Oh-six favorites

I feel like oh-six has been a good year for me and culture. We're buddies again. Though I haven't necessarily contributed anything of my own, I did reach my hands deep within to pull out some classics, as well as some really good new stuff. I don't think that I'll look back in three or four years and say, "Ah geez, what the crap was I listening to/reading/watching back then?" But you never know; I thought Creed would totally reestablish the credibility of rock 'n roll [that was for Brad]. So, here are some of my favorites of the past year [in chronological order], and I shouldn't have to mention my thoughts on "best of" versus "favorites" again, right? Good.

Films*

one. Little Miss Sunshine. I just read the Onion's year end AV section and they said that this movie was overrated. Perhaps, but I liked it. Who doesn't like a heroin snorting grandpa?

two. Science of Sleep. I loved the visuals in this film. And though the plot seemed weak, I found it more intriguing the way it was presented.

three. Stranger than Fiction. I didn't mention seeing this on my blog, but I found the idea behind this film to be incredibly thought provoking. It stirred a lot of thoughts up about narrative, and the freewill versus determinism debate.

Literature**

one. Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas. I skipped a class to read the end of this book. It was worth it.

two. On the Road, Kerouac. This book inspired the ill-fated trip to Seattle. Just because you want to go travel a bit, doesn't always mean you should.

three. Catch-22, Heller. I read these three books back to back to back. It was an amazing month or so of reading. Catch-22 may be my favorite book of all oh-six. It's to close to say definitively though.

four. The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky. This gets on the list for just being so damn long. That, and I love Aloysha.

Shows

one. Jeff Tweedy with Glenn Kotche, Portland, Crystal Ballroom. Yeah, if you've seen this show on the dvd you know how crazy it was. The man sat down his guitar and made us sit in silence! It was nuts. But absolutely incredible. Jeff gives me hope for the future of music.

two. Anathallo and Page France, Ames, M-Shop. Not only was this a great Halloween show, but the bands were fabulous. Page France's album, "Hello, Dear Wind", is probably my favorite cd that I've picked up this year. That's saying a lot.

three. Point Juncture, WA and Velella Velella, Des Moines, Vaudeville Mews. If you recall, Katie and I were the only two there and got to see two great bands, and got to hang out with them.

Experiences [I realize that this doesn't necessarily fit in]

one. Tonelli's Donuts. I'd like to say that this is about the fifty cent hot dogs or the great donuts. But I never got a hot dog and Annie's has better donuts. It was about hanging out with the Sanchezes late on a school night.

two. Camp Grabher. What a great time. Golf, booze, friends, hot tubs, cigars, cuddling, Ush's premiere, and on and on. Aces.

three. I'm just going to go ahead and assume that this weekend's festivities will make it's way onto this list.


I realize that I didn't put a list of favorite albums on here. As I was looking at the Onion's top music of oh-six lists, I realized that I rarely listen to new music. And I'm okay with that. I let the good stuff filter down through the years and then I enjoy it. Although I'll have to get a listen in on the new Decemberists album. Well, brace yourselves for a year-in-review. It's obligatory! you have my love.

* I have yet to see Pan's Labyrinth or Children of Men yet.
** I haven't finished Les Miserables yet, but it would probably be on the list as well [only books that I've completed get on the list].