Earlier this week, I decided that, like Jack, I wanted to begin some of my own Top Ten lists of 2004. I did a few of these last year, and found them to be quite successful and satisfying.
Therefore, for the past few days, I've been creating my definitive Top Ten Comics of 2004 List, which I won't unload on you right now. Instead, as a preliminary step, what I will give you is my list of The Top Ten Things to List of 2004!
Now, this list will by no means be set, as I almost expect it to change by the time I'm done with all of these. What I can promise, however, is a glimpse into my genious. This will be a view of a list in its formitive stages. You'll be seeing the mind of an artist through his unfinished art.
So, without further ado, I bring you . . .
The Top Ten Things to List of 2004
Of course, there's the standard 'Top Ten Movies' and 'Top Ten People', which have their place, but I'm looking to highlight things that draw on my own unique viewpoints. Suggestions of things that people normally wouldn't think about, or would, but have no opinion.
Which brings me to Number 10: Beer.
Ok, so this one is boring, and most probably done before. I've tasted a good few beers in the last year, and would like to throw some ideas out there. Keep in mind, this is ony number 10.
Number 9: Dates.
Have any of us really sat down and thought about what days of the year are just really sweet? And I don't mean Christmas or our birthdays. I'm talking a list of dates for the sake of a list of dates. I don't think anyone's done this, so I'm going to. I'll take any suggestions you might have.
Number 8: Islands.
I've thought about this before, and I think others have as well. I mean, if you ever really wanted to 'get away' wasn't it always to some island of some sort? Hell yes! That said, this isn't a list of those kinds of islands, but of many different islands, taking into account uniqueness of climate, size, and any other random factors I can see to fit in.
Number 7: Deviants.
This is where I'm going to look at all walks of people and consider those who, in some form or another, have deviated from the standard of law that is 'normal' to uphold. Keep in mind, this list is not exclusive to deviations from 2004.
Number 6: Slaves to the Monoculture.
There are certainly some people who we all know in life who embody the term 'tool'. It's these people that I'm going to pick on with this list. Feel free to submit your own thoughts on this category.
Number 5: 'Heroic Choice' moments.
So, those of you who know me (at all), know that I have a thing for superheroes. Well, more broadly, a thing for heroes in general. The 'heroic choice' is that instant where the protagonist realizes his own heroism. It's that moment where he chooses to do good, even though it means certain sacrifice. I love that moment, so I'm going to write about it.
Number 4: Reasons to watch MXC.
This show is good on so many levels. But mostly on the 'laughing at someone getting hurt' level. This list is a reflection of that.
Number 3: Comicbooks by Title/Series/Arc.
Pretty straitforeward. It's just a list of comics I read in the last year that were really kick-ass.
Number 2: Celebrity Hairstyles.
This isn't like a personal interest of mine, I just think I could make a good list of it.
And finally, the number one list I can concieve of listing this year: Comicbooks by Issue.
Ok, ok. So right now you're like, 'What the fuck Andy?! How can you make two lists on comics and have them both be in the top three?!'
Well, I'll tell you. Comics are something I'm actually getting to know something about. If you want one kind of list that I can actually do a decent job at without all the bullshit faking-like-I-know-stuff, this is the one. There you have it.
This is a list of specific issues of different series that were published within the last year. Some are issues you could pick up and read without much background on the series. Others are deep within the story, and need soem prior reading. I'll distinguish.
So, like I said, this is an unfinished list. I may add some new list in if I concieve of it in time. It will most likely even work out that the placements of these will shift. This is just so I have some semblance of an order to my lists.
The first one will be here soon . .
I don't know if any of you out there noticed - or we're keeping track at all - but since about three o'clock this afternoon, I recieved 115 spam comments on my site.
115!!!
On a related note, does anyone remember Micheal Moore from before Bowling for Columbine? I'm talking when he had his original run on NBC with 'TV Nation'.
There was this great episode - I think it was the Valentine's Day special - where he went around Times Square and asked people what some of their biggest pet peeves were. People mentioned things like Musak in hotel hallways at 2am and repeated phone solicitations to name a few. Of course, what did Moore do? He got even.
He took a flatbed truck full of speakers, and, in the middle of the night, parked it out in front of the house where the man who invented Musak lived. The police were eventually called.
Then he got a few phone solicitors to call the man who 'invented' phone solicitation (or maybe it was just the president of one of those 'phone list' companies). And I mean, this was calling at every hour of the day and being the most badgering, inconsiderate phone solicitor possible.
Here's where I bring it back around . . .
Why for the love of all that is holy doesn't someone design a virus to take out the servers hosting these spam producers!?!? What, are these the same people that have repeatedly klezed my computer anyway? Are they all in league? Are they all running their spam servers from Macs? Why hasn't this happened yet?!!?
Horse-hockey!!
Time to get back to the mediocre updates that have dominated the weblog scene for the most part.
Here's my question: would it be preferrable to have sporadic (at best), yet substantial updates? Or would you all like to hear about mundane things with sporadic injections of true inspiration?
Today I spent most of the day gutting the old 'playroom' downstairs. My parents and I are going to turn the thing into a sort of guest/videogame room for me and my friends. It's definately going to end up with that midas touch of decoration that I have - including the poster for the Marines that says "He didn't win state in High School. But then again, some heroes don't play games."
That one's for you, Mark.
Seriously, though. With this set up, I want any of you (friends) out there who are looking to head into town sometime to know that there will soon be a permanent place to crash. A place with a PS2 and a wicked sound system.