BEST OF 2017
From 2005 through 2012 I pretty consistently wrote my Sunday Morning Tuneage blog. It continued inconsistently through 2013 before being abandoned. Each year was punctuated with a series of Best Of . . . lists. While the blog still remains retired, I'm reviving the year end summary. So here's your 2017 in convenient list form.
BY THE NUMBERS
4,216,588 steps (that is less the 4 weeks in June that I went without a FitBit)
246 beers logged - 130 that were new to me this year.
0 times with the hiccups
25 books read (2nd year in a row of meeting 25 book goal)
0 concerts attended
55 films directed by Alfred Hitchcock. All the films from Silents to 1976.
24 movies seen in theaters (best year in a decade but one short of goal)
14 States visited
60 unique Bloody Marys and a Bloody Mary Convention.
9 games played before abandoning the project because it was hard to find the time.
100 unique bags of potato chips
45 Peanuts TV Specials watched. All the specials and four of the movies.
1 - 1st place Crafthouse Trivia (of less than 5 attempts)
BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2017
1. Weir - The Martian
2. King - The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger
3. Willingham - Fables: Camelot (V.20)
With 100 options to choose from, many of them get blended together. My overall observations aren't too different than cereals. The best are the basics. Those are the ones that will invariably be your favorites over time. There are interesting one off flavors that are good for a bag but won't ever replace a classic. Here's the best I had during this project.
BEST POTATO CHIPS OF 2017
1. KETTLE BRAND BACKYARD BARBEQUE. This is the most consistent brand out there and they do barbeque really well. This could easily be my every day chip.
2. ZAPP'S NEW ORLEANS KETTLE VOODOO CHIPS. Like bbq and vinegar had some kind of love baby. I really like this brand. It's probably at your local store, just hidden.
3. RUFFLE'S ALL DRESSED. I wouldn't make them my only chip but they are by far one of the best additions of the recent years. Maybe I should be moving to Canada.
4. LAY'S FLAMIN' HOT. I love my spicy.
5. RUFFLES JALAPENO RANCH. This is the best sandwich friend out there.
6. KETTLE BRAND TROPICAL SALSA. Tastes like a flavor that should have been around for years.
7. BOULDER CANYON RED CHILI. I want more of this right now.
8. RUFFLES ORIGINAL. Easily my favorite chip for over 40 years.
9. LAY'S LIMON.
10. ZAPP'S HOTTER 'N HOT JALAPENO. Another spicy entry that goes great with beer.
MOST PLAYED JUKEBOX TUNES IN 2017
It's hard for me to not become jukebox DJ at a bar. Thanks to modern technology I can pull up the history of what I've played in 2017.
1. SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS - 100 DAYS / 100 NIGHTS. This will improve the night of every drinker at the bar.
2. THE BROTHERS JOHNSON - STRAWBERRY LETTER #23
3. TOM PETTY - BREAKDOWN. For obvious reasons this has been on extra play the past few months.
4. GEORGE MICHAEL - CARELESS WHISPER. One of the best bar sing-a-long songs out there.
5. AL GREEN - LOVE & HAPPINESS. I play Al at almost every stop, this one just happened to make the top five.
BEST PEANUTS SPECIALS
1. IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN (1966)
2. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (1965)
3. IT'S A MYSTERY CHARLIE BROWN (1974)
4. A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING (1973)
5. YOU'RE IN LOVE, CHARLIE BROWN (1967)
BEST MOVIES OF 2017 (Seen in theaters)
1. LADY BIRD. Maybe because it was just different than I usually see or that it was seriously well written but it was funny and touching in a way that I just don't take time to go see enough.
2. GET OUT. I went in with very few preconceptions. Symbolic and surprising. I was transfixed.
3. IT. I've been waiting for an adaptation like this for years. Different than the mini-series in just enough ways to stand on its own. Looking forward to the sequel most of all.
4. WONDER WOMAN. The Year of the Woman really found a voice with this fresh take on the character. It is easily DC's best movie since the Nolan Batman films.
5. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. Not the best and not the worst. I like my Star Wars franchise but just not the level of obsession I had in my youth.
6. THOR: RAGNORAK. I actually was surprised that I liked this more humorous take on the Thor character. Well played.
7. SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. I wish this had come out before the last Captain America but I get the timing. A fun but meaningless addition to the Marvel Universe - perfect July release.
8. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2. See THOR, humorous but not as consequential as I might have wanted.
9. LEGO: BATMAN.
10. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. This film was beautiful to look at. It also proves that we need more mysteries.
When you see fewer than 25 new releases in a year at the theaters and even fewer at home, the list of movie you didn't see is usually more impressive than the ones you did. This list becomes my new to-do list for the next year although I'm lucky to knock 2-3 off the list.
BEST MOVIES I DIDN'T SEE IN 2017
1. DUNKIRK. Two simple reasons here. One it's Christopher Nolan. Two is that war films rarely translate well to the small screen. Hoping it gets nominated for awards so it plays again.
2. BABY DRIVER. How did I not go see this Edgar Wright film? I'm a loser.
3. BLADE RUNNER 2049. Another shameful development that most people who know me can't believe I missed this one. I was the biggest advocate of the original for decades.
4. WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES. Maybe not the best movie I missed this year but I have seen the past 50 years of them so this seemed like a natural.
5. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI. Been an advocate of this movie since the trailer dropped at the beginning of the year.
6. ALIEN: COVENANT. In a year of sequels, what happened that I missed this.
7. ATOMIC BLONDE.
8. OKJA. I know I can watch it on Netflix now but this looks like a big screen view.
9. LADY MACBETH
10. WORMWOOD. Errol Morris is always going to challenge me as a viewer - this looks like he's on top of that game.
I ask your forgiveness for being temporarily fooled that I wanted to see THE MUMMY, KONG: SKULL ISLAND and THE DARK TOWER. But I'm a sucker for trailers. (See below)
I read reviews (on this site for example) but the ultimate selling point of a movie for me is the trailer. The art of the trailer is generally dead. There are still a few that play out like mini-movies. Here are a few of the best this year.
2. BABY DRIVER. How did I not go see this Edgar Wright film? I'm a loser.
3. BLADE RUNNER 2049. Another shameful development that most people who know me can't believe I missed this one. I was the biggest advocate of the original for decades.
4. WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES. Maybe not the best movie I missed this year but I have seen the past 50 years of them so this seemed like a natural.
5. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI. Been an advocate of this movie since the trailer dropped at the beginning of the year.
6. ALIEN: COVENANT. In a year of sequels, what happened that I missed this.
7. ATOMIC BLONDE.
8. OKJA. I know I can watch it on Netflix now but this looks like a big screen view.
9. LADY MACBETH
10. WORMWOOD. Errol Morris is always going to challenge me as a viewer - this looks like he's on top of that game.
I ask your forgiveness for being temporarily fooled that I wanted to see THE MUMMY, KONG: SKULL ISLAND and THE DARK TOWER. But I'm a sucker for trailers. (See below)
I read reviews (on this site for example) but the ultimate selling point of a movie for me is the trailer. The art of the trailer is generally dead. There are still a few that play out like mini-movies. Here are a few of the best this year.
BEST TRAILERS OF 2017
1. DEADPOOL 2. This is how you make me want to see your movie and not feel like I've seen the best scenes from your film. Original content in a trailer rules. Brilliant.
2. BABY DRIVER. I'm pretty sure this ruin the movie but it plays like a shorter version of the film. I kinda like revisiting these trailers after seeing the movie as a reminder of the highlights.
3. ATOMIC BLONDE. Once again, probably gives away some important scenes from the film but bonus points for a great soundtrack. Tunes are a key function in a trailer.
4. BLADE RUNNER 2049. Trailers for sequels are tricky. This one does a great job of selling this as its own separate film that doesn't require the viewer to remember important details from the 80s.
5. BLACK PANTHER. Even more than the AVENGERS trailer, this trailer raises my expectations beyond what this movie can possibly meet. Marvel has perfected the art of the superhero trailer but over the years that's all they are doing is following a formula. This is guilty of some of the same beats as every other trailer but unlike the THOR trailer it doesn't feel like it gives away the best comedic moments.
4. BLADE RUNNER 2049. Trailers for sequels are tricky. This one does a great job of selling this as its own separate film that doesn't require the viewer to remember important details from the 80s.
This is my most uninformed list of the year. I don't read many magazines or watch TV shows about upcoming films anymore. I tend to find out through osmosis and YouTube telling me I might like a trailer. I lean on the comfort of favorite directors, favorite actors, franchises and sequels. Here's what is on my radar for next year.
BEST MOVIES OF 2018
1. READY PLAYER ONE (March). I have a few pages left to finish the book. On the surface this book is a natural for a mini-series instead of a film adaptation. But leaving it to Spielberg makes sense and the trailer fits the words I read.
2. THE NEW MUTANTS (April) After exploring every other genre from within the superhero genre, I've been waiting for a journey into horror. From what I've seen, this plays much more from the horror than superhero genre and that's fine with me.
3. JURASSIC PARK: FALLEN KINGDOM (June) I was surprised by the previous film. This has the warnings of just repeating the previous film but I'm still down.
4. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (May) The one thing that makes me happy here is the move to May. STAR WARS have always felt misplaced in December. They belong right here before Memorial Day.
5. ISLE OF DOGS (March) A Wes Anderson trailer is always unique too. I thought of including this above but I'm not sure it explains much. I just see lots of dogs.
6. FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD (Nov) Some franchises have me for life.
7. ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL (JULY) I loved the manga but never really had much hope for an adaptation. For years we heard it would be Cameron but Rodriguez is a decent fit to direct. I still don't hold out much hope because I heard they ruined GHOST IN THE SHELL.
8. THE PREDATOR (AUG) Shane Black helms what could be very fun but as you saw, I missed an ALIEN film this past year.
9. VENOM (Oct) Other than a few pictures, I have no idea what they are doing with this character. If they stay close to the original comics there could be something here.
10. RAMPAGE (April) Monster movie, yo.
11-13. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, BLACK PANTHER, DEADPOOL 2. One of these may break the MU success streak. Not likely but they are way past due for a real stinker.
Last year was a harsh year for celebrity deaths (Bowie, Prince, etc), so this year was going to have a hard time living up to the taking out of icons. Well, 2017 took a good run at it. Here's the deaths of the most influential to my life this year.
MOST MISSED OF 2017
1. TOM PETTY. Musically if we are going to pull from the Rock n Roll genre, this is one of the biggest for me. He's been a fixture in my music life since the early 80s. It hurts that I never got a chance to see him in concert.
2. HUGH HEFNER. Good or bad or as uncomfortable as his legacy might be in today's standards, the man defined a certain lifestyle, published some great authors and got the conversation about sexuality going.
3. DICK ENBERG. "Oh my" this voice is one of the top three voices of MLB and NFL for me.
4. WALTER BECKER. Always a Steely Dan fan, this is a guy that did fame his own way and I respect that.
5. ROSE MARIE. Sally from the "Dick Van Dyke Show" is still one of the cleverest and sassy characters of all-time.
6. JERRY LEWIS. I always feel for actors that outlast their fandom. By the time he passed, his brilliant comedic routines with Dean Martin were largely forgotten. There was more to Lewis than the "Nutty" guy we saw in the 60s.
7. HEATHER NORTH. Maybe a surprise to the list but not is you know me. She was the original voice of "Daphne" on Scooby-Doo for the first twenty years.
8. GLEN CAMPBELL. If for no other reason than the brilliant "Gentle On My Mind".
9. SUE GRAFTON. This author is a late addition the realm of the dead this year. I'm always supportive of people with lifelong projects. Her Alphabet series will end with Y because of her death. I'm on Q now. Her mysteries are fun at best but I respect her commitment to the characters.
10. GEORGE ROMERO. The man who created a genre. People had heard of zombies before "Night of the Living Dead" but c'mon, they had never visualized it like this. My obsession with shows like "The Walking Dead" are because this man and "Dawn of the Dead".
I spent the year on an Alfred Hitchcock project of watching all his films - almost all for at least the second time. I was interested in how my perception of them might have changed over the years. In a year of viewing all of them here they are in order of how much I enjoyed them.
BEST HITCHCOCK FILMS OF THE 2017 PROJECT
1. THE BIRDS (1963) For at least the 10th time I started seeing shots and symbols I had not noticed before.
2. FRENZY (1972) I think I had dismissed this after one viewing years ago but it is a classic worthy of his best.
3. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT (1940) Much more here than I originally gave it credit for. Realize it's in the very middle of World War II.
4. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) It really only gets better.
5. PSYCHO (1960)
6. THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS (1935) plays very well in the theater.
7. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951)
8. MR & MRS SMITH (1941) I don't think I knew this was Hitchcock the first time I saw it.
9. NOTORIOUS (1946) This film might actually be the one that has moved up the most in my mind since before this project started. This should be where you start if you know very little about his films.
10. VERTIGO (1958) It's here only because I've seen and analyzed it so many times.
We live in a very high quality TV show era now. Maybe the top end isn't as strong as a decade ago but the number of very good shows is amazing. It's hard to even keep up with shows that aren't on your sourcing radar - HBO, Showtime, Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, etc. This list is as fluid as any here - ask me tomorrow and it might be different - but here it is at this time and place.
2. HUGH HEFNER. Good or bad or as uncomfortable as his legacy might be in today's standards, the man defined a certain lifestyle, published some great authors and got the conversation about sexuality going.
3. DICK ENBERG. "Oh my" this voice is one of the top three voices of MLB and NFL for me.
4. WALTER BECKER. Always a Steely Dan fan, this is a guy that did fame his own way and I respect that.
5. ROSE MARIE. Sally from the "Dick Van Dyke Show" is still one of the cleverest and sassy characters of all-time.
6. JERRY LEWIS. I always feel for actors that outlast their fandom. By the time he passed, his brilliant comedic routines with Dean Martin were largely forgotten. There was more to Lewis than the "Nutty" guy we saw in the 60s.
7. HEATHER NORTH. Maybe a surprise to the list but not is you know me. She was the original voice of "Daphne" on Scooby-Doo for the first twenty years.
8. GLEN CAMPBELL. If for no other reason than the brilliant "Gentle On My Mind".
9. SUE GRAFTON. This author is a late addition the realm of the dead this year. I'm always supportive of people with lifelong projects. Her Alphabet series will end with Y because of her death. I'm on Q now. Her mysteries are fun at best but I respect her commitment to the characters.
10. GEORGE ROMERO. The man who created a genre. People had heard of zombies before "Night of the Living Dead" but c'mon, they had never visualized it like this. My obsession with shows like "The Walking Dead" are because this man and "Dawn of the Dead".
I spent the year on an Alfred Hitchcock project of watching all his films - almost all for at least the second time. I was interested in how my perception of them might have changed over the years. In a year of viewing all of them here they are in order of how much I enjoyed them.
BEST HITCHCOCK FILMS OF THE 2017 PROJECT
1. THE BIRDS (1963) For at least the 10th time I started seeing shots and symbols I had not noticed before.
2. FRENZY (1972) I think I had dismissed this after one viewing years ago but it is a classic worthy of his best.
3. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT (1940) Much more here than I originally gave it credit for. Realize it's in the very middle of World War II.
4. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) It really only gets better.
5. PSYCHO (1960)
6. THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS (1935) plays very well in the theater.
7. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951)
8. MR & MRS SMITH (1941) I don't think I knew this was Hitchcock the first time I saw it.
9. NOTORIOUS (1946) This film might actually be the one that has moved up the most in my mind since before this project started. This should be where you start if you know very little about his films.
10. VERTIGO (1958) It's here only because I've seen and analyzed it so many times.
We live in a very high quality TV show era now. Maybe the top end isn't as strong as a decade ago but the number of very good shows is amazing. It's hard to even keep up with shows that aren't on your sourcing radar - HBO, Showtime, Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, etc. This list is as fluid as any here - ask me tomorrow and it might be different - but here it is at this time and place.
BEST TV SHOWS OF 2017
1. TWIN PEAKS (SHOW) I don't know that I was completely in love with this show as it aired. It's one that really ages well though. The more I watch other shows, the more I'm impressed that Showtime gave David Lynch so much room to tell his story at his pace.
2. HALT & CATCH FIRE (AMC) "I have an idea". This show had the most consistently great run of any show of recent times. It's a love story to the 80s and 90s that used computer culture as a background to tell some really powerful stories.
3. PREACHER (AMC) It's been a fun ride so far. This season in New Orleans was a bit uneven but in the end I can't compare it to any other show out there.
4. BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC) Easily just the most fun, you don't have to think too hard about it, show on my list. A fun ride that plays well to non-"Breaking Bad" fans too.
5. RIVERDALE (CW) Comfort food alert - this show is just fun. Beautiful cast and a level of mystery that is original "Twin Peaks" meets "90210" with interesting results.
6. LEGION (FX) There are almost too many traditional superhero shows around these days. It's hard to follow the normal rules and make it interesting. This show throws out most of the traditions of the genre. It's frustrating at times but so unique that it still sticks with me.
7. SILICON VALLEY / VEEP (HBO) If you had the app you'd know it's "not hot dog" but these two are Sunday night linked in my mind and both the best comedies running. 1A/1B
8. TABOO (FX) It was a show that took me a long time to figure out and I'm still not sure of most of the details but dark and wrong is always good in my book. Also Tom Hardy!
9. FARGO (FX) Not as strong as the first couple seasons but Carrie Coon and Ewan MacGregor are hard to take your eyes off of. Compelling characters made this fun.
10. LEFTOVERS (HBO) This final season wasn't what I thought they would do to end the show. It was better. You don't always get all the answers in life - sometimes the questions you get are better.
Because of all the choices, some get pushed off to be binge watched at a future date. Some will just fall off my radar until one of you reminds me to start them up again.
BEST TV THAT I DON'T WATCH (yet) (or have just started)
1. MINDHUNTER (Netflix) Everything about this show looks like a Shawn show.
2. STRANGER THINGS (Netflix) I'm two episodes in and it's brilliant and I have to have it done by Comic Con in July.
3. THE HANDMAID'S TALE (Hulu)
4. BIG LITTLE LIES (HBO) I should read the book first?
5. UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT (Netflix) Just never started it - I know it's good.
6. THE DEUCE (HBO) From "The Wire" creators - how did I miss this?
7. SANTA CLARITA DIET (Netflix) Always been a Drew Barrymore fan.
8. MASTER OF NONE (Netflix) Another Netflix addition that needs my attention.
9. BASKETS (FX)
10. AMERICAN VANDAL (Netflix) Have you seen the previews??? Holy crap.
1. MINDHUNTER (Netflix) Everything about this show looks like a Shawn show.
2. STRANGER THINGS (Netflix) I'm two episodes in and it's brilliant and I have to have it done by Comic Con in July.
3. THE HANDMAID'S TALE (Hulu)
4. BIG LITTLE LIES (HBO) I should read the book first?
5. UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT (Netflix) Just never started it - I know it's good.
6. THE DEUCE (HBO) From "The Wire" creators - how did I miss this?
7. SANTA CLARITA DIET (Netflix) Always been a Drew Barrymore fan.
8. MASTER OF NONE (Netflix) Another Netflix addition that needs my attention.
9. BASKETS (FX)
10. AMERICAN VANDAL (Netflix) Have you seen the previews??? Holy crap.
You remember the way I like trailers almost as much as movies? Ads are even more intriguing. One, there are fewer actual old time commercials anymore and for fewer and fewer products. Two, where do you even sit still for them anymore? For me it's mostly during sporting events but even then I usually have to see them in another setting to know to watch them. No Dilly Dilly here . . .
BEST TV ADS OF 2017
1. FEARLESS GIRL. It kind of says about 2017 what I can't find the proper words.
2. MCDONALDS. Mindy Kaling does the unheard of - she doesn't mention the product in the ad. But gets people to Google it. I like clever.
2. MCDONALDS. Mindy Kaling does the unheard of - she doesn't mention the product in the ad. But gets people to Google it. I like clever.
3. NESPRESSO. "I'm coming home" takes some of my favorite movies and seamlessly puts Clooney in the middle with hilarious results.
4. SQUARESOFT. The best Super Bowl ad. John Malkovich is hilarious "There is a film about me being me."
5. INSTAGRAM. Stories are everywhere is inspired and makes you feel like dang it you can make something interesting. I take pictures of Bloody Marys. So I'm out.
6. BURGER KING. Powerful shit. A way to call out the people who don't do anything.
7. ANOMALY. Girl accidentally addresses her letter to Santa as Satan. It's a real 6 minute movie actually more than an ad. Patrick Stewart narrates.
8. SHEBA. I love me some cats. This "Hungry Eyes" parody had me from the start.
9. MICROSOFT. A sweet holiday ad about inclusion.
10. HALO TOP. Everyone you love is gone. There is only ice cream.
4. SQUARESOFT. The best Super Bowl ad. John Malkovich is hilarious "There is a film about me being me."
5. INSTAGRAM. Stories are everywhere is inspired and makes you feel like dang it you can make something interesting. I take pictures of Bloody Marys. So I'm out.
7. ANOMALY. Girl accidentally addresses her letter to Santa as Satan. It's a real 6 minute movie actually more than an ad. Patrick Stewart narrates.
8. SHEBA. I love me some cats. This "Hungry Eyes" parody had me from the start.
9. MICROSOFT. A sweet holiday ad about inclusion.
10. HALO TOP. Everyone you love is gone. There is only ice cream.
I chose to explore the world of Bloody Marys this year. The project got me to to some bars and restaurants that I would not have made it to otherwise this year. It's a drink that I only kinda liked before this year. Now it's something that I seek out. The secret is in the mix and in the garnish. I prefer at the very least three olives and bacon is a nice touch.
BEST BLOODY MARYS OF 2017
1. POTATO SHACK. This was a total surprise. A potato restaurant in Huntsville served up a perfectly spicy Bloody Mary. So good that I went back later in the year for another.
2. GUY FIERI'S VEGAS KITCHEN & BAR. A little crazy with the garnish. Essentially it's a meal on your drink. But it's a crazy good drink.
3. ROCKIN BAJA LOBSTER. Maybe I'm biased because I love this San Diego taco joint. But this went very well with brunch.
4. BUFFALO WILD WINGS. As far as chains go, they didn't always live up to the hype. This one comes through in spades. A wonderful addition.
5. TEQUILA BAR & GRILLE. Another San Diego entry shows that atmosphere also goes a long way.
6. WITHERSPOON DISTILLERY. The vodka is important too. This craft liquor bar made me a little work of art that was really good.
7. BANG BANG BAR. Cute dive bar in San Antonio wins for out of the way trip for a Bloody Mary and excellent juke box.
8. PLUCKERS.
9. 3 STACKS
10. CHILI'S. Including this since I never have anything nice to say about the place. I was surprised to find that they have a really decent mix.
1. POTATO SHACK. This was a total surprise. A potato restaurant in Huntsville served up a perfectly spicy Bloody Mary. So good that I went back later in the year for another.
2. GUY FIERI'S VEGAS KITCHEN & BAR. A little crazy with the garnish. Essentially it's a meal on your drink. But it's a crazy good drink.
3. ROCKIN BAJA LOBSTER. Maybe I'm biased because I love this San Diego taco joint. But this went very well with brunch.
4. BUFFALO WILD WINGS. As far as chains go, they didn't always live up to the hype. This one comes through in spades. A wonderful addition.
5. TEQUILA BAR & GRILLE. Another San Diego entry shows that atmosphere also goes a long way.
6. WITHERSPOON DISTILLERY. The vodka is important too. This craft liquor bar made me a little work of art that was really good.
7. BANG BANG BAR. Cute dive bar in San Antonio wins for out of the way trip for a Bloody Mary and excellent juke box.
8. PLUCKERS.
9. 3 STACKS
10. CHILI'S. Including this since I never have anything nice to say about the place. I was surprised to find that they have a really decent mix.
THINGS FROM 2017 THAT DIDN'T MAKE ANY OTHER LISTS
1. THE ECLIPSE. A very memorable few minutes of the year when people stopped being upset about everything else. Also the picture of Trump staring directly into the eclipse.
2. PEGGY WHITSON. She commanded the International Space Station and last year set the record for the most days in space by an U.S. astronaut.
3. HOUSTON ASTROS. Considering the hurricane circumstances, this was more rewarding than a Cubs victory again.
4. FIONA THE HIPPO. Baby hippos rule.
5. COLLEGE GRADUATION. So proud of Christian for getting it done early and without debt.
6. LITTLE ELM CRAFTHOUSE. Friday's book/beer/patio is the best way to end a week and even though it's not every week, it's often enough to give me peace.
7. TACOS. Just need to remind you that they are still awesome.
8. CAJUN NAVY. Hurricane Harvey brought out country folk in their own boats who had themselves been rescued in Katrina.
9. BASKETBALL. My son plays basketball 12 months out of the year and I haven't grown tired of watching him play yet.
10. CRAFT LIQUOR. I hope this trend of local small batch whiskey and vodka continues into the new year.
Speaking of 2018 - THE WINTER OLYMPICS may provide extra interest this year in the Ice Dance competition as my niece looks to qualify next week.
I used to have lists on here about DVD's I purchased and music I bought. Those days seem quaint now. I still listen to music but in ways that are less easy to quantify. I listen to XM and CDs in the car and working out, walking and at work I listen to Amazon and Spotify. Thank you Spotify for keep stats for me.
MOST PLAYED SONGS FROM SPOTIFY IN 2017
1. A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
2. Jurrasic 5 - Juarass Finish First
3. William Bell - I Forgot To Be Your Lover
4. The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By
5. Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
6. Nappy Roots - Po' Folks
7. Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit
8. Jurrasic 5 - Quality Control
9. Heavy D & The Boyz - Now That We Found Love
10. Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize
1. THE ECLIPSE. A very memorable few minutes of the year when people stopped being upset about everything else. Also the picture of Trump staring directly into the eclipse.
2. PEGGY WHITSON. She commanded the International Space Station and last year set the record for the most days in space by an U.S. astronaut.
3. HOUSTON ASTROS. Considering the hurricane circumstances, this was more rewarding than a Cubs victory again.
4. FIONA THE HIPPO. Baby hippos rule.
5. COLLEGE GRADUATION. So proud of Christian for getting it done early and without debt.
6. LITTLE ELM CRAFTHOUSE. Friday's book/beer/patio is the best way to end a week and even though it's not every week, it's often enough to give me peace.
7. TACOS. Just need to remind you that they are still awesome.
8. CAJUN NAVY. Hurricane Harvey brought out country folk in their own boats who had themselves been rescued in Katrina.
9. BASKETBALL. My son plays basketball 12 months out of the year and I haven't grown tired of watching him play yet.
10. CRAFT LIQUOR. I hope this trend of local small batch whiskey and vodka continues into the new year.
Speaking of 2018 - THE WINTER OLYMPICS may provide extra interest this year in the Ice Dance competition as my niece looks to qualify next week.
I used to have lists on here about DVD's I purchased and music I bought. Those days seem quaint now. I still listen to music but in ways that are less easy to quantify. I listen to XM and CDs in the car and working out, walking and at work I listen to Amazon and Spotify. Thank you Spotify for keep stats for me.
MOST PLAYED SONGS FROM SPOTIFY IN 2017
1. A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation
2. Jurrasic 5 - Juarass Finish First
3. William Bell - I Forgot To Be Your Lover
4. The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By
5. Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter
6. Nappy Roots - Po' Folks
7. Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit
8. Jurrasic 5 - Quality Control
9. Heavy D & The Boyz - Now That We Found Love
10. Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize
Thanks for all the time you've given me. I appreciate your patience with me through the year with my silly little projects. I hope to meet up with even more of you this year to accompany me with these shenanigans.
"What are we gonna do
Roses are red and violets are blue
Love is good and plenty if you get plenty good lovin'
Kiss you where you're hot to what I got to keep you bubblin'" - Heavy D
What are we going to do with it in 2018. Stay hard.
sb
