Try This.

Here are a few thoughts I've had of late -- things you have probably already heard about, but that are new (or relatively) to me and so here we are!

If you like Regina Spektor you might like:

1) "Boys and Girls" by Ingrid Michelson -- A somewhat folkier feel than Regina, her album is more guitar, clever lyrics, and a very pleasurable listen. Highly recommended. You probably know "The Way I Am"- aired on Grey's Anatomy and a few other places.

2) "Little Voice" by Sara Bareilles -- Piano focused like Regina, but not as menacing at times. Pop, Rock, and a fabulous female lead voice! You've probably heard "Love Song."

3) "Coco" by Colbie Callait -- the myspace.com wunderkind. Nice voice, nice songs, hooray. Pretty laid back, nice silky voice and some decent writing too. Her most prominent song out is "Bubbly."

If you like reading about food you might like:

1) Heat by Bill Buford -- The combination of New York, Italy, chef gossip, super writing, wit, and detailed descriptions of how make spare ribs, homemade pasta, and other delectable Italian delights. Is there a more perfect book?

2) Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell -- Julie Powell hates her job as secretary at a boring government office so she sets out to cook all 574 of the recipes in Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking I." Entertaining, and actually a little edgy at times. The blurbs liken it to a cooking focused Bridget Jones- I can see that in a way.

3) Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl -- Ruth is currently Editor in Chief of Gourmet Magazine but was a food critic in LA and NY for years. This focuses in on her experiences being the most famous woman in New York for about 5 years- the years she was the NY Times Food Critic. Fun and exquisitely written, of course.

4) Tender at the Bone: Growing up at the Table by Ruth Reichl -- Another book from Ruth, this one chronicles her life with food including (like the first book) recipes in every chapter. She's a great writer, and has a wonderful way of tying her life to food.

If you like easy / quick / delicious recipes you might like:

1) Rocco Dispirito's new book "Real Life Recipes, Fast Flavor for Every Day" is great. I've made two recipes out of it and both have been among the best meals we've had in months! He's got everything from steak and potatoes to roast chicken, scallops and shellfish to duck and tuna. The recipes are simple and most take less than a half hour. Its no fancy stuff and its NOT low cal, but you can easily adjust them to be more healthy. The two I've made are Filet Mignon with Boursin Potatoes (which, by the way, if you haven't ever had Boursin cheese go now to your nearest grocery store. Buy some, and eat it. Its a creamy cheese with a chivey/garlic taste. AMAZING!), and then last night we had the delicious Chicken and Mushroom Risotto.

Ol' Rocco creates short cuts for you if you want to take them, and if you want to do it the long way, go for it! I highly recommend this. Its the only one on this little list because its the only cookbook I've been using lately.

If you like movies you might like:

1) Ratatouille: Seriously. If you haven't seen it, see it. Its SO cute, and of course, yes, its a kids movie, but still, not totally. If you saw the Incredibles it's a lot like that- just SO cute. Matthew and I watched it the other day and it was the second time we've seen it. SO cute. Just... good! Feel good, and very creative. Brings back memories of the little mice in Cindarella.

2) Atonement: This movie was..... disturbing. NOT a romance in the traditional way. But VERY well acted, cast, and probably one of the most beautiful (visually) movies I've seen in the last few years.

3) The Jane Austen Book Club: If you like Jane, you may like this. If you like chick flicks, you may also like this. But... this is more "Friends with Money" or "Trust the Man" type chick flick and less "Devil Wears Prada" or "Legally Blonde" so keep that in mind.

4) Juno: Good, depressing, unique, annoying at times, interesting. An interesting movie and overall a good one. Now that it is nominated for best picture you've got your official reason to see it.

5) The Waitress: A GREAT movie. GREAT. Quirky, clever, colorful, and attractive. Heartfelt. ALL of it! And not just for the ladies, I'd say. My folks saw this at Sundance LAST year and were telling me about it for 8 months. When I finally saw it I loved it just as much as they did! Oh- and it includes PIES- all kinds of pies. YUM.

If you like the Office you might like:

1) Arrested Development: Both Whitney and my boss at GOAL, Danette, had told us about how awesome this series is. We're on season 3 and are SO sad that we only have like 12 more episodes left! It was cancelled after the third season but it is SO funny. It approaches taboo subjects and thinks with a brain more strange than most of my favorite strange brains put together.

2) Flight of the Conchords: Josh and Laura prompted me to watch a live video of Jemaine and Bret playing on stage about a year ago. We caught one episode of the TV series during the summer. When we got to Maryland we bought the DVD without hesitation. It is the most fun I've ever had watching TV. TRULY hilarious, brilliant, clever. It holds up to seconds and thirds too- it gets even MORE funny as you realize all the little things you didn't notice the first time around. Go rent it or buy it at your nearest DVD retailer and watch it immediately.

If you like Reality TV you might like:

1) American Gladiators: Um DUH. It is as awesome as it was a decade ago!

2) American Idol: I'm telling you haters, back up. I am not ashamed that I like this show- and its going to get good now that the auditions are over, and those are pretty entertaining. The real voices come out soon!

3) Maxed Out: This is not one I watch regularly, or frankly really, at all. I've seen two episodes, but I thought it was a nice thing, you know, for mankind. It shows people in debt, how they got there, and helps them discipline themselves to get out. It is kind of weirdly inspiring- I think its on the Style Network or some such nonsense. Anyway, just kind of a "hey, that was interesting even though I'll probably never watch it again." Now you know it's out there.

4) Top Chef: Season 4 starts March 12 on Bravo. Creativity. Cooking. Good food. Tom Colicchio. Pure televisual excellence.

If you like mankind you might not want to:

1) Watch "The Moment of Truth" on Fox. I think this is wrong on so many levels. a- it got pitched. b- it got funded. c-it got made. d- it is getting watched. e- it wrecks people's lives. f- this appeals to our creepy side. Also, just really bad TV.

2) Watch "Paradise Hotel 2"-- um, yeah.

And finally,

If you like Sylvester Stallone you might like:

1) Rambo 4. I don't even know because I haven't seen it, but I've heard that that is really the ONLY reason you'd go see this movie. I root for the guy, but 80 minutes of grueling bloodsport isn't the top of my list these days.