Around this time of year pundits, politicians, and pop artists release their “Best Of” lists. My son’s company, fredflare.com, issues its best too. I mention this because it is the only list I’ve ever garnered enough votes to be included on.
That said, I’m devising my own “Best Of . . .” Part of it is personal, part public. And none of it is in any kind of order.
I loved Earl’s birthday party, because everyone who could showed up, especially for the birthday dinner where we spent time remembering how each of us met Earl in the first place. It sounds hokey in the retelling, but everyone present offered a different slice of Earl’s life.
I loved visiting Fargo, ND, where my older son lives. I was there in the chill of March and for the warmer joy of my birthday in June. We held the ongoing Fargo Bowling Tournament both times, and I must say it was a blast. I even broke a hundred both times.
Speaking of sports, I loved that the Chicago White Sox finally won a World Series. And in what style! This were no squeeker or narrow escape route to the big trophy; rather it was full bore White Sox Mania all the way. Chicago hasn’t had this much fun since Michael Jordan retired.
I loved Paul McCartney for his recent album and Johnny Cash, not only for his life but also for his dying. He did it with grace, and in relative privacy. But his legacy will live on in the public domain. I also loved the tributes to John Lennon on the anniversary of his death. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that he’d been shot.
The best book I read was The Ha-Ha, followed closely by The Kite Runner. Both are worth your time. I didn’t see a single movie this year, so I can’t speak about them. I tried to tune out Washington, so I have no political heroes. I hated reality TV, so nobody from that realm is on my list either.
As for Tom Cruise, may he always be relegated to the “Ten Least Interesting” or the “Ten Most Annoying” or the “Ten Most Egotistical.” Which means he won’t make my list anytime in the near future either. That goes for his fiancee too.
Leave a Reply