OMFG

NEW. SKINS. TRAILER.

I was having my doubts, but if the whole season is this good, then WOW. Bring this shit ON.

[OH NO THEY DIDN'T!]

Lolita Hazed Playlist: 2008 in Music

I have this weird little hobby where I actually write down every song I hear throughout the year, collect them in a Word document, and round up the ones that were important to my year. I've been doing this since freshman year and it's always been exciting to see the results at the end of a year.

2008's been a crazy year for Planet Earth, that's for sure-- I bet we could all name at least ten external reasons why. However, here's what was going on with me as it all happened, including the best, the worst, and the truly unforgettable:

1. The Church "Under the Milky Way"
I heard this song so many times this year-- first and most importantly being as we comforted a grieving friend of ours after someone we know died (and a lot of people I know died this year). It was really perfect for such an emotional moment. Later, in the summer, I heard it playing on TV in Japan when my family was watching Prison Break. An interesting contrast for you.
2. Blur "Song 2"
My friend and I would sing this at the most random moments ever this spring, shouting it for all to hear. At one amazing point, he and I actually sang it very loudly on a karaoke game in the middle of Best Buy. We considered none of the customers. He almost got beat up in the bathroom for it. We're never returning to that Best Buy.
3. Patrick Wolf "The Magic Position"
I heard this song playing TWICE in Madrid, which, for all the songs in the world and all the cities in the world, is pretty damn random-- first being when my friend Jenny and I were wandering the city streets alone, second being in an H&M a day later. It's such an undeniably happy song, and a wonderfully appropriate representation of the first time I'd ever felt so free...
4. Eric Clapton "Livin' on Tulsa Time"
My teacher met a friend of hers at a bar in Paris one night, allowing us to accompany her. We sat at a separate table because it made us feel cooler. Anyway, at one point in the night this song plays and my teacher was totally WEIRDED OUT. "Guys!" she shouted at us. "Did you guys request this or something?!" It was a really freaky coincidence. Of all the bars in Paris, the one we were in happened to be playing a song about home.
5. Annie "Loco"
I downloaded this song the night before I left for Tokyo and couldn't stop listening to it the next day (I swear I could lose myself in it). I listened to it on both planes and in the train that took us from Narita to Tokyo, which took us through unbelievable scenery. As the exciting beats rolled on, I was witnessing the outskirts of a landmark Asian city, sprinkled with vast countrysides, skyscrapers, castles... it was humbling. This song was making me feel like a total jetsetter-- which I had actually become! Let me tell you, it's a cool feeling to be shocked by a 45-minute plane ride.

6. Bat for Lashes "Seal Jubilee"

I had this song stuck in my head for a very, very large portion of the time that I was in Japan. It was a really great background for how lost I felt in the sea of strange faces, the gibberish scrawled over every surface, the awe-inducing level of technologic advances... in spite of having my family around, it was very lonely.
7. U2 "Ultra Violet (Light My Way)"
My friend Julia is one of the few people I know to whom I can truly talk about ANYTHING and feel understood, and I was pretty heartbroken when she left for China last fall. We communicated solely through e-mail, telling each other all the fun things we wanted to do when we were together again. I daydreamed of running through fields with her in hippie dresses, this song playing in my mind. A little while after she got back, this song was playing at a bar as we walked down the street. "Oh my God," I said to myself as I stopped in the middle of the street. "What?" she asked. "Nothing, really," I replied, smiling.

8. Yeasayer "2080"

After Sarah Palin was chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate for the Republican party, there seemed to be a great fear in the air. I remember watching the debate between her and Joe Biden and actually rolling up into a ball at one point. I actually started crying. I felt so doomed and worried for the future and turned on this song.
9. Daft Punk "Aer OBAMA (vs. adam freeland)"
At Milk and Knives Zombie Night, I was getting down with a bunch of my closest friends. This song came on and we had no idea what they were spelling until my friend listened-- everyone in the room immediately reacted. It was like YMCA or something. The room was filled with a positive energy, like anything could happen... and on November 4th, it did (and I voted!!). We made history. Say it!

10. Sister Nancy "Bam Bam"

I played this in my New York hotel room before I spoke to my Facebook pen pal for the first time. Two unknowingly kindred spirits collided. It was AWESOME. We had breakfast at the Moon Rock, rode the carousel in a rainy Central Park, and tried to sneak into the Chanel Mobile Art exhibit. We bonded over our love for riot grrrl trainwrecks and Pot Psychology, and I confessed I wanted him to be the Rich to my Tracie. Maybe he will be someday. We almost saw Repo! together. It was one of my favorite parts of this year.

11. Lily Allen "The Fear (Demo)"

In the midst of college stress, this song summed me up pretty well. I was uninspired, insecure, and feeling completely hopeless. For quite awhile, I've felt like everything in the world was so big and unattainable. This song is so sincere it makes me cry. I have to close my eyes when I listen to it.

12. Lipps, Inc. "Funkytown"

Because there's lots of other stuff that makes things bearable. This is on the list not only because I recently videotaped my friend dancing to this while she was drunk, but also as a mass show of love to my Brooklyn Prom Queens, who have definitely been a big part of my year. I love you all!

13. Fatboy Slim "Praise You"

I was listening to this song last night, thinking about how unbelievably appropriate it felt. 2008 was a hard year, perhaps the hardest of my life. We've all had to overcome huge obstacles, intimidating amounts of fear, crippling levels of stress and pressure-- I don't know about you, but I feel it was well worth it, because I am so much stronger for it. This year has helped us come so far, that damn straight it's praiseworthy.

I loved 2008. I laughed, cried, experienced new things, embarrassed myself publicly through varied types of emotion... and I'm ready for more. So bring it, '09!

Happy New Year to you all, darlings! I hope 2009 is as memorable for all of you as 2008!

Y Lolita Hazed

Best Movies I Saw in 2008

Just so you know, I NEVER go to the theatres. Ever. I only went about fourteen times or so, a paltry amount. However, here's what's made my list for what I enjoyed most.

1. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
OMG THIS MOVIE IS SO CUTE. I am seriously in love with Jason Segel now, who you will discover upon viewing has absolutely no body hang-ups at all, which is seriously sexy. I left the theater with the dorkiest, most unwipable smile on my face. GO SEE IT NOW. Preferably with friends. You will have a ball, I promise! I would watch it now if I could. Sarah Marshall FTW!!

2. Milk

You've probably heard it everywhere, but really-- this movie is incredible. It's touching without being saccharine, convincing without possession of a bias, and so endlessly human. Sean Penn is so damn snuggly that I found myself wanting to run into the screen and give him a little cuddle. God, did this movie resonate with me-- I only wish I'd cried more. An enthralling story of acceptance and the lengths a human will go to in order to achieve it. Please see it!

3. Slumdog Millionaire

It took awhile, but perhaps my favorite director, Danny Boyle, is finally back in his FIRST Oscar-hyped movie, while his fans are wondering why it hadn't been happening years before. Starring Skins alum Dev Patel in his first onscreen role, this emotionally rich portrayal of childhood, crime, romance and just getting by will certainly steal your breath. As was the case in last year's favorite The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, it doesn't get much prettier than those credits. While it's not Boyle's best, it's very much worth seeing and further proves his chameleonic abilities.

4. The Dark Knight

It's on everyone's list, isn't it? However, it was very, very good. I was disappointed the first time I saw it as, being a Gotham FREAK, I was expecting more. The second time is better! But you know what would have made this movie #1? Harley Quinn. But no. Better luck next time, suckaz (I'm only kidding-- kind of. Step up your game for femme fatales, plz, Poison Ivy's still pissed at Uma Thurman)!

5. Iron Man

After my BFF had me watch this, I could NOT shut up about it. Oh my God, if you haven't seen this yet, you HAVE to! Robert Downey, Jr. is not only awesome, but adorable, making his own robot friends and cute little quips and it's just so damn good in every way. GO SEE!

6. Let the Right One In
This movie, which Erika recommended me, is untouchably cool and very startlingly pretty (that chick on fire on the bed?! OMG). Apparently the dumbass who made Cloverfield wants to remake it, probably never will. Tulsa just now got this movie, so suck it, Tulsa, I saw it without your help!

7. Australia

I don't care what you say, reviewers. This movie is beautiful, and while it was kinda crazy in the third act, I was still so tempted to cry. I didn't, but I wanted to. I miss your crazier side but I love you so, Baz. This was a class act.

8. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

DUH. This movie is way too much fun for me. How much do I love chickflicks? Let me count the ways. You may not rave, but if you rent it with your girls like I did, you'll have a LOT of fun.
9. Pineapple Express

So, yeah, I enjoyed it, but what a massive disappointment. Fun, and I do love bromances (Seth Rogen and James Franco are a great one-- adorbz chemistry), but could've been WAY better. Even if I DID want to hug James Franco, y'know, among other things...

10. 21

So it's not the best movie ever. Believe me. But it's SO FUN and I really enjoyed watching it. It kept me interested on that long, long flight to Japan. So thanks, 21 (even though in-flight Tetris was more than enough to keep me satisfied)! And as I know Vegas quite well, the places they went were pretty instantly recognizable, making for more fun on my part. Big plus!

Movies I Wanted to See... But Never Did (And Still Want To)

The Go-Getter

Hamlet 2 (fourfour's obsession with it exacerbates the desire)

Repo! The Genetic Opera (ALMOST did in New York! Curses!)

Towelhead (don't care if it flopped)

Tropic Thunder

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

The Wackness

WALL-E (and my family laughs at me)

Still Haven't Seen...

Doubt

Revolutionary Road

Complain all you want about boutique cupcakeries, but this is BEAUTIFUL.

The picture in E's latest post reminded me: you know how fancy cupcakes are totally a trend now? Dude, there's a cupcakerie in my town called Kupcakz! It might be the most adorably LOL-cat-esque-named cupcakerie of all existing cupcakeries (yeah, Tulsa's cute), and after hearing about it in the newspaper several months ago, I've been seriously begging to give this place a try. And this week, I totally did!

So! Presenting my first-ever cupcake reviews (I am REALLY hoping this is something I'll get to do more than once)!

Not a Carrot in the World (pictured, go ahead and guess which one)

Carrot cupcake, duh. It's pretty meh. Too punny for my tastes.

A Cupcake Named Mackenzie

If you're a chocolate fan, this is probably your naked chocolate Jesus as a cupcake, and not the naked chocolate Jesus that actually existed. (BTW, "Naked chocolate Jesus" is really fun to say fast. So catchy. OMG band name!!) It's got chocolate filling, and its cultural reference is completely lost on me (I'm a 90's baby, give me a break).

Sooner than Later

A red velvet cupcake the boutique made to emphasize their support of the OU Sooners. Those silly little Oklahomans and their statewide college football feud. Eh, it's not Magnolia red velvet, but pretty damn sassy nonetheless.

Tropical Bliss (pictured)

SO. PRETTY. You look at it and you freak because you think you're gonna eat a cupcake covered in Fruity Pebbles-- in which case you'd probably be in Heaven, but they're actually coconut flakes and they're almost as good. Real tasty! Want eat again!

Boston Dreamer

My sister and mom ate it all. Those bitches.

I Dream of Ginger

This is the special monthly one! OMG, so good. It's ginger cake with (totally dead-on) egg nog cream cheese frosting. Hands down the best all-around cupcake I ate from there, but then again I'm kind of a freak when it comes to egg nog. Annnnnd I think I'll go drink some more.

So it's not Magnolia.

So. The fuck. What.

Check out all the, um, Kupcakz I didn't try right here.

Sample the first half of "It's Not Me, It's You"!

Okay, so this has apparently been around for five days but I JUST now found it. Lily Allen has decided to give us a little taste of the upcoming awesomeness It's Not Me, It's You! You'll get to hear:

1. Everyone's At It (my absolute favorite, unstoppable)

2. The Fear

3. Not Fair (ooh, country)

4. 22

5. Never Gonna Happen (OMG, HOT)

6. Fuck You (HA, cute for Christmas, eh?)

Get it HERE! Thank me later!

Trust me when I say they won't be able to put a genre on this one. Um, SO excited.

Yet another hot chick dies in 2008...

Eartha Kitt, yet another femme fatale I greatly admired, died last night-- and the video below was the first thing I thought of. Below, watch Eartha Kitt as she finds her spirit animal.

(BTW, if you want to see Eartha Kitt at one of her most fabulous moments, please rent The Emperor's New Groove if you haven't seen it. Plznthnx!)

(God, some seriously cool people died in 2008, huh?)

R.I.P. Eartha. You were truly one-of-a-kind, and you will be greatly missed.

[Jezebel]

Merry Christmas!

To celebrate this often religiously non-specific holiday, I present you with the greatest, most accurate Christmas song of the 21st century.

I love you ALL!
Y Lolita Hazed