wednesday_whimsy | End of Year Stuff

2009 has been a strange year. Some wonderful things have happened and some not so wonderful things. I had two truly amazing holidays with people I loved. I spent a week on a beautiful cruise around the Caribbean and a week getting to know Chicago. Lots of people have made me very happy and a few people have made me very sad. I've made friends. I've lost friends. I met Fall Out Boy and talked to Patrick Stump. Panic(!) at the Disco split up. I've written over 70,000 words in fic. I think reading what I wrote last New Year, I'm ending this one sadder, but more ready for the future.  

The Best of 2009

  Films
1. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - Heath Ledger's last film and a complete joy from start to finish.
2. Up - I can't remember another film ever making me cry for the first twenty minutes. It's a beautiful and heartwarming film, probably equal to last year's number 2, Wall-E in my estimation.
3. Sherlock Holmes - *hearteyes* It's funny that I've never liked a film with Jude Law in before this year, and now he's in two of my top 3 films.
4. Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince - I loved the film. I loved the treatment of Draco, which is what I was worried about going in. I think it exceeded my expectations, considering it's not my favourite book. There was so much to love about it. When's the next one out?
5. Star Trek - I don't know a lot about the original series canon, but I know enough and as a re-start of the franchise I thought this was excellent.

Gigs
 1. Fall Out Boy - Chicago, May - Not only did I get to see FOB in their hometown, but I also got to meet them. Actually talking to Patrick will always be one of the greatest moments of my life. 
1. Fall Out Boy - Chicago, May - No I'm not repeating myself. I actually did see FOB twice in Chicago. This time was the SoundStage TV show for PBS with only a couple of hundred people. I was close enough to touch them and Pete recognised me from the previous show, which was awesome.
 3. Fall Out Boy - Indianapolis, May - Third time seeing FOB on the same trip. This time was outdoors and they all seemed really happy and excited, which just made everyone watching happy and excited. It was spectacular. 
4. Bowling for Soup - Sheffield, October - The first non-bandom gig I've been to in a while and lots of fun.
5. Simon Amstell - York, October - Who says all of these have to music? Seeing Simon do standup was one of the highlights of my year. I will love him forever.  

TV
 1. Glee - Some great new shows started this year and Glee was the best of that bunch. I love the singing, the dancing, Kurt, Quinn and all the wonderful/wonderfully flawed characters. Too bad we have to wait until April for the rest of the season. 
2. Community - If you're not watching Community, WHY THE HELL NOT? Community has, in 11 episodes, managed to do what HIMYM could not this year, i.e. make me really happy.
3. Lost - One more season to go. If it sticks to the standard of the last two we're in for a hell of a treat.
4. The Big Bang Theory - This is the year I really got into TBBT. It makes me laugh every single episode and has given the world one of the greatest characters ever. Sheldon Cooper. 
5. Arrested Development - Okay so I'm way late and only saw this for the first time this year, but it was love at first viewing. I can't wait for the film.

 Honourable Mentions

  Patrick Stump. Mr & Mrs Erickson. Ocean's 4. Patrick Stump. Shane Valdez. Mark Ronson. Wicked! Across the Universe. All the wonderful people of Chicago. Patrick Stump!

  Thank you!