A Few of My Favorite Things in 2009
One of my favorite things about the end of the year are the reflections and reviews of the last 365 days: The “Best Movies/Music/TV/Trends,” “In Memoriams,” and “Memorable Moments.”
I’m a sucker for that stuff, so I thought I’d do my own “End of the Year” list.
Here are just a few things that I found fascinating in 2009.
Enjoy!
Fave Word:
Fang-bang - Is it just me or did my teen-age sex fantasy become this year’s hottest entertainment genre?
Vampires were everywhere in 2009.
Twilighters (fans of the
“Twilight” teen vampire book and movie series) went CRAZY when the second movie in the series,
“New Moon,” hit theaters in November, making over $72 million on its opening day.
Those of us who wanted a little more sex with our horror fantasy were pleasantly satiated by the second season of HBO’s phenomenal vampire series
“True Blood,” based on the
Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. With rich, sensual characters, writing and music, this season’s thrills included a mythical Maenad who summoned mayhem, murder and lots of deviant sexual behavior to destroy a small southern town; a jilted vampire intent on destroying our ethereal heroine; and more sex with the undead than you could shake a stick at.
Fave Guilty Pleasure: Philanderers - From David Letterman to Gov. Mark Sanders to Tiger Woods, John Edwards and A-Rod, there were plenty of canoodling cads to hold the public’s attention. I know I shouldn’t care (and really, I don’t), but it was fascinating to see the range of deception and how each man handled the situation.
David Letterman has certainly managed his sexcapade the best, so far.
I keep wondering when people will stop being shocked by sex scandals. Just because somebody is a brilliant comedian, sports figure, or politician doesn’t mean they’re not human. I don’t think it’s necessarily wise to emulate someone just because they’ve got an impressive golf swing, can make you laugh, or speak eloquently about a cause that’s of importance to you.
There have been plenty of public figures - intelligent, inspiring, talented men and women - who’ve cheated, lied, etc. in their private lives.
I’m not saying that they all deserve a pass - especially when they go out of their way to hold themselves up as beacons of morality and “family values,” whatever that means.
However, folks have been unfaithful to their spouses since the dawn of time, and it’s really not fair to demonize people for being human and having issues.
Who doesn’t?
The lesson to be learned (if there is one): Future philanderers should take note of Letterman’s strategy, and tell the truth. Honesty and a little self-deprecation go a long way.
Fave Movie: “Where the Wild Things Are” - I made a vow to myself to promote this fantastic movie at every opportunity I can. It’s that good.
This flick, based on
Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, is a beautiful and fierce exploration of adolescent angst.
It’s dark and moody, melancholic and defiant, and amazingly imaginative and uninhibited.
The acting is superb. The soundtrack is sublime.
Mark my words, this movie is sure to become a classic in its own right.
Fave Entertainment Genre: Comedy - Drama was the name of the game in 2009. From the inauguration of a new president to the “Miracle on the Hudson,” there were major deaths (Michael, Farrah, Ted and Walter, are only a few), major scandals (Madoff and Tiger), major freak-outs (Kanye, Serena, Christian and Glenn), major upheaval (elections in Iran and Afghanistan, swine flu, terrorist acts) … I could continue on and on.
The one thing that made all the drama bearable was “the funny” in 2009.
Staples like
“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and
“The Colbert Report” kept us in stitches; and new comedies such as
“Modern Family,” “Parks and Recreation,” and
“Glee” worked the funny bone.
“The Hangover” killed with immature hilarity while
“It’s Complicated” brought guffaws to the grown-up crowd. Wickedly funny comedians, including
Wanda Sykes, George Lopez, Chelsea Handler and
Monique, kicked booty on cable while
David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno and
Jimmy Fallon continued to bring us late night laughs.
I wrote a
column a few months ago about how comedy helps us handle the disappointments and stress in our lives. “Humor makes the icky stuff go down smoother.”
Bring a little laughter into your life whenever and wherever you can.
And now, the most important category on the list …
Fave Personal Recollections of 2009: - Standing beneath the Washington Monument on the National Mall (pictured) with my 9-year-old nephew witnessing the inauguration of Pres. Barack Hussein Obama. The warmth and joy that enveloped all of those in attendance on that frigidly cold day is still fresh in my mind. Sharing that with my most awesome nephew is a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.
- Reacquainting myself with my hometown. I lost my job as an Assistant Editor and staff writer for the Star-Gazette in December 2008. While losing a job sucked, it provided me the opportunity to get “out and about” and rediscover my community in a more personal way. I walked my dog through the neighborhoods of West Elmira and along the Chemung River everyday. I admired the homes and gardens, cheerfully greeted cheerful walkers and runners, bicyclists, and the occasional deer or bunny.
I got more involved in a community cause I support wholeheartedly, the
Chemung County Humane Society and S.P.C.A. In the process, the charity and compassion displayed by the businesses, organizations and individuals that I worked with, gave me faith in my fellow human beings.
We’re a pretty kick-ass community. Lots of philanthropy and ingenuity in the Twin Tiers.
Although the summer never really got blazing here in the Twin Tiers there were a few days in which I got to enjoy the region’s outdoor attractions. The
Watkins Glen State Park trails, pool and waterfalls;
Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes wineries; putt-putt, glider-watching and swimming at
Harris Hill; Corning’s
Shin Dig fine arts and crafts festival;
Ithaca’s groovy Farmers’ Market;
Eldridge Park; and
The Rockwell Museum of Western Art are only a few of the fantastic locales, events and attractions that make the Twin Tiers a great place to call home.
- I also got to travel across the country this year.
* I fell in love with Austin, Texas. A wonderfully weird (one of the city’s major attractions is the massive bat migration every summer), ethnically diverse community with a blossoming eclectic music, arts and entertainment reputation.
* I joined my Mom on her first cross-country train ride to the wilds of Montana, and got to spend some quality time with my 93-year-old grandfather once we got there. I admired the beautiful serenity garden my aunt created in memory of her mother - my grandmother - at Grandma’s nursing home. It was impressive. I also got to meet my cousin’s toddler and infant, and drink up the wonder of early childhood.
I loved seeing my West Coast Peeps with such a happy exuberance for life.
* Finally, the most lovely vacation I have ever taken: A journey to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with five gay men.
A week of gorgeous weather, HOT men, exquisite scenery, great companionship and exciting exploration - I was literally in heaven.
Despite its ups and downs, 2009 strikes me as having been a perfect ending to the decade. Bizarrely frightening and comforting at the same time.
I hope that 2010 brings peace and prosperity to us all.
Happy New Year!
