Getting to hold that lion cub… it was incredibly soft. I can’t think of anything cooler - even though there were plenty of other cool things in 2008. These are the runner-ups:

Running. I did two races - a 10k and the NYC Half Marathon, which went through Central Park and Times Square. I wasn’t fast, and my time was terrible compared to avid runners. But it’s something I never thought I would be able to do. I haven’t been able to run for the last five months due to a foot injury, and I can’t wait to start running again. I also got a bike, which I normally ride to work every day, but it’s too cold now. If the weather is good enough, I go just about everywhere by bike. So between that and the running, it’s been a pretty fit year for me.

Kayaking and cliff diving. It wasn’t a big cliff, nor did I dive, but it’s probably the highest point I’ve ever jumped off of. (I have a fear of heights)
I look forward to doing it again this Summer.

12 days in Egypt.

I met a number of people that I really admire, or think are funny or talented. I already wrote about Gene Hackman and Chevy Chase. In 2008 I also met Ron Howard, Will Ferrell, Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Michael J. Fox, Robert Downey Sr., Joey Chestnut, Ricky Gervais, and a few others.

Last year I also got a 16mm film projector and have acquired a nice little collection of films, documentaries, cartoons, educational films, trailers, commercials and TV show episodes. And, as of last month, that includes a print of one of my all-time favorite animated shorts, about which I have written here a few times before: The Snowman.

To me, watching film projected is magical, especially in your own home. Not just the sequence of images projected onto a screen to create the illusion of movement, but also the hum of the projector, the scratches, the splices, the faded color, the lights turned off and the blinds shut… they all create a wonderful mood that gives me a warm feeling inside, watching these forgotten treasures.

I feel similarly about watching movies on CED (vinyl, or PVC to be specific - they look just like records). That’s also something I got into in 2008, and I will write more about it another time. I bought an old player and have collected about 50 or 60 titles… but they’re so big and heavy that I doubt I’ll acquire anymore.

So goodbye 2008, hello 2009. New Years Eve wasn’t like usual here. I think a lot of New Yorkers are happy to put 2008 behind them, yet they’re not looking forward to 2009. It’s with some guilt that I say that 2008 was a good year for me, knowing that so many others haven’t fared well this year. Just the thought of ‘09 scares me. It’s pretty weird when you think about it. Last night we ‘rang in the New’, knowing full well that it’s going to be shitty.

That said, I think there’s a lot to look forward to. Take the movies, my favorite form of escapism. I can’t wait to see Watchmen… and G.I. Joe… and Inglorious Basterds. And speaking of movies, I updated my list of 2008 films. I have been watching a lot of the Oscar contenders and year-end favorites over the last few weeks - films like The Wrestler, Revolutionary Road, Che and Let the Right One In. See which ones I liked and which ones I didn’t like. I’ll have my top 10 of 2008 (as well as the 10 worst of 2008) ready in a few days.