new seasons, so check them out.

I started my classes this week most seem pretty interesting. Definitely going to be doing some interesting reading to say the least. Here's a list of books I'm looking forward to reading, included is my Christmas haul:

• The Sound And The Fury by William Faulkner
• The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac
• Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• The Discovery of Global Warming by Spencer Weart
• Allah Is Not Obliged by Ahmadou Kourouma
• Last Exit To Brooklyn by Hubert Selby, Jr.
  
• And The Hippos Were Boiled In Their Tanks by Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs

That's a pretty ambitious list. let's see if I get any of it done. Until next time, check out this song I've been digging lately, it will definitely be on my top songs of the year list:

Kurt Vile- Freeway from his 2008 LP Constant Hitmaker (via Salad Days Music)