Stolen from Jondude...

Mellowdee's "Bests" of 2008:

1. Book, Fiction
-FOR ONE MORE DAY by Mitch Albom
I don't read much fiction at all. Actually, I think this was the only fictional book I read all year, and that's only because a friend gave it to me. In a nutshell, it's about a guy who gets to spend one more day with his late mother. I actually enjoyed it, and really liked the creative way they broke up the main story with little insert stories that describe "Times my mother stood up for me", and "Times I didn't stand up for my mother."

2. Book, Nonfiction
-BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott
Another book given to me as a gift, this national bestseller with "some instructions on writing and life" takes an interesting and comical approach to writing (and life.) J is always harping at me that I should be reading "Story" by Robert McKee (which I am about halfway through... another excellent book) but Bird by Bird is a lot more conversational and fun.

3. Music, Album
-FLAVORS OF ENTANGLEMENT by Alanis Morissette
There were quite a few albums I enjoyed this year, but something about this one... I can listen to it from end to end and never feel the urge to skip a song.

4. Motion picture
-THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Alright, alright... so this movie doesn't hit theaters until Dec. 25th, but nothing else blew my socks off this year, and I'm willing to bet that this one will. I'm sure it is going to be brilliant. I've been waiting to see it for quite a long time. (It's actually been in development since '94... not that I've actually been waiting to see it for *that* long.)

5. TV series
-N/A
The only show I watch on a pretty regular basis is SNL... but I wouldn't say it's the best series on TV in 2008. I don't get HBO, but if I did, Curb Your Enthusiasm would automatically get my vote.

6. Political event
- Well, Canadian politics are a total mess right now, and friggin' Steven Harper is still our prime minister. So, even though I don't live in the US, I'll have to say that I was pretty darn excited to see Obama win.

7. Food event
-J and I meeting up with my best friend and another old friend, both of whom I hadn't seen in over a year, beneath the Eiffel Tower for a simple picnic of wine, grapes, bread, cheese, chocolate and madeleines. Perfect company, perfect conversation, and a perfect view!

8. Another Food event
-The breakfast buffet at our hotel in Vienna (Salzburg and Interlaken receive honourable mentions). I'm not a big breakfast person... but damn, those buffets sure turned me into one. I have never seen such a huge spread of breakfast foods in all my life.

9. Best visitor(s)
-Believe it or not, my parents. More specifically, my father. I know... I never would've imagined myself saying such a thing in 2007 (or 2006 or 2005 or maybe ever...), but I really loved having him here.

10. Best accomplishment
- Um, I guess the script stuff, even though this has been a year of re-writes. I can see it getting better than ever before. Sort of tied into that, I'd say standing up for myself and not allowing my old CEO bully me into taking less than I'm worth (and less than what everyone else gets paid). I'm proud of myself for quitting, even though the extra money would've been really, really nice.

11. Best party
- My bridal shower. It was sooo unbelievably thoughtful. I still can't get over the amazing effort that all the girls went to.

12. Best sport event
- Does paragliding off the Alps count as a sport? Cuz that's all I got. I don't watch sports and I don't play sports - except maybe the occasional air hockey.

13. Best of the Best for all year!
- Eloping. (Too easy!)