2010 – Year in Review
So. I was not a particularly active blogger in 2010. Perhaps a slight recap of the year is in order.
Best new thing
That would have to be my first niece, baby H., being born in July, and subsequent time spent with the little bug. She is awesome, and her parents are amazing.
This Christmas was definitely most special because she was there. I can’t wait to get to know her as she grows up.
Best Movie
I’ve seen quite a few new movies this year. While I loved Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, The Social Network, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Maos Last Dancer, and Nowhere Boy, and have yet to see some others I’m sure to enjoy, such as Toy Story 3, I do have a clear current favourite. For me, this year’s best movie is The King’s Speech. One might argue that this is simply because I’ve been in love with Colin
Firth for half my life, and let’s face it, half in love with Helena Bonham Carter too (which overly romantic teenager wouldn’t idolize Ophelia, Helen Schlegel, or Lucy Honeychurch?). However, this movie is so much more than that. It tells the story of King GeorgeVI, or rather, of Prince Albert leading up to his crowning. As a Monarch in the time of emerging radio, he must be able to speak to his people. There is huge pressure to do so. Yet, he suffers from a devastating speech impediment. After seeing every reputable speech therapist in the country to no avail, he finally begins to work with Lionel Logue, a failed actor turned elocution teacher with highly unorthodox methods. The story doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but the interactions of the characters, and the huge personal struggle make it completely engrossing. I’ve seen it in theatre once, and all I need to convince me to go again is someone looking for a date to the movies. It is brilliant.
Best Books
Since I haven’t done a good job of reviewing new Canadian YA this year, here are a couple of my favourites:
Folly, by Marthe Jocelyn
Mary Finn is a poor girl from the country, sent away from caring for her younger siblings when her father remarries. In 1876, she finds herself in service in a home in London. In 1884, six year-old James Nelligan’s world is shattered when he is taken from his loving foster home to live in a Foundling Hospital. Each of these characters tells their own story, and the narrative shifts back and forth between time and place, as their stories unfold. This is beautifully told, and completely out of the ordinary. One of the year’s best for sure.
Plain Kate, by Erin Bow
Kate, called Plain Kate, is a carver. She is accepted in town while her father lives, but when plague strikes, and her father is gone, the people start to blame her. Kate finds herself making a deal for her life with a witch who could be using her to cause even greater trouble. She must flee the town, but in fleeing, she also finds herself caught up in a greater adventure, and a greater danger. The narrative has the feel of a classic folk tale with a great poetry to the telling. The characters are unique and intricate. I’m looking forward to reading this again and again in years to come.
Worst political moment
The election of Rob Ford as Mayor of Toronto. This is going to be a rocky four years, and I’m not looking forward to it. Here’s to hoping that Council and the Province will stand up to him on some of his more drastically wrong choices.
I’m not sure why so many Torontonians thought it would be a good idea to elect a guy as Mayor who, when a member of Council was known to not show up for debates, and who, when he did, would arrive late, make ill-informed and boorish arguments, out of context with the discussion taking place, and then leave early. I’m not sure why people think that being a Councillor whose sole claim to praise is that he returned phone calls from constituents would prepare a person for the role of Mayor in a city this size. I’m not sure why anyone thought his platform of cuts, and saying NO to things, without any concrete plans for forward movement was in any way plausible. Yet, here we are, and here we’ll be for the next few years. Joy.
A few other tidbits
- My grandfather (93) moved into a seniors facility, and the family home was beautifully renovated and then sold by a dynamic cousin and his wife duo of real estate agent and designer.
- I actually stayed in the same job title and same work location for the entire calendar year, which is a first for me.
- I learned how to play the guitar (kind of, and very badly indeed). I’ll be working on improving on this in the coming year.
- I paid of my car. Early.
- In September I ran my first 5km race.
I’m sure many other fantastic things happened, but that’s all I’ve got for now. Happy New Year.
