Year in Review – 2008
2008 was, quite simply, an amazing year for me in a lot of ways. My wife and I had our first kid; I got paid to write some things, one of which was published on CNN.com; I got a new job after 8 years with the City of O’Fallon; and I became a part of an historic Presidential election by volunteering my map-making skills for the Obama campaign.
These things were not necessarily part of any kind of plan for 2008; they just happened. And even though Andrea and I are learning from the mistakes we made this year, with an eye to correct them in 2009, looking back, there is something to be said for winging it. You can plan for some things, but for the most part, life just happens.
And so with that, I present to you my annual “Year in Review”. Enjoy!
Best New Movie: The Dark Knight
This was the year of Batman. Although some could argue it was more The Joker’s show this time around thanks to an incredible performance by Heath Ledger. I’ve obviously seen Ledger’s work in other films, but with this performance he really embodied the character to an almost scary level. While some have argued that the film’s logic doesn’t stand up upon repeat viewings, I think the performance of Ledger and the action set pieces in the film are enough to make it this year’s best time at the megaplex.
Honorable Mention: Wall-E
I don’t care what Disney says, this was the most subversive, politically-charged film of the year. And it was pretty darn cute to boot.
Best New CD: Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend
I came upon this one late in the game, but I’ve been listening to it pretty much non-stop since I got it. While some could argue that their sound is derivative of other groups, I don’t really care – I just like it. Not many bands can make a retro-inspired, yet totally contemporary sound, work and VW is able to walk that fine line with ease. It’s just such a joy to listen to this album.
Honorable Mention: Way to Normal by Ben Folds
While not necessarily his best album (I find that I’m skipping certain songs now to get to the ones I really like) I have to give Folds some props for those few songs I love on his latest effort. Besides, anyone who uses a town in East-Central Illinois as the inspiration for one of his songs (Effington is definitely referring to Effingham), and uses another to name is album (Way to Normal [IL]), I simply can’t not mention how cool that is.
Best New DVD: The Wire: The Complete Series
I started watching The Wire shortly after Harper was born. You see, she wouldn’t sleep on her own, but had to be held at all times so she could sleep on someone’s chest. It was sweet and in some ways I miss those times, but a person tended to get pretty bored when a week-old infant just lays on you for hours at a time. So I got The Wire from Netflix and began watching it on our portable DVD player while she slept (with headphones on) and got hooked something fierce. I ripped through the first four seasons and anxiously awaited the fifth and final to come out. Once I’d finished that I wanted to start over from the beginning and watch it straight through again. Now, thanks to an incredible deal on Amazon ($89 for 23 DVDs!) I can. And will.
Honorable Mention: Spaced: The Complete Series
I first heard about this UK series way back in about 2004. The same creative team behind Spaced - Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, and Edgar Wright – were also hitting it big in theatres with the now-classic zombie/romantic comedy, Shaun of the Dead. I TiVo’d every episode and was instantly hooked to the show’s geeky persona, as well as it’s big heart. Sadly, though, the DVD was not available in the US until this year, so I gladly snatched it up as soon as it hit Amazon. (Side Note: I bought the DVD set via my cell phone and Amazon’s SMS service. It was a pretty cool moment.) Despite this love, I have yet to watch it all. Andrea tore through the DVDs, finishing all three discs before I’d even sat down and watched the first episode. So I have some catching up to do in 2009, but will definitely take the time to watch this brilliant UK show.
Best Movie I Saw in 2008 that Didn’t Come Out in 2008: Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970)
I know, you’ve probably never heard of this one. It’s a Cold War/Technology paranoia film where both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. are taken hostage by massive supercomputers that are prepared to wipe out the human populations if they are not obeyed. The ending is just perfect, but the ethical considerations in the film are what make it truly memorable. A great, overlooked film.
Honorable Mention: The Mist (2007)
Most people have already forgotten about this Stephen King adaptation, but I couldn’t. Once again the ending seals the deal here, but the film leading up to it isn’t half-bad either if you give it a try. Scary, exciting, awe-inspiring, and smart, this is another overlooked film that you should really check out.
Best Book I Read: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
This year I started a rather ambitious endeavor, “The 100 Novels Project”, and one of the books I’ve read thus far is this classic. I, like so many, had read this one way back in high school, but it was nice to revisit it after all these years. I’m not too far into the project, but this is definitely the book that has stuck with me the most this year.
Honorable Mention: The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic And How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Berlin Johnson
This nonfiction book tells the story of the 1854 Cholera epidemic in London and how one man was able to use spatial data to determine the origin of the outbreak as well as the cause (Spoiler Alert: an infected water supply). It’s not exactly a good beachside book, but I found it utterly fascinating and simply tore through it. A great read.
Best Magazine: Wired
Last year I decided to spend a whopping $10 and get a year’s worth of Wired sent to my home. It was a good investment. I might never read it cover-to-cover, but there are always a handful of articles that are worth a read. And for less than $1 per month, it was money well spent.
Honorable Mention: Mental_Floss
I only recently subscribed to the print version of the magazine, so I’ve only received one issue thus far. But I think, for rather obvious reasons, it’s a favorite in our household.
Best Website: www.mentalfloss.com
Any website that’s willing to publish the insane ramblings of yours truly is obviously one of the best websites on the entire internet.
Honorable Mention: Roger Ebert’s Blog
I’ve always been a big fan of Roger Ebert’s. This year he started his own blog, which you probably think is just a bunch of articles on movies, but you’d be wrong. Ebert blogs about everything from classic cars to his battle with cancer, as well as some films, too. It’s an insightful look into the mind of this fascinating cultural icon.
Best Purchase: Asus EEE 1000HA Netbook
It was November and I was trying to put the finishing touches on a mental_floss article. I printed it out the night before and took the pages with me to lunch so I could edit them. After lunch I came back into the office and made the changes to the original Word file. Like a bolt of lightning, I realized I could justify a “netbook” a relatively inexpensive, very portable, tiny little laptop (some as small as 7″ across) used for light computer work like email, surfing the web, and word processing. Instead of taking the time to print out, mark up, and then change my article, I could have just made the changes directly and been done with it. It then became my mission to get a netbook. And thanks to generous Amazon gift cards from relatives, I have a 10.2″ Asus netbook that I’m planning to use to write on a more consistent basis in 2009 to hopefully expand my freelance writing resume. It’s an investment in my future.
Honorable Mention: Microsoft Zune
Yes, I’m one of the eight people in the world who owns a Microsoft Zune. I picked it up on eBay pretty cheap since it’s the first gen version and have been nothing but thrilled with it. I now carry around tons of music, a few podcasts that I listen to religiously, a handful of movies that I ripped from DVDs, and even have a couple of photos of Harper – all on a device that fits in my pocket. I love it.
Update 12/31/08: Irony of ironies – last night at midnight, pretty much every 30GB Zune on the planet stopped working, mine included. I’m sure Microsoft will come up with a fix, but in the meantime it’s going to make for a pretty boring workday.
Best Baby-related Purchase: City Mini Stroller
It’s expensive, yes (though relative to some of the chic brands, it’s pretty reasonable). But, trust me, this is one sweet stroller. (I’ll take “Things I Never Thought I’d Say” for $1000, Alex.) Pros: It turns on a dime; it’s light weight; the wheels pop on and off for easy storage in your trunk; the canopy is huge; the seat reclines with ease; can hold up to 50lbs., so your kid won’t grow out of it anytime soon; and the 5-point harness straps are easily adjustable. Cons: Cup holder and snack tray are sold separately. But the big selling point? It folds by just lifting a handle in the seat (when your kid’s not inside, of course). You can be holding your kid, fold the car set, and throw it in your trunk (the stroller, not the kid) all with one hand. It really is pretty awesome. Check out this short video review if you’re interested.
Honorable Mention: Stavros the Monkey
Ok, technically we didn’t purchase Stavros; he was a gift from our good friends The Kingstons. We also got an identical monkey – Stavros’ twin brother, Jeff – from my sister, but he stays at Grandma Joan’s house as a Stavros proxy. And then we bought another As-Yet-To-Be-Named doppelganger should anything ever happen to Stavros or Jeff (it’s good to have a backup). Confused yet? Anyway, Stavros is Harper’s best buddy. Whenever we give him to her she hugs him tight, smiles, kisses his face, and sometimes makes a little “eeeee” sound. She even sleeps with him in her crib most of the time. Of course she also throws him out of the crib quite a bit, but it’s all in the spirit of play (usually it’s the game of “I Throw It Out and You Pick It Up, Daddy”). Coming from a guy who sorta digs simians, my daughter being obsessed with her stuffed monkey is a good thing.
Best TV Show: Lost
This was possibly the best season of Lost yet. So many jaw-dropping, WTF!? moments happened that I would be remiss to ignore it here. I’m definitely looking forward to Season 5 starting up in January.
Honorable Mention: The Shield
This was the final season of the ground-breaking FX Network show and, wow, did it go out with a bang. Well, actually it went out with dire silence other than the dull hum of fluorescent overhead lights and air conditioning vents, but it was amazing (Sounds like it, huh?) This year I was absolutely riveted to the screen every week as I watched the lives of Vic Mackey and his thuggish cop cronies try to get out of one messy situation after another amidst double-crosses, mind games, and political chess moves. It was a great show and it will be missed.
Best CD That Didn’t Come Out in 2008: Kala by M.I.A.
M.I.A.’s musical influences are diverse and it shows in every track of this amazing sophomore follow-up to 2005′s Arular. While every song has a danceable beat, layered under that is a different political/social message that sneaks up on the listener, making them consider the song on a different level other than an example of pure fun. M.I.A.’s style is reminiscent of producing legends The Bomb Squad’s “Wall of Sound”, made famous by Public Enemy and Ice Cube in the late-80s. She uses so many different types of sounds to create her music that it is truly a mesmerizing experience to listen to this album.
Honorable Mention: Hvarf/Heim by Sigur Ros
I just discovered Sigur Ros this year with the release of their excellent new album, Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust. While these Icelandic musicians create songs whose lyrics are all sung in a fabricated language, that doesn’t mean the songs are not catchy, rich, layered, and hypnotic. Once I fell in love with the new album, I sought out some of their older stuff and was happy to hear it was just as incredible.
Best New Hobby: Bookbinding
Earlier this year I got intrigued with the idea of making my own notebooks for writing down ideas. After doing a little research online, I’ve made a few books and have been pretty happy with the results. I’m hoping to expand my abilities this year and possibly even sell a few on Etsy. We’ll see how things go…
Honorable Mention: Letterboxing
When I was a kid, my mom used to buy me little toys, usually a Star Wars figure or maybe a comic book, if I got a good grade in a class or on a particularly hard test. She never just handed me an Ewok as I walked in the house off the bus, but she’d leave a note with a clue inside the door. Once I figured out that clue there would be another clue…and another…until I’d finally find my way to the hidden Bib Fortuna action figure that every kid wanted for Christmas that year. Letterboxing is essentially the same thing, but on a much larger scale, usually in a public park, and the reward is not nearly as cool. Still, though, letterboxing was a great way for Andrea, Harper and me to get out and get some exercise this Fall and we plan on keeping it up once the weather gets nice again.
Best Alternative Source of Income: Amazon.com
Late in 2007 I decided to sell a couple of books on Amazon. I made $60 in a month. So I sold a few more books. Then I started looking at my DVDs. Next thing I know I’d sold off half of our DVD collection. Selling off our DVDs essentially kept us afloat for 2008, so it was a huge bonus when my paycheck just didn’t quite cover every bill that came in the mail. Of course now that the DVDs have been sold off, we’re turning to our book collection and wondering just what we could live without. Here’s hoping the trend continues for 2009.
Honorable Mention: Mental_Floss.com
While I technically made more money doing GIS work for the fire department, I didn’t get quite the joy out of it that I did writing for mental_floss. I really hope this trend continues in 2009 as well.
Best New Obsession: Twitter (My Twitter)
Technically I started my Twitter account in late-November of 2007, but I didn’t really start using it until 2008. I like it for its brevity, for the often witty posts of the folks I follow, and it’s just a fun way to keep in touch with friends and fictional characters hell-bent on world domination. If you still don’t understand what Twitter is and why you should be on it, check out this great little video from Common Craft.
Honorable Mention: Woot.com
While I’ve been checking out Woot’s “Deal of the Day” for a few years now, this year I took it to a whole new level when I began obsessively checking the site as close as I could get to midnight when they present a new product for sale. I even get a text message via Twitter once the new deal is available. This compulsion to check the site has allowed me to make a few good purchases, but for about 363 days out of the year it was just so I knew what was being offered for the day. Weird, I know, but if you’re a Wooter, you’ll understand.
Best Life-Changing Event: Becoming a Father
You’ve heard everyone say it, but you’ll never completely understand just how much having a child really does change your life until you experience it for yourself. I think the first sign that my life was never going to be the same was when, at just a day or two old, I looked at Andrea and said, “We can’t let anyone else take care of her. We’ll just have to figure out a way for you to stay home.” To make that kind of sacrifice without any kind of planning or, really, forethought, is exactly what I mean when I say that your priorities in life completely change on a dime once that kid arrives. Every day is a new experience, a new reason to smile, a new reason to thank God that you’re alive to see her grow. I am truly a changed man.
Honorable Mention: Getting Published
While not as big of a deal as becoming a parent, getting published on mental_floss was a pretty great moment for me. I know it’s not the Pulitzer or anything, but it’s a first step towards what will hopefully be a new way for me to make a little extra money and feel like I’m not just sitting around doing nothing with my life. I’m going to get much more serious about writing in 2009 and it’s all because of the success I’ve had so far thanks to the wonderful folks at mental_floss for giving me a chance.
Best Scary Decision: Becoming a One-Income Family
It’s been really stressful, really frightening, and utterly rewarding to have Andrea stay home with Harper instead of putting her in daycare. With most daycare services costing between $600 – $800/month (according to our research in the STL-area), we simply couldn’t afford it. But we were also losing about the same amount in income with Andrea not working. That being said, Harper has only been sick twice in her first year – with both bouts lasting only a few days each. She’s never had an ear infection. She’s had one fever that lasted a few hours. We didn’t have to buy formula. We could control what types of foods she ate. And we’ve been able to save money by sticking with cloth diapers, avoiding disposables that we would have had to supply to a daycare. Most importantly, we have a happy, calm, smart little kid who gets to spend all her time with Mom and Dad (and occasionally Grandma Joan when Mom and Dad need a night out). All in all, it might have been scary, but it’s been a great decision for all involved and one I’ll never regret making. It’s too bad we live in a world where more moms can’t stay at home if they’d like.
Honorable Mention: Switching Jobs
It’s very easy to stay where you are; familiarity is comforting. So in a year where I’ve been learning how to change diapers, calm a screaming infant, and install a car seat (often all at the same time), what do I do? I switch jobs. While the company is pretty impressive and the prospects here are good, I’m still learning the ropes and trying to find my groove. But you can’t advance without risk, so here’s hoping this is one scary decision that will pay off in the end.
Top Goal for 2009: 2-way Tie: Write More/ Manage Our Finances Better
2008 was a great start for my part-time writing career. With mental_floss, I got a few bylines, including a link to CNN on my resume, and I’m hoping to make 2009 even more successful. I’m dedicating more time to writing this year with the hopes that I can get on m_f more often, as well as writing the occasional bit for a few other websites. I’m not sure what my plans are for this little side effort, but I want to at least see where it leads.
Going along with writing more, I want to really take the bull by the horns when it comes to managing our finances. We decided at the last second to keep Andrea home with Harper instead of going back to work as had originally been planned. Of course with the financial year the world has had, it might have been the worst possible time to experiment with being a one-income family, but I also think we’ve learned quite a bit on what to do better in 2009. I’m not saying we’ll be debt free by 2010, but I’d like to see a dent in that debt so we can start planning for the future.
Honorable Mention: Be Healthier
With Harper coming into our lives this year, our ability to workout or eat decent meals sometimes went out the window. Now that we’re starting to get a handle on this whole parenting thing, I think it’s important that we start taking better care of ourselves. Andrea has already started this trend by working out with her mommy group – dropping a full size so far – and I’m really proud of her for keeping with it. I need to implement a program and make it a part of my daily routine, as well as thinking about what I’m eating more often. I’ve done it before and I know I can do again.
Best SMX Entry: Apocalypse Tuesday
I didn’t take the time to write too many thoughtful posts this year – something I’m hoping to change for ’09. This was one of the few and I was pretty happy with it.
Honorable Mention: 8 Years of Memories
This one gets a nod simply because it was so momentous. After 8 years with the City of O’Fallon, I finally moved on to a new position at a new company, NiSC. I had to mark that kind of leap of faith with a monkey entry.
That’s the year that was for me. Again, it was pretty great, pretty scary, but ultimately memorable.
So Happy New Year, everyone! I’ll see you in 2009…
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