15 on 15 - Chick Flick Edition

This month's 15 on 15 topic is Chick Flicks (or Date Movies), ostensibly in honor of the hallmark holiday known as Valentine's Day. I chose to go with chick flicks rather than the more generic "date movies" because I figured it would be a bit easier to restrict myself to fifteen items. But this led to the inevitable question, what qualifies as a "chick flick?"

Searching the internets, yielded a number of different definitions. (For example, check Wikipedia and WordSpy.) Generally speaking, chick flicks are movies that appeal more to women than to men. From there, the genre has several subcategories: those involving romance, those involving a group of female friends, and those with a strong female lead. Now as you might expect, these subcategories are not mutually exclusive. But the inclusion of the last subcategory can lead to some strange chick flick picks; I certainly don't consider movies like Aliens and Tomb Raider to be chick flicks. But apparently some lists have included them. (See some example lists here and here.) So I decided to focus more on the first two subcategories when creating my list, especially since they seem more in keeping with the V-day sentiment. I've also decided not to resort to any "classic movies" - while there are a number of old movies that would make a good date movie, and which probably have a somewhat greater appeal to women than men (e.g., Casablanca, Roman Holiday, Sabrina), I don't really think of them as chick flicks.

And now, my list:

15. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- A fun little movie. The premise is admittedly contrived, but the ever escalating attempts of Andie (Kate Hudson) to drive off Ben (Matthew McConaughey) are fun to watch. Two final words: Princess Sophia.

14. Legally Blonde
- This movie gets bonus points for being about law school, which was enough to put this movie on my list. Completely unbelievable, but also completely hilarious.

13. Dirty Dancing
- Yes, it's an 80s movie set in the 60s. True, Jennifer Grey really never did anything after starring in this movie. But it's still a pretty watchable movie, with some catchy tunes. Bonus: Lenny Briscoe co-stars as the dad.

12. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- The characters are delightfully kooky, but the plot doesn't feel quite as contrived as many romcoms. Plus, you'll learn of the magical analgesic properties of Windex.

11. Clueless
- I have concerns about how well this movie will (has?) age(d?), but it's still enjoyable.

10. Meet Joe Black
- Okay, this movie may or may not actually qualify as a chick flick. But there's a love story in there and you've got Brad Pitt, so I say it counts. It's a little long, but the movie is built on an interesting premise and Claire Forlani is pretty easy on the eyes.

9. Bridget Jones's Diary
- In general, I'm not a huge Renee Zellweger fan, but it's hard not to like her character in this movie. Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are both very good and give the film a nice British flavor. Which makes some sense, as it's a loose adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. There's even a Mr. Darcy, played by Firth who was Darcy in the BBC miniseries of Pride & Prejudice.

8. The Joy Luck Club
- This movie chronicles the lives of four Asian women and their relationships - with each other, with men, and with their mothers. The movie is broken down into four flashback vignettes that are all interwoven to form a very interesting tale.

7. Pretty Woman
- This is a classic 80s movie that explores the "hooker with a heart of gold" concept. While I probably prefer the fthe Roy Orbison song that inspired the movie's title, this is still an enjoyable and amusing movie.

6. Shakespeare in Love
- This may be the sappiest movie on my list. But it's still a good movie and an interesting imagining of how Shakespeare was inspired to write Romeo and Juliette. It has its fair share of laughs too.

5. Chocolat
- Women love chocolate, Johnny Depp, and the French countryside. For the guys, Juliette Binoche is hot. Chocolat has it all. Also, the music is great - very lively.

4. My Best Friend's Wedding
- Another fun romcom that probably has wider male appeal than many other chick flicks. The music is pretty good too.

3. Nine Months
- Hugh Grant's character tries to come to terms with impending fatherhood in a romcom that emphasizes the comedy. There's humor to spare here, with Robin Williams and Tom Arnold in the supporting cast.

2. Shall We Dance?
- I prefer the Japanese version (maybe just because I saw it first), but the recent remake (starring Richard Gere and JLo) is actually pretty good too. It's a romantic movie with some ballroom dancing in there as well.

1. When Harry Met Sally
- A great movie. This movie covered some of the most interesting relationship topics of our time: being high maintenance, whether men and women can be just friends, and faking orgasms. In restaurants. (I'll have what she's having.)


Notable chick flicks that are not on my list because I really don't care for them (and thus would probably fall on my list of Bottom 15 chick Flicks)*: Jerry Maguire, Say Anything, Sleepless in Seattle, Titanic


*Yes, I fully expect to take some flak for not liking these movies.

15 on 15 - Christmas Songs edition

Due to this being the end of the semester and the crazy tradition of final exams, explanations for this month's list will be light. And by light I mean non-existent. If you have any questions as to why something is on my list feel free to ask. The general answer is probably that "I have weird/eclectic/bad taste." Just as a general aside, I start the list off with a few humorous pieces that I expect most people will roll their eyes or groan over. Hopefully the top 10 in my list will be found a bit more palatable. But anyway, without further ado, my top 15 Christmas Songs (or Holiday Songs, if you want to be PC about it):

#15 - Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

#14 - You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

#13 - Snoopy's Christmas

#12 - Frosty the Snowman

#11 - Blue Christmas

#10 - Good King Wenceslas

#9 - We Three Kings

#8 - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

#7 - O Tannenbaum

#6 - O Little Town of Bethlehem

#5 - I'll Be Home for Christmas

#4 - Let it Snow

#3 - O Holy Night

#2 - White Christmas

#1 - Adeste Fideles

15 on 15 - Travel Destinations Edition

The 15 on 15 has been revived, and so I am now happy to present, albeit a little late, my top 15 travel destinations. These are the top 15 places I would choose to visit if I were lucky enough to be provided free round trip airfare and accommodations to anywhere in the world. (This month's 15 on 15 proposal explicitly excluded fictional locations [like the Beach Boys' Kokomo]. I'm also choosing not to include any off-planet destinations, for two main reasons: (1) presently, one cannot travel commercially off-planet [unless you're willing to shell out $20 million to the Russian government to see the International Space Station]; and (2) Honor wouldn't accompany me.)

And now, the list:

15. Easter Island - Because I want a head like the heads you see on Easter Island. Seriously, those giant head statues (moai) are cool. I also want to send my mom a post card from there. Back in 4th grade I was in a geography bee and was asked, "In what body of water would you fine Easter Island?" My mom, who heard "East Ireland," was shocked when I confidently replied the Pacific Ocean - and even more shocked when the moderator announced, "Correct." She realized her mistake a few seconds later, but it's something I still tease her about to this day.

14. Sonoma County/Napa Valley, California - Ah, wine country. I've been there once, but not when I was of legal drinking age. So I think a return visit is definitely in order. Aside from taking part in plenty of wine tasting (honestly, the road trip idea from Sideways is fantastic), I'd probably want to take a trip on the wine train (great food) and maybe even a ride in a hot air balloon.

13. Grand Cayman - Possibly my favorite Caribbean island. Grand Cayman boasts such attractions as: Stingray City, a sandbar where snorkelers and divers can feed stingrays; a sea turtle farm; and some of the best beaches I've ever been to. It's also the home banks that cater to the rich and powerful - a tropical Switzerland, if you will. Hmm, maybe I should join a tax firm that sends its attorneys to Grand Cayman. Honestly, you can hardly go wrong with a Caribbean island. But this one stands out in my memory as being really nice. And they have an awesome mascot - a pirate turtle! The currency exchange rate isn't really favorable to American tourists though.

12. Paris, France - Ah, Paris. The city of light, the city of love. You can stroll the banks of the Seine. You can have lunch in a charming outdoor cafe. You've got the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Versailles, the Louvre... in short, there's a lot to see and do. Plus, you can easily take a few days to escape the city and venture into the countryside. There are castles in the Loire valley, or if you head further south (and east), there's the French Riviera.

11. London, England - I spent a summer in London a little over a year ago and loved it. There are plenty of sights and attractions and I barely scratched the surface while I was there. It's a bit crazy to navigate the city at first, but that's also part of the city's charm. If I go back, there are a few things on the top of my to-do list: take in a Shakespearean play at The Globe; ride the London Eye; tour Parliament; trek out to Windsor Castle; go to the theatre; ride the top of a double decker bus (stupid terrorists...); and of course, hit up a few pubs. Note: check out the sidebar (if you haven't already) to see photos of my stay in London.

10. Rome, Italy - I would love to get back to Rome someday. I did get to see some of the city back during high school when the Latin Club organized a summer trip to Greece and Italy. In addition to Italian food (and gelato!) , there's the rich history of the Roman Empire to take in. When I was there you couldn't actually walk around the Forum, so hopefully I'd get the chance to do that. It would be a lot of fun to just wander around the city, Roman Holiday style. And with a little extra time, I'd want to branch out and see other spots in Italy as well. The Italian countryside is very scenic, and I think it would be awesome to check out Tuscany. There's also Florence to consider, as well as Pisa and Venice - two cities I've never visited but would love to explore. But I'd still want to keep Rome as the home base of operations.

9. Prague, Czech Republic - I've only been here while staring at Scrabble tiles, and as vexing as that situation is, I'd love to see it for real. Prague is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and everyone I've talked to recommends it. I hear it's incredibly picturesque, even by quaint European city standards.

8. Switzerland - Ah, the land of cheese, banks, and cuckoo clocks. And don't forget Lake Geneva. The country is nestled in the Alps, so I'd be looking to hit the slopes at least once while I was there. Since Switzerland borders Germany, France, and Italy, you can get a flavor of many different aspects of Western Europe. In fact, Switzerland is like the heart of Western Europe, if your heart were isolationist and neutral. Okay, that made no sense. Moving on...

7. Reykjavik, Iceland - No, this isn't on my list just because I like the city's name. That's only part of the reason. Seriously, I've heard Iceland is really nice. The country abounds with natural wonders from volcanoes to glaciers. There are also wildlife sightseeing tours. If you visit during the summer months you can experience the land of the midnight sun. Alternatively, Iceland is a prime location to check out the Northern Lights (aka the Aurora Borealis). Bonus trivia: Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital, and hosted the epic 1972 World Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.

6. The Greek Isles - Greece is cool, but I'd wager the Greek Isles are even cooler. The Mediterranean is beautiful in general, and the Greek Isles are home to especially breathtaking vistas. I don't really know enough about any specific islands, so I'm listing any/all of them as a potential travel destination.

5. Tokyo, Japan - The world's largest city. I'm not even sure I can articulate my fascination with this destination. Japanese culture in general is intriguing, and Tokyo is pretty much the center of that. I don't know what I expect to find visiting Tokyo, but I know a number of people who've been and really enjoyed it. I imagine it's something of an alternate reality New York City, but with more technology and shorter people. As those comical T-shirts quip, "I'm huge in Japan." Okay, so I wouldn't be huge. But at least I'd probably be able to see over most people for a change.

4. China - Yes, it's a huge country. But I don't know of any particular city that I would choose to visit over any other. There's cosmopolitan Shanghai, the "Forbidden City" of Beijing, bustling Hong Kong... I'd like to see them all. And then there are more things to see that aren't a part of those cities - like the Great Wall and Tibet. Plus, there's the undeniable impulse to reconnect with some of my heritage.

3. Hawaii - The only other U.S. destination to make my top 15. In retrospect, there are probably some great American cities that could bump Easter Island off the list, but that was a much more entertaining entry. Anyway, there's no place in the U.S. I'd rather visit than Hawaii. A lot of that is probably because I've never been there. There are a couple different islands to sample, and there's natural beauty aplenty. I'd also want to check out Volcano National Park. Maybe I'd even get to see my distant cousin* croon "Tiny Bubbles." And it has the whole tropical appeal, with beaches and tropical drinks. In fact, if Honor and I ever decide to drop the whole law thing I've suggested moving out to Hawaii to open a tropical drink stand. (Oh yeah, the natives would hate us.) If this plan is successful, everyone reading this blog is invited - first round's on the house.

2. Australia (Or New Zealand. Or Australia.) - Really, I'd like to see both Australia and New Zealand. And in a perfect world (why not? after all, we're already suspending disbelief to consider the benevolent random stranger handing out free travel vouchers, right?), they'd be part of a package deal. New Zealand is renowned for its scenic landscapes (and sheep - though admittedly, that's much less of a draw), and just seems like a really cool place to visit. I've wanted to visit Australia for about as long as I can remember. Maybe it's the whole southern hemisphere/standing upside down thing. Or the kangaroos and koalas. And duckbill platypuses. All the Aussies I've met (mostly students in London two summers ago) have been very friendly. So put another shrimp on the barbie, mate, and I'll meet ya down under.

1. Tahiti - This was a tough call, but Tahiti narrowly edged out Australia. I think the tropical aspect is what carried the day (especially given the fact that the South Bend winter is steadily approaching). Lush vegetation, sandy white beaches, the blue green sea lapping at the shore... it's relaxing just to think about it. Plus, there are nice coral reefs to snorkel or dive. And while I'm dreaming of such a getaway, I'd like to get a catamaran and sail around French Polynesia to hit some of the smaller surrounding islands and find those less accessible spots.

No honorable mentions this time around - in part because I'm feeling lazy, and in part because there are just so many great travel destinations out there to choose from. If you're looking for ideas, I'd suggest checking out lists by Derek, Brooke, and Craig.

* Yeah, so he's not really my cousin.

15 on 15(+6) - TV edition

Yeah, I'm a few days late on this one. And I don't watch TV too often these days, so my list may be even more eccelectic than you'd expect. Anyway, without further ado:

15. Iron Chef (the Japanese version, dubbed in English) - My all-time favorite cooking show. Top-notch chefs battle head-to-head to fashion tasty and creative dishes that incorporate a specified ingredient. This show is hysterical on many levels. First, there's the host (I think he's called the Chairman or something like that), who's always dressed up in some flashy shirt (my dad refers to him as "The Japanese Mozart") and is the only guy who's voice isn't dubbed into English. He's serious about his food; he even relishes biting into a yellow bell pepper like an apple in the show's opening credits. The challenger enters the arena (Kitchen Stadium) like a heavyweight prizefighter, and then selects one of the Iron Chefs by calling out his name and pointing to a giant mural of that chef. The Iron Chef rises from below the stage with the appropriate amount of dramatic music and smoke. Then the Chairman announces the ingredient and uncovers said ingredient by whipping a dropcloth off of the ingredient table with a dramatic flourish. Then the clock starts - the chefs have an hour to prepare their dishes. The majority of the show follows the progress of the two chefs (and their various sous chef helpers) as they scramble about the kitchen. This is accompanied by play-by-play commentary and general chit-chat with Japanese celebrities (who will ultimately judge the meals and determine the outcome). The dubbing is pretty funny too. All in all, the Japanese version is far superior to the American spin-off.
Favorite episode: I'm not sure I can pick out any one episode in particular. But Iron Chef Morimoto defeating American challenger Bobby Flay was a classic.

14. The Dick Van Dyke Show - Ah, "classic" television, in vintage black and white. Thanks to the advent of TV on DVD, I recently got to see several episodes from this series, and it's a great show. Dick Van Dyke is a master of physical comedy and has impeccable timing.
Favorite episode: The Curious Thing About Women -- Where we learn that opening other people's mail can be dnagerous, especially when it's a self-inflating raft.

13. The Cosby Show - I have fond memories of this show from my childhood. It brings back memories of the family all sitting together around the television for some good wholesome entertainment. I'm not sure if that actually happened, but that's what comes to mind when I think of the show. Bill Cosby as Cliff Huxtable is very amusing, and his children's antics are reminiscent of Cosby's stand-up routine Fatherhood.
Favorite episode: Pilot -- Where Cliff uses Monopoly money to teach Theo about budgeting and finance in the real world.

12. MacGyver - What can I say? MacGyver is just cool. Armed with little more than his Swiss Army knife, some household objects, and an extensive knowledge of chemistry and physics, MacGyver could get himself out of any jam. I'm not really even sure what his job was, but I think it was some sort of governmental secret agent gig.
Favorite episode: It's been a long time since I've seen this show, so I can't remember any one episode clearly enough to list as a favorite. But you can check out an episode guide here.

11. Law & Order - It's high drama "ripped from the headlines." And you've gotta love the dramatic gavel sound. Derek and I once thought up a drinking game to this show, but I don't know if we'd be able to make it through a full episode. Although I don't see myself ever being a prosecutor, I'd still like to have Jack McCoy's courtroom presence. And I have to say that watching this show probably had a strong influence on how I portrayed mock trial police officers.
Favorite episode: This show has been on for years, and I doubt I've seen even half the episodes. Nevertheless I have seen quite a few, and they start to blend together after a while. Add to that the complication of the various spin-off shows and I have no clue what my favorite episode is.

10. The Daily Show - A fantastic show. Oh, and I'm talking about The Daily Show in its current incarnation, anchored by Jon Stewart -- not the original with Craig Killborn. This show is like a televised version of The Onion, but funnier because the news stories are real. In addition to Stewart's hillarious take on current event, the show has a bunch of correspondents who do field pieces with the severity of Dateline or 20/20. Throw in a random Lewis Black rant, and you've got one heck of a show.
Favorite episode: Because of the topical nature of the show, it's hard to pick out a favorite. I'd just recommend watching it whenever you get a chance, or catch up on clips of the show over at Comedy Central.

9. The Colbert Report - Stephen Colbert got his start as a correspondent on The Daily Show, and now he has his own spin-off that follows it. Colbert's show is basically a parody of The O'Reilly Factor. Like The Daily Show, it pokes fun at current events. It's brimming with ego and self-aggrandisement as well as self-referential humor.

Favorite episode: Again, this one's topical. Check out the clips on Comedy Central -- especially segments like "The Word" and "Threatdown."

8. Jeopardy! - The king of game shows. This show brings back fond memories of quiz team in high school. Like any good game show, you can play along at home, and either marvel at what kinds of things the contestants know or scream at the television in frustration when they miss an "obvious" one.
Favorite episode: Any episode with a healthy dose of answers I know the question to. :)

7. The X-Files - The truth is out there. This is one of the few series which I followed fairly faithfully while it was on TV. It had its highs and lows, which is part of the reason it's lower in these standings. FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully trek across the country (and sometimes the globe) investigating the paranormal - which invariably turns out to be some amazing or freaky phenomenon that modern science cannot really account for. (And while we as the audience got to "see the truth," Mulder and Scully never seemed to hold onto the crucial evidence that would prove the existence of the varioius phenomena. And amazingly, no matter how many mutant creatures they found, Scully always insisted that it had to be something less exotic and more explainable by science. That's not to say that Mulder was always right; many of his theories were pretty outlandish, and occasionally it was something explainable.) The show tracked everything from weird mutants to werewolves to astral projection, but aliens and alien abduction was a recurring theme. In fact, the backbone of the series revolved around the government's knowledge and collusion with aliens. All in all, the show could be weird at times, but it was suspenseful and frequently pretty funny too.
Favorite episode: The first few seasons were by far the best. The show really went downhill after Mulder left the show; the Mulder-Scully dynamic was a fundamental part of the show. Little Green Men is good, and is probably the first episode I saw. But my favorite is probably Jose Chung's From Outer Space.

6. Arrested Development - I've only just recently been introduced to this fine show, thanks to Adam and Matt. And while I haven't even gotten through all of the first season, it's downright hysterical and I've been promised the best is yet to come. The characters are outrageous and over the top, and I marvel at the minds that devised the bizarre yet amazingly funny plots. It's full of quotable lines. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this series, thanks again to TV on DVD.
Favorite Episode (so far): Top Banana -- Where we learn that "there's always money in the banana stand," and "OH MY GOD, WE'RE HAVING A FIRE... sale."

5. The Practice - A counterpoint to Law & Order - "reasonable doubt for a reasonable fee." It's a great legal drama with compeling characters and interesting cases. There are plenty of trial tactics to love, and the show isn't afraid to confront the ethical turmoil of defending clients you know are guilty. But we get to peek inside the DA's offices as well, and see both the valiant struggles for justice and the potential of prosecutorial abuse of power.
Favorite Episode: Once again, the early episodes were the best. Things started to fall apart as some of the main characters dropped out of the picture. Bringing James Spader on board was a good attempt to save the series, but it wasn't to be. Luckily, Spader's character got spun off to Boston Legal, which while good isn't as good as The Practice. All said and done, my favorite episode has Eugene giving a thoroughly masterful cross examination. I'm not 100% sure, but I think it was the fifth episode in the first season (Part V - it was before they were naming the episodes apparently).

4. Whose Line Is It Anyway? - If you want to watch something really funny, watch this show. I think it's only on ABC Family now, which is a shame, but if you've never seen the show I highly recommend it. Often imitated, never replicated. This is great improv comedy. I used to watch the original British version on Comedy Central (back when I had cable); later, Drew Carey created an American version. The British version had more rotation among the participating comedians, which added a little variety. But the American cast (Ryan and Colin were veterans of the British show) is so good that you don't really need any others.
Favorite episode: It's an improv show; half the fun is seeing what wild and zany stuff they'll come up with next. So my favorite episode is probably one I haven't seen yet. But even if it's a repeat, it's still hysterical and I'll still end up watching it.

3. Jeeves & Wooster - Based on the characters created by P.G. Wodehouse, this show is everything that makes British 'humour' great. Wooster and company engage in all types of crazy hijinx and find themselves in increasingly funny entanglements. Luckily the ever-wise and incomparable Jeeves is there to sort things out.
Favorite episode: The Bassets' Fancy Dress Ball (or, A Plan For Gussie) -- Where we meet the infamous (and hillarious) Spode and learn he has a deep, dark secret...

2. The West Wing - A very well written show with great characters. Really, I'm not sure what I can say about this show that Derek hasn't mentioned in his various blog posts. Given the state of government, sometimes I wish Martin Sheen was President.
Favorite episode: Hartsfield's Landing -- The President proves his mental prowess both on the chessboard and in balancing delicate and dangerous diplomacy with China and Taiwan.

1. Firefly - I learned about this show after it had already been cancelled. It had an entirely too-short run on FOX. It's really a great show; I guess given the kinds of shows FOX generally shows, Firefly was just too good for the network. Despite it's short run, the show's done very well in DVD sales and even spawned a movie. I think there are still some efforts to bring this show back, which I think would be fantastic. Firefly is a space-western set aboard the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity. It was created by Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel). What really makes the show is its cast of characters. They're fairly complex with dynamic relationships between each other. The episodes that were made had some great plots, and Whedon's sense of humor and knack for snappy dialogue (peppered with some Chinese words and phrases!) makes for some great TV.
Favorite episode: Out of Gas is a great episode that examines how many members of the crew met. These flashbacks are incorporated into a storyline in which an explosion on Serenity illustrates the fragility of life in space. It's beautifully shot and has some great music as well.

15 on 15 - Favorite Songs Edition

Welcome to Desert Island Discs! (If you caught that reference, email me.)

Okay, I want to say right off the top that I do not consider these to be the top 15 songs of all time, simply my personal favorite. I have ecclectic tastes, so bear that in mind. And I'll preemptively apologize to any who feel I have bad taste in music. If this list gets just too painful to read, check out some other lists by Derek, Ruvym, Brooke, and Craig.

And a few quick notes on methodology. I enjoy a variety of music, and narrowing my list down to 15 proved difficult (though I'm sure others had an even harder time of it). To make the task a little easier, I decided not to use any classical pieces, movie soundtracks, or Broadway tunes. I could probably do a separate top 15 list on any of those categories. So these are all songs that you might hear on the radio. Also, for all I know the artist listed with the song may not be the original writer/performer/whatever. But it's the version I know, which is why it's that way on my list.

15. You Never Even Called Me by My Name, David Allan Coe

Well, I was drunk the day my Mom got outta prison.
And I went to pick her up in the rain.
But, before I could get to the station in my pickup truck
She got runned over by a damned old train.

Okay, the last verse or so of this song is just plain funny, and fun to sing along to. Always remember that the key to the perfect country and western song lies in including the following elements: Momma, a train, a truck, prison, and getting drunk. Tying them all into one verse scores serious bonus points, and people will feel obliged to include your song on their albums.

14. Wonderboy, Tenacious D

What powers you ask? I dunno, how 'bout the power of flight?
That do anything for ya? That's levitation holmes.
How 'bout the power to kill a yak, from 200 yards away...
with mind bullets! That's telekinesis, Kyle.
How 'bout the power, to move you?

Ah, Tenacious D. Jack and Derek introduced me to their comedic song stylings several years ago, and I enjoy several of their songs (although I doubt many would pass today's FCC filters). But Wonderboy is probably my favorite if for no other reason than the quote from above. Jack Black just gets so into delivering those lines. It's hard not to crack up or join in the fun.

13. Kokomo, The Beach Boys

Everybody knows
A little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go
And get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo

Yes, the song was probably played into the ground when it came out. And I know plenty of people don't care for the song. But it's undeniably catchy, and most people can at least sing along to the chorus (listing exotic tropical locales). It's a good song to sing with friends on a car trip. And besides, who wouldn't want to escape to Kokomo (not a real island, Derek), especially when you can get there fast and then take it slow?

12. The Way, Fastball

They drank up the wine
And they got to talking
They now had more important things to say
And when the car broke down
They started walking
Where were they going without ever knowing the way?

Another catchy tune about escapism, only this time without a particular destination. Or maybe they know where they want to go, but just forgot to look up directions on Mapquest. They're certainly not going to the tropical island paradise of Kokomo because (a) it doesn't exist, and (b) they're driving. They could be going to Kokomo, Indiana, though. If they had directions.

11. Mr. Pinstripe Suit, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Now he strolls through the city like a big ol' alley cat
with his pinstripe suit
and a big bad voodoo hat.

Time to throw in a little swing. I like this band, and of the songs I've heard them perform, I like this one the best. It reminds me of a summer a few years back when a bunch of my friends and I went to a BBVD lawn concert. I can't remember if they played this song, but it was a lot of fun. Back to the song, though... I think it'd be fun to skate to this someday. It's already half choreographed in my head.

10. I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers

When I'm lonely yes I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man whose lonely without you
When I'm dreaming yes I know I'm gonna dream
Dream about the time when I'm with you.

Cheesy, yes. But if it comes on the radio, I'm going to turn up the volume and sing along. I just wish I had the accent (or, um, the singing ability) to do it justice.

9. Hotel California, The Eagles

How they dance in the courtyard
Sweet summer sweat
Some dance to remember
Some dance to forget

This is the first song that I remember really liking. It was probably playing on a Pizza Hut jukebox. I chose the above quote, because I can identify with the sentiment. There are times we do things to reminisce, and there are times we do things to lose ourselves and forget about our troubles. I've definitely experienced both aspects while skating, and I could see how dancing would be the same.

8. One Headlight, The Wallflowers

I'm so alone, and I feel just like somebody else
Man, I ain't changed, but I know I ain't the same

I identify this song with the summer after graduating from high school. It seemed like every time I went out with friends that summer, this song would come up at least once. I'm not sure whether the lyrics are supposed to "make sense" or it's more a string of words that sound good together, but I do understand the feeling that you've changed in some way so imperceptible it's hard to know how or why it happened. Beyond that, this song doesn't hold any deep meaning for me; I just like the way it sounds.

7. The Sound of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel

Hello, darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left it’s seeds while I was sleeping

Ah, a reflective piece. I imagine most people have had that twinge of melancholy that inspired thoughts of darkness and dour poetry. But unlike the ramblings of your typical eighth grade girl, this song is actually good. It's a bittersweet piece, probably best enjoyed alone in a darkened room, perhaps with a glass of red wine handy.

6. American Pie, Don McLean

I met a girl who sang the blues, and I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store, where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play

This one's a classic. I don't know all of the lyrics, or all of their meaning. And shouldn't the levy be dry? But anyway. It's another song that almost everyone knows the chorus, so you can sing it with a group a friends. It's got a catchy tune, and has both upbeat and wistful sections. Oh, and Weird Al's parody is pretty funny too.

5. Piano Man, Billy Joel

And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it's better than drinkin' alone

The quintessential drinking song: one you'd expect to hear in Cheers. Billy Joel has many fine songs, but I think this one is the most fun to sing along to. While drunk/drinking. With other people who are drunk/drinking. Possibly arm in arm, swaying to the music, trying not to spill anything. You know, German style - which is why those Germans came up with this brilliant invention.

4. You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You, Dean Martin

The world still is the same, you never change it,
As sure as the stars shine above;
You're nobody 'til somebody loves you,
So find yourself somebody to love.

Many of my readers may remember this song from the opening credits of Swingers. It's a simple song, but it's catchy. And the world is a much brighter place when somebody loves you. So find yourself somebody to love and go out for Italian.

3. Unchained Melody, The Righteous Brothers

Time goes by so slowly and time can do so much.
Are you still mine?
I need your love, I need your love, God speed your love to me.

"My illness at the time took the form of believing that the Righteous Brothers' recording of 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin' ' on the London label was possibly the most haunting, the most deeply moving noise ever produced by the human spirit..."
But I'm going to go with Unchained Melody instead. Okay, so this song was almost ruined by the movie Ghost. I don't care. I still like it. The words are simple, but meaningful. And Underhill and Martini performed an outstanding pairs routine to this piece.

2. I Saw Her Standing There, The Beatles

Whoah, we danced through the night,
And we held each other tight,
And before too long I fell in love with her.
Now I’ll never dance with another
Since I saw her standing there

Derek will undoubtedly disagree with me (because he's crazy), but you can't go wrong with The Beatles. Narrowing it down to one song was difficult (although I tend to prefer their earlier songs). But I chose this one because it has special significance to me: it's the first track on a Beatles mix that Honor made for me.

1. A Kiss to Build a Dream On, Louis Armstrong

Give me a kiss to build a dream on
And my imagination will thrive upon that kiss
Sweetheart, I ask no more than this
A kiss to build a dream on

I don't really have much to say except that I really like this song. It's simple and elegant. It's about hope, love and romance. It's an optimist's song: though two lovers are parting, all it takes is a kiss to endure the time apart. If I hear or even think of this tune, it'll be with me all day (but in the good way, not the "arggh, I'll never get this tune out of my head" sort of way).

No honorable mentions this month. Not because there aren't any, but because there are just too many. And you're probably tired of reading this post already.

Back with 15 on 26

Yes, yes, I know. Long time no post. Apparently people still read this thing. Or they would, if I would only post something for them to read. My recent lack of posts has even alarmed some, as emails and some blog posts have questioned my continued well-being.

Why haven't I been posting, you may well ask. I'm afraid that I cannot offer any really good or satisfactory explanation beyond a certain lack of creative vision. I won't go so far back as to recount the holidays, as nothing particularly eventful transpired anyway. But I will (hopefully soon) post some tidbits from Honor's recent visit to South Bend, as well as a few other odds and ends. It's spring semester, which means law school bowling is about to start up again (tonight, in fact). I plan to reprise my role as bowling blog correspondent for my team. Also, the Winter Olympics kick off next month, so there will be some skating-related posts to come.

And now, without further ado, I present my late entry for this month's list o' 15:

Top 15 Books

15. The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook, Joshua Priven and David Borgenicht
I suppose you could consider this my (tongue in cheek) response to Derek's entry of the Boy Scout Handbook. While this is technically a series of books with advice for a wide range of situations, I'm most familiar with the original book. I'm not much of an adventurer myself, but it's good to know that if I ever find myself needing to land an airplane, escape from quicksand, fend off a shark, or perform an emergency tracheotomy, I can at least say I once read a book that told me how to do it.

14. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne
Jules Verne's authored a number of visionary classics which were the forerunners of science fiction. I read many of his books as I was growing up. In 2KLUTS as I call it (okay, I really don't, but just didn't feel like typing out the title again, which is funny because I have now typed even more words just explaining the crazy acronym), Verne imagines life under the sea in the Nautilus, captained by the mysterious Captain Nemo. These ideas were later used by Disney and Pixar to create (a now defunct) amusement ride, a song title for an animated movie about a mermaid, and an animated film about a clownfish with asymmetric fins.

13. I, Robot, Isaac Asimov
Another fine entry under the genre of sci-fi. Asimov's creativity is astounding, and as with all science fiction, his stories speak as much to the human condition as the possibilities of future technology. I, Robot is a collection of short stories (cleverly tied together to a larger narrative) that considers the three laws of robotics and the philosophical problems they create. It's a wonderful and thought-provoking read.

12. Angels and Demons, Dan Brown
Although Dan Brown is better known for The DaVinci Code, I think this is the better work (of the two -- I'm not familiar with his other titles). It features the same main character and a very similar formula, but I found it more exciting. The book features Rome and Vatican City, some clever riddles, and an interesting take on the relationship between science and religion.

11. Harry Potter (series), J. K. Rowling
I was skeptical when I first heard of Harry Potter, but after reading the first few pages of the first book a few years ago, I admit I'm hooked. Maybe they're kids books, but I find them very entertaining. Part of this is because Rowling's books have successfully balanced fun kid-oriented material with a deeper meaning and subtext that adults (and assuredly, precocious children) can pick up. In that way, the Harry Potter series lies somewhere between popular recent movies like Shrek and Finding Nemo and sophisticated classic comic strips like The Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes.

10. The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas
I'm all for great swashbuckling tales, and this is one of the greatest. Engaging characters, political intrigue, swordfights, this book has it all.

9. The Odyssey, Homer
My father was a big fan of classical mythology, and some of that love for the subject rubbed off on me. It's understandable how the tales from Greek mythology could appeal to a kid -- the stories are full of heroes, monsters, and very human-like gods and goddesses. The Odyssey is full of such great mythical characters.

8. Macbeth, William Shakespeare
Macbeth has a special place in my heart as the first Shakespearean play I ever read. In fact, for a school talent show I once acted out part of the play. Macbeth captures a very mysterious, almost creepy mood. It's full of murder, mayhem, and the supernatural. The Bard does fine work, and this tale has only gotten better as I've aged and re-read it.

7. The Brethren, Bob Woodward and Scott Armstrong
As a general rule I prefer fiction to nonfiction, but The Brethren is an excellent book. It offers an inside look at the Supreme Court, a behind-the-scenes glance at the workings of the Court under Warren Burger. It covers many prominent cases and explains how things really work -- how opinions are assigned (and the headaches of "writing by committee"), how much the law clerks do, how deliberations go on -- it's a fascinating read. I highly recommend this book to anyone in/contemplating the legal profession or anyone curious as to how our country's highest court operates.

6. Contact, Carl Sagan
Sagan's Contact is probably my favorite science fiction work. It's a very thoughtful piece on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and how first contact might occur. But at its core, Contact is about how humans relate to each other both individually and as groups of people (nations, science and religion).

5. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee
There are some pieces of literature that are (virtually) incontestably classics. This is one of them. It is sometimes funny, sometimes inspiring, and sometimes heartbreaking. Large themes like race and justice are showcased alongside the pains of growing up. Future lawyers who have read this book almost can't help wanting to be Atticus Finch. Saying that it's a very good book would be an understatement.

4. Hamlet, William Shakespeare
My favorite piece by Shakespeare -- the Best of the Bard. Great characters, great speeches, great plot. Eminently quotable. And as with all good Shakespearean tragedies, almost everybody dies.

3. The Real Thing, Tom Stoppard
Ahh, most people may expect a Tom Stoppard entry following Hamlet to be Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Fooled you! But seriously, this is a fine play which holds a special place in my heart because I performed it on stage. Many thanks to my friend Monica who introduced me to this play and directed the performance. It's very witty, chock full of interesting takes on relationships and romance, and has some very quotable lines. Honor and I frequently quote bits and pieces back to each other. If you haven't read The Real Thing, you should at the next available opportunity.

2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (series), Douglas Adams
A trilogy in five parts. The HHGG is quite possibly one of the funniest things ever committed to paper in the written word. At any given time I could probably pick up one of the books, flip open to a random section, and just read for a while. This is one collection of books that may be dangerous to read in public if you're self-conscious about laughing out loud. The characters are lovingly crafted and the dialogue is very funny. But the occasional random musing on the nature of life and the universe is outright hysterical.

1. Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton
Maybe it's not the best book of all time, but it is certainly my favorite. I'm pretty much a fan of all of Michael Crichton's books, but this one stands apart from the rest. If you were to glance at my bookshelf, you'd notice that Jurassic Park is the most worn book there. It works well as a thriller, as a science fiction piece, and a cautionary tale on technology gone amok. The characters are lively and engaging (particularly "chaotician" Ian Malcolm). And don't forget the star attraction: the dinosaurs.


Honorable Mentions:
Pride and Prejudice, Julius Caesar, King Lear, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Around the World in Eighty Days, Treasure Island, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Sphere, Fahrenheit 451, The Illiad, The Aeneid, many works my Poe, any number of Sherlock Holmes mysteries, and some random children's books

Note: There are probably any number of books that I have not yet read that may make the list (or at least warrant an honorable mention) once I've finished it. This list is current as of 1/26/06.

The 15 on 15 -- Top 15 Movies

I'm jumping on the bandwagon. The idea comes from Derek, who along with Ruvym and Ariel (and now Brooke) have posted their top 15 movies of all time. What follows is is a list of my favorite fifteen movies, not what I consider to be the "best" movies of all time (aka, I did not evaluate exclusively on quality of acting, cinematography, script, etc.). These are movies that I personally enjoy, and to me have a high "rewatchability" factor. Repeat viewing was an important factor in making this list, which adversely affected two groups of movies: recent releases and suspense/thriller/plot twist movies. A few movies that I enjoy that belong to those categories are included in the honorable mentions after the list. Now without further ado, my top 15:

15. Monty Python & The Holy Grail -- Wacky British humor, and eminently quotable. Absurd? Undoubtably. Hillarious? You bet.

14. Aladdin -- My vote for best Disney animated film. Casting Robin Williams as the voice of the geenie was a stroke of brilliance.

13. Hamlet -- Yes, the four-hour epic Kenneth Branagh version. Marquee cast, beautiful sets, and accurate down to the Bard's last line.

12. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (extended edition) -- Okay, so there are three movies here but I justify it as one entry because a) J.R.R. Tolkien intended it to be one story not three and Peter Jackson filmed all three at the same time.

11. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon -- A breathtaking piece of work visually - the martial arts scenes seem more poetic than belligerent. I recommend watching it with the original Mandarin dialogue and English subtitles. Dubbing would detract from the movie.

10. Pride and Prejudice (BBC miniseries) -- Another long piece but only because it does right by Jane Austen and remains faithful to the book. Often imitated, never duplicated. Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy.

9. The Shawshank Redemption -- A movie about hope and the triumph of the human spirit. First and foremost, this is a great story. It's well paced and very thought-provoking. There's a reason that so many people list Shawshank as one of their favorite movies.

8. Jurassic Park -- What can I say, I like dinosaurs. The T-rex scene is still one of my all-time movie favorites.

7. The Cutting Edge -- Practically obligatory for any ice skater. Sure it's a cheesy romantic comedy (and incredibly unrealistic on several levels), but anyone who's been in the world of competitive skating will appreciate the in-jokes and portayals.

6. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade -- Best of the series. Sean Connery makes the film, and he and Harrison Ford have an excellent rapport.

5. Amadeus -- An interesting take on the life of Mozart as seen from rival composer Antonio Salieri. Great music and a great movie.

4. A Few Good Men -- Come for the law drama, stay for the snappy (and quotable) Sorkin dialogue. For me, this movie has become practically synonymous with undergrad mock trial (mostly thanks to Derek). But much like Law & Order and almost any other lawyer movie, don't try this at home (er, at work?).

3. The Mask of Zorro -- A fun, fun movie perfectly complemented by popcorn. This is a great example of the Hollywood summer blockbuster. Swashbuckling s-word action? Check. Explosions? Check. Dashing rogue hero seeking revenge? Check. Compelling villians? Check and check. Sultry spanish dance scene? Check. And CZJ is easy on the eyes too.

2. Star Wars: Episode V --The Empire Strikes Back -- It was hard to pick one Star Wars movie for the list, and it's a close call between Empire and A New Hope (or just plain ol' Star Wars to most people). I like many elements from both movies, but Empire seems to age like a fine wine - I appreciate this movie much more now than I did when I was younger. I feel like I get a slightly different twist every time I watch it, and not just because of the prequels or the fact that George keeps changing things. I prefer the original or the '97 special edition.

1. Casablanca -- A timeless classic with engaging characters, a touching love story, and a wonderful non-stereotypical Hollywood ending. Also very quotable.



Honorable mentions (in random order):
Sabrina, Serenity, Pirates of the Caribbean, When Harry Met Sally, Contact, True Lies, Goldeneye, Gremlins, The Matrix, 12 Monkeys, The Usual Suspects, Sneakers, Searching for Bobby Fischer, Chicago, Roman Holiday, Some Like it Hot, High Fidelity, Ronin