My top ten things of 2009:
10) Chicken, Spinach and Artichoke Lean Pockets – Lean pockets are a fascinating guilty pleasure all by themselves, but when you mix chicken and artichokes (and spinach-yum!), it’s enough to make even the most savvy food connoisseur rethink their palate.
9) The Edict of Nantes – The Hugenots continued to celebrate the signing of this very important edict this year, in conjunction with its 411th anniversary. Although a quick fact-check of Wikipedia would seem to suggest that the Edict of Nantes (sometimes spelled Edict of Nantz) was overturned in 1685, few today could argue that it’s not an importance piece of French history.
8) 9 – The number certainly seemed to be everywhere this year, from movie titles (9, The Nine, District Nine) to the year itself. Canny followers may even notice that the number itself appears on many music critics’ top ten lists. However, the inherent negative to such oversaturation is the under-saturation fallout. Simply put, expect to see a lot less of the “nines” next year.
7) David Manzanares – It was a good year of location managing for David Manzanares, as he worked on three high profile films, including two that could see Oscar nominations in early 2010 (Crazy Heart, Brothers). But as an actor, Manzanares had an even better year, with three roles in movies and one in television. Each was a major step up from his only other appearance, in 1994’s Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor.
6) Fruit bats – Sometimes uproariously cute, and sometimes indiscriminately creepy, there’s just no denying the existence of fruit bats this year.
5) Keri Hilson's lazy eye – Her music sent a wave of pure infection through music circles this year, and her concert tours were a cathartic experience. But for all the musical chutzpah, the most addictive thing about the R&B diva to me was that uncanny lazy eye. Affable, mysterious and just a little bizarre, it’s like Hilson’s music in its ability to follow you wherever you go.
4) Pirates – Depending on the social circle you find yourself in, 2009 saw pirates lumped into one of two categories: The bad kind (like Somali ones) and the good kind (the ones in Backyardigans). It may have been the release of the Johnny Depp films that kick-started the current trend, but it was 2009 that solidified their place in popular culture.
3) The Kia Optima – It may not have the flash of the Maserati Quattroporte or the hauling power of the 2009 F-150, but the 2010 Kia Optima more than makes up for it in value and drivability. The fuel economy and crash test rating is enough to warrant you some attention on the road, but the roomy interior is what will keep you happiest on those long drives to visit the in-laws. It’s only the less-than-stellar color options that keep it from placing higher on this list.
2) “I'm a member of the NRA and I'm always packing.” – In one line from the hit movie The Blind Side, Sandra Bullock single handedly sums up everything you think you need to know about the brassy southern belle. But more importantly, she sums up everything you needed to know about the American can-do spirit in the midst of economic turmoil. It’s a rare moment of brilliance in an otherwise love-it-or-hate-it sports saga.
1) The moon – It’s easy to forget that it’s there, and most of us have certainly taken it for granted. But the truth is that the moon was still in orbit in 2009, and that’s one of those things that lists like this are made for. It has certainly been a memorable year for a lot of reasons; Obama’s election, Flight 1549 landing in the Hudson River, David Manzanares and the plight of balloon boy are just a few that immediately spring to mind. But remember, without that moon up there, we’d have much darker nights, a lot less asteroids and almost no tidal activity. So, as you look forward to a new and exciting 2010, remember to take a few minutes and thank the moon.
Nice. I repeat, nice.
Posted by: nichole | Jan 06, 2010 at 08:35