Here is a very large list of last year's notable music writing, some of which may seem familiar to those of you who have been with us for a while.

Hot out there, huh? You're mopping the sweat from your brow as we speak, right? You're tired and out-of-sorts and generally irritated. Basically, you want to punch someone. It's okay to admit it. We all do. It is a natural part of summer in the city.

The New Scientist takes an in-depth look at the subject of happiness, specifically the ways in which one can achieve it. I'm sure there's plenty of valuable information over there, so do check it out, but if you're pressed for time here's a quick cheat-sheet.

Sure, you could read the New York Times's guide to shoveling snow, but perhaps you might find our comprehensive manual on the subject more entertaining. It is certainly a lot more sweary, which has got to count for something.

You catch that thing on Friday where the New York Times brought together an Occupy Wall Street protester and a Wall Street broker to discuss the issues? (For the purposes of this post let's pretend that you did.) Well, if the protester seemed a little familiar (again, just go with it), there's a good reason: he's the guy who jumped the baggage carousel at JFK at the beginning of the year. We chatted with him back in February. Small world!

Man, remember when Vampire Weekend's Contra was, like, a big deal? It seems so long ago!

In case you've forgotten, or simply never knew in the first place, the age-old question of why women take break ups harder than men do was answered with authoritative finality on this very site one year ago today. Maybe it's time for a refresher course?

"My parents raised me with rules and standards, which I gradually learned to break over time. I can remember my mother remonstrating with me, probably in the middle-school years, for my overreliance on 'holy crap.' It was no doubt a relief to my father when I devolved into full foul-mouthed teenagerhood and he could go back to saying "dog-fucking son of a bitch" during Eagles games or whenever. But he didn't try to speed up the process."

Do you have questions about how earthquakes happen? Sure ya do! Well, head here for some answers. There are drawings and stuff that make it easier to follow.

"Gender cake parties," in which an expectant couple learns the sex of their incipient offspring through the medium of flour, sugar eggs and frosting, are suddenly in the news. Of course, it is probably not news to you if you read Awl pal Lizzie Skurnick's extensive meditation on the practice last month. What's that? You missed it? Well, it's right here! Enjoy.

Won't someone come to the aid of this poor person?

My offer is that I will buy you breakfast (anywhere you want) in exchange for an hour of your time and intimate knowledge of the TV series Lost. First, a bit of background: 1) I have seen every episode of Lost 2) I’m not a complete idiot 3) But I’m not a Mensa member either. Also, you’re probably asking yourself, “Why don’t you just look the information on the ‘ol World Wide Web?” Well, I have a series of questions that aren’t really answered by specific web posting(s). And while one posting might answer one question it [...]

As cutbacks and labor strife roil the waters at venerable magazine institution Harper's, perhaps now would be a good time to look back at our chat with Paul Ford, who was then serving as the publication's web editor. Many of the issues discussed there still resound today!