These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

Your It List had a bunch of their contributors write in on their favorite things of 2010. I wasn’t asked this year, but there’s always next year, so I stole their questions and will answer them here.

Favorite Film
As a film addict, this is a dangerous question. A very dangerous question. We saw two much anticipated serial movies in Harry Potter and Toy Story. Black Swan is just as crazy good as everyone says it is. And the Film Fest delivered some gems in Trust and Nice Guy Johnny this year. If I’m going mega blockbuster style, I’ll have to throw in Inception as well. So really, this year delivered in movies for me. But okay, hands down favorite that I want everyone to see?  Conviction and/or The Town. Ben Affleck proved he’s still got it in Town (both on camera and behind) and Hilary Swank delivers another character driven piece in Conviction.

Favorite Album
It’s no surprise how much I love Mumford & Sons. But sadly, Sigh No More came out in 2009, at least, that’s when I first heard about it, then it crossed over the pond to here. That’s probably the album I listened to the most this past year. And then David Gray‘s Foundling wasn’t a personal fav, but it sure was when he played it live in Millennium Park this past summer. But Brandon Flowers‘  Flamingo was quite surprising and duh, Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy proved he’s still got it. Favorite: Kanye.

Favorite Book
I really got into non-fiction books this year and the best was Jerry Weintraub’s When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead. He literally knows or did know anyone worth anything in Hollywood. And his stories are insane. He’ll make you rethink your sales techniques. Close runner up: Jonathan Tropper This is Where I Leave You.

Favorite TV Show
30 Rock will forever be a favorite/staple in my life. But I’m so excited I finally hopped on the Modern Family bandwagon. Also to note: Mad Men really delivered this past season. So props goes out to the people of Sterling, Cooper, Pryce & Draper.

Favorite Twitterer
He was late coming in the game, but man, he is fantastic. @lord_voldemort7

“Horcruxes before hoes”

Runner Up: @preschoolgems

“I fell because I high-fived so hard.”

Favorite YouTube Video
Every week a fantastic one comes out. But this one from Google that premiered during the Super Bowl is epic. And it also has paved the way for the latest Google Ad.

Most excited for in 2011
Having one W-2 form. After multiple years of multiple jobs, I’m ecstatic to have just one for the 2011 year.

Who you want to kiss at NYE
Jake Gyllenhaal. But I’m sure he won’t be where I am. But just in case, I’ll be sure to curl my eyelashes!

Holiday Gift
Seeing as Edward Burns broke my camera during the Film Fest (yea, I’m never going to let this one go or stop believing it), I should probably get a digital camera. But Mom did get me some stellar rubber boots for the Chicago winter!

What is it about the Classics??

I have yet again, started a book and walked away from it. And the worst part is, it’s a classic. Deemed so reader-worthy by The Modern Library as one of the top 100 novels of our time. And I just couldn’t do it.

The first book I put down and returned to the library shamelessly: Ulysses. I thought, Irish author, Irish part of town, I’m definitely going to enjoy this. I don’t remember how far I got, but it wasn’t far at all. Like not even a small dent.

And alas, it has happened again. This time: The Three Musketeers. Now before you start judging and telling me what type of literary amazingness I simply do not understand, know this: I rarely in my life have ever walked away from a book. Even if I don’t like it, I keep reading it. Solely as a respect to the author and countless team members who worked to put this piece of work out there.

On my quest of library card greatness, I decided to start reading some classics to help balance my current intake of nonfiction stories, chick lit and mysteries. Maybe I’m just not cut out for the Classics after all, but I would hate to think this as I like to think I’m well-versed among the literary world.

Clearly I’m not. I think my problem with the Musketeers was simple: the French names. I couldn’t keep them straight. Now in Suite Francaise, I had no problem. I remembered everything solely because the topic at hand (WWII and hiding) was of interest to me. Reading 90+ pages and being unsure of what just happened doesn’t sit well with me. I’m not impatient, just someone who likes to be in the loop.

Should anyone have a Classic they deem worthy of my attention span, please do let me know. While I’ve read most in Western Civ 2 (a personal favorite was The Canterbury Tales, or shall I say “favourite?”), I fear I have read next to nothing on The Modern Library’s list. And at this point, I’m wondering what these librarians were on when they created this…

But rest assured, the evening is not spoiled. Do yourself a favor and grab David Gray’s latest album, Foundling. Sounds a lot like Life in Slow Motion. Can we also point out this guy is a song-writin’, album-makin’ genius/god?