12.30.2006

MCF's Year in Review 2K6



It's hard to believe that yet another year is almost behind us, is it not? As I sit here, I can't help thinking how hard it is to type with my index finger bandaged up. I rinsed the metal lid from a peanut container and decided to roll it up and fold it so no one got cut when I threw it in with the recyclables. Cuts from thin metal are worse than paper cuts. They go deeper and don't hurt as much, and you might continue working before realizing, “Oh, I'm losing blood here.” It’s ironic that I’d cut myself while trying to prevent that very thing.

2006 was a year full of similarly improbable and ironic injuries, mishaps and disappointments. Some were chronicled, while others I kept filed away in my brain, never to be opened. I'll probably take a more personal look back at my 2006 tomorrow. 2006 had a lot of great moments too though, and surpassed 2005 in some ways. Last year I chose some very subjective “bests”. This year I'm more accurately describing my picks as “favorites”.

My favorite new movies were Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Casino Royale, Superman Returns, X-men: The Last Stand, Over the Hedge, Mission Impossible III, Borat, Saw III, and Monster House. Through Netflix, I probably average about 200 movies a year, so it's understandably hard for me to narrow down my favorite old movies that I've finally seen. The top three most recent standouts though are The Apartment, Once Upon a Time in the West, and Magnolia.

My favorite new television show is, without question, Heroes. I've also enjoyed 30 Rock. The only other new show I started watching was Day Break which, alas, has been canceled. I did add both The Office and Battlestar Galactica to my regular rotation, and I'm extremely glad I did. I'm now completely caught up with The Office, I'm working my way through the first two seasons of Galactica, and I've seen all of Galactica's third season thus far. My favorite returning shows were How I Met Your Mother, Prison Break, Lost, Scrubs, My Name is Earl and Supernatural. I can't wait for 24 to return in January. I'm also looking forward to the concluding episodes of The Sopranos.

I can't really list any favorite moments in politics or sports, because I don't follow either all that closely. It's probably one of the many reasons I never have anything interesting to say at parties but, as Darrell would say, “F' it.”

I haven't read any new books, and I'm still reading The Dark Tower, the final in that series and now nearly three years old. Similarly, I haven't read many new graphic novels or trade paperbacks, so I'm not up on the major sagas that took place at the two major comic book publishers. I suppose I may have to get to Infinite Crisis and Civil War at some point.

My favorite internet games have been Dragonfable, Dice Wars, and Tower Defence, all of which have proven far more addictive than they should be. Surprisingly, I don't think I picked up any console games this year, though there are at least four I had my eye on.

Finally, there's the Blogosphere. Last year, I gave everyone on my blogroll an award. While I'm not doing that this year, rest assured that if I link to you and read your words regularly, you're all my favorites. That being said, I am going to list my ten favorite posts from this year, in no particular order:

”MCF Revealed!”
Newcomer Otis comes frighteningly close to discovering my secret identity.

”Intergalactic Planetary”
Janet offers a teacher's perspective on the demotion of a planet, one of 2006's more significant developments.

”My Art Final Project”
One of the first things Wendy does after returning to blogging is share some charcoal renderings...of toilets.

”Non-Geeks Need Not Apply”
Darrell gives his opinion of the legitimate trailer for the most anticipated comic book movie of 2007, and shows off an awesome figurine.

”Silly Moving Story #1”
When Lorna moves, will the tale of her lost cat have a happy ending?

”Survival of the Fittest Ex-New Yorkers”
My old friend Rey and his wife do battle with horrendous insects in their new home in the woods.(Honorable mention goes to ”The Battle of Dogwood Tree or Robin-Home Defense”, in which Rey and his son later face off against some angry birds as they continue to adjust to life in the country--it was tough for me to pick just one of his war narratives.)

”Or is Your Entire World Just Crashing Down All Around You?”
The Fifth Column's Schad tackles the year's biggest meltdown on stage.

”Video Blog Wednesday”
Waterfalls and mountains abound in a scenic vacation compilation from film industry professional Jeff(Honorable mention to his Empire original and special edition comparison).

”Wonder Woman Day”
Swanshadow became one of my regular reads this year after I discovered his impressive collection of original comic book art(this year's highlighted in his most recent post). I chose this collection of the gorgeous Amazon, but it was hard to narrow down just one post. I liked the pictures but stayed for the words too, and he writes some of the best obituaries on the internet. There are plenty of cheerier tales as well, from heroic children to televised Heroes.

” To Buffalo, Niagara, and back again...”
Real-life pal and relatively new blogger B13 shared a massive and impressive collection of breathtaking photos from a trip he and his wife took upstate this Summer.

* * *


It really was a great year of reading, and don't feel bad if you weren't included in the list of highlights above. I know there are countless posts I've missed even from the bloggers I included, and it's impossible to recall everything from 2006. I wisely didn't list any of my posts, as I did that already on my blogiversary. I hope everyone keeps up the good work and continues to provide great words and pictures for me in 2007! I’d also like to thank Rey for the MCF artwork in the graphic at the beginning of this post.

Tune in tomorrow, when I take one last look at my 2006...

8 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Because of the link on your blog, I visited B13's to check the photos of his trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Because his blog doesn't allow anonymous comments, and because I don't know exactly what to do about that, I'm leaving a note here. Hope that's okay.

To B13:

Your photography style seems to be similar to MCF's, but it's also interesting to note the differences. I'd like to see a post where the two of you shoot a series of the exact same subjects.

If you and your wife find that you'd like to make a return visit to Canada and you've never been to Toronto, I recommend that you visit Niagara-on-the-Lake (near Niagara Falls) and then continue on less than 90 minutes to Toronto.

I think you will find some great photo opportunities in both of these places. Toronto is the largest Canadian city we are closest to here in Western PA; we have visited there often and enjoy it very much. It's easy to navigate, has some great theatre and hotels, and since you mentioned that food is an important part of your travels, I can tell you that there are some great restaurants there. I also need to tell you that I'm hooked on Poutine (french fries, cheese and brown gravy). I'm not proud to be talking about junk food and I hope Lorna isn't reading this and turning up her nose, but you need to try it.

I'm glad to add your blog to the ones I visit daily and am anxious to see photos of what catches your eye next.

MCF, you may need to take some of your other friends and make a road trip with B13 if his wife doesn't want to go along. You may find that you can forget your "New York self" in another country and get down to the business of finding someone to share your life with.

Kathy

12/30/2006 8:09 AM  
Blogger b13 said...

First, regarding politics: Saddam is dead! And although the newscasters are saying he "died with fear in his eyes." I think they should put on his headstone "Died with fear in his eyes and a load of s**t in his pants"

Kathy/Anonymous: Thank you so much for the kind words. I will check my preferences immediately. I was not aware that people could not reply anonymously.

*cough... MCF learned from the best ;) *cough

Check my post: http://b13fotographica.blogspot.com/2006/11/welcome-to-end.html

and compare it to MCF's: http://mysteriouscloakedfigure.blogspot.com/2006/11/pbw-montauk-heroes.html

I got him to post a LOOONG one.

Regarding Canada. This was my second trip there. I wend as a teenager and went white-water rafting on the Rouge (dangerous since I cant swim too well) but had a great time and went to Montreal. I definately want to go again and would love to go to Toronto.

And I know Poutine well :) Diners on Long Island have it available and there is nothing better than cheese soaked fries and gravy... *crunch... there go my arteries hardening again.

The road trips will happen. The posts will keep coming :) but as I said on my very first post...

"So here is where it begins. I just started reading a select few blogs and thought I'd try it out. This will not be updated every day (honestly I don't think I can be THAT committed) but I will add new photos and new thoughts as I find the time."

Hopefully I'll have some more up soon.

12/30/2006 1:07 PM  
Blogger Darrell said...

Not to interupt, but this comment is for MCF. ;)

Thanks for the link.

Great choice of movies, by the way. I'm glad you enjoyed Magnolia, especially, since i remember really urging you to watch it.

I'm thinking about doing a "favorite albums of '06" post since there were actually several that I enjoyed.

And, to continue my tradition of cursing in comments, F'ing F!

12/30/2006 3:32 PM  
Blogger SwanShadow said...

Thanks for the generous mention, MCF.

Funny you should mention the obituaries -- I don't know exactly how that evolved, but it's turned out to be many readers' favorite feature.

And I've glad you got around to seeing Once Upon a Time in the West. That's one of my favorite films.

12/30/2006 3:40 PM  
Blogger MCF said...

"Looks like we're short one horse."

"No...you brought two too many."

I always liked Bronson, mostly his later work, but after that line I knew the movie was going to rock hard.

And I have learned a lot about photography...from Rey. :P j/k, I've definitely picked up a lot from B13 since we've joined forces.

Note to self: cheese soaked fries and gravy....

12/30/2006 4:45 PM  
Blogger Otis said...

I'm honored that I made your list. We at You Know For Kids plan to continue our pursuit of unmasking MCF well into 2007!

12/30/2006 5:21 PM  
Blogger Lorna said...

I can never pass an anthology in a book store without buying it---and I start reading it before I get out the door, so this anthology of great 2006 things was a joy. Many of my favourites appeared on it, including Magnolia and Over the Hedge. I was pleased to be on your list too.

Unlike Otis, I have decided that unmasking you would be wrong---fun, but wrong, so I hereby promise not to try to send you any chocolates in the future. However, it wouldn't hurt you to read a book once in a while. I've just gone back to all my Sandmans and am about to have Neil Gaiman's name tattooed somewhere prominent. See how reading can enrich your life?

12/30/2006 11:26 PM  
Blogger cube said...

I know this is late, but I almost expected you to mention the biggest shock of 2006... cube is a Ms. and not a Mr. ;-)

1/05/2007 12:12 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home