Best of 2012 (Part 2)

Thanks for all the years you've read my blogs.  I may or may not have a blog up next week - my Muse is currently missing and my energy waning.  In the meantime, we rejoin . . .

BEST OF 2012  Part 2

Last week was the warm-up.  This week is the main event.  Movies are things I get to go see about 10 times a year.  TV is something that keeps me entertained every day.  I'm entertained by all kinds of TV - I'll roll on some TLC, HGTV and reality shows.  But it takes more than bidding on a Storage Unit to make the best of the year.  We're in the middle of a great era of TV and here's the proof. . .

BEST TV SHOWS OF 2012

1.  THE WALKING DEAD (AMC)  Showed that you can change show runners and survive.  And thrive.  I liked last season, wasn't one of the people complaining about it.  But the drama certainly went way up.  I love where they are going with The Governor and Michonne.  It starts with a great Kirkman story but the casting has really made this series sizzle.  I never would have guessed that a zombie show would be a Top Ten show and set all kinds of cable records.
2.  FRINGE (FOX)  After 3 years at the top spot, the film moves down a spot for the final season.  Mainly it's because they're so laser focused on the end of the show.  They lost some of the stand-alone episodes that made it so fun.  I'm going to be finished with this show in a month and it'll be worth the ride.  I have a feeling this will be a series that folks will watch from beginning to end and really enjoy in the future.  Hard to imagine something like it coming again for a long time.
3.  COMMUNITY (NBC)  The show went meta last year - really meta.  I fear that the momentum for this show is completely gone.  In fact, I think that would have been a brilliant sendoff for the show - not much room for improvement.  Not the funniest show - but easily the most clever.
4.  GAME OF THRONES (HBO)  I love this show.  I will say that I have a hard time keeping every single story and relationship straight in my head.  But it's so different from everything else on the TV that I'm totally willing to be confused part of the time.  This show plays out like the best comic books - you end each episode feeling like you just can't wait to find out what happens next.
5.  BOARDWALK EMPIRE (HBO)  Last season ended with what seemed like the end to the story.  And then they came back this season and hit even harder and stronger.  This was the best season so far by a mile.  The addition of Gyp and emergence of Capone made this a show that required watching immediately each week.
6.  PARKS AND RECREATION (NBC)  This show moves up a couple more spots because it is consistently the funniest show I watch.  The election was great but I"m enjoying the post-election stories even more.  This show just never has a low moment.
7.  GIRLS (HBO)  I respect what Lena Dunham is trying to do.  But I was disappointed with the first couple episodes of this show.  Then the series kicked it up a notch - the stories started moving and I became a big fan.
8.  VEEP (HBO).  A new entry into the list - Julia Louis-Dreyfus found a perfect role.  But Tony Hale might be my favorite of the bunch.
9.  TREME (HBO).  I think lots of people left this show this season and they missed out.  It's quite different than the other HBO shows.  It doesn't have the violence or dragons - it plays out over a whole season.  The stories just happen organically and the tapestry of characters are amazing.  I see that it only has a half season remaining next year - I'm sad about that.
10.  LIFE'S TOO SHORT / AN IDIOT ABROAD 2 / RICKY GERVAIS SHOW.  It's hard to separate all the arms of the Ricky Gervais universe.  They are all full of the most uncomfortable humor since "Curb Your Enthusiasm".  I can't pick which one I love the most but Warwick Davis is a welcome addition to the family.
11.  DOCTOR WHO (BBC)  As tired as I am of Matt Smith, it's still right there at the pinnacle of Science Fiction television.  

Just so you know which shows were left off the above list .  I wish this list had changed more since last year . . . 

BEST TV THAT I DON'T WATCH (yet) (or have just started)

1.  BREAKING BAD (AMC)  I'm still slowly making my way through Season One - I realize from that this is one of the greatest shows on the television.
2.  MAD MEN (AMC)  Just ready to start Season Two.  The people who don't think I should be watching "Breaking Bad" tell me that I should be watching this one for sure.  Probably both.
3.  ONCE UPON A TIME (ABC)  I could be convinced to get over my "Falbes" it's not bitterness.  People I love like this show enough to get me more interested.
4.  LOUIE (FX)  I'm still a couple seasons behind.  But I know it's one of the funniest shows on TV and exactly the type of show that tickles me.
5.  PORTLANDIA (IFC)  Started it on Netflix - just need to get back on board.  Not the funniest I've seen but easy to watch.
6.  JUSTIFIED (FX)  I don't have to be convinced that I will like it - just the time to watch.
7.  AMERICAN HORROR STORY:  ASYLUM (FX)  I wanted to watch last season and I've heard less about this season but I'm still down with the horror genre for weekly TV.
8.  SONS OF ANARCHY (FX)  This show just hangs around this list every year.
9.  DEXTER (SHOW)  As the show keeps plodding along it seems like a good time to finally get the show started and enjoy the good seasons of it.
10.  MODERN FAMILY (ABC)  Still getting around to it.

Falling out of favor from previous years - Enlightened, Homeland.

I chose fictional TV for the above.  But lots of time I just need to throw on some background TV while I read or start to fall asleep.  I probably watch too much - considering the great shows on the above list.  But I need my "junk food" television too.

BEST REALITY SHOWS OF 2012

1.  SURVIVOR (CBS)  After sitting just out of the top spot last year - this show made a nice run with two superb seasons. With "The Philippines" season just finishing - they've come upon a great formula - a few returning favorites, no more exile island and more time spent on letting the crazy people be crazy.
2.  THE AMAZING RACE (CBS)  The family tradition continues.  It is the only 60 minutes of the week that I can count on seeing all the kids at once.  This last season and the goat farmers continued to prove that they couldn't script this show any better than it plays out in reality.
3.  SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX)  Suffered not from poor dancing - but from a weird schedule that had it off for two weeks during the Olympics where it lost lots of momentum.  Great dancing again and I appreciate them not having the traditional "vote off" show but they need something in-between instead of nothing.
4.  MYTHBUSTERS (A&E)  The more reality shows that hit the air - the more I appreciate this show.  Science can be sexy.  It teaches me something and keeps me lessons every time.
5. DUCK DYNASTY (A&E)  The new breakaway reality hit of the year is immensely quotable and very addicting.  Give me more Uncle Si!!!
6. HOARDERS (A&E)  I don't always love the episodes where the people are really mentally unstable.  I like the ones that just have collecting and cleaning issues.  I don't want them to be killing animals or pooping in bags.
7.  BIG BROTHER (CBS)  I watch this one all by myself - no one seems to have the stomach to make it through a whole season with me.  But once again, last Summer showed it had a few tricks up its sleeves with returning players as "coaches" - borrowing from the "Survivor" playbook has worked well for the show.
8.  CELEBRITY APPRENTICE (NBC)  I think the success of the celebrity version has made it impossible for people to be interested in the "real people" version of the show.  We like to see our celebrities lose it.  I just like the challenges and seeing how they do compared to what I would do.
9.  STORAGE WARS (A&E)  Not too keen on the Texas version but the original still has one of the most interesting scenarios of any of the shows.  It's one that I always seem to catch up with on vacation.
10.  AMERICAN IDOL (FOX) This show continues with decent ratings but it isn't what it used to be.  A rather decent crop of singers last season but I just didn't have that same draw to it as before.  Not sure of my long term commitment to it this next season.

Dropping off the list this year - "The Biggest Loser".  I like the new trainer but without Jillian, it just wasn't "must see" television.  This next season that brings back Jillian and adds families with children has the potential to be their best in a long time.  There are plenty of disturbing shows too - some that Dee watches like "Dance Moms" and ones she doesn't thankfully like "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo".  I also have never succumbed to watching anything that starts with "Real Housewives of . . ."

You remember the way I like trailers almost as much as movies?  Well, I love TV but I like a good TV ad even better sometimes.  It's shorter than a trailer and they can make you laugh and cry in 30 seconds.  It's harder and harder to catch the eye of the viewer.  This is my favorite part of my weekly blog usually.  These are the ones that stuck with me all year.  Many of these I've hoarded from my weekly blogs because they are the kind you play next to a Skittles ad.

BEST TV ADS OF 2012

1.   NSPCC.  The $#*! That Kids Say was made by people who obviously understand all of the college taught techniques of making a commercial.  But what you can't learn in college is how to present a difficult message with subtleness and heart in less than two minutes.  This little film haunts me.

2.  JOHNNIE WALKER.  I love the Game Of Thrones take in this Where Flavour Is King ad.  The folks at Johnnie Walker have a high bar to reach with me after their "Keep Walking" ad from a couple years ago - still one of my favorites of all time.

3.  THE GUARDIAN.  This is easily the most clever ad of the year.  Bringing the story of The Three Pigs to current day as it plays out as a Home Owner's Rights story and then morphs into an Occupy and Mortgage Default issue.  Excellent two minutes that are worth a 2nd and 3rd look.

4.  ALDI.  The tasty Australian ham is brought to us by the coolness of Surfin' Santas.

5.  NIKE.  In a year where they do a ton of great ads - this one is the most memorable and the simplest.  And one that should inspire us all.

6.  AXE.  This "Susan Glenn" ad is a brilliant piece of filmmaking - she's not a girl, she's THE girl.  This is a hugely relatable ad about those lost loves.

7.  PROCTOR & GAMBLE.  This "Best Job" ad released on Mother's Day is well done and if it doesn't make you tear up than I can't warm up your heart.

8.  CARLTON DRAUGHT.  I could make this list all of beer ads.  But this is one that can't be left off the list - it's a funny little film.

9.  SAMSUNG GALAXY 3.  It was funny when Apple made fun of stodgy PC users and now it's funny when the tables are turned on them.  And the people waiting in line are the easiest targets.

10.  COW & GATE.  Sometimes, advertisers forget the best rule of filmmaking - just let the action play out.  This cute group of babies doesn't need lots of brand identity or cutesy overdubs.  Just let the music play . . . 

11.  OLD MILWAUKEE.  This Will Ferrell ad aired during the Super Bowl.  But only in North Platte, Nebraska.  It cost $1500 to place the ad on that channel and it was one of the most tweeted and You Tubed commercials of the game.  Brilliant idea.  Funny concept.

I am not even sure I can come up with 10 songs or albums that I listened to in 2012.  I'm such an old man - I seem to spend most of my listening time on songs I already own instead of seeking out new music.  I can see the near future for me is a Spotify world where I hear all my new music through this app - the other oddly being MySpace where I discover some new music.  I rely on you all to keep me updated on new music.  Here's all that I could come up with . . . 

BEST MUSIC OF 2012

1.  JACK WHITE - BLUNDERBUSS.  The best album I heard last year is also the one that sounds like it was recorded in 1973.  The man has a talent - I'd call him unappreciated but he gets lots of appreciation - just not  ever going to get mainstream acceptance.
2.  BOBBY WOMACK - BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE.  The best soul album of the year comes from a man who was singing in the 1950s.  So much to love and the Gorillaz producing shines through in the right places.
3.  HOT CHIP - IN OUR HEADS.  Love this throwback.
4.  ALABAMA SHAKES - HOLD ON.  I need to explore more of this group.  It's like Janis Joplin singing for Lynrd Skynrd.  I read lots of good stuff about the group but the single is one of the best things I heard this year.
5.  TAYLOR SWIFT - RED.  I really shouldn't like this album.  So, then, why do I love an album that has lyrics aimed at 18 year olds?  I love her voice and she seems to have a great sense of humor.  All my kids love this album so I'm bound to hear it the next six months too.  Trying not singing along to "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together".
6.  EL-P - CANCER 4 CURE.  El-Producto is known for beats not his flow.  He might be involved with better songs on his work with Killer Mike but this is an album that I got to know thanks to either Stitcher or Spotify - not sure which now.  But this album continues to grow on me as we hit year end.
7.  GOTYE - SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW.  I really tried to like the album.  It just doesn't have anything to match this single - so I"m putting the song itself in the #7 spot because it seems to define my Spring 2012.
8.  FIONA APPLE - IDLER WHEEL.  I haven't even heard all of songs on this album - it's quite dense.  But I love her vocals and lyrics.  It's a challenge of an album but also one of the best I heard this year.
9.  FUN - SOME NIGHTS.  Hard to avoid this group through the Spring and Summer.  Maybe I like this because of their use of marching bands on their songs.  A very 80s feel to the band helps me too.
10.  CAT POWER - SUN.  Beautiful vocals.  I know there's a big backstory to this album that I don't know about.  Actually, I read an article about her life but I don't remember anything more than it's a great vocal album.

What can't I get behind this year?  Easily it's One Direction.  They have a catchy sound that seems like a no-brainer for teen fandom.  But unlike Taylor Swift, it does nothing for me.  The other song to define the year will be "Call Me Maybe" - as catchy as it is, not one that can make a Top Ten.

We now have 5 iPods, a home computer, an iPad2 and two laptops that play music from the same iiTues.  So, the list of artists that are most played by this household is also determined mainly by a 9, 15 and 16 year old.  The play counts have been building for years and here's the current . . .

TOP PLAYED ARTISTS IN THIS HOUSEHOLD IN 2012

1.  FERGIE.  She's living off the popularity of a few years ago.  She racked up so many plays that I thought her unreachable but others are on her tail.
2.  QUEEN.  What was once a big lead is shrinking.  I still keep them high on the list but they could be caught as the kids listen to more music.
3.  JAMES BLUNT.  Dee still listens to "You're Beautiful" it appears.
4.  JOHN MAYER.  And apparently she listens to John Mayer too.  It's almost a dead heat between #3 and #4.
5.  LADY GAGA.  She fell off the most this year from last year - but a new release might be able to get her back up the list.  She's a guilty pleasure for all of us.
6.  MICHAEL JACKSON.  Can't blame anyone for keeping Michael on the list.  What amazes me most is to see the songs from random albums like "Diverse" that get so many plays.
7.  COLBIE CAILLAT.  A surprising entry to the Top Ten unless you remember all the dance practice that DeeDee does to her songs.  Looking at the list - it seems to be dominated by Dee's dance tunes.
8.  A-HA.  I am probably to blame for this.  I certainly enjoy them lots more than I did back when they were popular.  And they are at the top of most of my 80s mixes - alphabetically, of course.
9.  BAY CITY ROLLERS.  I had to double check this.  I don't even know who is giving this group that many plays.  Are the cats listening during the day?  Desmond?  I like the group - they are well represented on my iTunes but I wouldn't have put them in the Top Ten.  This is why I do this list for myself.
10.  BLACK EYED PEAS.  This is a off-shoot of the #1 artist.  But they are making a move up the list despite not having many new songs in the last year.

Retired:  Bill Cosby (he's dominated the list for so long that it will take years to unseat him for plays, so he's in the iTunes Hall Of Fame now and off the list)

My seemingly lifelong EIGHTIES PROJECT didn't get out of 1983 this year again.  I'm still compiling songs and putting together CD collections.  Even if I didn't have this project, I'm sure I'd be spinning lots of 80s music anyways.  So, for those keeping track, here's what plays daily on my iTunes and iPod.

TOP PLAYED SONGS FROM 1980 - 1983 IN 2012

1.  EURYTHMICS - SWEET DREAMS (1983).  One of the best of the decade is my #1 played!
2.  HALL & OATES - SAY IT ISN'T SO (1983)
3.  HALL & OATES - I CAN'T GO FOR THAT (No Can Do) (1981)
4.  QUEEN - ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST (1980)
5.  HALL & OATES - PRIVATE EYES (1981).  Seeing a pattern here. 
6.  ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (1981)
7.  BILLY JOEL - YOU'RE MY HOME (1981)
8.  EURYTHMICS - SOMEBODY TOLD ME (1983).  Underrated song from the "Sweet Dreams" album.
9.  LITTLE RIVER BAND - COOL CHANGE (1980)
10.  QUEEN - PLAY THE GAME (1980)

With the continued use of the iPad and the MacBooks, seems like there is always a screen going.  I realize I have the least imaginative Internet usage ever - here's where I spend time on the rare occasion I'm not working . . . 

MOST VISITED WEB DESTINATIONS & APPS OF 2012 (aka MOST TIME WASTED IN 2012)

This list does not include ones I write for - nor ones that my friends run or write for - I already spend lots of time looking around those.

1. TWITTER and FACEBOOK I've certainly grown more partial to Twitter than Facebook.  As the sites mature I become less interested in daily visits and more curious to check in every week or so.  They've each become the places I turn for local insights into stories that interest me.  And Twitter has proven itself to be the go-to place during breaking news - weather, sports and world events.  And even when I don't use them - I'd miss them if they were gone.

2.  NETFLIX  As this site keeps growing and growing -  I can see why people are cutting the cable and satellite cord.  Not that I'm actively considering that just yet.  But Netflix is my first stop after Tivo - it's been a brilliant home for documentaries, foreign films and TV shows.

3.  YOUTUBE  A few years ago I would have told you that this site had maxed out - it was just going to repeat itself for the rest of its existence.  But it has opened itself up to longer films and TV shows and it's become a destination again.  Almost daily I find myself using it as a resource for research.    

4.  MASHABLE  I get the weird stories from another site (see #8)  but I have tweeked this website with my likes and dislikes so that I count on this place for lots of my "news". It isn't as politically heavy as Politico or Huffington but it feels less preachy.

5. INSTAGRAM and TUMBLR   Hard to differentiate these sites.  I love looking at pictures of friends and family.  But I'm always blown away by the creativity of some amateur photographers.

6. HBOGO  Other than Netflix, it's the best app on my iPad and phone.  I love being able to knock out an episode while on the treadmill or on my lunch.  It's been fun to make my way through "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and line up episodes of "Six Feet Under" and "The Wire" to watch next.

7.  PINTEREST    Maybe, in the end, I'm not crafty enough to enjoy this website as much as it deserves.  But I still end up stuck here in a vortex of pictures and crafts and recipes.

8.  BUZZFEED   Seems like there are way too many of these type of news aggregate sites these days - soon some will fall by the wayside.  But for now, if I want to read someone else's lists or see pictures of the world's biggest dog then this is the place I head to read about the weird news of the day.

9.   I HEART RADIO       With all the music websites and apps - this is weirdly one that I'll find myself playing in the car - you know, the place with the radio is the place where I'll stream stations from other parts of the country playing songs I could hear on my local channels.  But then again - I can always hear The Ticket.

10.  FLICKCHART  Still one of the sites that I love to go with a whiskey on a weekend night.  What a partier.  I like ranking films over and over and over again.  It's nothing and fun.

I don't "collect" things like I used to.  Partially I got it out of my system with Gen X and mostly I got kids and ran out of time and money to collect them.  So, I've kinda replaced these collections with Projects - things that occupy my free time and feed the completist in my personality.  Like a true collector - I've collected more and more Projects along the way.  I end a few in a year but I start at least as many.  Here's a roundup of my favorite ones.

BEST PROJECT UPDATES OF 2012

1.  CASTLE.  This is the rare project that I started and finished in 2012.  I was able to catch up on 4 seasons and get current just before Christmas.  It's been a great series and I'm going to have such fond memories of watching episodes on my lunches in 2012.
2.  THE 500 BEVERAGE PROJECT.
3.  FABLES.  I finished "Jack of Fables" and caught up on the "Fables" books as of the Spring.  I even got greedy and branched out to the "Cinderella" books.  Now I've got myself behind a book and a novel - actually excited to get back into the project in 2013.
4.  THE 1982 LIVE BLOG.  This was a 365 day idea I had last year to live blog the events of 1982 - mainly what was on TV each night.  As it turns out - I only had the time and patience to make it through June.  Project abandoned.
5.  DOCTOR WHO.  Going back and starting with the 1st Doctor, I've worked my way up through the second half of the 2nd Doctor.  I'm really enjoying the Troughton stories- I'm nearing the end of Season 4 - reviewing "Tomb Of The Cybermen" again (one of my favorites).  I am still wondering if this project will ever get up to date.
6.  HUNGER GAMES.  It was the year that I finally got around to reading the series.  I knocked out the first two books before seeing the film.  And I'm stuck in the middle of the third.  As part of the project I'm also going to watch all the extras on the Blu-ray - that will happen here soon.
7.  MST3K.  I started this one at the very end of the Joel run to learn to appreciate the Mike Nelson run.  It isn't the usual project in that I've watched most of these over and over.  But I find it comforting to revisit them.  And I have an appreciation for the humor that I didn't have back when they aired.  A third of the way through Season 6 and they are strong to very strong episodes.
8.  AMERICAN VAMPIRE.  I started the series at the beginning of the year and just finished on the 31st with the end of Book 4.  I love Snyder's writing and you know I love me some Vampire stories.
9.  SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.  I seem to go on a run or two with this project.  I"m most of the way through Season Two and I know that it differs from my memories.  I am enjoying the time machine part of the trip.  Anxious for the good episodes that I know are coming.
10.  ELMORE LEONARD.  I just got started on this project of rereading the missing parts of his writings from my past readings.  I want to be more completist with my reading of a few authors and Elmore is one of them.  Loved my first Western of his "The Bounty Hunters".

I learned from some of my new projects last year.  I'm determined to start a few more this year.  Last year I had goals to see 25 movies in theaters and read 25 books.  Neither of those made it.  I'm still holding out for 20 books this year and hopefully 20 films in theaters.  Among other projects - I'm considering drinking 30 different whiskeys this year and eating 50 different cheeseburgers.  All seem rather easy to complete.  I overshot last year with the drinks.

THINGS FROM 2012 THAT HAVE TRIED MY PATIENCE

1.  FISCAL CLIFFS.

2.  MASS MURDERERS.  Not that they wouldn't always be the worst of any year but this need to ratchet it up and be worse and more despicable is a terrible trend.

3.  ANYTHING KARDASHIAN.  Add to that mix a little Kanye and it gets worse.

4.  MEMES.  Funny ever?  The first time.  Now just tiring.

5.  TWILIGHT.  Another year on the list.  Thank goodness we can put this to bed.

6.  YOLO and FIRST WORLD PROBLEM JOKES.  Funny at first.  Funny at second.  Losing their cleverness now.

7.  GIFS THAT SHOULD BE VIDEO CLIPS.  The Gif is rarely rewarding.

8.  KONY2012 and OCCUPY.  I understood neither of these and grew tired of them immediately.

9.  CHICK FIL-A / HOBBY LOBBY. They are just two of the offenders this year.  I don't even blame them necessarily - I just don't want to have to research the politics of every store or website that I shop at.  

10.  SOPA.  Thank goodness it didn't get any further than it did.  

THINGS FROM 2012 THAT DIDN'T MAKE ANY OTHER LISTS

1. IPAD.  The longer I've had it, the more I've learned to incorporate it into my daily life.  With a handful of useful apps, it is a music player, an organizational tool, my lunchtime entertainment and the book I read before bed..

2. OLYMPICS.  For a couple weeks this Summer - it was fun to watch sports that I don't normally seek out and to care about how USA was doing against the rest of the world.  It was a fun time and I can't wait for the 2014 Winter Olympics!!!

3.  SAMSUNG GALAXY II.  I didn't upgrade to an iPhone.  Instead I went with the Galaxy and not even the new one.  I am disappointed with the phone on my phone but I've learned to integrate the rest of it.  I actually think I look at it less than my old Blackberry in a day.  But this is perfect companion at the gym and when I have a few free moments in a line somewhere.  Wakes me up from a nap and tells me the weather accurately too.

4.  WHISKEY.  That brown, sweet brown liquor became about 75% of what I drank this year as far as alcohol goes.  I've cut way, way back on beer and wine in the last year.  It's nice not to get drunk but just have a glass before bed after a stressful day.

5.  BRITISH TV.   Staying in the same spot as last year with shows like "The IT Crowd", "Peep Show", "Red Riding Trilogy", "Sherlock", "The Hours" and a project that needs more attention in "Blake's 7".  They make some really great TV that I'm never overhyped on.

6.  TEXAS RANGERS / ARSENAL.  Both of my teams had seasons that had promise but ended with disappointment.  The Rangers season was wonderful up until the collapse the last two weeks.  The Arsenal season started poorly and was a long climb back to a good but not spectacular finish.  I expect mediocre results for both in 2013 but the future for both is getting brighter with lots of young blood.

7. TACOS.  I never stopped liking tacos.  But there are more and more places to eat them and more varieties to try than ever before.  Don't worry - I don't ever tire of going out for them.

8. 50 SHADES OF GRAY.  I didn't read it and the hype over it almost made me put it on the "worst" list.  But for a big supporter of the 1st Amendment - I like all the discussions and acceptance of "erotica".  It expands the acceptance of other genres.

9.  LIBRARIES.  And librarians.  The more I am interested in items from the past - the more these resources become valuable.  So valuable that I'm willing now to pay $50 a year to access a local library that carries the books I want to read.

10.  RIFFTRAX.  It's either seeing them at Comic Con, downloading riffs off their website or seeing them in theaters redo their classic MANOS: HANDS OF FATE.  So nice to see the MST3K tradition kept alive.

Thanks again for the time you've given me to ramble over the past few years.  These little letters to you aren't work at all - they are therapy.  When life is so busy - I look forward to sitting down and writing about things I don't always get a chance to talk to you about.  And hopefully, in the best of instances, these start more conversations.   This was a couple weeks to give you a snapshot of where we've been and you never seem to know for sure where you're heading.  I hope to see more of y'all in 2013 - more travel, more writing, more food, more fun.  

"You'll see
We take fun seriously
Remember to breathe
My girl you're getting stronger
Eye are bright and full of wonder
Tonight
If you want to step, I'll step with you
Walk ahead, walk through
You''ll be grown too soon."  - Hot Chip

 Don't deny your heart in 2013.  Stay hard.

sb