Satisfaction

Satisfaction. That's how I felt about the ending, and entire series, of Breaking Bad. Came to the game a little late but thanks to Netflix I was able to watch three seasons (then download the fourth season) before the beginning of the fifth season last year. When I first heard the premise I wasn't interested (the actor from Malcolm in the Middle in a dramatic role? Hmmm...) but all the press about how good it was got my attention. And it was well worth my time.

The artist Francesco Francavilla did a great series of poster for almost each episode of the series. Here's a link to the final one.

In Sickness and Health

So I'm a month into this nagging sickness. I got over one cold then caught the flu. This is the first time in years I've been like this, sick for an extended period of time. I thought I was taking care of myself but maybe I'm not. Anyway, enough of this negative talk. On to a positive - my caffeine consumption is way down.

The American Netflix library is by far and away better than the Canadian Netflix library. I know that's what my last post was about but it really needs to be stated again. 

Everyone should read Young Avengers #1 (Marvel) by Kieron Gillen (writer) and Jamie McKelvie (artist), the creators of the Phonogram series. If you want to get a feel for the series without purchasing it, read Gillen's character profiles, including soundtracks. I haven't read any of the previous Young Avengers series and knew very little about the characters but it didn't matter. Everything is set up quickly. And the art - oh man, it's so good. McKelvie makes all the characters look modern, which is unusual in mainstream superhero comics. The haircuts are from this decade, and the fashion choices look like they've come out of a hipster lookbook. So basically what eighteen year-olds look like. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the Brian Lee O'Malley variant cover (seen above without colouring). 

Also, read Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's review of HBO's Girls and his rebuttal to his critics. I've always been impressed by Abdul-Jabbar, especially his connection to Bruce Lee in the 70s (his fight scene in Game of Death is awesome). Lee was one of my cinema idols when I was a kid, so anyone associated with him was ok in my books, but I didn't know anything about Kareem's basketball accomplishments.  

Hola!

So I'm using Hola Unblocker to watch US Netflix and stuff on Hulu. It's fantastic but makes me sad that this content isn't available to us in Canada without finding a work around. Personally, I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. I pay monthly for the Netflix streaming service. So what if I'm streaming from the American library instead of Canadian one. There's so much more content readily available. As for Hulu, I'm watching the ads so again, I doesn't feel like I'm doing anything wrong. As I write this post I'm watching the second season of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! which is as strong as the first season. Nice way to spend an afternoon.

Last night I watched the new Fox show The Following. It seems like a decent enough show but mainly it piqued my curiosity regarding Edgar Allen Poe. I haven't read anything by Poe but I do have an interest in detective fiction. I thought this started with reading Raymond Chandler but I realize I've been reading mysteries my entire life. When I was a kid, my parents used to read the old Hardy Boys stories to me (never the new ones, oddly enough). We must have read TONS of them. Like a two or three a month for at least two or three years between the ages of 4-7. Then, I would read Encyclopedia Brown. Man, I loved those stories, especially since you could actually solve the cases if you knew enough / read carefully. So today I bought a book of Poe's Dupin detective stories. Excited to read it eventually.

Also I got a copy of Hacking the Xbox. Got an old Xbox I'm thinking tinkering with so that should be fun.

Angel

So I've spent the last three days re-watching the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off show Angel. I loved this show when it started during my final year of high school. The show ended just after I finished my undergrad. Haven't really watched it since but so far it's holding up pretty well. This is what's great about Netflix. I watched more TV series on Netflix than films (too many choices, can't make a decision. I think there's a name for that). Anyway, that's been my productive use of time this vacation.

The Freeway Theory of Relationships Revisited

When people visit this blog, nine times out of ten they're searching for information about How I Met Your Mother's Free Theory of Relationships. Now, the original post about said theory is popular because people are searching for answers about a random theory describe on TV by popular character (FYI the Nerdist interview with Neil Patrick Harris pretty good). While there is a certain logic to the theory - one night stands would end roughly six hours after meeting someone - hopefully nobody bases relationship decision around it. Since I post less and less these days, why wouldn't I revisit the one post that actually get hits on my blog?

And yes, this post was inspired by this week's 30 Rock discussion about how we can't change anything (loved the review on Grantland).

Holidays / Year End

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

On Demand

I've been watching a lot of television on demand rather than broadcast. I know this is the trend for young people but this month is first time it's happened to me. Usually I'd watch the west coast feed but with my new job I fall asleep too early, so to the on demand services I go.

The Dream of the 90s

Has anyone seen Portlandia? So good.

Avatar - the Last Airbender

Have you seen this children's animated television Avatar? The movie seems to be awful and slightly controversial but the original show is good. Complex and interesting, it ran for three seasons for a total of sixty episodes telling the story the Avatar, Aang, whose goal is to bring balance to the world by mastering the four elements - water, fire, earth, and air - and defeat the Firelord. A mash up of different martial arts tales and movies, the episodes often tell complete stories while also adding to the mythology of the series. I'm half way through the second season and I can't get enough.

Tele-Vision

It's the end of the year which means it's time for END OF YEAR LISTS! My consumption of what usually makes up my list (movies, music, television) is down this year so it'll be short ones. I'd like to believe that my tastes are more refined but really I just seem to have less time.

What did I like on television this year? hmm...

Bored to Death - the comedy about a writer-turned-private detective had an excellent second season. Seems they've really found their groovy with the characters and the stories. The first season lacked a clear voice. And the actors are fantastic. Sad that there are only nine episodes.

Community - has replaced The Office as my favourite comedy on television (or Thursdays). Silly plots, random meta textual moments, and great one-liners are what keep me coming back for more.

Burn Notice - They just started airing the first season and I enjoy it. It's like House and The Mentalist - brilliant, unconventional who solve difficult situations (disease, murder, crimes, etc.) but who have difficult dealing with people in general. What can I say? I like this type of show.

Boardwalk Empire and The Walking Dead are great shows but everyone already knows how great they are so I'll just say I like them. I've only seen two episodes of the BBC Sherlock but it's great as well.

The best show of the year? Doctor Who. I was worried, with the new doctor and show runner, that it wouldn't be able to live up to previous seasons but from the premiere to finale, I was hooked. I don't think there was one episode I didn't love. The new doctor and companion were excellent and there was good chemistry. And the ending? Oh man, you saw it coming but still it was great. Can't wait for the new season to start.

Afrodisiac

Sorry about the delay in posting. I realize I haven't been blogging regularly for a while and I don't really have a reason. I'm trying to figure out exactly how to blog via iPhone and hoping that'll jump-start my posting again. I went to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival at the Toronto Reference Library today. Met some pretty awesome artists, writers, and cartoonists. I was a little awkward around them but they were super nice. Especially Jim Rugg. Then went to lunch with my mother. Overall, a good day.

Also Mike Skinner, aka The Streets, had a brief cameo on Doctor Who last night. As soon as I heard his voice I turned to UFC and said, "I think that's Mike Skinner." I was totally right. I felt kind of awesome.

I'm the Doctor

Just watched the season premire of Doctor Who's fifth season. Okay, it's not exactly the fifth season. Officially it's the longest running science-fiction show in television. In 2005, after over a decade off the air, the "rebooted" the franchise and now we've had five seasons of all-new episodes. And they've been pretty damn awesome. I remember watching the old show when I was a kid. They didn't air the shows in order, and I didn't watch them every day, so I did get why sometimes the Doctor was an old man and other times he was a middle-aged man. But I always watched the entire show. I was a strange kid.

Anyway, I'm glad caught the show tonight. Made a bad day better.

Puppets explaining world politics

Right now I'm watching the Japanese language channel and well... the current show is explaining the Russian subway bombing to children using puppets. I just watched a puppet show explaining the Russian government's treatment of Muslims. It seemed very educational but I didn't understand any of it because it was in Japanese. It seems this is part of larger kids news program that features animated monkey with glasses.

Why do I have the Japanese language channel? UFC wanted to try it out. It's expensive but she watches it fairly regularly. The sumo wrestling was pretty interesting.

Curling and Hockey

My night tonight involves women's curling and men's hockey. It's going to be a great night if they both win. The roti I had dinner was okay. Certainly isn't Island Foods, which is the best in the city.

I have also fucked up my keyboard and I can not use contractions because I do not have use of apostrophe. ARGH.

Welcome?

Watching the Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Best Moment: kd lang singing Cohen's Hallelujah (this clip is from the Junos a couple years ago)

Worst Moment: the rest of the telecast

I'm watching television, trying to distract myself during the commercials when one for the movie Four Christmases came on. It was a Wal-Mart commercial so it included the usual "one day price" promotion. Got me thinking about the power of my money. I can decide, with my spending habits, what's important to me; quantity or quality. Spend less, get more poor quality stuff OR spend more, get well made stuff. It just hit me. Simple political economics. Oh well...

She was a really cool kisser but wasn't all that strict of a Christian

I think there might be enough Simpson's Halloween episodes to air one every night of October. I wonder what this means about culture...

Tommy Gun

R.I.P. NewMusic

Here's one of the best clips. It's totally awesome.

Quiet, don't make a sound

It's the end of the summer and I'm so incredibly tired. So very, very tired.

On a completely different note, I'm watching the 90210 remake because it has the same creator as Veronica Mars... sometimes I make bad judgement calls.

One more for the road...

Baked potato and a Frosty... That's THC Wendy's meal. Also seems that it's Michael Scott's meal of choice according this week's Office. Am I dating Michael Scott? One can only be so lucky.