In 2008 I..
These are the things I read, watched, listened to or attended during 2008. The asterisks marks my rating, with a max of 5.
Albums
“Blue Note Trip”: Jazzanova Lookin’ Back Movin’ On ***** I’m a Blue Note girl all the way, here’s a splendid demonstration as to why
“Crazy Itch Radio”: Basement Jaxx *** Fun and funky
“Distractions”: Roy Hargrove & The RH Factor ***** Brilliant if you love Guru’s Jazzmatazz and/or Us3!
“The Garden”: Zero 7 ***** I have a new fave band. Spacy, dreamy, relaxing.
“River (The Joni Letters)”: Herbie Hancock ***** The Tina Turner song alone is worth this album’s cost
“Segundo”: Maria Rita ** Fun, but wears out quickly
“Belvedere”: Beady Belle ***** Soothing, calming, beautiful
Art Exhibitions
(none yet)
Books
Politikens bog om Digital Illustration (Jan Kjær) - textbook on computer generated graphics/drawings
En innføring i tegning (James Horton) - basic textbook on drawing
In Praise of Slow (Carl Honoré) - a cultural shift toward slowing down life’s pace
Man Without Dog (Håkan Nesser) - Nesser introduces Inspector Barbarotti!
The girl who played with fire (Stieg Larsson) - and..
Castles in the sky (Stieg Larsson) - two latest both part of the Millenium series (3 books) by late Swedish writer Stieg Larsson. I didn’t care too much about the first book (read that one last fall), so it took me a while to get started on the second. However, when I finally did, I read through it in a matter of days. Same was the case with book 3, amazing plot and a great drive.
The Digital Photography Book, Volume 1 & 2 (Scott Kelby) - This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it.
Someone I loved (Anne Gavalda) - - a hauntingly intimate look at the intolerably painful, yet occasionally valuable consequences that adultery can have on a marriage and the individuals involved.
Comics
xkcd - a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language
Concerts
(none yet)
Games (DS unless noted otherwise)
Super Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis **
Donkey Kong: Jungle Climber *
The Legend of Spyro - a New Beginning ***
Bust A Move ***
Pogo Island *** (mainly because of Word Whomp)
My Word Coach **** (I’d give it a 5 if they’ve had added example sentences)
Scrabble 2007 edition ****
Movies (quite a few of these will be with my kids)
My Neighbour Totoro (again!), DVD ***** Amazing, beautiful, captivating
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, DVD *** Hilarious, but I guess I’m getting too old to be a hardcore fan
Eragon, DVD ** Not really into fantasy, me..
Horton Hears a Who! *** Great take on a classic; perhaps even better if still in rhyme?
The Cat Returns (DVD) **** It’s Studio Ghibli, what can I say?
Pay it Forward (DVD) *** Meh, I didn’t really believe in Spacey’s character, and the scene where he begs Arlene (Hunt) to take him back was straight out awkward. The kid (Osment) is amazing, though, and I admit to severe sobbing during the ending scene.
Edison (DVD) **** Solid!
Sling Blade ** Meh. None of the characters were credible, IMHO.
Kung Fu Panda **** Great fun was had by the whole family. Amazing animation technique and a solid storyline. The smaller kids didn’t get the main point, though, so some explaining is in place afterwards.
Arthur and the Minimoys *** Loved the mix of live action and animation, and how cute isn’t Freddie Highmore..! Will most probably see this without the kids to listen to the original voices.
Museums
Geological Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
TV Shows
House, M.D., season 1 | season 2 | season 3 | season 4 Brilliant! I love how the characters all have their flaws and weaknesses, but still carry on like the rest of us. I love Wilson for being House’s friend through thick and thin. Thin, mostly…
Six Feet Under, season 1 | season 2 | season 3 | season 4 | season 5 While quite exaggerated in terms of stereotypical characters, this show still hits a nerve with me and is my absolute favourite by far right now.
The Wire, season 1 | season 2 | season 3 A different kind of police/detective series, in that a whole season is about one single case. The casting is really interesting - I like how there aren’t any bimbos or hunks, just ordinary people like you and me.
