So, it’s been about a month since my last post. This is because I’ve been on vacation! Like most offices around DC, ours was closed through Jan 5. It served as the perfect time to think about and list four of my favorite things I forgot to mention here earlier in the year. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin is an obvious choice so it will not be included in my list, but perhaps she deserves her own post for sheer hilarity.

1.) Fallout 3 — I don’t want to say how much time was sucked from my life and inserted into my XBOX. It’s downright embarrassing. I already mentioned on here how much I was psyched about the game before it came out, but I didn’t say anything about it after it did. For the tens of you who will read this post, it was absolutely not because I didn’t like it (I did). Or even because I loved it (I did). So much, in fact, that it honestly ruled my world for an entire week. Yes. 7 full 24-hour days of post-apocalyptic DC fun (multiply the two to figure out how many hours I played the game, math nerds. i shake my head in disgust). Pathetic admission, but the game is really an experience more than entertainment (if that’s possible). You know what’s eerie? Walking down DC streets in real life while listening to the Fallout 3 soundtrack (licensed music from the 40s, not instrumental score, for the record. Big difference). It honestly is an incredible experience overall. Join the dork club and buy it.

2.) Heineken BeerTender — It took about 2/3 of a mini keg to get the pour just right (they aren’t kidding when they stress a 45 degree angle and a completely open tap…otherwise you get an undescribable amount of foam) but the beer stays fresh for several days (they say 30 but the keg didn’t last that long) and you don’t have to drink just Heineken (you get Heineken Light!). It’s a lot of fun and is a perfect addition to a small party of two or more. The lady friend picked this up for me as a gift and it was the best gift I got all year. Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

3.) Sigur Ros: Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust — No, I have no idea what the title means (or any of the lyrics) but the melodies are infectious. I technically didn’t get into this album until December 31 but it counts! Check out “Gobbledigook” and pay attention to the percussion. Perhaps the best “feel good” song I heard in 2008, which is weird to say, because I haven’t actually Googled the lyrics to find out if they are at all “feel good.” And you know what? I’m not going to. The melody is just fine for me, thank you very much. For all you eMusicers, it’s available now.

4.) ICanHasCheezBurger.com — OK, so I’ve technically been a fan for more than just one year, but it was in 2008 when I sat down and looked at every single post. I even submitted some just to see what would happen. The site is completely awesome and obviously trafficked by hilarious (and bored) people. Here are three four of my favorites. The ICHC search feature is really, really pathetic, so I can’t find the URLs for them. I also didn’t look very hard. Just know they are on ICHC somewhere and all credit goes to the site. Bookmark it pronto.