2007 List of a Mélange of Things or LOAMOT:

1. Best film: Ratatouille
Food and Paris? Of course! This film surpassed all my expectations and is now my favorite Pixar film. The theme of being torn between family obligation and individual ambition is something that rings true. I think Brad Bird is a genius, and I look forward to seeing Wall-E.

» Runners-up: Lars and the Real Girl, Helvetica

2. Best album: Ryan Adams, "Easy Tiger"
I think this is Ryan Adam's best album: consistent and cohesive. It harks back to the days of "Heartbreaker" and "Gold", 2 of my favorite albums by him. It's melancholic yet cathartic and... I don't think words can do it justice. The best description is from Filter magazine: "These are tunes about things falling apart, or else just fading away, as we grow older -- passion, romance, hopes, dreams. It's an album about being damaged, albeit beautifully so."

» Runners-up: Bruce Springsteen, "Magic", Radiohead, "In Rainbows"

3. Best book: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
"Look... at... me." And with those words, my heart broke and my mind raced. It's rare these days to have a book that can transport you so deep into another world, and I stand by this: Harry Potter is one of the best modern fantasy series ever written. Never have I felt for such characters (oh, Severus Snape) and wanted to see this magical world. It was a good end to this story and adventure, and I will be re-reading these books again and again.

» Runner-up: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (read in 2007)

4. Best TV show: The Office
This show is still solid gold despite the abrupt end due to the writer's strike (will it come back?!). The jokes and hilarious events keep getting funnier, and the references back to older seasons seal its status as a popular cult following with an awesome fan base (hello, Office Convention!). Jim and Pam continue happily without being too exhaustive but just... normal. Which is why they are so likeable. And perhaps my all-time favorite cold opener is the one with the DVD box bouncing around on the TV. Don't deny it; you know we all secretly hope it bounces into that corner perfectly, too.

» Runner-up: Pushing Daisies

5. Best moment: These days
It's been an odd year (really, it has), what with its ups and downs. I'm not complaining, but rather, I'm grateful for the things that have happened to me. I'll say, it's been an eye-opening year perhaps making me a little less scared and a little more sure with myself. These days have showed me that. So I bid you adieu, 2007. Thanks for the lessons learned and memories had.

» Next year: Hopefully a spring in my step and a better head on my shoulders. Onward I will go and wherever life takes me, it takes me. I look forward to it! I hope to be more kind and thoughtful of others, no matter how they may be. No one's perfect, especially not me. Here's to 2008!

(Previously: 2006 LOAMOT)



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