"OPEN" by Andre Agassi - A funny, exciting and very human memoir by one of tennis' greats. It's fascinating to read about a man who had everything he ever wanted and still couldn't figure out who he was or how to be satisfied. Don't worry, it has a happy ending though.

SHOWERS - In these cold winter months, sometimes a hot shower is all it takes to get the day off on the right foot. Or to turn a bad day around.

"THE ROOM" - This ultra-dramatic film from 2003 is quite possibly the worst movie ever made but also one of the best movie-watching experiences I've ever had. It has super-low production values and makes no sense but will have you laughing the entire time. Organize a home viewing with your friends, or go to one of the worldwide monthly theater screenings in your town.

THE WINTER OLYMPICS - There's something truly amazing about watching an athlete compete in a sport he has devoted his entire life to, and I've never even heard of.

"CONTRA" by Vampire Weekend - Officially my favorite band of the last few years. Vampire Weekend's sophomore release is a worthy and exciting follow up to their first disc and I'll continue spreading the gospel on these preppy art punks. They join an elite list for me including Kanye West, Fiona Apple and Feist where I will buy a new album unheard and know I'll love it. Thank you Vampire Weekend for keeping me excited about music!

MERYL STREEP - First I loved "Julie & Julia", then I loved "It's Complicated" and suddenly I'm seeing Meryl Streep in a whole new light. An ageless class act who defines what movie stars should be like. When are Meryl and my other Hollywood crush, George Clooney going to make a movie together? They could read the phonebook to each other for 2 hours on camera and it would sweep the Golden Globes!

WASHINGTON, D.C. - I was born and raised in DC but don't get to spend much time there now that I live in New York. While I was home in DC for the holidays, I took advantage and went to some of the museums, walked the city and stayed out late soaking in the amazing melting pot that IS our Nation's Capital.

TOASTS - I'm not talking about heating up bread here. One of my new year's resolutions was to celebrate life more and not take anything for granted. What better way to stay thankful than to raise a glass with friends and family and say something real for a minute? Then we can get back to talking about TV and US Weekly.

"A CIVIL ACTION" by Jonathan Harr - I read this fascinating courtroom drama during a stretch of really long drives on tour and it made the time fly by. Meticulously researched and documented, this book is nonfiction but reads like a novel. It's the true story of a Boston lawyer that puts everything on the line to win a case. Beautifully painted characters and terrific attention to detail.

YOGA - I've resisted trying yoga for a long time. I think I was intimidated by the peaceful one-ness that yoga enthusiasts always seem to exhibit. So it pains me to admit that the 15 minutes after yoga are easily the best I feel all day. I'm sooooo zen-ful.

"FUNNY FARM" - The holy grail of late night TV channel surfing is this terrible 80's comedy starring Chevy Chase. I caught it on TV once and I've been trying to find it ever since. I tried renting it on DVD but it just wasn't the same. It needs to be stumbled upon, discovered by accident. I'm not even sure I like the movie all that much. I don't remember laughing at it once, but it would be great to fall asleep to.

VICTORIA, BC - This remote Canadian town felt like walking around in a dream. It seemed at times both terribly empty and yet bustling with people everywhere I looked. The band and I caught a ferry from Vancouver and watched the Canadian landscape sail by as we pulled into the dock. I spent the day walking around in the rain, stopping at a tiny organic cafe for lunch, sitting in a serene coffee shop, discovering tiny alleys with strange little shops. When I finally got to the venue that night for our show, I was relaxed and inspired. Thank you Victoria.

"A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS" by Vince Guaraldi - With the holiday season just around the corner, it's never too early to pull out this awesome jazz soundtrack to the classic Peanuts TV special. The music has a classic, nostalgic feel to it, but still manages to sound fresher every year I listen to it. Here's a gentle suggestion to make it the soundtrack to your November and December of 2009!

PORTLAND, ME - Had a nice weekend here recently while we were kicking off my tour with Kelly Clarkson. Portland is a fun small town with plenty to eat and drink yourself silly. And lots of interesting streets to walk it off afterwards.

MASSAGES - Massages are like pizza; Even when they're bad, they're still pretty good. I could have a 5 hour massage and it would still feel like it ended too early!

RAINY SATURDAY NIGHTS - Sometimes it's just fun to trudge out into a rainy, busy Saturday night and still have to get where you need to go. There's something special about seeing everyone's best laid plans going horribly wrong. It gives the night an air of fun and makes it feel like a special occasion.

PEPPERMINT PATTIES - In a whirlwind of gas station rest stops and post-show candy cravings, eating this dark chocolate mint is my only hope. Small, refreshing and no nougat.

"ANTHONY BOURDAIN: NO RESERVATIONS" - In the list of all-time best jobs, I think Anthony Bourdain's might just rank #1. He's a TV show host who gets to travel the world, being taken to the best and most interesting restaurants. He's served the freshest, most authentic food and drinks like there's no tomorrow. Where I'm from, we call that a paid vacation.

KALE - I'm hoping to do for kale what Popeye did for spinach. Kale is also a leafy green that's good for you, but a little chewier and with a bolder flavor. Sauté it up and it makes a great side dish at any meal. Plus, you don't have to eat it out of a can like Popeye's spinach.

"INGLORIOUS BASTERDS" - One recent trip to the cinema was to see Quentin Tarantino's newest movie about Nazi-occupied France during World War II and I loved it. It's rich with quirky characters, crisp dialogue and quick action. I always know I loved a movie when days later the scenes are still hanging around in my head like a beautiful photograph or a night with an old friend. Check out this film while it's still on the big screen.

ICHIRO SUZUKI - This Japanese-imported baseball player on the Seattle Mariners is all I seem to talk about these days. He's on the verge of setting a Major League record for the most consecutive seasons with 200 hits.That's 9 straight seasons of getting the job DONE. At a time when steroids have muddied the home runs records, it's nice to see a guy who doesn't need the long ball to take care of business. Hit on, Ichiro!

"THE VERY BEST OF SOLOMON BURKE" by Solomon Burke - A great example of dishwashing music. This underrated R&B legend from the 1960's belts his soul power with a raw conviction you won't hear from most singers today. If you've worn out your Otis Redding and Sam Cooke albums, this is a great next step. (And if you don't know much about those 2 guys either, buy some of their music too!)

CHARLESTON, SC - No matter how long I stay in Charleston it always feels like I'm leaving too early. A class act city with history and southern charm to spare, I can feel the energy just by walking the downtown cobblestone streets. Had a great show there recently and hope to be back soon!

INDIAN SUMMERS - Where did Summer go? It feels like just yesterday I was playing a show in May and looking forward to a season of warm weather. Now, here it is after Labor Day and all I have to show for June, July and August is a few days at the beach and a quickly evaporating semi-tan. I won't mind if you hang on for just a FEW more days this year, Summer.

SUSHI - I always love raw fish and rice, but I am re-energized in it's splendor having just returned from a 2 week tour in California. Sushi is good all over the place, but California is the true land of the best sushi (unless you're reading this in Japan).

"BANANAGRAMS" - This game is fast-paced, addictive and easy to learn. It's like Scrabble without the board and without the bored.

ARNOLD PALMERS - My beverage of choice lately. Half iced tea. Half lemonade. All delicious.

THE BEACH - Lying around reading a book where the hardest decision you have to make is whether to go back in the ocean or into the house for lunch. I'll be sad to see Summer go.

YELP.COM - I spend most of my time on the road thinking about eating, so having a good meal every time is essential to my mental well-being. This user-rated website is excellent for finding the best restaurant in Tulsa, the most popular coffeehouse in Chicago or the most trusted bagel shop in Miami.

JIMMY JOHN'S - This sandwich shop chain is the lunch stop of choice for me and the band these days. Fresh, fast sandwiches that are more satisfying than Subway (sorry, guys) and not as heavy as Quizno's (sorry again, guys). If you don't live near a college town, you may have never heard of Jimmy John's which is a shame. If you happen to drive past one, stop in and order a Turkey Tom, easy mayo with cheese. You can thank me later.

"BITTE ORCA" by Dirty Projectors - While in Oslo, I heard this album playing in a record shop and quickly bought it. I went to sleep every night listening on headphones to the intricate, quirky indie pop songs. Crisp, biting guitars, awkward lyrics, inventive harmonies. I was extremely pleased with myself for finding a cool Norwegian band I could take home to the States. Then I found out Dirty Projectors are actually from Brooklyn, NY. Oh well, it's still good music.

"HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" - While at home, I got to catch up on this fun CBS sitcom which has been steadily growing on me. It's got a hip cast, smart writing and is always good for some laughs. If you've gotten tired of watching "Friends" reruns for the 9th time, give this show a try.

SWIMMING - It's June and it's getting hot out there. Why not jump in the pool and swim a few laps? Ear plugs and bathing cap optional.

BLOOMINGTON, IN - Had an amazing show at the Bluebird recently and the people of Indiana couldn't have been a better crowd. A fun town with fun people, fun food and fun bars.

MLB.TV - I'm embarrassed to say how much time I spend watching this website subscription service, which lets me watch every single major league baseball game live on my computer. However, I'm even more embarrassed to think about how long I went without it. Play ball!

90's R&B - Jodeci, Shai, TLC, Tevin Campbell, Mary J. Blige and of course Boyz II Men. The singers of my youth! I used to make my own mixtapes off the radio (95.5 WPGC in DC) and these guys were the best. Then I went on an iTunes bender the other night and was happy to know that the songs still stand up today. Get yourself a Starter hat and an
Orlando Magic Shaq jersey and dive in.

"KRAMER VS. KRAMER" - This Dustin Hoffman/ Meryl Streep movie is over 30 years old and still holds up remarkably well. It's a simple, human story about a child custody battle. It's well-acted, smartly written and charming. Bump it up on your Netflix queue today.

NOT USING MY PHONE - I didn't have any cell phone service while I was traveling in Australia, and it was a refreshing reminder that I don't need to look at my iPhone every 5 seconds. Even though I'm back on U.S. soil and my phone is back in action, I'm still trying to continue the trend of using my phone only as needed. Of course, when my fantasy baseball team is in a crunch and I need to check the stats, the phone starts to feel VERY NECESSARY.

GEORGE CLOONEY - Honestly, what's not to like about this Hollywood Hunk? I have no problem saying I think he's one handsome devil and I wish I was him on a daily basis.

JIM GAFFIGAN - If I were funny enough to be a stand-up comedian, I would pretty much just be ripping off Jim Gaffigan the whole time. He's the next generation of Seinfeld-type comedians, armed with clean, witty observations about food and laziness. His new album "King Baby" is hilarious. Check it out.