While I’m pretty sure last Tuesday was totally 2008, somehow, it’ll be 2010 in mere weeks. 2009 seems to have slipped on quietly; no insane celebrity scandal (a la Brituation ‘08), no cinematically game-changing spectacular film (like There Will Be Blood or No Country For Old Men from 2007), and the only artist to really impact music – whether you like her or not – was Lady Gaga (whom I am enraptured with, but it would’ve been nice to give her some competition at all, right?). With the impending end of the decade, and my lack of concrete plans to ring in the new one, I can’t help but feel slightly bored with even making my top things of this year. Not to take away from those people, films, songs, or whatever that I loved so dearly for these past three hundred and something days! But, really, I just felt like these lists were almost too easy to make. I would’ve liked a struggle. I would’ve enjoyed ripping my hair out and staying up late nights, shaking and crying, fighting with myself over whose album I loved more: Dead Man’s Bones’s or Neko Case’s? (And, actually, that one was nearly that tough – but it was the only tough decision I made!)
I suck at segue, so, whatever, here are my lists.
TOP NEW TELEVISION SHOWS!
1. Community – this show, I want to marry it. I was very wary of this new NBC Thursday night comedy when it first came around. I loved the people I recognized, but I’d been hurt just two years prior in the sitcom area (I’ll miss you forever, Aliens in America, even if you were on the CW and not NBC!). I didn’t want to be hurt again. I didn’t want the show itself to disappoint, and I didn’t want to get too attached in case my fellow television-watchers let me down again. Neither party did, and I find myself cackling, pausing and rewinding, and making my quintessential “what is going on!” squeal every week. <3
2. Eastbound & Down – total surprise smash of the summer. Danny McBride is, most probably, completely insane. I don’t know how anyone on the show can make it through any line of dialogue they are given. Six episodes has left me with the shakes. I need it to come back before I start tweakin’.
3. Modern Family – from the moment the Eddie Munster looking dad proclaimed that he was so hip to the “kids’ lingo” that he knew “WTF” stood for “Why The Face”, I knew I’d be thinking about this show whenever a love song played on the radio. And, no, I don’t think we’ll be leaving the honeymoon phase anytime soon, I’ll thank you.
4. The Middle – honestly, I am feeling very proud of my Nielsen Families for watching this show. This is totally a show that is under-appreciated, under the radar, and completely in the shadow of Modern Family. Normally, I’d snarl at the name Patricia Heaton, but this role is just about perfect for her. She is completely forgivable and not at all “I can’t effing stand her”-able. I watched it for the Janitor, but I’m loving it for Charlie McDermott.
5. Glee – duh! Despite my hatred of their “we’re singing to a recorded track when we should be singing live”, and the absolute lack of continuity their writers possess, I still watch this show every week (and, ok, yes, I tear up during most musical numbers). I’m hoping this “Winter Break” will have them coming back much better.
TOP FILMS!
1. (500) Days of Summer – I did lots of soul searching for this list, man. I watched so many movies – lots of them pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good – and to even narrow it down to five was tough as hale. But I thought hard; I saw this movie thrice in theatres, and I know I’ll probably watch it hundreds of times within the first few months of DVD-owning. Of course I love it because Zooey Deschanel is in it, but it’s also a supremely well-written and acted piece of cinema. So stop hatin’.
2. A Serious Man, In the Loop – fuck you, haterz, I’m allowed to have a tie! This is my list, you dicks! Ok, A Serious Man was – seriously – one of the best movies I’d seen in so long (mind you, my first (500) Days viewing was during the Philadelphia Film Festival in, like, March?). And it was such a surprise! The trailer does nothing for the film itself. Same with In the Loop. Such a delight to go into a movie thinking, “ok, I’m seeing this movie” and then, by the time you leave, you’re crying from hysterical laughter and can’t stop thinking about it. Uh-mazing.
3. I Love You, Man – Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. “Joban”. The slapping of a bass guitar. RUSH?!?! I can’t even explain this any better.
4. Inglourious Basterds – I blame my (somehow) only seeing this film once and it not coming to DVD until Tuesday for it being so low on the list. Also, I almost feel a little guilty or wrong for loving it so much. It was a fantastical movie, and my family had to fight for the wrong side during that war. I just don’t feel like I’m allowed to cheer along, you know? Either way, this film brought me Christoph Waltz and an interview with Quentin Tarantino in some screenwriting magazine that sort of changed my life.
5. Zombieland – I am absolutely terrified of scary movies. Well, hold on, I’ll clarify: scary movies made after the eighties that deal with torture or stuff that could happen in real life (I’m talking Scream or Funny Games) are movies that I cannot and do not watch. Now, zombie movies? Totally my cup o’ tea, and this particular zombie movie was just about perfection. I liked every single actor, and every single actor played their part extremely well. I can’t believe I only saw it once.
TOP ALBUMS!
1. Dead Man’s Bones (featuring The Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children’s Choir), Dead Man’s Bones – I’m just as surprised as you are! In a year where Neko Case released an album, I’ve given my top spot to someone else. Not to take anything away from DM’sBs, but I think this decision had a lot to do with expectations. I didn’t know what to expect from Ryan Gosling and his buddy, Zach Shields. “Actors making music” is always a crap-shoot, and especially when you find said actor to be attractive and charming, you can easily be swept up in the beauty (like that episode of The Partridge Family when David Cassidy couldn’t hear how terrible that girl was, because he only heard angels singing when she opened her mouth) or disappointed to the point of second-hand embarrassment. Luckily, I felt neither! I was so impressed with RyRy’s voice (as well as this Mr. Shields fellow), the haunting feeling of the entire record, and the drearily romantic lyrics. I am very excited for their next project, which I hope will be around soon.
2. Neko Case, Middle Cyclone – like I said, I just had such high expectations; and, not that the album was in any shape bad, I just don’t feel like I’d gotten my fix. I hadn’t even heard of this lady until her album before this one (Fox Confessor Brings the Flood), so these past three years were spent downloading every song she’s ever recorded and listening to the shit out of them. When it came time to finally hear something new, my hopes were just so fucking through the roof high that it was inevitable that I be slightly disappointed. I still love her with all of my heart, though, and listen to the album (and her old stuff) often.
3. Regina Spektor, Far – I feel like Regina is constantly an underdog in my life. Poor girl just doesn’t seem to be as ginger as Neko or Jenny Lewis, and she’s so reserved, I sometimes find myself forgetting about her and that’s just really shitty of me. She is a wonderful songwriter and so dang charming in concert, it’s just not fair that she always come in third to those two. This album of hers might be my favorite yet, and her song with Ben Folds on his album was effing adorable.
4. The Lonely Island, Incredibad – don’t judge, man. I know this album should hardly even count, but you don’t run this list – I do. I am a fan of comedy albums (stay tuned for my Favorite Things of the Decade post and you will see), and when they are comedy albums full of songs, I like them even better. Saturday Night Live has felt a ressurgance with the help of Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone and their weekly Digital Shorts; and these songs were featured heavily in those spots. I’ve loved these dudes for way many more years than SNL has, and I was stoked to finally get to listen to their ridonk songs as often as I wanted (though, they are severely lacking in having the Bing Bong Brothers song I’ve had on my iTunes for forevs).
5. The Sounds, Crossing the Rubicon – I’ll be honest: the only reason I even picked up their second album, Dying to Say This to You (which was my first of theirs), was because I could see that girl’s nipple on the cover. I was presently surprised to not be disappointed in their Runways-style sound at all. I was a huge fan of Sahara Hotnights before this and the Swedes have yet to let me down. And, on a personal note, Maja Ivarsson is the reason I have my tattoo where it is (clicking on her name will show you!).
TOP SONGS!
1. St. Vincent, “Actor Out of Work” – for realsies, I haven’t listened to this song in a while, but for a long time I played it just about every day. And, listening to it again just now, it is still one of the best two and a half minutes you’ll ever hear.
2. Monsters of Folk, “Say Please” – again, I’ve said it millions of times by now, but I will for.ev.er regret missing their concert. Forever.
TOP BOOKS!
1. Confessions of a Teen Sleuth, by Chelsea Cain – this is the only category where I allow myself to list things that weren’t necessarily released this year. I am so damn behind on books, in general, that it would be impossible for me to even find five books from this year that I’d want to read. Anywho, this book is perfect. I am OBSESSED with all things Nancy Drew, and this was totally on par to keep the addiction alive. You’ll only understand the majority of what happens in this book if you’ve read a good number of real Nancy Drew books (or, I guess you could study Wikipedia a bit beforehand, but that’s really lamesauce). Satire at its best and really enlightening in regard to learning about other fans’ insights and opinions on relationships and Nancy’s life.
2. I’m Down, by Mishna Wolff – omgosh! I just checked, and this one was published this year! Score! Alright, this memoir was amazing. I don’t know what made me buy it (actually, I think I might’ve seen it featured in BUST magazine and couldn’t stop thinking about the cover), but I recommend it to anyone needing recommendations on books to read. I guess it might help if you had an even slightly similar childhood to hers (I grew up in a predominately black neighborhood and was the whitest of white that ever whited; still am), but I don’t know. I think the humor and the way Mishna writes will have you hooked regardless. I felt myself getting so angry with the people around her at one point, I didn’t even want to keep reading. But, I did. And I finished the book in about two days.
3. Candy Girl: A Year in the Life of an Unlikely Stripper, by Diablo Cody – dudes, this book was craycray. I bought it immediately after hopping back on the I <3 Diablo train and, I think, I read it in less than a day? I shouldn't brag because it's not like it's a thousand-pager or anything, but I might've skipped meals and classes to read it. I couldn't stop! Not only is she obviously hilarious, but some of that stuff she went through and, er, did was … indescribable! My virginly, prudish eyes couldn’t lap it up quickly enough! Basically, I blushed through the whole thing.
4. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie – I’m very surprised with myself for having what is, essentially, a school book on here. I was required to read this for my Writing Children’s Stories class this semester – something I am so, so thankful for. Sure, it’s a kids’ book (Young Adult, really, though!), but it was so funny and heartfelt; honestly, I cried from laughter and sadness multiple times while flipping through. Just read it, ok?
5. Wishful Drinking, by Carrie Fisher – I’m really into memoirs (and fakes ones, a la Confessions of a Teen Sleuth)? I don’t know that I had any idea as to just how funny Princess Leia really was. I learned so much about her (some no one would care to know, which is what makes it even funnier), and got some good views into her life with her mom (Debbie Reynolds, one of my idols and future Ginger of the Month). I only brag about how fast I read these books to prove to you how great they are: this one, I think I read in two days. Some jokes fall a little flat, and she goes off on some tangents that I don’t think come back to her original thought? But that’s ok with me. I do the same thing.
TOP WEBSITES!
1. Twitter – obvies, duh! But seriously. I know it’s been around for a few years now, but I only started mine earlier this year (mainly for Coachella). Now I’m over five thousands tweets in and completely way too into it. I like having peeks into the lives of my favorite celebrities (and, like, it’s nice that this peek is what they want you to see, you know? It’s not like some paparazzi set up a live webcam and I’m spying). I’ve learned to love and loathe some of my favorites, and I met two amazing people this year because of it: my wife, Erin Winterbottom, and my mentor, Dave Finkel (though I’ve only met the former in real life).
2. The Awesome Summer Journal – I can’t remember what series of links brought me here, but it’s on my very short list of blogs that I found and never left again. Kim takes the most beautiful pictures of, well, everything! I am in complete love with her cat, Felix, and it was through her advice and help that this ol’ thing even exists (she pointed me in the direction of DreamHost, which is just that: a dream host). Follow her on Twitter, too, losers.
3. uh, this place – I have no clue what anything on that page says, but those cats!!!! I visit this site every few days just to see what they’ve gotten themselves into this time (hint: it’s usually boxes).
4. MY MILK TOOF – most probably one of the cutest ideas I’ve ever seen, that is equal parts entertaining and well-executed. I’m so sad I missed out on buying the book she had for sale for a bit, and the postcards, too! Damn my poorness.
5. Circle the Cat – this is how much I love cats. When I’m not cuddling with mine, loving on Kim’s, or staring at cats from another country, I’m playing a game that involves trapping one with dots.
TOP THINGS!
1. Beatles Rock Band – this was only released three months ago, but it has become my number one good time!! I can sing on “hard” and play bass on “easy” at the same time now!! And Ringo’s drumming doesn’t scare me! Seriously, if any of you people are ever having a Beatles Rock Band party, I’m invited.
2. Archie Gets Married – I was infuriated when news broke that Archie was going to propose to Veronica. I’ve calmed down a bit after reading through their story and now starting his and Betty’s (it’s all a dream-type-thing!), but I’m still on pins and needles! Honestly, he can never choose between the two. It’ll end the excitement of it all (though, I wouldn’t be impartial to him choosing me over both of those clowns).
3. my MacBook – quite possibly the best purchase I could ever make. I don’t have to go upstairs to use the computer anymore!
4. NoDoz – I saw lots of midnight movies with the help of these guys, and I also wrote a slightly insane post about Tina Fey when I accidentally OD’d on them (you’re only supposed to take one and I took two, forgetting that they weren’t Aspirin)! But seriously, folks:
5. ION Television – this is very new, but I am very thankful for it. When it’s not playing Jesus stuff, it has been running millions of hours of reruns of Criminal Minds, a show that I’ve recently gotten into (with thanks to the fucking adorable Matthew Gray Gubler; stay tuned, he’s an upcoming Crush!).
TOP CRUSHES!
1. Ryan Gosling – I don’t know what more I can say that I haven’t said in this post and the post that you’re reading right now. This dude is pretty amazing. On top of turning into one of the most talented actors working today (and from Mickey Mouse roots!), he’s also a phenomenal musician and, from what I hear, really, really nice. He cares about the world and the suffering in it, he cares about the things he does in his own life; and, personally, I had so much fucking fun at the Dead Man’s Bones concert those weeks ago (despite the insane cold, wet weather and delay). I love him forever, and when we are married, I will delete this post so he doesn’t find out that his wife is an insane person.
2. Bill Hader – this dude. He has the most adorable laugh, one of the best faces, and he cracks me up before he even says a fucking word on Saturday Night Live. Too bad he has a kid now (half-joke!).
3. Mindy Kaling – of course, her character on The Office annoys the everloving shit out of me, but it’s just a testament to how amazing she is that I can look past that and love her in real life (or, you know, as “real life” as following her on Twitter can get). The fact that she wrote a play about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck – and played the latter – in college is also incredible. I want to see that play. I am so utterly jealous of her life.
4. Joseph Gordon-Levitt – as if I didn’t love him enough in my top movie of the year – (500) Days of Summer, did you forget already? – he goes ahead and hosts Saturday Night Live, complete with reenacting my absolute favorite number from my absolute favorite musical (Singin’ in the Rain) in his monologue (and a big, whopping “fuck you!” to NBC and Hulu for not having a clip of the monologue, and forcing YouTube users to take theirs down – thanks for being awful). Then I saw him irl when I was in Los Angeles, and my JGL circle was complete.
5. Bethany Fong(-Grayson) – ok, I didn’t think it’d be fair to have one real-life friend on my list, but then I remembered I was only going by Crushes I’d named thus far, and I’ll use that as my excuse if anyone feels left out. This girl is cute, funny, into comics and awesome bands, and is the secret wife of one Boy Wonder. I’ve still yet to meet her in real life, but that just makes her fit into this category all the more – all of my unattainable crushes!
TOP WASTES OF TIME!
1. Ellen Page and Alia Shawkat (and random grossest-dude-I’ve-ever-seen), abusing the “Don’t Stop Believing” trend – seriously. I like those two girls, but what in the living fuck are they doing? I know they were going for hilariously awkward (or even awkwardly hilarious), but they failed at both. I watched this with no expectations at all and I was left feeling so cheap.
2. most of this season of True Blood – let’s all come clean, yeah? The first season was so deliciously, awfully, poorly-written(ly) bad-good, and then this season was full of a bunch of episodes that resembled one another; and that one episode was so terrible. That demon, clove-footed woman wasn’t supposed to hang around that long, and if everyone’s eyes went black one more time, I had a noose on the ready to just end my suffering altogether. The only savior of the whole thing was how banging Evan Rachel Wood is (despite my annoyance with her, and how unlike her character she was, according to Sookie Stackhouse book readers) and how unforgivably adorable Jessica and Hoyt were. I couldn’t stand the cute! But, really. Make it better next year, please.
3. planning my wedding to Jim Halpert OR John Krasinski – it was bad enough that fake Mr. Krasinski knocked up his on-screen girlfriend-turned-fiance, then he actually married her! THEN, to kick me harder in the crooked teeth, John Krasinski goes ahead and proposes to Emily Blunt. Needless to say, I immediately shredded my wedding dress and cancelled my ceremony and reception-reservation at the New York Library.
4. all of my talk about studying abroad next spring – I haven’t broken the news to you kids yet: looks like mommy isn’t moving to Scotland for four months after all :(. I realized that, while I’m not old, I am old. I want to get my would-be career going, and hanging out with the gingers of the world won’t help that. Plus, I sort of lucked out with changing my mind; I got my financial aid reward letter for that trip (they sent it before I changed my mind, but I received it after), and I needed to raise eight thousand bones for it. Uh, no, I’m poor.
5. not following Donald Glover back on Twitter way months ago – this one is my newest revelation (literally, I realized this mere minutes ago). I like to multi-task, so I was watching Comedy Central’s Hot List and typing this thing up, and Donboy joked about his Twitter name (@DonGlover = dong lover). Of course, I looked it up; the color scheme looked familiar for some reason, so I snooped around. I visited his website only to find a very familiar picture (this one to be exact) staring back at me. I remember that picture followed me for a few weeks before unfollowing me (I presume because I’m lame and also because I didn’t follow him back). And now he is my future Crush and one of the stars of my Top Show of this year. Dude has lived and continues to live my life! We could’ve become best twuddies, and I blew it.
Well then. Despite ending this on a depressive note, I retract my initial paragraph at the top of this post. This was a delight to write! Everything on this list was and continues to be important to me, and I hope I turned someone on to something good. Also, if you click on any of the Top Albums, you’ll find a download link. Not sure if any songs or full albums are locked or anything, but go to town!
Shit, son. I’m watching last night’s Law & Order and Benjamin Bratt is on (playing his old character, obvs). Dude just lost his wife to MS and Lieu is sick and they’re talking about Lenny! I’m an emotional wreck now, bye.
i haven’t done my list yet, but soon – soon!
i like modern family a lot. i’ve only seen a couple episodes (my fave being where the gay couple take their child to day care and have to dance. sorry if it seems kind of insensitive to call them the “gay couple”. i can’t remember their names.)
of course glee is awesome!
and for some reason i can’t get into dead man’s bones! i know you and bethany love them (read: him) but i just don’t know what my problem is!!
great list!
Girl, I watch Modern Family every week, and I don’t even know if I remember their names. I am so terrible with names, especially since I started watching hundreds of television shows. :(
I can’t wait to read your list! I love this time of year. I’m thinking of doing a Best of the Decade list, too. That one, is very very difficult to think up.
zomg. You are too kind!
Also: SLAPPA DA BASS, MON!
Love it!!! Seriously, I still laugh so hard at that part, even though it was so overplayed in the trailer. Still hilarious!
[...] so delightfully quirky and romantic and adorable. Gah, I’m gushing. OTHERS: obviously, my Tops of the Year A fost sau n-a fost? (or, 12:08 East of Bucharest) The Brothers Bloom Eternal Sunshine of the [...]
[...] due in how amazing she is at catching the bad guy, but he loves her unconditionally anyway. In my favorite book of last year, Confessions of a Teen Sleuth, writer Chelsea Cain paints a different story – while married [...]