2007 Year - in - Review

Hello everybody…I hope you all had a solid 2007 and I hope you are now ready for yet another edition of Rietveld's Year-in-Review. Luckily, I am not nearly as pissed off as I was last year at this time, so there will be no Top 5 People I Want to Punch in the Face category (though if I did Josh Groban would be at the top)…However, there are some new editions including books and man-crushes…and I brought back an old classic: Guilty Pleasures.
Quick Personal Updates:

1) My mom is officially bald and beautiful. She is done with Chemotherapy and we should find out very soon that she has once again beat cancer's ass…

2) I hate Lexington, SC and want to move somewhere that doesn't remind me of my left armpit. If you have a job opening for a semi-young, dark haired, blue eyed hunk of a man with alabaster skin to die for then give me a ring…

3) I am still single and good looking…now on with the countdown….

Top 5 TV Shows:
Man I love my DVR. How did we watch TV in the 80s? Without Tivo or DVR it seems like a logistical nightmare. Anyway, another solid year in TV and these are my favorites:

5. Tie: The Soup (E!): Joel McHale – The funniest man on tv.
Heroes (NBC): This show is still solid, though it's losing steam. My prediction is that they will do one more season and then it's toast. By the way, I made out with the Cheerleader at a Christmas kegger last week…She is a surprisingly bad kisser…kind of teethy you know?

4. How I Met Your Mom (CBS): Great cast (outside of the young Bob Sagat). Jason Seigel is always solid whether its in "Knocked Up" or the cult classic show "Freaks and Geeks". Meanwhile, Neil Patrick Harris (Barney) is a comedic genius. Nothing like a gay guy playing a womanizer on national tv. Great show and great music.

3. 30 Rock (NBC): not to be confused with the nauseating 3rd Rock from the Sun (Jared's favorite show – he loves that French Stewart). Hopefully you people will start watching this show so it will not be cancelled. Tracey Morgan and Alec Baldwin are a deadly duo. Also, I want to marry Tina Fey. Seriously I do.

2. Psych (USA): The best show no one knows about. It's on the USA network and is hilarious. If you are between the ages of 25-35 you need to start Tivo-ing this Friday night classic. James Rodayis (Shaun) is the second coming of the mid-80s Chevy Chase. Combine that with Bud from the Cosby Show (Gus) and a perfectly casted Corbin Bernsen (Shaun's Dad) and you have a hit on your hands.

1. The Office (NBC): Best show on tv. As mentioned last year, if you don't like The Office then you are mildly retarded.

Top 5 Movies:
Not sure if it was just a mediocre year at the movies this year or if it was because I just didn't make it to the silver screen very often, but nothing seemed to be to amazing this year.
Movies that almost made the list: Little Children, Chalk, Knocked Up

5. No Country for Old Men – not as great as all the critics are hyping it to be, but still a solid movie.

4. The Departed – best shoot-them-up, "I am a bad mother fucker" movie of the year.

3. Superbad – Kind of scary the parallels in this movie to Jared Curt William, Rah, and me back in the day.

2. Pan's Labyrinth – Great movie. A fairy tale story wrapped around WWII Spain and it works perfectly. Check it out.

1. Last King of Scotland – Forrest Whittaker deserved the Oscar for this one…The Oscars once-in-a-while get one right.

Top 5 Books
I just realized they are all non-fiction.

5. Love is a Mixed Tape – Rob Sheffield: Has its moments but not as good as I thought it would be.

4. I Am America (and so can you) – Stephen Colbert: Funny…You right-wing republicans would love it out there.

3. Busting Vegas – Ben Mezrich: Maybe you gamble and play cards, maybe you don't, but either way you will love this non-fiction tale of sex, drugs, and gambling.

2. Killing Yourself to Live – Chuck Klosterman: Great non-fiction. Death, Drugs, Rock-and-Roll superstars, and of course sex.

1. Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer: I may end up reading this story about 10 times…I wish I could see the movie…I am sure Penn did it justice…Chris McCandless is and will continue to be an American icon.

Top 5 Albums:
Great year in music…finally…
Honorable Mentions: Ben Harper, Radiohead, Jimmy Eat World, Rogue Wave, Iron and Wine, Matt Pond PA, Wilco

5. Travis: The Boy with No Name – What can I say, I am a sucker for British pop. Ending a 4 year hiatus after releasing a very mediocre "12 memories" album, the British band that everyone forgets about comes back with a solid 13 track record that is happy, reflective and inspirational. You can't help but want to have a kid after listening to "My Eyes". Too bad I got my tubes are tied…

4. New Amsterdams: (Killed or Cured/At the Foot of My Rival) – These guys technically put out 3 incredible full-length albums this year and they are planning a huge tour next year (finally) which is long overdue. These guys simply write honest, simple songs that seem to turn into personal anthems after a few spins...if you like simple, acoustic-folk pop you will like these guys…

3. House of Fools: Live and Learn – The best band no one has heard of.

2. Elliott Smith: New Moon – Do yourself a favor; Lie on your bed, turn on the fan and listen to this record straight through and just think…Better yet, buy the actual vinyl and put it on your dad's record player and listen to the album the way it was supposed to be heard…Amazing. A very quiet rendition of some of his classics, combined with unreleased b-sides makes this a must have…It is terribly depressing knowing that this is the last "new" album from my favorite musician.

1. Band of Horse: Cease to Begin – My new favorite band. South Carolina native Ben Bridwell croons you through this beautiful, often melodic and dreamy album. He gets your hands clapping in "General Specific" and then gets you reflecting on your biggest regrets with "Window Blues". Is it as good as "Everything All the Time" (their first album)? Not quite, but its one of the best sophomore albums you will ever hear. Come join us in Charleston, SC on January 20 at the Music Farm…It's going to be ridiculous. My penis is throbbing just thinking about it…

Songs of the Year
Too many good songs for just 5.

10. (tie) Plans for the Future – Said the Whale – Thanks to Jared for this post-punk gem. "I was taught to bottle my emptiness…deal with Quarter-Life angst by painting pictures"
Intervention – Arcade Fire: AF getting super political on "Neon Bible"
Resurrection Fern – Iron Wine – best song on a pretty solid album
9. General Specific – Band of Horses – yep, they made it twice…
8. Sunlight – Matt Pond PA "Wish you would say, when I fuck up, that it's okay"
7. Better Part of Me – House of Fools
6. Nude – Radiohead – eerie beautiful….dream-like track
5. West Coast – Coconut Records – Song reminds me of this amazing girl in Charleston I know…
4. Turn on Me – The Shins "You had to know I was fond of you…Fond of Y-O-U": reminds me a lot of this Columbia, SC girl I kind-of-sorta fell for…but then wanted to put in a headlock.
3. Strangled by the Thought – New Amsterdams – amazingly beautiful and simple song
2. Thirteen – Elliott Smith – "Will you be an outlaw for my love"…seems like I should hear this song in my favorite coffee shop.
1. Window Blues – Band of Horses – this song has caused many a drunken text message, email, or phone call to many a girl from me on a late Saturday night…

Highlights of 2007:

5. 10 Year Reunion - Lugoff-Elgin High School (Camden, SC): Beers, a dancing Jody Wright, Shay Bracey and all her glory, Sandy Epling's shorts, Shaun Worley threatening to kill me if I didn't help clean up…ahhh, great memories…Not going to lie, I was not looking forward to the 10-year reunion, but it turned out to be a great time…Then there was the post-party at Joe and Stephanie Richburgs which was hilarious. Josh Broome and his stories were out-of-control, while the 2 love birds (a certain marine and a certain student-body representative) stole the show with their random hook-up in the living room, so drunk they forgot that Joe had windows installed in his living room…Awesome…MVP: Matthew Branham – because his fiancé is hot…way to go Matt…proud of you kid.

4. Andrews Oyster Roast (Beaufort, SC): As always, a great time at the 3rd Annual Allorto Oyster Roast. Doors were burned, Oysters were shucked, and Wells christened Andrew's brand-spanking new leather Lazy-Boy Chairs - Co-MVPs: Wells/Andrew Wells for breaking in the leather appropriately and Andrew for having yet another awesome party.

3. Florida/USC Tailgate (Columbia, SC): The highlight of this tailgate was CJ Jackson talking smack to 19 year old bow tie sporting frat boys one minute and then feeding beer directly into their veins with his UT Beer Bong the next. MVP: CJ Mother Fucking Jackson

2. New Years Eve (Charleston, SC): Jackie falling directly on her ass at around 12:30 am…A certain friend flashing us her ridiculously awesome tater tots a total of 3 times. Me kissing a fat, slightly sweaty New Jersey girl that may or may not have smelled like bacon for the New Years and Rah talking oh so smooth, as only he can, to the local law enforcement on the way home…great night...MVP: Dr. Rahul K. Gupta

1. Carolina Cup (Camden, SC): ahhh, always my favorite day of the year. Hanukkah in the Spring. This annual event simply gets better and better each year. In fact, I go on record to say this year was the best ever. This year's highlights include Winslow driving down from the worst state in the Union (Ohio), Andrew's red pants, and the Cup MVP Jared Tyler for leading the 1980s hit train sing-along all the way home in Kendell's van. Journey never sounded so good…

Man Crushes:
Okay, contrary to popular belief I am not gay. Just ask that girl from college that I slept with back in 1997. Granted I haven't had sex since that 5-minute odyssey, but I for damn sure proved my heterosexuality that historic Thursday night in Johnstone F-522…But to the point, it is my theory that all men have "man-crushes". These are men that we would love to be best friends with, take Jager-bombs (or Vermouth-bombs) with, debate sports with, or possibly just stroke our hands through their thick hair while getting lost in their beautiful eyes…All men have a few guys they have man-crushes on…they may not admit it but they do. Here are my 5.

5. Jack Johnson – Musician, Surfer, Movie-maker, Music-label owner…Solid resume…oh yeah his new album "drops" in February

4. Tom Brady – He should be on everyone's list

3. Colin Cowherd – ESPN Radio genius. He has the best sports radio show in the land, but his best moments are his takes on life…This guy is brilliant.

2. Christian Bale – smug and arrogant? Yes. Great actor? Yes (sans "Harsh Times")…Was he awesome in "Newsies"? Yes…The next Batman is going to be out-of-control good…Look for it this coming summer.

1. Jason Schwartzman – The coolest Hebrew in the world. Rushmore, Shopgirl, Slackers, Spun…all solid (well maybe not Slackers)…Plus, he can write and/or sing a solid pop song (i.e. West Coast – Coconut Records, California – Phantom Planet)

Guilty Pleasures:
Back by popular demand are my top guilty pleasures of 07. I already feel your eyes judging me…

5. Harry Potter: Again that damn Harry Potter makes the list. Wands, Witches, and a game of Quidditch and I am one happy camper…I may dress up like Harry for the last movie…Does that mean I can make out with a girl that is dressed up like Hermione?

4. Waitress: Yeah it's a chick-flick…my Man-card is now void for one year.

3. Gossip Girl: Okay you got me…I know I am pushing 30 and I am watching a tv show about the quagmires of adolescent youth but I am addicted…oh what channel is it on? I don't have to tell you because you know you watch it too …teenage angst is my heroine…also Josh Schwartz plays some damn good music (Elliott Smith, Band of Horses, and Nada Surf in back-to-back episodes…come on, that's unstoppable).

2. Ruby Tuesday's: Dammit I hate the "Applebee" world of restaurants with a passion, but those Tsunami Shrimp at Ruby's are ridiculous…Don't get me started on their sliders…God Bless Ruby Tuesdays

1. Myspace: Though I know Myspace was designed for 13 year old girls and the child sex predators of the world, I can't seem to leave it…I love seeing what my people are up to (apparently mainly binge drinking and squirting out kids) and what music they are listening to etc…I find myself checking the site like 10 times-a-day…


Another year, another countdown. Don't forget to vote in one of the upcoming SC Primaries. January 19 – Republican, January 26 – Democrat. In my opinion the primaries far outweigh the actual November election, but that's up for debate. Remember: Vote Democrat Vote Right