With that in mind, I'll use this little space I've carved out of the internet to remember a few of my favorite things of 2008. Bear in mind that my passion for buying things at less than half price means that I rarely experience things the year they were released to the public, but I'll try to keep this as current as possible.
And without further ado 2008's bests:
Best Album
The Faint: Fasciinatiion
I got into The Faint a few years ago and pretty much loved their 80s electronic sound mixed with their merciful lack of 80s cheesiness and listened to the poo out of Danse Macabre. When I picked up Fasciinatiion on the recommendation of a friend via an out of the blue text message, I was met with some disappointments.
First of all, the car stereo in my little Toyota Tercel was woefully unable to handle the hot bass The Faint insisted on pumping out. Second, I wasn't sure if I was feeling Fasciinatiion. I'm glad I gave all of the songs a couple more listens, because man is this album awesome. I've been constantly using quotes from it as my Facebook status to the confusion and consternation of more than one of you, and I love singing along to it.
Thank you, The Faint, for making 2008 a little bit more bearable.
Best Book
World War Z - Max Brooks (October 2007)
So I'm not sure if I read a book that was published in 2008, which embarrasses me. Hold on, let me check on something... Ok, I did read Now and Then by Robert B. Parker. I'm sure I loved it, because I love Spenser mysteries just so much. I forget them quick, though.
Anyway, forget it. It doesn't matter what year any of the books I read this year were published, because there's one that affec
ted me well beyond any of the rest. That's Max Brooks' unrelentingly badical (cover quote right there) World War Z. I bought it on Amazon along with a few other books and when it arrived, just looking at the cover and how cool it is, I knew I had to save it for last. When I finally got to reading it, and finishing it, I realized that if it were another 500 pages, I'd read each one with equal relish.
It sounds cheesy, going on and on about a book about a zombie apocalypse, but World War Z has made me think more than any book I've read in ages. From world politics to the lack of real survival skills among our modern society, Brooks describes the nightmare scenario in a way that makes you really feel like you're living a history you hope to never be a part of. His ability to narrate through so many different perspectives in a way that is immediately fresh and unique is just fantastic.
Plus, it's got some really good advice for surviving a disaster, regardless of its source.
First of all, the car stereo in my little Toyota Tercel was woefully unable to handle the hot bass The Faint insisted on pumping out. Second, I wasn't sure if I was feeling Fasciinatiion. I'm glad I gave all of the songs a couple more listens, because man is this album awesome. I've been constantly using quotes from it as my Facebook status to the confusion and consternation of more than one of you, and I love singing along to it.
Thank you, The Faint, for making 2008 a little bit more bearable.
Best Book
World War Z - Max Brooks (October 2007)
So I'm not sure if I read a book that was published in 2008, which embarrasses me. Hold on, let me check on something... Ok, I did read Now and Then by Robert B. Parker. I'm sure I loved it, because I love Spenser mysteries just so much. I forget them quick, though.
Anyway, forget it. It doesn't matter what year any of the books I read this year were published, because there's one that affec
ted me well beyond any of the rest. That's Max Brooks' unrelentingly badical (cover quote right there) World War Z. I bought it on Amazon along with a few other books and when it arrived, just looking at the cover and how cool it is, I knew I had to save it for last. When I finally got to reading it, and finishing it, I realized that if it were another 500 pages, I'd read each one with equal relish.It sounds cheesy, going on and on about a book about a zombie apocalypse, but World War Z has made me think more than any book I've read in ages. From world politics to the lack of real survival skills among our modern society, Brooks describes the nightmare scenario in a way that makes you really feel like you're living a history you hope to never be a part of. His ability to narrate through so many different perspectives in a way that is immediately fresh and unique is just fantastic.
Plus, it's got some really good advice for surviving a disaster, regardless of its source.
Thanks, Max Brooks, for making me get a wheat grinder in 2008.
Best Movie
The Dark Knight
Ok, so the first time I saw it, I was underwhelmed. I thought it was too long and too heavy-handed. I didn't like the voice overs constantly telling me what the movie was supposed to be telling me. I was over it and there were 40 more minutes to go. Everyone said to see it again, it's better when you're not trying to keep track of everything.
But I was sure that either Hellbo
y 2 or Wall-E would be my numero uno. I was wrong, of course, which is fine because I'm often wrong. Both of those movies held up upon second viewings (Hellboy, let's be honest, was much diminished on a smaller screen) but when I saw The Dark Knight again, split up into two nights (as it should probably be seen), I was pretty much astounded.
The Dark Knight rules. I know it's trendy to call it one of the best, and I thought about not doing it just for that reason. But that would be petty, and silly, and so me in high school, so I avoided the temptation.
Thanks, Dark Knight, for somehow pulling off the line, "you complete me."
Video Game
World of Goo - Wii, PC, Mac
Best Movie
The Dark Knight
Ok, so the first time I saw it, I was underwhelmed. I thought it was too long and too heavy-handed. I didn't like the voice overs constantly telling me what the movie was supposed to be telling me. I was over it and there were 40 more minutes to go. Everyone said to see it again, it's better when you're not trying to keep track of everything.
But I was sure that either Hellbo
y 2 or Wall-E would be my numero uno. I was wrong, of course, which is fine because I'm often wrong. Both of those movies held up upon second viewings (Hellboy, let's be honest, was much diminished on a smaller screen) but when I saw The Dark Knight again, split up into two nights (as it should probably be seen), I was pretty much astounded.The Dark Knight rules. I know it's trendy to call it one of the best, and I thought about not doing it just for that reason. But that would be petty, and silly, and so me in high school, so I avoided the temptation.
Thanks, Dark Knight, for somehow pulling off the line, "you complete me."
Video Game
World of Goo - Wii, PC, Mac
Just watch the video. You have to see (and hear, especially hear) it in motion. Then buy it. It was made by two guys and you can get it for $15 on the Wii or $20 on PC or Mac. This is the kind of video game creation that absolutely should be encouraged. So classy.
Worst Town in the World of 2008
Rawlins, Wyoming
So there I was, a fresh college graduate starting out a new life and career for me and my family, driving out to Rawlins, Wyoming to start out as a Restoration Ecologist. It started out ok. I saw some bald eagles on the way out. The second I arrived and got out of the
car, though, things went downhill. Let's just say the job was driving a tractor, the double-wheel trailer where I'd live with a 50-something welder for the months until we could afford to rent an outrageously priced house and live there was disgusting, and the pay was crapola.I turned around and drove my trash home. Toot-sweet.
Cutest Baby of 2008
Ginny Pig.
