1. Best blog of 2007 [that I actually read]:Sometimes You Need An Old Man! Ok it may look like I'm playing favorites, but this blog has a lot of good ingredients that keep it fun and interesting. The posts are typically short and sweet, there is a good balance between serious/deep and lighthearted material, posts are frequent but not so much that you can't keep up, it's easy to read, contains good photos, and generally avoids overly controversial material. I read blogs to waste time and be entertained - this one is great for that. It is well written and wraps up the main thought fairly quickly and clearly. A bonus for me is that I get to see pics of my niece and nephew often [but not too much to be annoying]. My hat's of to TWH for sticking with it this long. Runners up: Mount Saint Dustin, and Rooting for the Underdog.
2. Best Movie of 2007:Live Free or DIE HARD. This past year was full of awesome movies. The summer especially was packed with blockbuster hits, captivating dramas, and gangster movies galore. But you seriously can't really compete with good ol' Bruce Willis. The movie is action packed with hilarious one-liners and support cast. I thought the PG-13 rating would be risky since I'm not used to Die Hard w/ out plenty of F-bombs, but it was surprisingly [and overwhelmingly] enjoyable. Go John McCain - your legacy lives on! Runners Up: Transformers, The Departed, Mr. Brooks
3. Best TV show that I only started to watch in 2007:The Office. I don't really watch TV and am not current on any show that is currently airing. So this year I decided to start watching the Office and I love it. I know it's not new, but this is how I watch TV.
4. Best Fast Food of 2007:Jimmy John's. There is no restaurant that is faster. The best part is that I don't feel like a fat pig after eating there. I never had JJ's until this past year. I've missed out on so much. Runners Up: McDonalds, Culver's
5. Best New Restaurant that I tried in 2007:Big Bowl. I thought P.F. Chang's was good until I went to Big Bowl. Seriously you have to try it out. Runners Up: Maciano's Pizza, Mongolian BBQ
6. Best Video Game of 2007:Wii Sports. This game that comes packaged with every Wii is hands down the greatest crowd pleaser of a video game that I've ever seen or played. Over Xmas break we had a Wii Bowling game that even my grandparents participated in on a smaller level. We've practically put away our board games for good [except when we go to some girl's apartment] since we bought our Wii and Wii Sports is a game that brings everyone together. Hardcore gamers will shun it because of it's lack of detail and depth, but those people gave up on playing games with other physical humans long ago. Runners Up: Guitar Hero III, Metroid Prime III.
7. Best Album That I Purchased in 2007:Deas Vail - All The Houses Look The Same. One of my students surprised me by introducing me to this band after he'd been to Cornerstone for a week. I really like their piano/el guitar driven music and the vocals are beyond sweet. Probably not your cup-o-tea if you like songs about spinning rims and ho's in clubs. Runners Up: Remedy by David Crowder, The Christmas Sessions by Mercy Me [yes, I'm serious - I love xmas music]
8. Best Item That I Purchased in 2007:Nintendo Wii. I've talked about this a bit already, but this home entertainment system reaches all generations in a media style once thought to be only for kids and nerds. Even avid video game haters [like my parents] are willing to give this a shot and even liking it. If you can find one, you should buy one. Runners Up: The Fry Daddy, iPhone.
9. Best Book I Read in 2007:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The final chapter that was simply riveting. This was probably the first book that I've ever blitz read and enjoyed every minute of it. Runners Up: all the other Harry Potter books - I read them all for the first time in 2007.
10. Best Vacation That I Took In 2007:4th of July Week. I went to the Taste of Chicago, visited the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, The Art Institute, saw the 3rd of July FIreworks over Navy Pier, saw John Mayer in concert [for free], tried sushi for the first time ever, and was accompanied by J. Bradley and her daughter. It was a short week vacation but with so many activities packed in and great company. Nothing came too close to it. Runners Up: Xmas break w/ my family. We all had extra time off this year and it was a LOT of fun.
