Better than the rest

Due to popular demand, the need for a somewhat premature, and decidedly inexpert, "best of 2008" has arrived.

A number of things may be ancient, but I just found them so therefore they qualify as new in my world. They're not in order either, ordering requires way too much pressure and editing. Chances of there being 10 are slim also so random numbers of top stuff.

TV stuff:

1) The Wire
It's great, really well done and addictive. 5 series, all finished. All available from that nice "shop".

2) Top Gear.
See below.

3) Mock the Week
Always funny even if contrived and some secret badness for guests that everyone hints about and noone ever actually reveals.

4) Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
I'm getting boring now.

5) 24
Always watchable even if 2 years behind. Disclaimer: if the last two series have been cack, I haven't seen them.

6) Maestro
Very surprising, only watched because recommended by guru, and really very good.

7) Spooks
Going decidedly off, but still watchable.

8) Britain from Above
Really interesting, but way too few episodes.

9) Ugly Betty
Shouldn't be good, but is.


Books that managed to keep my attention all the way to the end:

1) The Fourth Bear by Jasper Fforde.
The sequel to "The Big Over Easy", these are from the Nursery Crime Division which I like better of his two series. Most people prefer the Thursday Next books, of which "The Eyre Affair" is the first, but that could be because they're a bit distinctive and came first. I read "The Big Over Easy" before any Thursday Next so developed a fondness for THAT style. All the books are marvellous, the preference could also be because of small brains knowing nursery rhymes and fairy stories better than great literature.

2) The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid
This is great, as previously detailed, as are the subsequent Tony Hill/Carol Jordan books. Gory, but gripping.

3) Corned Beef Sandwich by Mark Sullivan
Without meaning to be sycophantic, this is really, really good, if indescribable. Read it. Even if you wrote it.

4) Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella
Mindless, feel good chick lit stuff that completely used the novel I used to think I had inside of me, and did it ever so much better than I ever would have.

5) Public Transport by Peter White
Erm, this one's probably just me.


Uh. That's it for books. I've started a lot of cack and read a lot of brainless things I wouldn't recommend.


Best new foods discovered since going off everything:

1) Get Real Organic Ambletown Roast - best microwaved which makes me love it a little bit more

2) Cauliflower Korma (made by me)

3) Quorn Mousakka (made by me)

4) Cauldron Falafel (not a new discovery but required re-celebrating)

5) Quorn bacon style pieces - previously dismissed as plasticine, now discovered to be tasty

6) Asda chilli spiced seeds with almonds.


All round generally great people:

1) Andrew Collins. Gotta keep the surprise element in

2) Mark Watson

3) Jamie Oliver

4) Alex Salmond, the best thing ever to happen to Scotland


Best things to completely waste time on:

1) Nintendo DS.
Mario. Mariokart. Brain Training. Lego Batman. Trauma Center. Other games. More Mario.

2) Nintendo Wii
Mariokart. Wii sports. Mariokart. Wii Fit. Mariokart. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games. Mariokart. Wii Play. Mariokart.

3) Apple iPhone. Splendid way to waste time researching, buying, playing with, playing with some more, and playing a bit more. Also useful for phonecalls.

4) Blogs. Reading, writing, stalking.

5) Email, instant messaging, text messaging, social networking and various other antisocial ways to socialise.


And there you have the most repetitive blog entry I have ever written. I think there may be one or two things I've not banged on about to death, but hey, lists are good.