For those who aren’t aware, I started collecting music memorabilia, specifically that of Say Anything, The Format, and +44.

As a general disclaimer, eBay and Music Stack have been great for this endeavor. If you can’t find an album on eBay or it’s there but overpriced, Music Stack is a great place to look.

I bought three things on eBay that I’ve been genuinely excited about: a vinyl version of Say Anything’s …Is a Real Boy, a signed copy of the CD version of that album, and a signed copy of Say Anything’s For Sale… EP. This post is about the EP.

It’s amazing. I mean, I’ve heard all the songs before and there are only two songs on the EP that aren’t on any other album, but it’s great to finally see the album inserts and the CD. Plus, it’s signed.

Here are some pictures:
Front cover
Back cover
Album insert
CD face
Album opened up

1. …Is a Real Boy
   Say Anything
   This is by far my favorite album, with or without the …Was a Real Boy bonus disc. If this list was for my top 20 albums, this one would occupy the first 10 spots (but this top-ten list is a Set). I love the rock sound that this album has, along with the awesome lyrics. The last few songs on the original disc are my favorite, although there isn’t a song on the album I don’t absolutely love.
2. Dog Problems
   The Format
   I love the way this album sounds—almost like a circus. Compared to the other music I listen to, it’s by far the most unique-sounding album. Most of the time I don’t even listen to the words, I just listen to the notes buzz in my ears.
3. Give Up
   The Postal Service
   The only things I don’t like about this album are its number of tracks (10) and the likelihood that there will never be another album released by the group. The love−themed lyrics are amazing.
4. Enema of the State
   blink-182
   This is the first CD album I ever purchased. I wasn’t a big fan of it when I was 10, but that’s changed. The (mostly) light−hearted lyrics are great, as is the very pop−rock sound.
5. When Your Heart Stops Beating
   +44
   I love this album because it’s sort of a combination of the more sincere lyrics of blink-182’s Untitled album with the rock sounds of Enema of the State.
6. Everything in Transit
   Jack’s Mannequin
   I love this album’s pop sound that goes great with its energetic lyrics, making me feel like I’m sitting on the beach.
7. Untitled (AKA blink-182)
   blink-182
   Classic blink-182 riffs with some more sincere lyrics.
8. Plans
   Death Cab for Cutie
   I love this album’s mellow lyrics and exciting instrumentals that compliment each other like peanut butter and jelly.
9. Make Believe
   Weezer
   IMO, Weezer’s best album. I think it has a more mainstream feel than their other albums, but nonetheless I love this album’s songs.
10. In Reverie
    Saves the Day
    Apparently everyone hates this album, but it’s by far my favorite Saves the Day album. The first few songs are some of my all−time favorites.

Honorable mentions:
Taking Back Sunday’s Louder Now is definitely #11 on my list of favorites. Hot Fuss by The Killers earns a nod from me because, although I don’t listen to it much now, it was my favorite album a couple years ago. Fall Out Boy’s From Under the Cork Tree is another album I just love listening to. Finally, Sleepaway’s self−titled debut album is awesome because Mike is just so dreamy.

I wrote a very long post about my current computer−programming aspirations, which include learning C, relearning C++, and learning GTK+ and possibly Qt. But then I deleted it by loading a new page. I’m not going to rewrite it, so…suck it.

If you’re viewing this post’s comment page with Internet Explorer, everything gets f−ed up, so you should just stop using stupid Windows software all−together.

Every time I kill a bug, I feel like the strongest person in the world.

before

after

It’s so nice to wake up to a smiling face every morning.