BEST OF 2018
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 revived it last year for a Best Of 2017. The feedback was enough for me to compile it again this year.
BEST OF FILM 2018
No other blogger is brave enough to pick their favorites before they see them. Here's what I boldly thought I'd be writing about in December 2018.
PREDICTED BEST MOVIES OF 2018 (Dec.2017)
1. READY PLAYER ONE
2. THE NEW MUTANTS
3. JURASSIC PARK: FALLEN KINGDOM
4. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
5. ISLE OF DOGS
6. FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD
7. ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL
8. THE PREDATOR
9. VENOM
10. RAMPAGE
11-13. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, BLACK PANTHER, DEADPOOL 2.
BEST MOVIES OF 2018 (Seen in theaters)
1. WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR. This wasn't even on my radar until I saw the trailer a week or two before it came out. Like any good doc, it gave me information I didn't know at the time it occurred, it reminded me of pleasant memories and it reflected upon current times.
2. BLACK PANTHER. I thought this was very possibly where the MCU films would end their streak. But it might be among the top two or three in the final judgement. Mostly because this film exists both for fans who have never watched any of the other films and at the same time is a reward for those who have kept up.
3. A QUIET PLACE. You don't have to reinvent the wheel to make a good film. Complete commitment to your premise will usually be enough. See last year's "Get Out".
4. SUMMER OF 84. Early Spielberg filtered through "Stranger Things". Should have been a wider release.
5. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR. Much like the later "Harry Potter" or "Lord of the Rings", this is as much a Lifetime Achievement ranking as anything else.
6. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE.
7. READY PLAYER ONE. Not a great example of book to screen adaptation. But as far as Spielberg goes, this fits right in the mode.
8. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
9. JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM
10. FANTASTIC BEASTS 2. Although you need a quick Harry Potter cheat sheet to remember who will be who in the future.
HONORABLE MENTION: LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY. Three movies, three weeks and what feels like maybe 12 hours of screen time. It still plays better on the big screen no matter how many times you've seen it at home.
BEST MOVIES I DIDN'T SEE IN 2018
This list leaves off the few films that I didn't see in theaters but did see through other sources in 2018. So that means that very worthy films that might make the actual Best Movies that I saw at home like "Isle of Dogs" and "Three Identical Strangers" don't make a list.
1. INCREDIBLES 2. It's a sad year when I miss a Pixar film in theaters.
2. SCIENCE FAIR. I always enjoy seeing documentaries in the theaters and yet it's always easy to say I'll catch it at home later. This one really caught my attention but never saw it listed.
3. MIRAI. It was only in theaters here three days. Sigh.
4. THE OLD MAN & THE GUN. You will be missed, Mr. Redford.
5. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT.
6. RBG.
7. ROMA. I love the work that Alfonso Cuaron is doing the past decade.
8. BLACKKKLANSMAN. Because I want to believe in Spike Lee still.
9. ROBIN WILLIAMS: COME INSIDE MY MIND.
10. BLAZE. Ethan Hawke makes my list as a director!
BEST OF SPIELBERG PART ONE (1971-2004)
2. SCIENCE FAIR. I always enjoy seeing documentaries in the theaters and yet it's always easy to say I'll catch it at home later. This one really caught my attention but never saw it listed.
3. MIRAI. It was only in theaters here three days. Sigh.
4. THE OLD MAN & THE GUN. You will be missed, Mr. Redford.
5. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT.
6. RBG.
7. ROMA. I love the work that Alfonso Cuaron is doing the past decade.
8. BLACKKKLANSMAN. Because I want to believe in Spike Lee still.
9. ROBIN WILLIAMS: COME INSIDE MY MIND.
10. BLAZE. Ethan Hawke makes my list as a director!
BEST OF SPIELBERG PART ONE (1971-2004)
I was only able to watch 75 films that Steven Spielberg directed, produced, executive produced or had an acting role in to start this project. This felt like the best sequel to the Hitchcock project of 2017. And I'm happy to say that it does feel like he picked up most of that torch that was passed on. Steven's attention to character and his love of making films as a craft not necessarily art puts him in that company. These are the best films that he has been involved in from the 2018 perspective.
1. JAWS. The least surprising result ever. If you know me, this has been a Top Three movie for me since I knew there was such a thing as movies. It still is a twice a year watch for me.
2. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. This is a film that you must see on the big screen to really appreciate.
3. EMPIRE OF THE SUN. I love this film more with each viewing.
4. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. It's an amazing lesson in pacing a film.
5. 1941. My love for this might be more than the average folk. If you want to hear my laugh, put this film on.
6. POLTERGEIST. Writer or producer, you can say what you want, but this has his fingerprints all over it.
7. E.T.: THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL.
8. JURASSIC PARK. As time passes it falls down the list mostly for technology issues.
9. THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS. Funny that this doesn't get more love.
10. DUEL.
BEST MOVIES OF 1988
I started a 1988 project based on an opinion I've espoused for at least 20 years. I've claimed that 1988 was the worst year for pop culture since the mid-1960s. I decided that I better back up that claim and test the waters. And the verdict? I was right. 1988 is the terrible death throes of the Eighties. It's the end of all that was the Me Generation - Disco, New Wave, Hair Metal, Reagan, Cold War. It's the last hurrah for a wave of old directors and actors trying to release movies like it is still 1973 or trying to figure out how to appeal to a new generation. There are some outliers - there will be in every year - they are here to set the table for what will be an explosion of great movies for the next five years. Here's the best of what I saw as filtered through the past 30 years.
1. BIG. I've seen this probably every couple years since 1988. It's got it's share of jokes that haven't aged well with technology. But the basic premise is solid and reminds us all that as grown-ups we need to just say "I don't get it . . ." sometimes.
2. MISSISSIPPI BURNING. This movie feels like something HBO would have on as a mini-series this year. Powerful and timely.
3. THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST. Sometimes it's just a cast that make a movie irresistible. William Hurt, Kathleen Turner and Geena Davis chew up scenery and make this a really enjoyable film. It helps to be on the other side of 50 when you watch this.
4. RUNNING ON EMPTY. River Phoenix should have been a huge star.
5. RAIN MAN. Oscar winner for a good reason. I like this better now than if I had actually watched it in 1988 - which I didn't.
6. DIE HARD. Why isn't this the best of the year? It started a genre. But when judged against current films, it has pacing problems. Watch those first thirty minutes and wonder if you couldn't find some plot shortcuts.
7. THEY LIVE.
8. WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? I feel like new generations don't get most of the references and that really takes away much of the appreciation for this film.
9. A FISH CALLED WANDA. Still makes me laugh like the first time.
10. BEETLEJUICE.
I only watched 75 films from 1988 this year. From memory, this is probably the best of what I didn't see this year . . . . Bull Durham, Red Heat, Dangerous Liasons, Cinema Paradiso (one of my Top Ten films!) and Eight Men Out
I would have a hard time ranking some of the worst of the year but it would look something like this . . . 18 AGAIN / VICE VERSA / BIG BUSINESS (the body double/body changing films of the year that weren't BIG), RAMBO III, POLTERGEIST III and CROCODILE DUNDEE II.
BEST TRAILERS OF 2018
1. THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN. I love that an icon of the 70s has a trailer for his last film that feels like a film from the Seventies.
2. FIRST MAN. Space!!!
3. GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. The monster reveal alone in tune with the music is as exciting a moment as I saw this year.
4. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT. Nothing groundbreaking - just a combination of exciting scenes and a cool song.
5. BLACKKKLANSMAN. Spike movies make excellent trailers.
6. HEREDITARY. Kudos to a trailer not giving away the plot but still making me want to see the film.
7. VICE
8. SUSPIRIA. I am guessing this film is a mess. The trailer almost makes me want to try to power through it.
9. HALLOWEEN. I haven't seen the film yet but this feels like it gives away all the kills. And there's something about seeing the trailer in theaters that gives me chills.
10. SHAZAM! I may never see this film. But showing me "Big" reimagined as a superhero film is pretty entertaining. And if DC needs something, it's a sense of humor.
2. FIRST MAN. Space!!!
3. GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS. The monster reveal alone in tune with the music is as exciting a moment as I saw this year.
4. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT. Nothing groundbreaking - just a combination of exciting scenes and a cool song.
5. BLACKKKLANSMAN. Spike movies make excellent trailers.
6. HEREDITARY. Kudos to a trailer not giving away the plot but still making me want to see the film.
7. VICE
8. SUSPIRIA. I am guessing this film is a mess. The trailer almost makes me want to try to power through it.
9. HALLOWEEN. I haven't seen the film yet but this feels like it gives away all the kills. And there's something about seeing the trailer in theaters that gives me chills.
10. SHAZAM! I may never see this film. But showing me "Big" reimagined as a superhero film is pretty entertaining. And if DC needs something, it's a sense of humor.
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 2019
1. AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Apr) It feels like the end of an era as the dawn of the reboots are on the horizon.
2. ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (Jul) It's hard not to envision a Tarantino take on Charles Manson not being one of my favorites of the year.
3. X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX (Jun) How close will they play it to the comic books and how far do they want to drive the franchise. This could be a very key moment going forward.
4. MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL (Jun) I have lots of love for this franchise and faith in this next entry.
5. ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL (Feb) Let's try this again another year. Hollywood doesn't do Anime adaptations very well but at some point they will break that streak.
6. CAPTAIN MARVEL (Mar) I've always been hit and miss on Carol Danvers as a character. The trailer has me convinced this can work.
7. THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART (Feb) I was surprised how much I liked and still watch over again the first entry of this franchise.
8. PET SEMETARY (Apr) This King story needed a reboot with more gore to really capture how disturbing the book is in parts.
9. TOY STORY 4 (June). My heart wants me to move this further up the list. My brain tells me that the story ended in the last movie.
10. GODZILLA II: KING OF THE MONSTERS (May)
BEST OF TV 2018
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 2018
1. BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC) The ability to not just rely on being related to "Breaking Bad" but also telling a complex character study of Jimmy McGill that overshadows the references to the other show. The final episode to this past season was heartbreaking.
2. SILICON VALLEY (HBO) In a year without "Veep", this becomes by default the best comedy around.
3. DOCTOR WHO (BBC) The female Doctor was an interesting transition. In some ways it feels like a complete reboot, but it was a fun season really meant to attract new viewers more than give us older ones a pay off.
4. LEGION (FX) I barely understood any episode this season. It feels like a long psychology lecture followed by philosophy class. Yet I looked forward to it all season.
5. BOB'S BURGERS (FOX) I should only have to tell you that for the Halloween episode, Gene was Andre 3000 the Giant. And I knew when I saw his costume before he said it.
6. WESTWORLD (HBO) I'm still not sure I understand everything that happened last season but I love looking at it and guessing who is or isn't a robot.
7. AMERICAN HORROR STORY: APOCALYPSE (FX) A nice comeback for the series this year.
8. THE X-FILES (FOX) Still some pretty magic moments. They have become better at dry humor than crime solving.
9. LEGENDS OF TOMORROW (CW) This has become the craziest and funniest superhero show on TV. The "unicorn" clinched it for me to start the season.
10. RIVERDALE (CW) Just pure guilty pleasure week after week.
Because there are 391 TV shows across the networks, cable, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and your favorites. I'm not even sure the term TV Show is correct anymore. Maybe it's just Show. And you know those people who say "It's on my list" but they don't even have a list? Well, I actually have a list and it might be ten years from now but I seem to get to all of these eventually.
BEST SHOWS THAT I DON'T WATCH (yet) (or have just started)
1. THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (NETFLIX) Just haven't taken the time yet.
2. THE GOOD PLACE (NBC) Too many people I respect have told me I'd like this. I like the few scenes that I've seen too.
3. KILLING EVE (BBC)
4. BARRY (HBO) How did I not hit this up on Tivo when it aired?
5. THE AMERICANS (FX) At some point I'll start to slog my way through this - I've heard enough to know it will amaze me.
6. HOMECOMING (AMAZON)
7. GLOW (NETFLIX)
8. CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (NETFLIX) To compliment my love of "Riverdale".
9. ATLANTA (FX) I know I'll love it.
10. OZARK (NETFLIX)
1. THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (NETFLIX) Just haven't taken the time yet.
2. THE GOOD PLACE (NBC) Too many people I respect have told me I'd like this. I like the few scenes that I've seen too.
3. KILLING EVE (BBC)
4. BARRY (HBO) How did I not hit this up on Tivo when it aired?
5. THE AMERICANS (FX) At some point I'll start to slog my way through this - I've heard enough to know it will amaze me.
6. HOMECOMING (AMAZON)
7. GLOW (NETFLIX)
8. CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA (NETFLIX) To compliment my love of "Riverdale".
9. ATLANTA (FX) I know I'll love it.
10. OZARK (NETFLIX)
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. It has turned into the Internet showing me these fine little movies.
BEST TV ADS OF 2018
1. ERSTE BANK - HEDGEHOG CHRISTMAS. This ninety second movies stars the cutest dang animals and you're the one crying.
2. BOUYGUES - DANCING DAD. Because at some point these children are going to appreciate my sweet dance moves. And once again . . . tears.
3. DARE ICED COFFEE - CALLUM MURRAY. Because a great ad isn't always some long thought out character development and pay off. Sometimes it's just a funny pun for 30 seconds.
BONUS: HP SPROCKET - LITTLE MOMENTS. I don't remember if I put this on last year's list and even if I did, it's worth revisiting again. Always.
BEST TV OF 1988
Want to really feel like 1988 was a long time ago? Watch some of the TV from that era. It was a relatively dark period for shows as we waded through a rough patch until the 1990s saw an upswing that would blossom around 2002 into where we find ourselves today. It's hard to even fathom that ABC showed movies five nights a week and ABC, NBC and CBS all programmed films on Sunday nights.
1. THE WONDER YEARS (ABC - Wednesday) Still one of my favorites.
2. CHEERS (NBC - Thursday) I was always a big fan through the whole run.
3. ROSEANNE (ABC - Tuesday) These first couple seasons are really tremendous.
4. IT'S GARY SHANDLING'S SHOW (FOX - Sunday)
5. CHINA BEACH (ABC - Wednesday) In a year dominated by sitcoms, this drama separated itself by not being the typical soap opera or mystery of the other non-sitcoms.
6. THE COSBY SHOW (NBC - Thursday)
7. ALF (NBC - Monday)
8. DEAR JOHN (NBC - Thursday) An underrated entry in the "Must See" NBC lineup.
9. NIGHT COURT (NBC - Wednesday)
10. KATE & ALLIE (CBS - Monday)
BEST OF THE REST 2018
2. BOUYGUES - DANCING DAD. Because at some point these children are going to appreciate my sweet dance moves. And once again . . . tears.
3. DARE ICED COFFEE - CALLUM MURRAY. Because a great ad isn't always some long thought out character development and pay off. Sometimes it's just a funny pun for 30 seconds.
BONUS: HP SPROCKET - LITTLE MOMENTS. I don't remember if I put this on last year's list and even if I did, it's worth revisiting again. Always.
BEST TV OF 1988
Want to really feel like 1988 was a long time ago? Watch some of the TV from that era. It was a relatively dark period for shows as we waded through a rough patch until the 1990s saw an upswing that would blossom around 2002 into where we find ourselves today. It's hard to even fathom that ABC showed movies five nights a week and ABC, NBC and CBS all programmed films on Sunday nights.
1. THE WONDER YEARS (ABC - Wednesday) Still one of my favorites.
2. CHEERS (NBC - Thursday) I was always a big fan through the whole run.
3. ROSEANNE (ABC - Tuesday) These first couple seasons are really tremendous.
4. IT'S GARY SHANDLING'S SHOW (FOX - Sunday)
5. CHINA BEACH (ABC - Wednesday) In a year dominated by sitcoms, this drama separated itself by not being the typical soap opera or mystery of the other non-sitcoms.
6. THE COSBY SHOW (NBC - Thursday)
7. ALF (NBC - Monday)
8. DEAR JOHN (NBC - Thursday) An underrated entry in the "Must See" NBC lineup.
9. NIGHT COURT (NBC - Wednesday)
10. KATE & ALLIE (CBS - Monday)
BEST OF THE REST 2018
4,722,870 steps taken this year (2290 miles)
365 Days walking over 5 miles in 2018
3 Days NOT walking over 5 miles since 1/1/15.
84 beers logged that were new to me this year.
0 times with the hiccups
26 books read (3rd year in a row of meeting 25 book goal)
0 concerts attended
75 movies related to Steven Spielberg watched
75 films released in 1988 watched
102 unique wines consumed in 2018.
20 movies seen in theaters (short of 25 goal)
3 States visited (lowest number in probably 20 years)
271 albums released in 1988 listened to in 2018
3 Bourbon steaks from Applebee's consumed.
4 Major League Ballparks visited.
300 levels of Candy Crushed.
1450 Consecutive Days logging my meals on MyFitnessPal
BEST BOOKS I READ IN 2018
1. GAIMAN - THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE. A story so beautifully imagined that I don't want to see it adapted in any other format for a long time.
2. GAIMAN - NORSE MYTHOLOGY
3. STEIFVATER - LINGER.
4. RIBON - MY BOYFRIEND IS A BEAR
5. RUSSELL - GOD IS DISAPPOINTED IN YOU
FAVORITE WINES OF 2018
This year's alcohol project was to sample wines. I have enjoyed a few wines over the years but my knowledge of wine was limited. In fact, until I started to learn more about it this year, I didn't know how limited. I've enjoyed learning some of the basic differences and more I've learned what I like and don't like. I like a few red wines but mostly I seem drawn to white wines. I mostly sampled wines between $8 and $20 - so I can't talk to more expensive varieties. Here's a list of the ones I'll seek out in future years.
1. KUNG FU GIRL RIESLING. Amazingly, what I would have considered my favorite wine when I started is still my favorite after a hundred more tries. I don't know that my taste in wine expanded as much as I learned more about the market.
2. POULLY-FUISSE LES GALOPIERES WHITE BURGUNDY. A late entry with great taste.
3. DELLATORI PINOT GRIGIO. Having this later in the year convinced me that this cheaper grigio was well worth the cost.
4. FRANCIS COPPOLA SAUVIGNON BLANC
5. PACIFIC RIM RIESLING. A little sweet but great with food.
6. PROPHECY PINOT GRIGIO
7. LOS PINOS RANCH PINKY TUSCANDERO WHITE ZINFANDEL. Great label to boot.
8. ODD LOT PETITE SIRAH. A good single glass option.
9. LOS PINOS RANCH COLIBRI SWEET BLUSH. One of the few reds on the list.
10. DOUBLE DECKER PINOT GRIGIO. Loved the label and the wine.
BEST PIZZAS OF 2018
The eating project of 2018 was to get pizza and a beer at as many places as I could. It's hard to get out of the rut of going to the same pizza joints around here. So this project gave me the "excuse" to sample more places in the area and on vacation. Having it with a beer because who doesn't have a beer with their pizza. There are as many variations of pizza as there are beers. The combination of crust, cheese, sauce and toppings can make or break the pizza. What I determined is that crust and sauce are what determines my enjoyment of a pizza. These top 'zas have good crust and sauce in common. Expensive doesn't always equal good in pizzaland. That's the good news.
1. ROTOLO'S CRAFT & CRUST. This new place was in danger of failure. There was slow service, a wrong order and generally chaotic environment. But management admitted their error and gave me a free beer and covered our bread. The pizza was our reward for waiting it out. This deep dish was the best of the year and reminded me that a good Midwestern pizza is as good as they get. I will be back here even when it isn't a pizza year.
2. CANE ROSSO. My note on this was that it's the best cheese I had this year.
3. CAVALLI PIZZA. Nice location and tasty pizza.
4. J&J's PIZZA. I miss working near this Denton joint.
5. iFRATELLI PIZZA. Some of the best sausage this year.
6. CADILLAC PIZZA & PUB. Great pizza but I do wish the space was bigger.
7. DEL PIETRO'S. A local place that I might have missed if I wasn't on this quest.
8. JOE'S PIZZA. Our quirky local place doesn't go crazy with options. But as far as a local places go - this is a solid entry.
9. CRUISER'S PIZZA BAR & GRILL. Sometimes the setting and company - Balboa Beach with your eldest son on a July day make it even better.
10. MARCO'S PIZZA. This makes the list because my main pizza partner, Caleb (15), loved this one the most.
MOST MISSED OF 2018
1. STAN LEE. Contributed to so many aspects of my life, I can't even sum it up.
2. BURT REYNOLDS. Smokey.
3. PENNY MARSHALL. Loved her as an actress and even more as a director.
4. STEVEN BOCHCO. Responsible for so many hours of TV entertainment.
5. KEITH JACKSON. The "voice" of college football for so much of my life. Hard to watch a game played in the "Big House" and not hear his voice.
6. KEN BERRY. More people need to find love for "F Troop".
7. ARETHA FRANKLIN
8. NICOLAS ROEG. I love his quirky films but "Don't Look Now" the most.
9. STEPHEN HILLENBURG. Love me some SpongeBob.
10. RINGO LAM. One of the best action directors to come out of Hong Kong.
2. BURT REYNOLDS. Smokey.
3. PENNY MARSHALL. Loved her as an actress and even more as a director.
4. STEVEN BOCHCO. Responsible for so many hours of TV entertainment.
5. KEITH JACKSON. The "voice" of college football for so much of my life. Hard to watch a game played in the "Big House" and not hear his voice.
6. KEN BERRY. More people need to find love for "F Troop".
7. ARETHA FRANKLIN
8. NICOLAS ROEG. I love his quirky films but "Don't Look Now" the most.
9. STEPHEN HILLENBURG. Love me some SpongeBob.
10. RINGO LAM. One of the best action directors to come out of Hong Kong.
THINGS FROM 2018 THAT DIDN'T MAKE ANY OTHER LISTS
1. THE WINTER OLYMPICS. With my niece in the Bronze position after the first night of Ice Dance competition and eventual fourth place finish - it made for the most exciting two days of the year.
2. PETCO PARK. My son, Christian, and I did three ballparks in three days in Southern California earlier this year. We were both most impressed with the whole presentation of this park and witnessed a very exciting game.
3. PET DEATHS. It was a very hard, emotional year in regards to pets here. We lost beloved Miles in February and that led to a rough time for Desmond who was lost to us just weeks ago. Both held important places in my heart and the house is very quiet without them.
4. MARS LANDING. Hell yeah.
5. WILDFIRES. The worst of the disasters of the year. Also fire just scares me.
6. 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP.
7. MICHIGAN WOLVERINE BASKETBALL. As amazing and fun a run in the NCAA Tournament as I ever could have imagined.
8. THAI BOYS SOCCER TEAM. Trapped in a cave and it has a happy ending!
9. SELF DRIVING CARS. They appear a step closer to happening in more of a mass rollout.
10. IHOB. I never made it to a House of Burgers before it changed back.
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. This proves my reliance on 1988 songs all year.
MOST PLAYED SONGS FROM SPOTIFY IN 2018
1. ROB BASE & DJ EZ ROCK - IT TAKES TWO. No surprise at the top. It's been towards the top of my playlists for 30 years.
1. THE WINTER OLYMPICS. With my niece in the Bronze position after the first night of Ice Dance competition and eventual fourth place finish - it made for the most exciting two days of the year.
2. PETCO PARK. My son, Christian, and I did three ballparks in three days in Southern California earlier this year. We were both most impressed with the whole presentation of this park and witnessed a very exciting game.
3. PET DEATHS. It was a very hard, emotional year in regards to pets here. We lost beloved Miles in February and that led to a rough time for Desmond who was lost to us just weeks ago. Both held important places in my heart and the house is very quiet without them.
4. MARS LANDING. Hell yeah.
5. WILDFIRES. The worst of the disasters of the year. Also fire just scares me.
6. 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP.
7. MICHIGAN WOLVERINE BASKETBALL. As amazing and fun a run in the NCAA Tournament as I ever could have imagined.
8. THAI BOYS SOCCER TEAM. Trapped in a cave and it has a happy ending!
9. SELF DRIVING CARS. They appear a step closer to happening in more of a mass rollout.
10. IHOB. I never made it to a House of Burgers before it changed back.
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. This proves my reliance on 1988 songs all year.
MOST PLAYED SONGS FROM SPOTIFY IN 2018
1. ROB BASE & DJ EZ ROCK - IT TAKES TWO. No surprise at the top. It's been towards the top of my playlists for 30 years.
2. MEGADETH - INTO THE LUNGS OF HELL. Another no surprise. The best of late 80s Heavy Metal.
3. a-ha - STAY ON THESE ROADS.
4. JOY DIVISION - WARSAW. Love this tune as much as some of the bigger hits.
5. STEVE EARLE - COPPERHEAD ROAD. A jukebox favorite for the year too.
6. THOMPSON TWINS - IN THE NAME OF LOVE.
7. SMITHEREENS, THE - ONLY A MEMORY
8. PET SHOP BOYS - LEFT TO MY OWN DEVICES.
9. TOM WAITS - 16 SHELLS FROM A 30.6
10. EPMD - STRICTLY BUSINESS
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.
3. a-ha - STAY ON THESE ROADS.
4. JOY DIVISION - WARSAW. Love this tune as much as some of the bigger hits.
5. STEVE EARLE - COPPERHEAD ROAD. A jukebox favorite for the year too.
6. THOMPSON TWINS - IN THE NAME OF LOVE.
7. SMITHEREENS, THE - ONLY A MEMORY
8. PET SHOP BOYS - LEFT TO MY OWN DEVICES.
9. TOM WAITS - 16 SHELLS FROM A 30.6
10. EPMD - STRICTLY BUSINESS
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.
Stay hard.
sb
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