2005 has been a strange year for me. With all the wonderful, positive things going on in my life (getting engaged, getting a start on my career, getting an apartment with Andrea, etc.), it seems like these events have been overshadowed by the negative things that have been happening (hating my old job, putting on some weight, having a rough time with school, etc.).

So for 2006 I’ve decided that I really need to focus on the good things in life. I’ll be getting married. I’ll hopefully be buying a house. I’ll be learning and becoming better versed in GIS. I think the best way for me to do this is to concentrate on growing as a person: writing more, watching more movies, reading more books, listening to more music, creating more artwork. I feel like my personal growth has taken a real nosedive over the last year and I need to pull up before I hit the mountainside. It’s not too late; I just have to want to do it.

But enough about 2006, let’s look back on the good things in 2005 with our annual, year-end countdown.

Best Movie of 2005:
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Ok, so there were a ton of better films released this year, but none of them have had the cumulative effect that the Star Wars films have had on my life. So to see the storyline come to a close, it has to be acknowledged. Besides, most of this film is wonderfully entertaining. Most of the fanboy problems with this (and the prequels in general) are the ramblings of 30-year old men who never grew up. I see this film for what it is and I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Honorable Mention:
War of the Worlds – I was really effected by the first 90-minutes of Spielberg’s latest sci-fi blockbuster. I don’t know if it was the strong 9/11 overtones or what, but I felt a tension, unease, and general fear that I haven’t experienced in a movie theatre for quite some time.

Best CD of 2005:
Ben Folds, “Songs for Silverman”

I’ve liked Ben Folds since “Whatever and Ever, Amen” and my love for his style of music only grows with every passing album. Only an artist with such range could, in the same year, release a light, airy, loving song about his young daughter (“Gracie”), and then as a B-Side slap us with a piano-accompanied sing-along version of “Bitches Ain’t Shit” from Dr. Dre’s 1992 rap classic “The Chronic”. He’s Billy Joel with the self-loathing, cynical, ironic attitude that perfectly exemplifies this generation. Someday he will be seen for the genius he is.

Honorable Mention:
Tie between The New Pornographers’ “Twin Cinema” and Gorillaz “Demon Days” – Twin Cinema is one of those rare pop albums that never gets old. This supergroup’s hooks will sink into you like, well, a hook and never let go. Demon Days was a huge step up for an already innovative group by adding more of a hip-hop influence than their debut effort. That and “Feel Good, Inc.” is a simply unstoppable song.

Best DVD of 2005:
King Kong (1933)

This one has been on the Most Wanted list of cinephiles for years now. And once it was released, it did not disappoint. It features a wonderful, uncut transfer of the film, which is made even more incredible when you watch the “making of” documentary featuring Peter Jackson, director of the remake, and his filmmaking pals. They have recreated techniques to show how much forethought, imagination, and just plain old hard work went into the original’s special effects and it makes you appreciate the film that much more. Truly inspiring work.

Honorable Mention:
Lost – Now this is how you do a TV show DVD. Every episode, commentaries on many episodes, deleted scenes, making-of documentaries, audition tapes, etc., etc. It’s a great DVD for a great television series. Here’s hoping Season 2 is just as well-made.

Best “Song on the Radio from an Album I Did Not Buy” of 2005:
New Order, “Krafty”

It’s such an upbeat song with a lofty little melody that I was instantly addicted to it. I’ve heard from those in the know that the rest of the album isn’t all that great though, so I’ll probably just keep listening to the single I downloaded off iTunes.

Honorable Mention:
Ben Lee, “Catch My Disease” – This was pretty much the epitome of a summer song – a light, superficial sing-along. I have no idea what his disease is, but I definitely caught it. (That sounded better in my head than it does written out.)

Best Movie I Saw in 2005 That Did Not Come Out in 2005:
“The Battle of Algiers”

If you want to get an insight into the current conflict in Iraq, watch this incredible 1965 Algerian film about that country’s rebellion against French colonialism. Taking vantage points from the various combatants, politicians, and the unfortunate civilians caught in the crossfire, we see how everyone deals with war on their doorstep. However, in the end, we all learn the same hard lesson about the futility of warfare. An extraordinary film.

Honorable Mention:
“Annie Hall” – I’ve never been a huge Woody Allen fan, but this one has been added to the short list of his films that I love. He uses so many interesting directorial techniques in this film that I was constantly wondering what he was going to do next to tell some aspect of his story. This style really helped me get into his head, making the film that much more personal.

Best Time with Friends:
The Hot Tub

While not as 70’s porno as it sounds, JK and Ellen briefly had a hot tub this year at their new house. And for one fun-filled evening, JK/Ellen, Nate/Beth, Andrea and I sat inside (in bathing suits, I might add), drinking, laughing, telling stories, and generally having a blast. By the time it was all said and done we were pruned beyond belief, but it was well worth it.

Honorable Mention:
“The Float Trip” – Every year the whole crew gets together for a 3-day, 2-night camping trip centered around an all-day float down the Huzzah River. This year no one got so drunk they almost died from exposure while passed out in a raft, nor did JK have to face off with God during a torrential downpour. So, yeah, it was obviously a disappointment as compared with years past, but it was still a hell of a good time.

Best Magazine Subscription of 2005:
Esquire

Last year’s number 2 bumped up this year, though I can’t really pinpoint why. I found myself reading the new Esquire from cover-to-cover while oftentimes the Playboy would be piece-meal read heavily for a few days and then forgotten. I guess in the end the articles won out over Photoshopped women.

Honorable Mention:
Tie between Playboy and ReadyMade – That’s not to say that there weren’t some great articles and interviews in Playboy, though. ReadyMade is new to the list and deservedly so. It’s a magazine for those of us in the world who walk into a thrift store and don’t see an old suitcase, but, with a few pieces of wood, see a new coffee table. Andrea and I are utterly addicted to it.

Best Purchase of 2005:
The Laptop

I already have a 2.1Ghz computer sitting on the desk at home, but I knew that I’d use the hell out of a laptop if I only had one. So after finding a really good 1-year, no interest deal at Best Buy, I jumped in and bought a laptop in March. Even though the laptop is loads less powerful than the desktop, not a day goes by I don’t use it. I love being able to move around in the apartment – from the bedroom to the living room to the office – and always have a wireless, high-speed internet connection available. Andrea takes it to work, I take it to school, and it’s just absolutely perfect. I don’t know if I’ll buy another desktop again anytime soon.

Honorable Mention:
The Couch and Chair –
“The futon’s breaking down. We need to find something to replace it.”
“Ok, but we’ll just look around for now.”
“Sounds good.”
Andrea and Rob make a trip to Weekends Only to look around.
“Yes, we’d like to buy this couch and chair.”
It was worth it, though. It ought to last us for years (even with a cat that still has it’s claws).

Best TV Show of 2005:
“Family Guy”

An old favorite returns, not only to this list, but to the airwaves as well. While MacFarlane’s “American Dad” leaves something to be desired, this season of FG has been “freakin’ hilarious”, as Peter might say. I used to think that the storylines were just an excuse to make a bunch of pop culture references. Now the references come so fast that I’m not even sure there is a storyline. This show will go down as one of the most underrated classics in history.

Honorable Mention:
Tie between “Lost” and “The Comedians of Comedy” – I’m still enamored with Lost, but I’ve also noticed that this season seems to have…how can I say this without being lame and using the title of the show…misplaced the mystery. Comedians of Comedy was a documentary (I guess you could call it) about a group of B-List comedians whom youv’e never heard of unless you’re into that world, who traveled up and down the East Coast doing gigs. They were funny. So, yeah, I don’t really know what else to say about it, but we loved watching it.

Best Project with High Hopes but Least Results of 2005:
Visual Storytelling…Thing

I don’t really know what to call this new type of writing that I’ve been working on, but essentially it combines concepts from fine art, comic books, film, marketing design, and more to tell the story. I say “working on”, but really I just mean planning and thinking about, rather than acutally doing. It’s something I get really excited about when I kick around what it could be, but then once I realize how much work it’s going to take to actually make it happen it gets really hard to devote the time to it. However, it’s one of those things that I am going to be concentrating on in 2006, so hopefully this won’t be on the list next year.

Honorable Mention:
The St. Louis Film Club – I think this has been on the list since it’s inception and, sadly, it will probably stay there. I had grandiose ideas for this club back in 2002 that have never seen fruition. Unfortunately I simply don’t have the time to really promote it and do something more with it. If I could find someone who would be willing to take it on, I’d be happy to let them run with it. But until that happens, I really don’t want to take what we have away from the friends I’ve met there.

Best Thing JK Said While Drunk in 2005:
“These chips taste like the ‘80’s.”

JK got this one in at the 11th hour, but it was well worth it. He was referring to some Baked Lay’s he was eating at our apartment. Apparently for the chips to taste like the ‘80’s, it required you to first eat a vanilla flavored Tootsie Roll, then take a bite of the chip. I’m not sure how that translates to Miami Vice and Jelly shoes, but it did.

Honorable Mention:
“Perpenseculate” – ‘Nuff said.

Best Life-Changing Event of 2005:
Getting Engaged

After years of whining and complaining, most of which you probably read on this very website, I finally found someone who understands me, accepts me, supports me, and loves me. How could I possibly let that slip through my fingers? Now I just have the rest of my life to look forward to.

Honorable Mention:
Getting a Job in GIS – After years of whining and complaining, most of which you probably read on this very website, I finally got a job in the field I’ve been training and pining for.

Best Surprise of 2005:
“Peekaboo”

When Andrea and I began talking about getting an apartment together, I knew that her cat, Peekaboo, would be tagging along. Let me describe Peekaboo a little – white, long-haired, still has all four sets of claws. In my mind I was picturing never being able to wear anything black ever again, requiring daily medication due to my allergies, and never purchasing new furniture for the rest of my days. After a while, though, I grew to absolutely love this fat little fuzzball. Sure she scratches from time to time, but it’s never very bad. Her hair gets everywhere, but we just try to keep things lint-rolled. And while I had some problems at first, my allergies are pretty much gone at this point. Most importantly, the two of us get along wonderfully. She is constantly lying on my lap, sometimes getting up to “knead” my belly like cats do, and she generally puts up with all the times I mess with her. Basically she’s the perfect pet and I couldn’t be happier she’s in my life.

Honorable Mention:
Getting two GIS jobs within a week of each other – My professor emailed me about a part-time project for the O’Fallon Fire Department. A week later the job at the City of O’Fallon came open. Many cliches came to mind – “Feast or famine”, “When it rains it pours”, “Time flies when you’re in Romania” – and they’re all fitting. Well, except maybe that last one.

Best SMX Entry of 2005:
“Snow Plow Duty”

In a year where I didn’t write too many entries, I felt like this was one of my stronger ones since I started this site. It was a fun one to write and one of the few times I felt like the words were simply flowing out of me this year.

Honorable Mention:
“Tennessee” –No deep message. No underlying philosophical reasoning. Just a good old-fashioned SMX entry about my adventures through life.

And so that wraps up another year inside the world of Space Monkey X.

As always, thanks for reading and I wish all of you a happy and prosperous New Year.

Posted under ALL, Personal News

8-bit Manger

Pixelized Nativity

Posted under ALL, Band Name!!

I hadn’t seen this film in years, so it was really great to see it again on a wonderful DVD set. Really, what more can I say about the film that hasn’t been said already. It’s a classic and it deserves to be so.

I will say that the DVD is definitely worth picking up. The making-of is amazing. Basically Peter Jackson got some of his filmmaker buddies together and they recreated the technologies and techniques involved in the special effects and shot a few Kong-like scenes. Then, using these techniques, they went ahead and shot a sequence that had been cut from the original Kong called “The Spider Pit”, just to show what the scene could have been. Once you see how much work was put into Kong it makes you appreciate it that much more.

Even if you just get the 2-disc set without the other 2 movies, this one is worth buying.

5 out of 5 bananas (For the DVD and the movie itself)

Posted under ALL, Movie Journal

B-Level Death

Thrift Store Jesus
or
Discount Crucifix

Posted under ALL, Band Name!!

I’ve been reading in the news that there has been a lot of controversy over what to call this time of year. Some say, “Merry Christmas” is offensive to Jews or Muslims. Some say, “Happy Holidays” is too PC. Some are demanding that we get rid of Santa and the elves and “Put Christ back in Christmas”.

I have an idea that should placate everyone.

To take a cue from George Gershwin:

You say tomato. I say tomahto. Let’s call the whole thing off.

Think how great a world without “the holidays” would be:

No more Jingle Bells in October.
No more lights to put up.
No more crowds at the mall.
No more needless credit card debt.
No more stressing out about what to buy for people.
No more uncomfortable office parties.
No more egg nog.

I’m tellin’ ya, it’ll be good in the long run.

Of course if you want to celebrate your holiday of choice you are more than welcome to, just do it in the privacy of your own home. Just don’t wish anyone in public a Merry/Happy/Joyous/Fun-filled/Wonderful anything and we’ll all be better off.

Sound good? Alrighty, we’ll start next Christma…um, Hanuk…uh, Kwanz…hmmm…

Posted under ALL