So, I spent 3 hours last night and 5 hours so far today, working on my 50 favorite songs of 2012 for The Contrast Podcast Festive Fifty.

I am up to my ears in music. So many good songs this past year. I have managed to pare my list down to 68 songs. Looks like I have a bit more work ahead of me to chop off 18 more very deserving tunes and then to agonize over the order of the 50 that make the cut.

This is my kind of hard work!

If you would like to participate, here is what you do:

1. Choose up to 50 (yes fifty) songs that were released in 2012 that you like. If you can only think of 10 (or even just one!) .. don’t worry .. The Contrast Podcast still would like to know what they are.

2. For a second year the resident ‘statman’ James will do the adding up, so please send your list to him at janderson716@gmail.com starting with your favorite track first.

3. Do this by Tuesday, the 6th of November at the latest. Try to get other people to vote, too!

4. James will compile a short list of the top 100 songs which we will vote on to be in the top 50 and then The Contrast Podcast will start inviting people to record introductions for the festive fifty countdown podcasts.

A day spent obsessing over music deserves a dinner that takes no time at all, but is delicious to the max.

Give this Pepperoni Rigatoni Casserole a try. So easy and so good. Sometimes I make the casserole with pizza sauce to get a kind of pizza pasta flavor.

Pepperoni Rigatoni Casserole

Ingredients:

1 pound rigatoni or large tube pasta
28 ounces spaghetti sauce
3-1/2 ounces sliced pepperoni
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

2. Add spaghetti sauce to pasta and toss to coat. Place half in a greased shallow 3 quart microwave-safe dish. Top with half of the pepperoni and cheese. Repeat layers.

3. Cover and microwave on high for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted.

4. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 6 to 8

Recipe from Taste Of Home Casseroles Cookbook

There is no doubt which band is going to get the number one spot on my festive fifty list.

Ask anyone in my house which album gets the most play since July and they will easily tell you Meursault (even if they cannot spell it or pronounce it!)

I can’t decide whether Flittin’ or Settling should be first. I keep changing my mind. Today Flittin’ gets the vote.

The music, that voice, the lyrics, that piano, the tempo changes….this song has everything that I love.

Check out Meursault on the band’s Website, where you can also learn upcoming UK tour dates. Don’t forget to buy their music at Song, By Toad Records.

Cheers!