2008 Top 10 List
by Jenners • 12/31/2008 • Writers Workshop • 18 Comments
Well, I wasn’t going to do MamaKat’s Writer’s Workshop this week but then I saw this prompt:
2. Nintendo DS Lite. This is the little handheld computer that you may have seen in the commercials with America Ferrera, Carrie Underwood and others. I got mine because I thought it would be something fun to do when we go on trips and one of us gets stuck in the hotel room at 7:30 p.m. when the Little One goes to bed and we can’t watch TV or even have a light on. I got hooked really quickly and pretty much play it on a daily basis. It is perfect for a non-gamer like myself as you don’t have to master many controls at all. In fact, 99% of the games use a little pen and the touch screen. I tend to like puzzle and “brain building” games (to combat the onset of “mommy brain”) and would recommend Brain Age 1 or 2 (includes Sudoku), Brain Challenge, WordJong (like Mahjongg but you spell words with the tiles), Professor Layton and the Curious Village (amazingly difficult brain teasers), and TouchMaster (a collection of mini-games that includes the highly addictive Mahki).
3. Iron Man. I missed this when it came out in the theaters this year but just rented it on DVD. I adore Robert Downey Jr. and he just made this film so watchable and enjoyable! I’m not a huge fan of comic book movies but this one was so much fun — probably the best I’ve ever seen. I thought it was very funny and just a good time. I’m so glad Robert Downey Jr. got himself together!
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I saw this yesterday thanks to my lovely husband who agreed to hang out with the Little One while I saw this 2.5+ hour movie. I loved this film — and not just because of the unbelievable piece of beauty that is Brad Pitt (but that always helps). The basic story is that Benjamin Button is born old and ages backward and gets younger every year. It is the story of his life and his love affair with Daisy — they have to “meet in the middle” to fulfill their desire for each other. I cried pretty much the whole last half hour and the ending just slayed me (it was all I could do not to sob out loud). Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett are wonderful, and I thought the make-up job and aging process was done quite well. If you can’t suspend your belief about fanciful stories like this (like my husband), I wouldn’t recommend it. But if you want to get swept away in an interesting story and a doomed love affair, then this film is for you!
5. LibraryThing. My friend Colleen introduced me to this web site earlier this year, and I realized it was something I had wanted my whole reading life. At its heart, it is a place where you can easily list all the books you read in one place. To an avid reader and categorizer like myself, this was heaven! You can also write book reviews, find others who share the books in your library, have discussions about books, and find new books to read. Your first 200 books are free, but then you can purchase a lifetime membership for a nominal fee. (I maxed out my books in the first week and ended up buying a membership). But I haven’t mentioned the best part yet — you can sign up to be an Early Reviewer and get free books from publishers! I decided to try this but thought I wouldn’t get anything so I never even checked back to see. Then I got this heavy envelope in the mail with a book for me to review: The Economist Book of Obituaries. (I know, it sounds weird but it was great. I’ll be posting my review on my book blog later this week.) They have all types of books to review each month from a variety of publishers, and I can’t wait to see what I might get next! If you like to read and haven’t seen this site yet, go now!!!
6. Nintendo Wii. Way back in January, we went to a party where they had a Wii. Within 5 minutes of seeing my husband play, I knew we would be getting one. At the time, they were really really hard to find so we ended up getting on on eBay. The Wii is a ton of fun and easy for almost anyone to play. Even the Little One does great — he actually beat my husband in bowling one night! For about five months (during the whole TV writer’s strike), I think my husband and I played about 3 hours a night for 5 months straight — it was that fun and addictive! Some of our favorites were the Raving Rabbids games, Ghost Squad, Mercury Meltdown Revolution, and Wario Ware Smooth Moves, Wii Play and Wii Sports. The Little One loved the Diego game — and actually played it through until the end! And now with the Wii Fit, you can even get some exercise while playing video games!
7. Facebook. I know this has been around for awhile but this is the first year I discovered it. I love that you can find people you haven’t talked to in 20 years in about 5 minutes. I love that I can post photos of the Little One and know that only people I want to see the photos can see them. I love that I can “catch up” on the doings of my friends and family who live far away quickly and easily. I love that you can post your blog entries on it. As with most things, I was a very late adopter (just got an iPod last year, you know), but I get why this is such a popular social networking tool.
8. Lionel Shriver. I love when I discover a new author, and 2008 was the year I “discovered” Lionel Shriver (a woman — not a man). She wrote two of my favorite books this year: We Need To Talk About Kevin and The Post-Birthday World. I just devoured these books and plan to check out more by her in the 2009.
9. Wall.E. This film by the geniuses at Pixar was amazing! We got this for the Little One — who was entranced with the movie tie-in stuff he saw before ever seeing the movie — and I think it is a genius film for both children and adults. It has such a melancholy heart but is also such a beautiful love story. The animation is gorgeous — it is pure genius how they gave each robot such personality. We’ve watched it quite a few times now, and I love it more each time. It has topped several “best of” lists, and I agree — it is a film that will stand the test of time. Even if you don’t have a child, I recommend this film.
10. Blogging. What list would be complete without the single best thing I discovered this year! Although I’ve mentioned it here at least 100 times so far, blogging is such an amazingly fun outlet for me (and I’m guessing you too if you are reading this). It is what I’ve been waiting my whole life for — without ever realizing it. Although I am a major quitter who picks up and drops hobbies very quickly (a soon-to-be published post, by the way), I just can’t foresee wanting to quit blogging anytime soon!
Happy 2009! Hope this year is the happiest, healthiest and funnest one of your life!
I want to see Bej Button movie as well – I will wait – b/c I think I would be crying as well – my husband refused to go see it this weekend – we had to see the clint movie (but that was good too)
I usually read your blog in the reader, but I love the new header! Sweet Son #1 got a DS a couple of years ago and I’m desperate to get one of the brain games. I’ve heard really good things about the Professor Layton. My folks got a Wii/Wii Fit for themselves and I’m hooked! If only I had an extra $500 laying around!
Ooh your library find has me intrigued! Great list.
that is a great top 10 list. I so want to see those movies.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and giving me yet another to visit – yours! I totally want a Wii!! And if I wouldn’t fall asleep so quickly, I might be able to read half as much as you do!
And yea, I’m kind of a nuts and twigs type of foodie. Always been that way, for the most part. Not much of a meat eater – if I find a blood vessel or a “running gear” I’m done with meat for about a month or two.
Okay, I’m going to check out that book and I’m dying to know what your brain age is?? I’m a pathetic 67! Ughh…I think it has been awhile since I’ve done any math.
P.S. I’m on facebook too
I discovered blogging this year too! It has been great therapy for me and great getting to know you!
Happy New Year!
I tried to watch Dexter and just couldn't get into it. But the Sopranos? Best show in the history of t.v. Ever. I can watch it over and over & never get tired of it.
As for Benjamin Button, I think I am going to have to enlist a girlfriend to go with me as I'm not getting any cooperation from the men in my house.
I did see Frost/Nixon and Milk, though. Both are fabulous.
Happy New Year!
Great list! I want to see Brad Pitt, oops, I mean Benjamin Button! lol
Happy New Year!
I only played Wii once and I had to compete for time with my little nephews, so needless to say I didn’t get much time. That library thing – definitely checking that out. I’m with you on Facebook. I lose so much time on it.
I can agree with so many of these. Loved Wall E and Benjamin Button and like you my girlfriend was sobbing pretty much the last half hour. I don’t have a DS but I steal hers often to play Mario Party, would probably do it more if she had Sudoku. I’ve been hooked on Fbook since 2006 but like you I am new to blogging. I need to check out this library site.
- Kendall from Mama Kat’s.
I love the Wii, need the Nintendo thing (how did I not know about this?), really want to see Benjamin Button & Wall E, getting hooked on facebook & blogging, and heading to check out the library thing.
Whew. You are keeping me busy while I recover!
I SO agree about Downey jr…
Love him as an actor, so glad he got it together…I hope?!
Great list!
Jay
AWESOME list! Happy New Year to you!
I'm with you on 9 & 10, so-so on 7, looking forward to 4, and…well…four out of ten isn't too bad, is it?
I love your list. I like Library Thing too. Reading is a big passion of mine and I’ll have to look for you on LT.
And blogging is fantastic, isn’t it? I discovered it this year too and love it!
Happy New Year!
Love, love, LOVE Dexter!!! And I think I’m going to treat myself to Benjamin Button this weekend. Thanks for the heads up on the fact that I’ll need tissues!
Happy New Year!!! So glad I ‘met’ you… you helped to make 2008 not totally suck
Oooooh MY…. Dexter Morgan is my secret boyfriend. He is so very, very sexy. I HAVE GOT to tell my cable company to hook me up with Showtime; I haven’t been able to watch since I moved. I need my Dexter.