2011 has been a year of change. Over the course of the year, I started a computer certificate program but was unable to complete because the final two parts were cancelled. Instead, I took an additional teaching qualification course online and finished it (won't know if I passed until the new year but it's likely I did). I started the year working at the bookstore and finished the year working as an adult education instructor in numeracy and digital technology (a.k.a. math & computers), with a brief stop at an after-school program. These changes have all been positive and have all be steps in the right direction.
I turned 30, went to Chicago (all things go, all things go) for C2E2 / birthday celebrations, Calgary for my cousin's wedding, and Detroit, the city where my vegetarian girlfriend's favourite restaurant is a BBQ joint that has exactly one veggie option but she LOVES that one option. This year has also been about reconnecting and keeping in touch with friends, not always the easiest thing. Social networks make easy to superficially connect with people but actually seeing them and talking in person is difficult if you don't put the time and effort into it.
Now to the "Best of" lists. (I apologize in advance for rambling.)
I've had a difficult time remember what movies were release this year that I'd say were "the best." This summer's crop of comic book movies were surprisingly good, aside from the Green Lantern which was awful. Marvel has stepped up their game with Thor and Captain America. I'm excited for next year's Avengers movie. Also, the final Batman movie looks pretty good as well. I liked Moneyball, Drive, and Bridesmaids but overall it was a pretty forgettable year for me.
This year's music scene, for me, was dominated by late entries. And by late I mean I discovered them while reading through / listening to critic's year end lists. This has been my practice for years, going all the way back to high school. I do discover music during the year, it's usually around this time of year that I discover my "new" favourites. During the year I liked Fucked Up's David Comes to Life, Adele's 21, Rural Alberta Advantage's Departing, and Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi's Rome. These albums were good, and I've listened to them several times but they didn't excite me. Wilco's The Whole Love took me a little while to warm up to but it's as good as the last two. The Whole Love had more layers than the last Wilco record and they just seem to be getting better has a band these days. Watch the Throne was good, as was Drake's Take Care. The latest entry into this list was the Welsh band the Joy Formidable. Only discovered them last week, but I can't get enough of them. They're pretty awesome. I heard a couple of tracks by The Men but haven't heard the entire album yet but I like what I heard so far.
My favourite podcast discovery this year was the Nerdist. I don't know what to say, but this podcast has opened up my inner nerd and I just can't get enough. NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour was a close second, with its great discussions and the fantastic Mr. Glen Weldon.
As for comic books, the DC's relaunch has been the big story. I'm only reading a couple of titles (Justice League, Action Comics, Grifter, Animal Man, Justice League Dark) but that's more DC comics than I was reading before. They've only released 4 issues so far and I have say most of the stories are taking their sweet time getting going. Animal Man has moved along the best so far but I have high hopes for Justice League. Brian Michael Bendis' Avengers titles comics have been excellent like always but Warren Ellis' run on Secret Avengers has been fantastic. Each issue is a one-and-done story and they've been inventive, smart, and a little funny. Sad to see him leave the title. Criminal: Last of the Innocent was probably my favourite mini-series. At C2E2 I made two major discoveries: Mouse Guard and the Sixth Gun.Both are independent titles that were new and interesting. While I won't be picking the single issues (for space reasons), I'm definitely getting the trades. As for my first comic love, the X-Men books, I didn't like the renumbering of Uncanny X-Men but otherwise it was an okay year. The new title, Wolverine and the X-Men, looks good that's tough to say with only two issues released. Uncanny X-Force, on the other hand, seem to coming out every week this year. It was good but so books was a little overkill for me. Overall, a pretty good year.
Finally, television. So I think it's safe to say I've watched a lot TV this year. I don't believe it was anymore than I had previously watched. In 2010, I started watching The Wire and this year I finished the series. It is good and does probably rate as one of the best shows ever made. I really liked Game of Thrones. Haven't seen a well made fantasy show in a long time / ever. Community was as good as ever and I'm sad to see it go. Walking Dead and Boardwalk Empire battle for viewing time on Sunday nights because they're both worth watching when they air, a concept that's becoming more out dated every year. Friday Night Lights and Justified were highly enjoyable discoveries this year that I wish I had knew about before. High Definition television became apart of my life this year and it is good, especially for watching hockey. The puck has never been easier to follow. And then there's Doctor Who... what can I say except that it was fantastic like always, even if the two episodes were the strongest.
My girlfriend says her favourite of the year were:
Movies: Blue Valentine, Midnight in Paris (would have liked Thor but refused to see it)
TV: Oprah saying goodbye, Community, Walking Dead, Geek Love, Fanboy Confidential
Comic: Scenes from an Impending Marriage, Hark! A Vagrant
Music: She likes podcasts - I Like You, Stuff You Missed in History Class, Pop Culture Happy Hour
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