ERIC'S FAVORITE 7 THINGS EVER (Right Now)

OCTOBER

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS - My favorite time of the sports year! Even though my beloved Orioles JUST missed the post-season, I still love to watch the other guys fighting for their shot at the World Series. And props to MLB for keeping the number of teams who make the playoffs low (I'm talking to you, NBA)...
"MAD MEN" - I kept hearing the buzz on this show and finally decided to check it out. Unfortunately, I was downloading the first season on iTunes just as the show won the Emmy for Best Drama. Now I look like such a bandwagoner! Good thing the show is impeccably made. Smart writing, subtle acting and beautifully shot. Never thought I could love a show when I hate all the characters!
"VIVA LA VIDA" by Coldplay - Though I like Coldplay's songs, this is actually the first album of theirs I've bought. The Brian Eno production is spacey and gives the record a nice mood. It's a good one to put on first thing in the morning while you're getting ready to face the day. You can actually feel flowers growing while the songs play.
PORTLAND, OR - Spent a few great days here last week. It's an amazing city to grab your jacket and your iPod and take a satisfyingly melancholy walk.
TRAINS - These days with airlines charging you for everything ($2 for a drink of water, USAIR!?) and STILL acting like they're doing you a favor, I'll take the convenience of a train ride. You can talk on the phone, watch the scenery go by and there's nobody repeatedly telling you to push your bag under your chair.
SOUP - New England Clam Chowder, Butternut Squash and Matzoh Ball. Lunch is back!
SLACKS - I'm officially on a jeans hiatus. I like wearing slacks (or trousers if you're reading in Europe). It feels like I'm wearing pajamas all day long!




SEPTEMBER

BLEND APPAREL - I first got hooked on this T-shirt company 5 years ago and loved them so much I started having them design all my merchandise too. The shirts are clever, organic and made with love. Check them out on the web here.
GOOD-NOT-GREAT.COM - This blog, dedicated to daily mediocrity is one of my favorites. Plus, they take email submissions so you can help shine a light on the disappointments in your own life.
"VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA" - Woody Allen movies can be hit or miss for me, but this one is ALL hit. The first 10 minutes feel like a 90's Skinemax plot, but gradually the film transforms into some interesting thoughts about lust, passion and playing it safe in love. Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem are great and the Spain scenery is amazing.

It's also got a killer soundtrack.

THE iPHONE - I finally traded in my 2004 flip phone and joined the 21st century. Who cares if the service sucks and everyone including my mom mocks me for thinking I'm a big shot? I can check my email, get sports scores AND look up the answers to meaningless trivia to settle a bet with friends.
AUTUMN - Once I finished school and no longer had summer vacation, Autumn became my favorite season of the year. Hellooooo, light jackets!
SAN DIEGO - No matter what time of year it is, it's ALWAYS nicer in San Diego. The amazing fish tacos in Old Town don't hurt either.
WALÉ'S "THE MIXTAPE ABOUT NOTHING" - No, this isn't the latest Pixar film.

Walé is a fellow DC-born musician who made an awesome rap mixtape centered around "Seinfeld". Every song has clips from the show spliced in and clever raps addressing racism, the state of music and more. Download it free today!




AUGUST

THIS AMERICAN LIFE - I download this free NPR podcast every week to put an hour of sincerity into my life. These profiles of real people with unreal stories are amazing. Oh, and I almost always cry at the end of every episode.
AVOCADO - My submission for best single food item in history. What meal CAN'T you add an avocado to and instantly improve? Sandwich? Pasta? Pizza? Hamburger? All more delicious with this green miracle on top
"MY COUSIN VINNY" - Remember this movie? It's so good you'd better watch it again. Joe Pesci is funny all over, Ralph Macchio reminds us he can do more than kick Mr. Miyagi, and of course there's Marisa Tomei's out of work hairdresser. So funny!
BOSTON - I went to college here (no, it wasn't Harvard) and recently did a show down the street from where I used to live. Walking the cobblestone streets again was nostalgia overload! Great sports town with American history and modern culture. I miss you, Boston!
"PARDON THE INTERRUPTION" - On the road I try to schedule my day so I never have to miss this ESPN talk show (5:30pm EST if you're flipping channels). Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon spend a half hour arguing about the mundane details of sports news and they know their stuff. Tony totally called Brett Favre's un-retirement 4 months before it happened.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - This band is worthy of all the buzz it's gotten. The album is fresh and fun (think an indie rock version of Paul Simon's "Graceland") and the songs get better every time I hear them.
REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES - I got green! After doing the math on how many plastic water bottles I was using on tour, I bought a reusable metal one. Now, I take it everywhere on the road. On the airplanes, to the radio stations, even on stage. I can't be certain, but I'm pretty sure I'm a better person now.



JULY

BOWLING - While recently on tour in Texas the band and I hit the lanes for the afternoon. Amazing! I don't need these new fancy lanes where you can sip a martini while bowling. The lamer the better. The alley we went to looked like it had been frozen in time since it was built in 1986. It even had a super-retro computer scorekeeper called the Rembrandt 2000. Strike!
CUBAN FOOD - All the taste of Mexican food. None of the nightmares.
THE SUMMER OLYMPICS - Swimming, Gymnastics, Track & Field, PLUS Dream Team #30.
THE FUGITIVE - This Harrison Ford movie was awesome in the theaters in 1993. Since then, it has become THE movie guaranteed to suck 2 hours out of my day when I accidentally catch it on TNT, AMC or HBO.
PHILADELPHIA - On a current streak of 7 straight amazing shows in the City of Brotherly Love. The audiences have been dynamite. I can't wait to come back and keep the streak alive!
NINA SIMONE - This awesome soul-jazz singer was one of a kind. She does "Here Comes The Sun" better than the Beatles, "My Way" better than Sinatra and "Just Like A Woman" better than Dylan. Check her out!
FANTASY BASEBALL - This used to be just a hobby but now it feels like a 30 hour-a-week part-time job.




JUNE

LOST SEASON 4 - Sure, it's different than previous seasons. So what? Anyone who says this tv show is for geeks is just jealous and afraid he will never know love like this.
BURT BACHARACH - This super songwriter invented elevator music. And that's a good thing! The slick 60's production is exciting and fun in a way that you rarely find in music these days. His collaborations with Dionne Warwick are classic!
BORAXO - Used this heavy duty soap in a restaurant recently and loved it. It’s made for mechanics, farmers and apparently... me.
ICED TEA - Summer is coming and it's time to start ordering iced tea again. Just make sure the man doesn’t double charge you for refills. Those should always be free!
"BORN STANDING UP" by Steve Martin – Martin's memoirs on his stand-up career are funny and inspiring. Amazing to think that the man responsible for “Cheaper By The Dozen” was once his generation’s Will Ferrell.
SEINFELD RE-RUNS – Is it possible this show is even FUNNIER than I’ve been remembering?
SAN FRANCISCO - What an awesome city! Recently had my first show there ever. The crowd was a lot of fun and I had a great time.