Favorites of 2008

Goodbye 2008. It's been grand. Well, not really. But it's definitely been memorable.

Favorite News Moments

Not to be confused with most important news moments, although there is some overlap. These are favorites because they were enjoyable/diverting, with was not the case with Mugabe stealing elections or terrorists bombing Mumbai.

1. Obama presidential election victory speech: I love watching people cry in patriotic fervor
2. Giants beat Patriots: best, most satisfying game ever
3. Sarah Palin's convention speech: yep. that was fun.
4. Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich busted: lots of criminality and venality in 2008, but rarely with such jaw dropping anecdotes, tetchy gossip and theatrical hair. And he just keeps on giving.
5. "Boris vs. Ken" London mayoral race: or rather "bonking Boris vs. Red Ken"

Favorite Movies

This year my favorite movies are mostly popcorn fun flicks. Sorry.

1. Wall-E: I loved him from the very first trailer
2. Son of Rambo: P made me watch the original Rambo movie first but I love this one the best
3. Iron Man: and unlike Batman not a massive metaphor
4. Hellboy II: full of beautiful and inventive detail
5. Ghost Town: ricky gervais
6. Twilight:hated the book. loved the movie.
7. Redbelt: Rocky for those of us who like Son of Rambo better than Rambo

Here is a list of movies that are supposedly going to be on my favorite movies 2008 list when I finally see them all sometime in September 2009

1. A Christmas Tale
2. Slumdog Millionaire
3. Waltz with Bashir
4. The Wrestler
5. Wendy and Lucy
6. I've Loved You So Long
7. Tell No One

Favorite Music

This is not year-specific. Just a list of some things I enjoyed this year.

1. Spirit of the Century, Blind Boys of Alabama
2. The Crane Wife, The Decemberists
3. Wrecking Ball, Emmylou Harris
4. Spirit, Willie Nelson
5. Turn Around, Jonny Lang
6. Charles Mingus Plays Piano, Charles Mingus
7. The Greatest, Cat Power (yes I have her release of this year, but this I listen to more)

Favorite Books

Ditto the above category

1. Let the Trumpet Sound, Stephen B. Oates
2. Absalom, Absalom!, William Faulkner
3. New Art City, Jed Pearl
4. All the King's Men, Robert Penn Warren
5. Suite Francaise, Irene Nemirovsky
6. Living Things, Anne Porter
7. Lalla Rookh, Thomas Moore (if you have a thing for overwrought romances of yesteryear, read this aloud with a friend and you will laugh till you cry)