This year's survey took me a little longer to write because of my bad memory and because there are a few more films I want to judge.
Politics
- Person of the Year: Jacques Chirac was the primary defender of the international system. He gave Democrats a position other than "the economy sucks.". He caused much ankle and knee biting over at Ministry of Minor Perfidy. AND HE HAD THE GALL TO MAKE A PASS AT LAURA BUSH (I am not sure if that is classy or creepy.)
- Asshole of the Year: Donald Rumsfeld advocated for an unnecessary war, bent intelligence in order to fool the American public, designed a half-hearted strategy that failed to plan for the post-war period, and has attempted to redefine the English language and its use.
- Scandal: In a year with so many, the debacle over redistricting in Texas epitomized the perversion of American democracy at the hands of neo-conservatives and Texas republicans.
Sports
- Best Athlete: It was David Beckham's year.
- Best Sports Team: USC should be #1 (as a proud Bruin, I still think they suck.)
- Most Memorable Sports Moment: The uncorking of Sammy Sosa's bat.
Film/Television
- Best Film: Aki Kurismaki's Man without a past
- Best Documentary: Strange Fruit, about Abe Meeropol aka Lewis Allen, the communist and Jew who wrote the song about lynching and who adopted the sons of the Rosenbergs.
- Best Adaptation of Literature to Film: (holding out until I can see a few obvious films)
- Notable "Re-discovery" in Film: The films of John Ford, especially Rio Grande, which used John Wayne effectively by limiting his dialogue.
- Best TV show (comedy/drama/fiction):The Daily Show (Jon Stewart did warn John Edwards that declaring his candidacy on the show probably did not count).
- Best TV show (information/reality/non-fiction): What not to wear
- Most Memorable TV Moment: Josh Gracin (singer/marine) on American Idol, as he was chosen to be "safe" above Rubin Studdard in the round of five.
Music
- Best Album: Equilibrium by Matthew Shipp
- Best Song/Single: "Seven Nation Army" by White Stripes
- Favorite Live Show: I went to so few that I ought to disqualify myself, but I will pick local band Cyclub at Harry's in Northampton.
- Notable "Re-discovery" in Music: Organ music, especially the sacred works of Olivier Messiaen.
Literature
I tried really hard to stay on top of current literature this year, and all I discovered was that it is really hard to do so.
- Best Fiction Book (Since January 2002): Le Non de Klara by Soazig Aaron. (My current read could also be a contender).
- Best Non-fiction Book (Trade) (Since January 2002): George Crile's Charlie Wilson's War, about US support of Afghani rebels in the 1980s.
- Best Academic Book (Since January 2002): Griff nach dem Westen.
- Best Short Story: "The Weight of Words" by Jeffrey Ford, in Levianthan 3
- Notable "Re-discovery" in Literature: The Viking sagas, especially The Saga of Egil.
Guilty Pleasures
- Album that I refuse to admit that I like: Joss Stone, Soul Sessions, who will probably sound like Britney Spears on her next album.
- TV show I watch in secret: True Hollywood Stories.
Culture
- Best Restaurant Meal: Apple Tree, Taos.
- Favorite Personal Moment: Climbing through Tent Rocks in NM
- Favorite Website: Jeff Vandermeer's Fantastic Metropolis
- Gracious Celebrity: David Beckham.
- Undeserved Celebrity: Paris Hilton.
Will be found guilty/innocent
- Michael Jackson: guitly
- Kobe Bryant: guilty
- Scott Peterson: innocent--but he probably did it.
- Rush Limbaugh: probably innocent, but I am crossing my fingers ...
[wic] In spite of rumors to the contrary, I have sent out this survey twice in the last three years.
