With the close of the year, I thought it best to recount my top 10 list. This isn’t specific to any particular genre or idea; it’s just a list of 10 things that I deemed influential/interesting/useful in my life over the past 12 months.
10. Hobie 20 North American Championships
When I’m around, sailboats often become failboats
June 3-7th, I was in Yankton, SD for the 2008 Hobie 20 Sailing Championships. Hobie 20’s are like the formula 1 racecars of the Hobie Catamaran world. We had every wind type imaginable and a giant thunderstorm that ripped a hole in our sail and demasted a few other boats. Thanks to Dave Rice for putting that whole show together and getting me on a boat.
More, less depressing pictures and details can be found here.
9. This Grill
Char-Broil Uber Mega Grill
50,000 BTUs of Duel Fuel Power; Char-Broil’s finest BBQin’ technology with side burner and electric rapid fire ignition. That was a little happy birthday me present in June.
7. FAIL Blog
Whenever life gets you down, go check out what’s going on at the FAIL Blog. Chances are, there is someone who has failed bigger than you, or at least before you did.
6. New Digs
Not much of a story here, just a new place to live. Thanks Craig (and Brandon and Ace).
5. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
This was going to be entitled “The Nightman Cometh” but then I remembered “The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis” and “The Gang Cracks the Liberty Bell” and “Who Pooped the Bed” and holy moley you gotta watch this stuff.
5. The Rediscovery of Twitter
I signed up for Twitter quite a while ago but didn’t have much use for it. Now that I have a group of friends on it, I can keep my thumb on them. It’s good interaction with some of my favorite brands too. Now if only Puma would start doing something cool like Comcast.
4. The Dark Knight
I’m a movie guy, so naturally, I liked The Dark Knight. But what was really cool was seeing the movie at midnight on opening night with a bunch of die hard fans. Go see the next big movie opening just to see the crowd react. The marketing was also pretty cool and worth a second look.
3. Netflix/XBOX Integration
I’m a techno early adopter and I usually end up getting burned; 2.o is always better than 1.0, but I’m glad I jumped on this one early. For the first time, I have started to consider cutting cable altogether. If only they would add The West Wing to instant que and live sports.
2. Bought a Sailboat
Need a little wind here...
I’ve spent a lot of money on a lot of stupid things so far, but this was the best $1,500 I’ve ever spent. Plus, I can now say that I am a member of a yacht club. Although, that doesn’t garner the respect I thought it would.
1. The Chip Video
Wow.
If not, toss it. 