And we’re back. Had a lovely time in Chicago, despite the heat. Came back to…more heat. And more lists. So here is part two of the television survey making its way around the internet. Go here for part one.
My Favorites, Part II
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Author Archives: Sarah
My favorites, Part I
Regular readers of this blog know I cannot resist a list. Much like Rob Gordon and his buddies, pop culture lists are my kryptonite. I take them very seriously.
So this survey has been going around the internet for a while. You are supposed to do 30 posts in 30 days, and answer one question per day. But who has the time to do that? Well, let me be more generous here: I do not have the time to do that. Instead, I’m going to lump them all into two big posts. Warning: This could get long. And um, probably spoilers ahead for various TV shows.
“I think you can call me Niles now.” The Great Frasier Rewatch, Part V
Okay, readers, this is it. The day has come. Eight months after starting this thing, we’ve reached the final installment of The Great Frasier Rewatch. It’s been awhile since part IV, so if you’re totally clueless, previous entries can be found here.
Previously, we discussed seasons 5 and 6. Today, we shall start with season 7 and go all the way to 11. Now, I have to admit, there are not as many stand-out episodes in the later seasons, but the ones that *do* stand out are pretty darn excellent.
La la la lala, la la la lala
So summer is upon is, and with that comes summer TV (or, in my case, summer DVDs). Usually by the end of May, I am worn out from TV. This year is no exception. While it was a strong season overall, a lot of my favorites (30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, and don’t even get me started on The Office) were not up to snuff. They need to figure out how to return to their former greatness, and I need a break so as to not be bitter.
Still though, a pretty great year for TV, especially for new comedies: Modern Family, Cougar Town (trust me) and Community all proved to have strong freshman seasons, and I’m ready for seconds.
In the meantime, I am working my way through The Wire (currently on season 4, no spoilers, please!) and am also basking in the glory that is Daria.
Yes, Daria. Didn’t you hear? The series was released on DVD. FINALLY. While I haven’t yet bought it (but it will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine) I started watching season 1 and it’s just as great as I remember. Daria is awesome. She was my hero in high school. (Though I always fancied myself more of a Jane, despite not being able to draw a straight line with a ruler.)
If only Doug and You Can’t Do That On Television would be released, my childhood trifecta would be complete.
Not sure what else I will watch this summer. I’ve already tackled a few shows from my New Year’s list – among them, Freaks and Geeks (best show ever), Sons of Anarchy, and the part of The Wire. What next? Maybe Firefly, to complete my Joss Whedon experience? Mad Men? Breaking Bad? Suggestions are welcome – check out my original list and let me know. But before you suggest it, I think I’ll let the Lost fans calm down a bit before I start watching. Sorry, Lost fans. It’s too much expectation right now.
In the mean time, enjoy some Daria. Makes me feel like it’s 1997 again. (Which brings up a good point – is Daria dated? Does loving it officially make me old?)
Learning how to walk
Paul Hewson (also known as Bono) turns 50 today. This is hard to believe – not only because it means that U2 has been around for 30 years, but also because…Bono doesn’t seem 50. He doesn’t act 50. He doesn’t act 40. He still has the energy of a 25 year old, and the dreams and ambition of a wide-eyed kid.
I could write a lot about what U2 and Bono have meant to me over the years. (Actually, wait, I have) I’ve loved them since I was 12, and will love them forever. But I’m not the only one. U2 has meant many different things to many people. For me, they are the closest thing I have to religion. Seeing them live is like going to church. It fills me up, it makes me feel good about myself and the world, gives me faith in people. (I know, that’s weird. Unless you’ve seen them live. Then you know.)
I have lots of memories of U2 over the years – seeing them right after September 11th, seeing them live for the first time at Popmart, when my Mom thought the song was “Angel with a Hard On” instead of “Angel of Harlem,” watching Bono break down after singing “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”. But what really sticks out (and I’m actually getting teary writing this) is when I first heard the album All That You Can’t Leave Behind and the song “Walk On.” I was a sophomore in college, and very unhappy. I didn’t know why I was so sad, and felt like no one understood how I was feeling. How could they, if I didn’t even know?
I walked down to the local record store at midnight the eve of the release, stood outside with the few other devotees, and purchased the album. Got back to my room, popped it in my computer, and started listening. By the time “Walk On” came up (the fourth track), I was already in love. And then, Bono started singing about the daylight being a long way off, and what I got no one can steal, and how I just have keep walking, keep breathing, keep being. He understood. No one else understood, but somehow, Bono did.
Flash forward a year. I’m home for the summer, after leaving school the winter before. In a few months, I’ll go to Illinois and have some of the happiest years of my life. I’ll learn how to make movies while also making lifelong friends. But first, I saw U2 live for the second time, with my best friend, Jenn. We sat in the second tier, and at the end of the show, Edge played the familiar opening notes to “Walk On.” I took a breath. Jenn looked over at me, and silently took my hand. She didn’t let go until the song was over.
Happy birthday, Bono.
Retrowatching 