But Then My Homework Was Never Quite Like This.

Homework. I hated it. Frankly, I never really did it. I was unfocused and unsupported. And my grades reflected just that. Today, in preparation for second grade, Wesley's class has begun formal homework assignments. Prior to this, Rebecca and/or I would go over the day's work and read and practice writing and do flash cards; all of which we will continue to do. But now the teacher will send home specific assignments with due dates and grades. Reflecting on my own experience with homework and the fact that Rebecca is a teacher, Wesley is in a potentially precarious situation; trapped between the perennial slacker dad and the laser focused, super smart, extra strict mom.

We approached the homework in no negative terms and worked together. All told Wesley enjoyed it. The assignment was based on a Cam Jansen story (a chapter book series he loves) and consisted of reading and writing answers to five questions. It was pretty high level stuff in terms of reading comprehension, including doing a drawing interpretation of the chapter's setting. Wes did very well, worked hard and seemed to enjoy it. Check him out working here. Cute.

Wes is a smart kid and hopefully he will have inherited his mom's smarts more than my laziness, either way we will support him and hope for the best.

My favorite albums of 2009.

I'll flat out admit I missed some albums this year. Just like I do every year. Sometimes I am an early adopter; I recall shouting the virtues of Guns N Roses before anyone had heard of them, and sometimes I am way late to the game; The Shins did change my life, just not until Wincing the Night Away. So many will say this list is useless since I have yet to hear the new Animal Collective or that Phoenix record, but not as many who will not even care what I have to say. I didn't bother ranking these or limiting myself to a top 10 and like I said I am sure I left out a lot and probably forgot an album or two, but lets face it, I spent most of the year listening to The Beatles so all its all good.

Franz Ferdinand- Tonight: Franz Ferdinand The pretentiousness of band's like Franz Ferdinand often put me off. Let's face it, I'm not a hipster or a music snob (you'll see Chickenfoot is on my list), so sometimes this kind of stuff just blows past me. But Franz Ferdinand is just that good. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand kicked off 2009 reminding us why these cats demand to be heard. Favorite track? Ulysses

Wussy- Wussy I love good local music, especially when that local music includes Chuck Cleaver from the Ass Ponys. Wussy have proven to be as important as Cleaver's first band and every bit as good. This album continues their jangly journey.

Iron & Wine- Around the Well I am super late/totally unfamiliar with the whole beard rock trend. This album changes all of that. A haunting, lengthy and inspiring piece of music. One of the great "background" albums.

The Dead Weather- Horehound Jack White (and friends of course) do it again. By "it" of course I mean create a killer buzzsaw collection of sounds that throughly intrigues me.

Pearl Jam- Backspacer My beloved Pearl Jam return better than ever. A huge band that lost me, and many folks I imagine, for three albums or so really grabbed my attention again with the "avocado" album which was a great return to form. But Backspacer was something more indeed. Wheras I felt "Avocado" was trying to recapture PJ magic from early albums, I feel on this record the magic came to them. Short, punchy, mature sounding songs that felt contemporary whilst harkening back to the early days of greatness. Songs like the opener "Gonna see my Friend" and the awesome "Johnny Guitar" are brief examples of what a leaner, mature, focused Pearl Jam can do. Leave the experimentation behind and go with more of this and Pearl Jam you'll not lose me again. Favorite track? Speed of Sound

Them Crooked Vultures- Them Crooked Vultures This is my album of the year. Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and John Paul Jones. A seemingly unlikely trio of musicians that came together to create some catchy, timeless rock tunes. Listening to this record you can hear all of the elements. The opener "No One Loves Me & Neither Do I" would have fit nicely on Houses of the Holy. Josh's voice and Dave's drumming are clear reminders of the Queens of the Stone Age history here, but this is clearly something more unique and classic sounding. There's a rough edge to it all, a gritty, grungy sound (see Mind Eraser, No Chaser or Reptiles) that reminds us this is rock and roll, but there also is a contemporary feel (New Fang and Gunman) that helps lend a timeless feel to this album. It is a solid rock effort by a talented trio. Check it out. Favorite track? All of em.

Green Day- 21st Century Breakdown I want to hate Green Day. To be over them. To leave Dookie on the iPod and forget their post-punk success. But damn they leep making catchy pop-punk tunes on albums that have bigger more mature messages. Green Day know who they are today and what they do best; create catchy, hooky, instantly likable tunes that tell a story to connect with younger listeners, and that does alienate older fans enough to stop listening.

U2- No Line on the Horizon Sometimes I feel like I can live with our without U2. I mean I have never been a "superfan" but I find myself with all of their records and I am compelled to try out each new release. While many people dismissed this latest effort, I found myself digging it more than most of their recent releases and its subtle references to old U2 had me going back and revisiting the classic albums in their catalogue. I felt that songs like Breath and Moment of Surrender would not have been out of place on The Joshua Tree with The Edge's recognizable jangle. Yet songs like Get Your Boots On were closer to the harder stuff of recent successful singles like say Veritgo. I think this is a solid package. Fave track? Moment of Surrender.

Dave Matthews Band- Big Whiskey and the Gru Grux King Hands down my favorite DMB record. Everything about this album cooks. The opening tribute to LeRoi Moore sets the mood, an awesome tribute to the late saxophonist. I like the tone of this album best. Though some songs are slower and more deliberate, like the lead single Funny the Way It Is, while others are faster and more peppy like my favorite track Why I Am, the album seems to be cohesive and have a singular purpose. The musicianship as always is top notch and the tunes are catchy as hell.

Chickenfoot- Chickenfoot Whatever. Say what you will. But man, I dig me some good four piece arena rock and Chickenfoot delivers in spades. A rock super group featuring Van Halen alums Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony as well as rock/funk Chili Pepper drummer and Will Ferrell look alike Chad Smith and of course the mind melting Joe Satriani on guitar. At its basic core, this is the album Van Halen would have likely released after Balance had Eddie Van Halen not lost his ever lovin mind. Satch fits surprisingly well into his spot in the traditional band setup creating memorable riffs and interesting melodies to go along with Sammy's sometime interesting, often goofy but usually hummable lyrics. 82 year old Hagar sounds not a day over 34 here hitting high notes like the hey day of his tenure with Van Halen. Anthony and Smith create a thick backbone for it all to rest on. Its a fun, very listenable album that outside of the potential My Kind Of Girl just lacked a single to get more mainstream attention. Great stuff. Favorite tune? Aveneda Revolution

The Beatles Remaster Collection I spent the majority of the year listening to The Beatles. While last.fm always reported the band in my top 10, this year they came within a song or two of being my listened to group (behind Van Halen natch). I'm not going to attempt to "review" or "critique" each album hear as though I am worthy and up to such a task, I'll just say the remasters sound incredible and yes they are just that damn good.

Honorable Mentions

Bruce Springsteen-Working on a Dream Another solid effort from The Boss. This album is what Springsteen is all about, listenable, accessible mainstream blue collar rock with purpose.

Dinosaur Jr.- Farm I had no problem following Dinosaur Jr. down memory lane with this fun set of songs. J Mascis guitar and vocals are just like you remember from the 90's.

John Fogerty- The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again A superb collection of covers by the former CCR frontman are presented here on this sequel to Fogerty's debut solo record.

Also of note.

Delores o'rirodan- No Baggage O'Rirodan's latest solo effort takes me back to days of The Cranberries. While the heavier tunes that punctuated the Cranberries best albums are absent, the meandering, unique softer side is captured on this mature release.

Paramore- Brand New Eyes I Love Chick Rock.

Monsters of Folk- Monsters of Folk

2009. A look back.

Here are some pictures from 2009.