Arbitrary top 8 of 2008
Because everyone likes to wrap up the year with lists (and because life is extremely busy right now and time is an issue when it comes to writing (and because I have Time’s year end issue on my desk)) this year I present you with my “Arbitrary Top 8″. This is going to be a list of ten things I found cool this year, regardless of whether or not they are actually from this year and without any common denominator besides my introduction to them during 2008. The order will also be arbitrary, so don’t try and read anything into placement.
1 | The opening credits for 30 Rock. The music plays up the fun and random feel that the show has while still making it a legitimate tune to pay attention to. It’s an added bonus that it’s an original piece from Tina Fey’s husband Jeff Richmond. (although based on her roles you might imagine she’s still a single middle aged woman who wants kids but can’t really make it right in romance) Richmonds spectacular music is combined with images of the “real” 30 Rock Plaza in New York City with a highly stylized photographic treatment resembling the old point-and-shoots developed in the wrong chemicals leading to blown out saturation and contrast. It’s a super cool treatment, and the typography that goes along with it is also pretty swell. It’s extremely simple, but it also ties everything together as a single element.
2 | The Obama campaign poster created by Shepard Fairey. I’ve been looking at his work for a few years, and was extremely pleased to see that he created this image. It’s easily one of my favorites, and it carries a sense of irony in that it acts as a work of a propaganda campaign designed by a member of society who apparently works against gross commercial advertising and similar political tactics. As an art object, it helps to show that things that are sometimes bad (propaganda) aren’t always bad.
3 | Saucony’s “Map My Run” minisite. I just discovered this yesterday, but it’s become a new favorite tool instantly. As a runner who doesn’t have all of the proper equipment at his disposal, it’s nice to have a mapping tool to help determine distance. Even cooler than that, however, is the ability to save and share the maps you create with other users around the world. In fact, someone had created 3 routes with a starting point within a couple of blocks of my house. It’s seriously a great tool for runners looking for new routes and possibly others to run with. Good Job Saucony! Way to may great shoes and a great website tool!
4 | Star Wars Minis. So maybe I sound about fourteen right now, but you know what? They’re cool. And you know what else is cool? A whole battalion of storm troopers descending from the ceiling via pulley rigged table. On an only slightly related side note, I used to play other games created by Wizards of the Coast and just recently they sent me a members rewards card after at least 6 years without any of their games. Strange.
5 | The movie “Idiocracy”. Sure it came out in 2006, but I didn’t watch it until early this year (we’re talking March). Sure it has Luke Wilson, but I promise it’s worth a watch. Frankly, I’m amazed that it only brought in $313,000 at the box office while scoring a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes.
6 | King David Hotdogs. The very wise grandson of two local Indianapolis meat makers reintroduced their dogs to the city when he opened up a store to sell those beautiful kosher franks in all manner of styles. If you haven’t had one, you’ve missed a real Indy treat and original. I had a South of the Border Dog today. It came with tots. Yes, tots. Who else serves this awesome food? None I tell you. None. Go there. It’s at 15 Pennsylvania St. Just east of the arts garden, right across from Dunkin Donuts. And I know, it’s also not new. But I was a vegetarian until now in my Kind David experience, and so I’m getting full exposure so it counts.
7 | Black Holes. The internet has these great places in it that I like to refer to as “black holes” (a term I picked up from Chris) I wrote about one of them in the last entry with the Milwaukee traveling storm report. Most of the world also saw one with the now-defunct Shiba Inu cam. (guess they had to grow up eventually…) But there is one enormous black hole which can be a real day waster for those who are inclined to the weird. It’s the personal website for Dutch web designer Coen Grift. Make sure you don’t miss it.
8 | Carmex Cherry Lipbalm. I’ve been using this for a while now. As in a couple of years. So it’s not new by any stretch of the imagination. What I didn’t know, however, was that I’ve become dependent on that lovely stick of moisturizing lip substance. I’ve tried regular Chapstick, and I still have some love for Bert’s Bees Cherry, but Carmex has won the battle. The thing is, however, it’s not just any of the Carmex line. The plain and strawberry just don’t pass muster. The cherry is the only version with a place on my list. Bert’s Cherry is a close second. Dead last on my list is Bert’s Honey.
Merry Christmas, and may this list inspire you for the remaining five days of the year!
