Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Fourth New Years Post

This is the fourth New Years post, I haven't posted anything on this blog in a year and I don't mind. My blogs are for my own sake and I haven't felt like doing anything here. My blog in swedish is still used though. (oigenkanningshumor.blogspot.com). With that out of the way; I still like to sum up my year and I've done it here three times before so I will do it here again.

THE 40 QUESTIONS:

Just like I did the other years, I’ve answered 40 questions that I found at a page that doesn't exist anymore so I don't know who to give credit for them. Here are the questions:

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I can't really think of anything.. Well I kinda hadn't cosplayed before and I only did it halfway this year too. Oh, I was out promoting UNF (Ungdomens nykterhetsförbund) too.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Didn't make any I think. I don't know if I will make any for next year either.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I don't think so(?).

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No.

5. What countries did you visit?

I stayed at home.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

My sanity? I want to know more for certain what I feel about things in my life and when I do figure stuff out I want to have more control. I want to be able to do schoolwork without breaking completely. I want to have goals, something to strive for, to know where I'm going. In short I think a little more stability in some areas is what I want.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Sadly I think of the 6th October. Maybe I remember the date because it's my sisters birthday but it really was something etched upon my memory. I had other terrible days, where I screamed to let off the burden of some news that was just to much to take and I also had fantastic days and a bittersweet farewell to UppCon. But the thing is.. I can't remember any of the dates. So what happened on my sisters birthday? Well I sat up all night, all weekend actually... and argued with my friends... over the most stupid shit (quite frankly) ever... it was mostly miscommunication on everybodys part too, nobody really meant what the others interpreted their words as. And I started it. It was my fault. And the three people I see most of all were involved, one of them mostly arguing on my side and the two others on the other. It actually upset me more than or equal to anything else this year. My family had major problems this year, I'm not going to go into detail but at times I don't feel this family works right now. And still this date is right up there with that. To be angry is so much easier than to be hurt and sad. And I find myself being able to just be pissed at my family.. so that is easier to deal with. I actually went back and looked just so that I did have the date correct.. and just seeing that gave me a really bad feeling in my stomach. One or two days after my sisters birthday she came into my room and asked what was up because I had cried so loudly that she heard it from her room. I don't know if that has happened before. Oh well, there you have it. I am really glad that that just kind of ended. It was such unnecessary pain for everybody involved. And I feel stupid for remembering that date over all of the awesome and fun ones from this year. But I won't lie and make something up about another date.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I don't really know. I was really proud when I managed to get through a study-pace of 150% so maybe that?

9. What was your biggest failure?

Maybe I failed at the same time, I managed to get completely worn out and broken from school after that ”achievement”... Maybe that.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No, if you don't count the thing in 9.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Maybe Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations actually, it served to entertain me AND my friends a lot of fun nights. If I think of it that way it was an awesome buy.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Well there are three people in my life that gave me a home when I felt like mine was crumbling around me. Since those three people are the only ones I told what happened too I don't want to be too blunt about it here either but I hope you know who you are and how deeply I appreciate your help and friendship even when I was in an extremely unpleasant situation.

Then there are all the other friends in my life actually, I don't really see a point to anything beyond the nights and weekends we've spent doing fun stuff together so thanks every friend in my life for giving me purpose and having a great time together with me.


13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Well... once again, there is a clear answer or two that relates to what I've said earlier that I'm not going to tell, just to protect all the people involved.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Transportation to school.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I guess I should say Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 because I've been following news for that game a little too eagerly. I can't really think of anything that I'd really classify as excitement in the year though.. other than maybe those small fun things I've done with my friends, like fighting game weekends and sleepovers and Thursdays and so on.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

Euphoria by Loreen maybe? Chicago by Tom Waits maybe? First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes maybe? One was our winner in Eurovision song contest and also everywhere and also an artist that made an overall good impression on me as a person and made me proud. The other was with me when I was in shock and I screamed more or less in sync with the lyrics. The third one is just playing on repeat for me the last month or two. It's a really really good song that has become the soundtrack to many walks and bus rides.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

I. happier or sadder?

Both I think. Over the year I think I've regained emotion on a larger scale, I was kind of locked up before, still am in many ways only not as much. And as a consequence I've gotten a bit more happy during happy times and the same thing applies to sadness.

II. thinner or fatter?

The same? I actually got thinner running every weekday during the first half of the year and then during the second I got fatter again because my leg caused me to stop running and then it was hard to begin again.

III. richer or poorer?

Not that much of a difference, still don't have that much money.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Once again more creative stuff.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Sitting around watching Youtube-videos.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Well I've celebrated ahead of time a little with some friends and on Christmas I was with my family and my cousins, it was fun. After New Year I'll meet up with my friends to exchange gifts, that will be awesome :)!

21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?

I will be at Kenny’s, for our yearly LAN-party and the gaming tournament we created three years ago, HN. (Honor of the Nerds), I will enjoy myself :D.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?

No, I have been wondering about my feelings towards a lot of people around me though. I can't say I've come to all that many conclusions.

23. How many one-night stands?

0

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Så mycket bättre, season 3 maybe. I can't say I liked it quite as much as the two first seasons I think.. but I still liked it alot.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Yes.

26. What was the best book you read?

Eh was it this year that I finally got to read Bridge to Terabithia? Yeah I think it was. Soo that one I think. I just love that book and the movie. But I also really liked things in school (literature student).. like Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In).

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes maybe?

28. What did you want and got?

I wanted to keep my friends and keep doing things with them.. and I did!

29. What did you want and not get?

Sanity. In me and in the world.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

Impossible to say. It's either Avengers or it's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 21. I had one awesome birthday party with a whole lot of my friends, I won't forget that.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

If Springsteen and NärCon wasn't on the same weekend. If school didn't totally trash my spirit. If the bad stuff didn't happen.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 202?

I hope people see me and not my exterior.. oh wait I'm supposed to wear clothes? Well ok, I'll do that then.”

34. What kept you sane?

My friends, I can't thank them enough. All of them because they made my life so much more fun and happy and some of them for being there when I needed them.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Seriously just no.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

I don't really know, there was alot about equality in foreign countries and my own, there was a presidential election in USA and there were just stupid people on facebook that just tired me out before they even began.

37. Who did you miss?

I missed people that wasn't able to join in on the fun times because of work and things like that. Also things like moving to a whole other city far away. This includes at least three different friends throughout the year.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Probably our new members in UNF Silvernykter actually, they inspire me to keep trying to do everything I can to make our city more fun with better things to do than getting drunk.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:

I will not, I'm not god with generalizations.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Like earlier years I will try to use ”only” 5 songs.

I was raised out of steel here in the swamps of Jersey, some misty years ago
Through the mud and the beer, and the blood and the cheers, I've seen champions come and go
So if you got the guts mister, yeah, if you got the balls
If you think it's your time, then step to the line, and bring on your wrecking ball

Bring on your wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball
Come on and take your best shot, let me see what you got
Bring on your wrecking ball

Now my home's here in these meadowlands where mosquitoes grow big as airplanes
Here where the blood is spilled, the arena's filled, and giants played their games
So raise up your glasses and let me hear your voices call
Because tonight all the dead are here, so bring on your wrecking ball

Bring on your wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball
Come on and take your best shot, let me see what you got
Bring on your wrecking ball

One, two, a one two three four!

Yeah! Hey!

Yeah, we know that come tomorrow, none of this will be here
So hold tight on your anger, you hold tight on your anger
Hold tight to your anger, don't fall to your fears

Now when all this steel and these stories, they drift away to rust
And all our youth and beauty, it's been given to the dust
When the game has been decided and we're burning down the clock
And all our little victories and glories have turned into parking lots
When your best hopes and desires are scattered through the wind
And hard times come, and hard times go
And hard times come, and hard times go
And hard times come, and hard times go
And hard times come, and hard times go
And hard times come, and hard times go
Yeah just to come again

Bring on your wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball
Come on and take your best shot, let me see what you got
Bring on your wrecking ball
Bring on your wrecking ball (bring on your wrecking ball)
Bring on your wrecking ball (bring on your wrecking ball)
Come on and take your best shot, let me see what you got
Bring on your wrecking ball

One, two, a one two three four!
(Whoa whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)

(Whoa whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa) bring on your wrecking ball
(Whoa whoa whoa-whoa) bring on your wrecking ball
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
(Whoa whoa-whoa)
Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen

Att alltid ta tillbaks
eller att vara utan känslor är väl ändå samma sak
du lyder det du har
du slukar mina dagar och plockar upp det jag förstör

Jag ljuger om allt
jag kastar mina tankar ingenstans och överallt
vi var aldrig överens
du vill veta vad jag känner men ingenting känns

Och jag drömmer drömmar om att alla försvinner
en efter en
min äldsta bror och min bästa vän
och alla dem som jag inte har än

En hand över min
en obehaglig väntan i vägen för din
men jag har mina skäl
jag låter saker rinna ut så att jag slipper ta farväl

Nu ringer det igen
jag lever med en sanning och du kan inte tävla med den
jag vet inte vem hon är
men det måste finnas nån där ute som du kan vara med

Jag drömmer drömmar om att alla försvinner

en efter en
min äldsta bror och min bästa vän
och alla dem som jag inte har än

Jag drömmer drömmar om att alla försvinner
en efter en
min äldsta bror och min bästa vän
och alla dem som jag inte har än
Mardrömmar by Melissa Horn

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit [Like a ship blown from its mooring]
As it passes a sun [By a wind off the sea]
Like a stream that meets a boulder [Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood]
Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

And because I knew you...

Because I knew you...

Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good.
For Good from Wicked

Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We’re kickin’ ass now)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We bring the house down)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We crush our enemies)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight to win
(We bring ’em to their knees)
I step in the arena
I get my knuckles crackin’
I try to keep it clean
But who knows what could happen
I see a long row, an ensemble
Of the best fighters from a combo of consoles
First came Ryu, a guy who cries (HADOUKEN!)
As he tries to fight you
I checked the dude in his chest
Just before I shocked Blanka
When I kicked the fool directly in his testicles
Sub-Zero felt the need to freeze me
Exsqueeze me?
That’s cheesy
His ass left bleeding
I Falcon Punched Captain Falcon
Just as I Super Smashed Mario up in his mustache
Panda gets up in my face and I’m thinking
That I’mma have to beat him
’til he’s pleadin’ for extinction
Leavin’ knuckle imprints on his eyelids
I ain’t sayin’ video games make me violent
But..
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We’re kickin’ ass now)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We bring the house down)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We crush our enemies)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight to win
(We bring ’em to their knees)
C-c-c-c-combo breaker!
Awww. I think I’m hit bad
Life bar almost depleted

Tag and I’m glad that you passed it to me
Which one of the cowards
Wanna bring the beef?
If you wanna harm me, better bring an army
Step in my way and I’m smashing your feet
Throw the knife. Pass it to me
I’mma slash Jin down to the white meat
Then I’m calling out Ken
(Let’s take it to the streets)
Then I’m breaking his back and I’m breaking his teeth
And my Chun-Li kick gotcha taking a seat
Kasumi did I catch you at a bad time?
You can try to run but your ass mine
FLATLINE!
Now that her ass is dying over there
I’m goin’ ater Kuma the Bear
Beat ya ’till you look like Yogi the Bear
Using my bare hands holding your hair
Where Scorpion at?
I’mma cause him harm
Death to Ayane though she a bomb
Hit her with a bomb
Whole lot of bombs
Bombs she the bomb
Bomb bomb bomb bomb
Heihachi came from Tekken trying to step into the game
But I couldn’t pronouce his name
So I put my weapon through his chest frame
Ripped out Lizardman’s tongue
He’s dumb with silence
And I ain’t saying video games make me violent
But..
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We’re kickin’ ass now)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We bring the house down)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We crush our enemies)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight to win
(We bring em’ to their knees)
Ain’t nothing like whippin’ your ass (whippin’ your ass)
‘Cause I love whippin’ your ass (I love ass)
Ain’t nothing like whippin’ your ass (whippin’ your ass)
‘Cause I love whippin’ your…
I step back to the arena bringin’ death
Who doubted me?
I’m ripping out Nightmare’s spine (FATALITY!)
The crowd cheers, shocked then silent
I ain’t sayin’ video games make me violent
But..
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We’re using cheat codes)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(Our thumbs are bleeding now!)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight fight to win
(We’re stuck up in our rooms!)
Every day day and every night night
I am gonna fight fight to win
(We never Rage Quit!)
Fight to Win by Your Favorite Martian feat. DeStorm

Du ska få se det kommer ordna sig var vad de sa till mig. Du ska få se att allt blir bra.
Jag var pissförbannad 14 år med Getta Grips och tovigt hår. Oresonlig, obstinat med strupen full av hat. Då var min utstötthet en självklarhet och då var våld min vardags mat.

Och de sa: Du provocerar när du inte passar in. Dels är skulden faktiskt din.
Klart du ska slippa slåss men om du var som oss vore det lättare förstås. Ja, om du slutar sticka ut ska du få se att allting ordnar sig till slut.

Men en novembernatt minns jag hur jag satt på småstadskyrkans tak. Hösten hosta hes och hårt.
Jag blicka ut på stad och kyrkogård. Där såg jag död men inget liv, nej ur mitt perspektiv märktes ingen skillnad av emellan stad och grav. Och jag sa:
Ni kan titta snett och ni kan titta ner. Men jag ska aldrig bli som er.

Jag har ett annat sätt att leva. Jag har ett annat ideal. En av de kantstötta och skeva. Men det är varje fall mitt eget val.

Jag föddes -77, är kanske vuxen nu ifall det spelar någon roll. Snart en medelålders man, men på sätt och vis så är jag likadan.
Ingenting har ordnat sig för jag har vägrat ordna mig. Men från 14 år till denna dag har jag mött många fler som jag.

Och du vars röst aldrig blir hörd. Punkare eller rollspels nörd, häxa eller hednadotter, regnhund, goth och globetrotter.
Vi har en stor funktion i det normalas definition. Allting vanligt innebär, e att va allt vi inte är. Stolta syster. Kom ihåg min tappre bror. Vi är långt flera än du tror.

Som har ett annat sätt att leva. Som har ett annat ideal. Vi är de kantstötta och skeva. Men det är i varje fall fall vårt eget val. Låt någon annan vara normal, ren och lycklig sund och smal. Vi ska vara deras freaks och original.

Vi har ett annat sätt att leva. Vi har ett annat ideal. Vi är de kantstötta och skeva, men det är vårt eget val.
Freaks och original by Loke Nyberg

END-12 THE ONES LAST YEAR AWARDS!

I'm doing these awards again this year, yes. I'll be telling you my favourite in several different categories and a runner up.. in other words 2 titles/people/whatever wins in each category! There's not really any order to the two in each category so both win equally.

BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE 2012

Emil Jensen at Klubb Lovisa in Västerås: I love his songs and his poems and helping a little with arranging the event was definetly an extra spice.

Thomas Järvheden in Västerås: Sadly; I almost didn't see more than Emil live this year that I can think of. I did see Thomas Järvheden though and that was quite funny. His funny songs were ok and his serious ones too. I thought the best parts were his stand-up between. I went with my family and they seemed to enjoy themselves so that was good.

BEST ALBUM 2012

Wrecking Ball” by Bruce Springsteen: I'm a bit of a Springsteen fan and in my opinion this is the best album from him since Devils and Dust and I say that even though I did like both Magic and Working on a Dream. Both Death to My Hometown and Wrecking Ball were instant favorites and both This Depression and Rocky Ground are really powerful. In short I like the sound and lyrics.

"Till mina älskade och älskare” by Linnea Henriksson: I realised that I gave her an award the two years before this one. But I have to give this award too because it is the other album that deserves this this year. Väldigt kär/Obegripligt ensam was awesome when I heard it the first time but I was worried that it was just that one song that was going to be great but I found out I didn't have to worry. Almost all of the songs on the album are really great; Alice, Lyckligare nu, Mitt rum i ditt hjärta and so on. I really like it.

BEST SONG 2012

Gotta be honest, for some reason I can't remember much of what music has been like from this entire year. It feels like everything else got clouded by Gotye and Gangnam style and Call Me Maybe and such songs. Maybe it's just me not listening as much to the really new stuff too. The awards is going to go to songs I've listened to much quite recently.

Jag och min far by Magnus Uggla: A great version of a song I already liked in Olle Ljungströms original version. Uggla just takes the concept and goes (what I can only assume is) very personal with it and it is about the most touching song I've heard in a long time. It is perfect in many ways. Great lyrics and it is sung with such feeling that I can't help but love it.

Bitch Bad by Lupe Fiasco: Just in general I want to give this award to Lupe, I think he's brilliant. Words I Never Said have been playing frequently in my headphones. Lupe and rappers like him is why I listen to rap, to me; it's the good side of rap. And this song is (like many of his other songs) actually bringing up an issue hip hop and rap of the other kind help worsen. It is cleverly written and brings up one way things could happen with the cultural image put forth. Now, it is not a clinic study that goes over everything in detail, you can't fit that in a song but what it is is a stiking image that gives people a gist of the problem. The disclaimer-rhymer line is not that good but overall the lyrics are brilliant and the song is extremely catchy which is also a plus. I'll just end it here or I could go on for too long, in short; love the song, listen to it if you haven't already.

BEST MUSICIAN 2012

Bruce Springsteen: he released an album that I really like, he supported Obama in his campaign (watching him after he had won and then hearing a Springsteen-song start right after he was finished speaking was powerful) and my sister was extremely moved by his concert here in Sweden, I wish I could've been there. As always; this award has to go out to artists that have made an impression on me during the year and that can't only be about the music. (Though of course that has to be there too).

Loreen: she won the Eurovision Song Contest with a song I really like and she also proved herself to be a person I can look up to, I can't say that about the majority of celebrities. She doesn't drink and she is highly engaged in social issues in the world. Plus I've still not really tired of the song which says ALOT for a song that is played sooo regularly.

BEST GAME 2012

I really had to think about this one, I had 4 games I considered and I finally excluded Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations because I couldn't justify it as best over the others, no matter how much fun I had with it, it felt like Storm 2 with characters from 1 thrown in. I know a bit was done to make the combat smoother but in my opinion there was still not enough new stuff in it. And for the same reason I had to exclude Soul Calibur V too, the fighting-system is the slickest one yet and I love the game for that and the character creator is amazing, me and my friends have made the most amazing characters ever. But I could only choose two in the end.

Playstation All-stars Battle Royale: There's still much I want to ask of this game. The roster is not as complete as I would have wanted. There are some hick-ups with the combat, the supers feel quite unevenly balanced for example. But with that said; I think it's really really fun to play, in the beginning I thought this game could only be fun playing it with friends but I've actually begun to play it quite a bit online now and that is actually fun too.

Dead or Alive 5: I... wouldn't have thought that I would think of a DoA game as the best game of the year but DoA5 made me have to reconsider that. My friend bought it and we were both surprised at how solid it was as a fighting game and we've had some of the most intense fights this year playing this game. I love it.

BEST ANIME 2012

Hunter x Hunter: It was sometime this year I suddenly realized that for some weeks when I woke up sunday morning and two new episodes of animé had come out; I actually was more excited for Hunter x Hunter than One Piece. And One Piece generally is my favorite manga/animé, period. So that really said something. This animé really entertained me alot, Hisoka is a delicious character and the spiders were amazing, I really liked that they could still feel as powerful as they were supposed to be, that rarelly happens in fiction for real.

Naruto Shippuden: This was a very, very good year for the Naruto animé, for a long time there were no fillers, of course some of the pacing still was poorly executed (Choujis fight with Asuma could have been much shorter for example) but overall it was awesome having so much canon content. And then... when fillers started, the seven swordsmen-fillers were something I had asked for because I felt it was rushed in the manga... and they actually executed it pretty well. But that was not the big shocker, the big thing was chikara. It's a filler-arc... that is actually good... that I actually want to see more of... I'm amazed that Naruto actually managed to do that.

Animés that didn’t make it and why:
Bleach: It ended and in a pretty sudden and half-assed way, just the way to go for the series. I read the manga now.
One Piece: Like I said, I love One Piece... but most of the year was spent on an arc that was ok but not amazing and it really felt like it was dragged out for too long.
Fairy Tail: It was ok, it had fillers that I thought was ok actually and well it was alright overall. Not nearly winning-this-award-material though. I think this was the year that had the stupid timeskip, right? Well that was stupid.
Naruto SD (Rock Lee): This was fun watching but I didn't feel I had to rush to see it like the other ones.

BEST YOUTUBE CHANNEL 2012

Game Grumps: Two of my favorite content creators from the internet joins up and plays games to a hilarious result? Count me in!

Farfromsubtle: I watch this show too much, I really love it and I watch every game that I'm the least bit interested in, they've got a set up like no other show and they feel more human than most people, they almost become like family, I love to hate Fraser when he's stupid or fails at something in a video game but I also see the nice sides in him and the same sort of things can be said for all five people on the show.

BEST WEBSITE 2012

Kanzenshuu.com and Saiyanisland.com

Both are basically news-sites for animé, Kanzenshuu is only Dragon Ball... I've come to embrace the huge Dragon Ball-nerd in me again this year and Kanzenshuu really helped me along with that. I've visited Saiyanisland more than most sites this year, mostly to keep myself up-to-date with news on Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 which I'm really excited about!

BEST FICTIONAL CHARACTER 2012

Hisoka: From Hunter x Hunter, Hisoka has been deliciously maleficent and a joy to watch, I get chills just thinking about him, at times he can creap me out in a way that I like and he's weird and kind of twisted, that's always a plus, even seeming to get pleasure out of watching the main character grow, he is really entertaining.

Gollum: I just have to give it to him, the whole scene in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with him and Bilbo is wonderfully executed and he is just about the right amount of vunerable and manages to be really intimidating at the same time, making the danger feel real. The performance of the actor is brilliant and so is the dialogue and everything about the character.

BEST FILM 2012

The Avengers: I couldn't believe that this movie actually turned out to be as good as it is. I went in with low expectations because I love to watch superhero movies and I couldn't really see how pulling together The Avengers was going to work, I was saying to myself that I will enjoy it for the sillyness that it probably will be. But oh was I in for a surprise. I actually own this movie on BluRay now and I've seen it 4 times, I'm planning on seeing it much more. I just love it. Why do I love it? Well the action is good and the dialogue is phenomenal, the characters are awesome in and of themselves but they are masterfully portrayed here, making me like them even more. To me it's like the perfect superhero action movie.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: No film manages to build atmosphere like this one does, it was long but I didn't feel like anything dragged really, it felt more like it took it's time with the characters so that I felt I could get to know them a bit, get to know the world a bit. Because who wouldn't want to spend a lot of time in that world honestly? And I think the film had a very good mix too, everything from funny moments to serious battles and all things you can think of in the middle of that scale. The actors were phenomenal too, I like how Bilbo still managed to feel like Bilbo, characteristics I've picked up on in the older Bilbo was still there in this performance of a younger version, Gandalf was amusing and the dwarfs were nicely done and I've already talked about Gollum. I really really liked it.

BEST EXPERIENCE 2012

UppCon: I said goodbye to what in my mind is THE convention, it's the first one I went to, it's the one I've been to the most times and I kind of grew up with it. All my love to the convention, I will never forget it. This year was everything I could've hoped for for a finish too, almost all of the people that I've been there with over the years were there and the shopping was awesome and the cosplay-contest too and it was just... pure joy non-stop. I can't express just how grateful I am to the convention and to the people with me who helped make the experience what it was.

And I can't choose anything over the other for the second thing I want to give an award. Sooo... here's a short list of things that deserve it equally; Going to the cinema a bunch (I have never watched as many movies in a year in the cinemas as I did this one and I always went with friends and it was great!), Fighting game weekends (we started realizing that we should have whole days or more dedicated to JUST fighting games... 'cause we love them, they're a great way to socialize, also just hanging out with Kenny and maybe other people playing fighting games was just as fun :D!), Thursdays (getting together and watching Naruto and just hanging out once every week is just about one of the most awesome things in my life), Summer camp (I hadn't done it before and it really was an adventure, I've got many fond memories, many of times when things went wrong and we were facing some adversities but that just made our little group bond stronger), The birthdays of people (especially mine because.. ALL the people I invited are people I really want to be there and almost all of them came and it was just a blurr of happy and so on) and NärCon (The sole reason I'm not as devastated as I could be that UppCon is gone). I've probably missed a lot but I'm just greatful for getting to live and getting to do that in the presence of people I absolutely love so if you've spent time with me this year, you and the things we did are just as much a part of this award as all the things listed. No matter if we sat and talked seriously about things so that the time flew by or if we celebrated that the end of the world probably wasn't going to happen or if we had a ”fika” or whatever. I luv'd it. So thank you. All of you.

Awards taken out from last year:
BEST VIDEO GAME CONSOLE: I would've just picked the same two ones.
BEST LYRICS: Because I didn't feel I had to make the distinction this year, most music I think is good is based on the lyrics so it went into the best song award, also I didn't feel as with the times with the music this year so I didn't have as much to say about it.

If you happen to have any award that you feel I should’ve given out, it’s not too late yet! If anybody suggests something in the comments I could give out more awards in a later post next month or something. But you have to give me categories for me to give prizes in.

Alright, that’s it. And now a classic in this blog: the song of today:

The song of today:
First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes

I've been listening to this song so much this year, there's something so absolutely charming and hopeful with it. I know that it feels a little exaggerated, like many songs do but isn't that what humans do? Exaggerate. And this song manages to get away with it anyway, it doesn't get annoying. I kind of fell in love with this song for a while xD.

Anyway, that's all folks, I hope you have a fantastic year ahead of you, I know I will try to make mine awesome.

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Third new years post!

Here you go: the third annual new years post! I’d like to say some things before the actual questions and the awards: I didn’t win the tournament at New years this year, I ended up split-third and I’m quite happy about it, congratulations Kenny! And to Alex who ended up in second place. Except for that, I’m going to say this: I answer these questions here without lying or holding anything back.. as that, it will be a bit personal I think.. and I don’t mind that.. I hope my friends don’t do either but just to keep everyone as anonymous as possible I probably won’t mention names that much, and I hope that that’s enough.

Now then.. shall we begin?

THE 40 QUESTIONS:

Just like I did last year and the year before that, I’ve answered 40 questions that I found here:
http://www.crucialminutiae.com/40-questions-about-your-year
Well.. I don’t know if the link works anymore, that’s where I found it though.
Let’s get to the questions, shall we?

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

A lot, I tried out two different types of work that I had never tried before, pretty physical ones.. and I read a lot of books that I only heard of before, I actually had a real party for my birthday and I’ve never done that since I was little. So first time since I’ve gone through teenage life or something?

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Yeah, I actually didn’t think I was really serious with what I think I promised myself but I actually did it. (It relates to feelings and the biggest achievement of the year on question number 8) I don’t think I will make more for next year. I don’t think I have big goals and things like that all that much.. and I’m pretty content with what and where I am (at the same time a really scary realization for me) so I don’t think I’ll come up with something I really have to do..

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! My cousin!.. come to think of it.. It’s only been weeks but why haven’t I met the new person yet?

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Well.. my dog that my family got when I was like.. 8 or 9? I was quite sad but at the same time.. she had a good life, she lived as long as can be expected for her kind of dog and I believe that when you’re dead you stop existing, stop feeling.. so she doesn’t feel any bad about it, the loss is on us, not her, I feel the same way about humans. So yeah.. but other than that.. I don’t think so?

5. What countries did you visit?

No countries at all

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Last year I said more of being with my friends and I think that is true.. at the same time, I realize that school and other things really do take up a lot of time.. and I try to squeeze in as much as I can anyway but yeah, I think I’m at some kind of a limit already at times.. And I won’t lie and say I don’t think about love (like.. romantic love, I have lots of the other kinds of love) when I read the question. At the same time, I get by as it is, don’t I?

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

20th of July. Because I finally confessed my feelings.. more about that on the next question.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

As I said, confessing my feelings… Just… gathering up the courage to even do that is one of the greatest achievements of my life. And I guess the result is the second best I could have hoped for. I’m still friends with her and I don’t think I can express how happy I am that we could manage that, that our friendship was so strong that we could handle the situation and still be friends. So I’m terribly proud. Proud of myself, of her and of everyone around. I mean yeah, of course it would’ve been fantastic if my feelings were answered but they weren’t, that happens and from that, how could I have ever hoped for a better result than keeping one of my absolute best friends and on top of that feel that I finally was completely honest with her.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I’m sure I failed in many great ways but I can’t recall anything really…

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Some small stuff.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I don’t know.. I don’t think I bought great stuff.. I spent a lot of money on things I really don’t need but.. yeah..

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Last year I listed many of my friends.. for simply spending time with me, I want to thank you all again! I want to thank some new people for the same thing too, if you’ve spent some evenings with me this year you’re probably included here. But I especially want to thank everyone for being so supportive in moments when I most needed it, I don’t think I can express enough how important it is to have people to talk to.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Can’t really say anyone’s behaviour was the cause of any depression or something like that so no-one’s.

14. Where did most of your money go?

I think it’s either transportation to school and back (a little less expensive this year though, as I got off my ass and got a buss-card) or all the literature for school (much more expensive this year since I study literature).

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Still the little moments with friends.. sure, I went to both UppCon and NärCon and a concert with Lars Winnerbäck.. there’s something to be said when that is the second most exciting thing.. My friends rule!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy and Fields of Gold by Moa Lignell

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

I. happier or sadder?

I don’t really know.. I think I can walk with a lighter step.. but at the same time.. what am I walking towards and why? That goal has been lost and everything seems a little bit more.. like everyday life is all there is. I don’t know xD.. don’t take this too seriously, just a reflection I came up with when I was forced to think about it just now..

II. thinner or fatter?

I guess it’s either that it hasn’t changed much or I’ve gotten a little bit fatter, would be surprised if it’s the other way around.

III. richer or poorer?

I don’t have all that much money if that’s what the question meant..

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I could’ve done more with all of my creative ideas, I just simply feel I don’t have room for it.. I always had to stress to the next “checkpoint”, even now when I’m supposed to be free from school for a couple of weeks..

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

For two years in a row now, I’ve said it’s hesitating.. (I think the character of that hesitation was two different things the two times but still..) well.. now I think I managed to break through that hesitation on one of the most major points.. so I’ll change my answer finally! So.. I don’t think there’s anything I should’ve done less.. I wish there were more hours in the day so that I had time to do all that I want to do.. but keeping in mind that there is a limited number of hours.. I wish I had done less of sitting around, doing nothing (like playing games and watching Youtube-videos).. which is nice.. but not when you’ve got limited time..

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent Christmas with my family first.. that was awesome, I was glad that I didn’t get so much (I tried for a month to tell my mother I didn’t want anything, that if she had to give me something, she could give me a new pair of pants.. and that’s what she did basically). Then I spent Christmas with a lot of my friends.. it was lovely :) and I must admit I liked the gifts they gave me a lot ^_^, I hope they liked the gifts I gave in return too!

21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?

I will was at Kenny’s, for our yearly LAN-party and the gaming tournament we created two years ago, HN. I was reigning champ and I didn’t defend that title, though I don’t really care either, the important thing was that we had fun.. a lot of it : )!

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?

No, I never fell in love, though I still was in love/had a crush (or however you want to word it, it’s always hard to define anyways, I felt more for someone than I’ve ever felt in that kind of way for anyone.. if that’s falling in love or having a crush or what, you decide) that lasted like halfway through the year (ended because she didn’t feel the same, as I said before)

23. How many one-night stands?

0

24. What was your favorite TV program?

Så mycket bättre, season 2. My second favourite program of all time, Popcirkus is the only program ever that was better.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Nah

26. What was the best book you read?

I wrote this last year:
“Wow O_O. I don’t read much, do I?.. Nope I’ve got nothing.”

I kinda feel that that’s hilarious.. now I’m the other way around.. what was really the best thing I read? Dostojevskij’s Crime and Punishment maybe? Doktor Glas? Wuthering Heights? Njal’s Saga? Odjuret?

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Maybe it’s Loke… there’s still a lot… like Anna Hertzman and Hafdis Huld and other things I can’t recall right now.. but I think maybe Loke will stay with me the hardest..

28. What did you want and got?

I wanted to keep my friends and keep doing things with them.. and I did!

29. What did you want and not get?

I wrote this last year and I have to quote it:
“You could say… no, no that’s the wrong way to look at it. Next question.”
And I can definitely say that it’s the wrong way to look at it in all aspects and regards, I’m actually happy everything turned out as it did. What I’m showing here is just total honesty, I can’t claim that some part of me doesn’t feel lost or something but it’s all for the best.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

X-men: First Class probably.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 20. I had a party that I really really really enjoyed!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Going by last years me the only thing I didn’t fix was “Even more time with friends”.. so I should almost be totally satisfied! I did get less time to think, more courage and honesty.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

”I wear things so that I’m not naked”

34. What kept you sane?

Friends, not mainly Kenny this time, mainly everyone, including Kenny!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Eh.. no!

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The SOPA act in USA I guess.. and also of course all the injustices in the world.. that is too countless.. (I guess the Arabian spring was something to keep an eye on too)

37. Who did you miss?

I don’t think I missed a person in particular actually..

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I didn’t meet that many new people..

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:

No, I will not, I don’t really believe it’s that simple..There’s no quick-fix and you don’t “learn something new every day”, lessons grow into you as time goes by.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Here you go, five songs!;

Över vida oceaner
emot fjärran horisonter
över hav och kontinenter
genom skymningar och dagar
har vi färdats med varandra

Vi har vandrat samma vägar
Vi har burit samma bördor
Vi har sett mot samma stjärnor
Vi har sjungit samma sånger
Vi har delat samma drömmar

Du är med mej vart jag går
Genom månader och år
Du är med mej alla dar
Du är med mej vart jag far
Du är den jag kunde va

Som broar över djupen
som skuggor under träden
som eldarna i natten
som stigar genom snåren
har vi varit för varandra

Vi har delat samma minnen
Vi har burit samma längtan
Vi har sett med samma ögon
Vi har trott på samma löften
Vi har stått på samma sida

Du är med mej vart jag går
Genom månader och år
Du är med mej alla dar
Du är med mej vart jag far
Du är den jag kunde va

Och ingenting kan splittra oss
och ingenting kan söndra oss
och ingenting kan slita oss isär
Och ingenting kan få oss
att överge varann
Stormar kanske tystar oss
Skuggor kanske slukar oss
Sorger kanske tvingar oss på knä
Men ingenting i världen
kan lösa våra band

Jag är med dig vart du går
Genom månader och år
Jag är med dig alla dar
Jag är med dig vart du far
Du är den jag kunde va

Du är med mej där jag e
Du är med mej vart jag ser
Du är med mej alla dar
Du är med mej vart jag far
Du är den, jag kunde va
-Den Jag Kunde Va by Mikael Wiehe

Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere, i've looked at clouds that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall.
I really don't know clouds at all.

Moons and junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real; I've looked at love that way.
But now it's just another show. you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now,
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall.
I really don't know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud to say "I love you" right out loud,
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way.
But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads, they say
I've changed.
Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions i recall.
I really don't know life at all.
Both Sides by Joni Mitchell
(Håkan Hellström’s Swedish cover Båda sidor nu is also good, I don’t care what anyone says about him, it is.)

No I know I took for granted that things
Would always go the way I wanted oh I was going to be a treetop
A sea, a boat, a rock of ages
I dont always get it right
I'd see it in a different kind of light

Pay my lip service
Keep it eloquent
Optimistic but
Never quite elegant
Still a weirdo
Still a weirdo, after all these years

I'd always thought it's automatic
to grow into a soul less static
But here i am upon the same spot
Attempting to lift off into space
I dont always get it right
But a thousand different ways
And I just might

Pay my lip service
Keep it eloquent
Optimistic but
Never quite elegant
Still a weirdo
Still a weirdo, after all these years
Still a weirdo
Still a weirdo, after all these years

Pay my lip service
Keep it eloquent
Optimistic but
Never quite elegant
Still a weirdo
Still a weirdo, after all these years
Still a weirdo
Still a weirdo, after all these years
After all these years
(Still a) weirdo by KT Tunstall

Lika bra att leka bra
Hon är fem år, ja som då
Hon vill va det bästa
Hon säger "du är soldat och jag prinsessa"

Det finns inga prinsessor mer
Kan vi sluta leka det
Det finns inga soldater mer
Kan vi sluta leka det
Och hon slutar le

Och ja, ja, jag är ett monster, jag är ett monster
Men jag kände att jag måste
Jag var ett monster, jag var ett monster
Men jag kände att jag måste

Jag är ett monster, jag är ett monster
Men jag kände att jag måste
Jag är ett monster, jag är ett monster
Men jag kände att jag måste

När du var liten grät du hela tiden
Och mamma sa det är värt att leva
Det är värt att leva
Se på din egen far
När alla hjältar är döda lever kungar kvar

När jag var liten grät jag hela tiden
Och pappa sa det är värt att leva
Det är värt att leva
Och han dog som en soldat ska
När alla hjältar är döda lever kungar kvar
När alla hjältar är döda lever kungar kvar
När alla hjältar är döda lever kungar kvar

Och dom är monster, och dom är monster
Vi kände att vi måste

Att leva...

Och dom är monster, och dom är monster
Vi kände att vi måste
Prinsessor by Laleh

There's a palace a-fallin'
There's a smoke in the sky
There's a boy running down into the lowlands tonight
And he's catching a train to where he's heard you have been
He's a fool now among us but a dreamer within
Dreamin' of you

And on that day there was snowfall in the street, yellow light
And they cleared the bill and rails just by those dark shimmer eyes
In that land there's a winter In that winter's a day
In that day there's a moment when it all goes all your way

And you know it's a lion's heart
That will tumble and tear apart
When he's comin' down the hills for you

But can you still now remember who's been hiding up there
Through his howling at twilight all his songs of despair
Do you remember the caller of a black and white crime?
Well he lives by that memory and falls through his mind

And you know it's a lion's heart
That will tumble and tear apart
When he's comin' down the hills for you

Well he'll walk in the city forever
Oh, walk in a time to be gone
Well there's no real goodbye if you mean it
So hey, guess I'm forever alone

Now he's a stranger among us, he will die in the park
Where he hides from the statues and the weather remarks
In that land there's a winter In that winter's a day
In that day there's a moment when it all goes away
And you know it's a lion's heart
That will tumble and tear apart
When it's comin' down the hills for you
Lion’s Heart by The Tallest Man on Earth

END-10 THE ONES LAST YEAR AWARDS!

Yes, it’s returning! It's the End-11 The Ones Last Year Awards!
In short, I'll be telling you my favourite in several different categories and a runner up.. in other words 2 titles/people/whatever wins in each category!

BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE 2011

Lars Winnerbäck at Cirkus, the last performance of his tour. It’s the only live performance I watched but it was really good too, he played new songs that just worked right away, can’t wait for a new album!

Also:..Eh, no runner up, I’m kinda sad I only saw one single artist this year.. I was about to go watch Säkert! and other artists but things got in the way (on the Säkert!-concert it was only the age limit!)

BEST ALBUM 2011

”Innan jag kände dig” by Melissa Horn. This album was the one that took the longest for me to start really, really liking.. but once I got there, it’s as fantastic as the other two (or almost at least). Just.. very good songs and a fantastic, fantastic voice, delivering the lyrics with such feeling.

Also: "Fläcken som aldrig går bort" by Kapten Röd. Timbuktu’s album ”Sagolandet” was the only other contender besides these two and I think Kapten Röd’s album was better over all, it had more songs that I really enjoyed, Timbuktu’s album felt more.. uneven.. and when you go up against someone with more songs with the same quality and awesomeness, you only get a mention here. So Kapten Röd really deserved this, with his lyrics that all have a feeling of honesty and importance to them and the instrumentals that just makes you wanna dance.

BEST SONG 2011

"Dansa" by Timbuktu feat. Jan Lundgren & Duo Panacotta. Slow but powerful music that backs up and enhances Timbuktu’s words in a perfect combination.

Also: “Väldigt kär/Obegripligt ensam” by Linnea Henriksson. One of few artists from Swedish Idol that I really wanted to hear more of (last year she won the runner-up place for Best Musician), wanted to hear original stuff.. and I got much more than I could’ve hoped for! Sure, the lyrics are kind of short, mostly chorus.. (harduingetmankandansatill? By Bob Hund was also a contender here and that songs has even less lyrics I think) but what’s there is good and the delivery makes it absolutely fantastic.

BEST MUSICIAN 2011

Laleh and Timbuktu.

Just like Petter last year, both Laleh and Timbuktu were in the tv-show “Så Mycket Bättre” and both were amazing.

Timbuktu is by far my favourite rap/hip-hop artist from Sweden and with a released album (songs such as Dansa, Dödsdansen and Allt Grönt), great versions of other artists songs in “Så Mycket Bättre” (especially Kom och Håll Om Mig and Flickan och Kråkan) and also a best-of collection, all in one year, I can’t see how he wouldn’t end up winning this, it was fun to see him and here him in my radio on Jasons spellista and musikhjälpen i P3.

I knew Laleh was great before “Så Mycket Bättre”, during the year I’ve listened to “Prinsessor” a lot of times but during “Så Mycket Bättre” she showed her full potential I think.. I’ve always longed to hear her sing more in Swedish, I think some of her songs in English is good too.. but the times when it really, really clicks for me is when she sings in Swedish, somehow powerful expression through music just flows out of her, I can see my self being a big fan in the future, if she keeps doing music in Swedish.. If only my parents could stop over-praising her, I think she’s one of the best things to happen to music too but they had the need to express it loudly every single episode.. in a way, their excitement kinda killed mine.. but I bet that will pass, she still won this price so that says something :)

BEST GAME 2011

Minecraft. I’m kind of addicted.. or was at least, I don’t really have time nowadays.. xD.. It’s great in every way possible.. it just sparks your creativity and all your adventure needs. If you’re anything like me, try this game out, it’s awesome. ‘nuff said.

Also: Mortal Kombat (9).Really fun fighting game. Like REALLY fun. It’s packed with content unlike other modern fighting games that only comes with half the game, the rest you have in DLC-form >_>’.. I’m really glad I got this game as a present for my birthday.

Notice how like… lack of Skyrim? Didn’t play it.. also, I’m sorry to say it.. but I’ve played some Morrowind and Oblivion.. and yeah, I liked it, probably would’ve liked Skyrim like a lot too.. but I was never really into the hype.. to me the Elder Scrolls games are good.. but not good enough to top the games that actually won here.. it’s just not 100% my cup of tea. More like 60%.. or something. I did play Portal 2.. it was awesome.. not more awesome than MC of MK though. Uncharted 3.. see my description for Skyrim, the exact same can be said for U3. Maybe I would’ve liked Batman: Arkham City or Zelda: Skyward Sword more than MK if I’d played them, that’ a possibility. But I didn’t.. so Minecraft and Mortal Kombat are the best out of the games I’ve played :).

BEST VIDEO GAME CONSOLE 2011

PS3: Personally, I haven’t played much on my PS3 this year.. but it did do better than the other consoles.. with Uncharted and so on.. yeah.

PC: Well.. Is it a console?.. If not.. shame on me for naming this category two years ago.. oh well.. what can I say? I’ve played and played and played PC this year, Portal 2 and Minecraft and lots of small flashgames and the list goes on. I hear the PC’s been kind on people who play bigger games too :).

BEST ANIME 2011

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica: ooh.. ooh it looks like a magical girl show (like Sailor Moon) at first but quite quickly takes a turn.. a real twist.. and then runs with it all out.. ooh.. and the art.. and the.. yeah, I get all delighted just thinking about it! I absolutely love this series!

Fractale: First thing you notice about this animé is the stunning visuals, the absolutely beautiful landscape, I almost can’t believe it.. and then.. pretty quickly.. there was a character that I honestly just fell in love with (Phryne), add a story that allows for a lot of beautiful moments, surprisingly gruesome moments and emotions and the half annoying, half wonderful character of Nessa can’t destroy it as a whole :). I absolutely love this series.

Animés that didn’t make it and why:
Star Driver was awesome, as it seemed to be last year too.. but didn’t make the list.. it had the visuals and the character I fell in love with (Mizuno Yo).. (strange, I’ve never “fell in love” with characters like that before.. and this year it starts happening, I really liked Nico Robin from One Piece before but this year it grew into something similar to what I feel for Mizuno and Phryne, where I get happy just to see them.).. but with such hard competition it’s hard to compete!
Bleach continues sucking.. yeah.. I don’t know why I still take Kubo’s abuse.. The fillers were better than anything he’s wrote in a long time..
One Piece was as awesome as always! In fact.. this year probably was the best one ever.. and with One Piece, that’s saying something… I cried a lot of times, the voice actors are the greatest! As a matter of fact.. why didn’t I give One Piece the win?.. I don’t know honestly.. mostly it’s that I thought Madoka and Fractale when I thought “best animé 2011” first.. and sometimes One Piece dragged a little during the last half of the year.. I still really really looked forward to the next episode but yeah, there’s just something that puts Fractale and Madoka on the winning spots.. and also, One Piece have won this category two years in a row.. I guess I didn’t feel it should take up the place from these two fantastic animes.
Naruto Shippuden had half of the year filled with it’s infamous fillers. Some good stuff happened before but no.. just no..
Level E was ok for like the role playing part.. the other episodes were far too bland..
Fairy Tail let me down majorly by bringing back a character that I actually used to like due to her not being present all that much..
Hunter x Hunter’s new anime is good, it feels pretty faithful to the manga.. It doesn’t feel that fresh or awesome yet though, I think that will come eventually.
Ao No Exorcist was pretty good, good looking but had a kind of confused, rushed and abruptly finished plot.
I should finish No.6 soon too.. it was kind of interesting and I WILL watch it.. it’s just.. there’s something that doesn’t make me feel like I instantly have to watch it to not miss out on something great.. I really really really liked the first episode though. Well.. I will watch the last five episodes or so.. Sometime in the future.

BEST YOUTUBE CHANNEL 2011

wheezywaiter, I feel like I don’t have time to watch youtube videos so much so I’m in the constant process of just unsubscribing to channels if I feel like they’re not worthwhile.. and Wheezy Waiter has created a world that I always want to go back to for those 2-6 minutes. I don’t think I get that much out of it other than entertainment but that’s the charm of it!

TheAmazingAtheist, a channel I’ve followed for quite a while.. and it was interesting in the beginning to see criticisms of religion, a thing that is half foreign to me.. I mean.. the situation in USA is almost the other way around in Sweden.. I’ve felt that religious people have to explain themselves to us non-religious people in Sweden.. so I’ve never watched TAA to get convinced myself or something.. it’s more.. interesting.. nowadays though I actually do learn quite a bit about USA and it’s politics and so on from him. He’s always got something interesting to say, many times I don’t agree with him but that’s fine, so he wins for being stimulating and also someone it would take a lot for me to unsubscribe to.

BEST WEBSITE 2011

Both winners this year are webcomics.. one is funny jokes built around Nintendo-characters and the other is a really stimulating continuation of Dragon Ball Z, I really enjoy both of them : )!

http://brawlinthefamily.keenspot.com/ and
http://www.dragonball-multiverse.com/en/accueil.html

BEST FICTIONAL CHARACTER 2011

Mizuno Yō, I know half of her appearance and probably the things I like most about her was in 2010 but the twist in the end that felt pretty new and awesome was in 2011! So I feel good putting her as a winner here, she’s just awesome, she’s got something to her personality that just makes you heart warm when you see her and really sad and angry at the reality she lives in when she’s sad. You feel for her and with her.

Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy is one of the few main characters that I don’t despise, he’s protagonist done right. And this year in the animé, the range and depth of his character got fully fleshed out, I usually prefer many of the other characters in the crew over him even though I like him but this year he really got some space.. and it turned out awesomely. Emotionally he shined and his voice actor (Mayumi Tanaka) perfected those moments. Some of his backstory was explained and it was nice and he also got to show off some of his will power and fighting skills. I never thought Luffy would end up as a winner of this award but it turns out he did.

(Naruto Shippuden deserves a mention here, it had many characters that I considered, including Danzo, Killer Bee, the Raikage, Kisame and almost Zetsu too (just because of his lovely, lovely crazy moment when he screamed something about that duck-butt-hair-character ;P, really good on the voice actor there! Trying to keep it vague so that people who might be even further behind than me don’t get spoiled))

BEST FILM 2011

To me, this wasn’t the year of Harry Potter.. It was a good movie.. but the people I went with were so taken by the movie that I felt really strange.. had I missed something? Was I stupid? Was it because I spent half of the movie wanting the movie to end so that I could go to the bathroom? (It didn’t help that I felt like “oh, they just need to do that and that and then it ends.. right, right? For almost all of the movie).. I thought I must’ve been affected by that.. but no.. the second time I saw it, (with the same people too) I was certain the movie was a good adaptation, it really was.. some of it were better told than the book managed to do it too.. but there was nothing there that caused a sense of astounding wonder or something like that, only small bits that caused somewhat of an emotional response and all areas felt like that.. the greatest thing in my opinion really was Voldemort.. honestly.. he isn’t the greatest villain of all time, he feels kind of empty and only half motivated.. but the portrayal of him, his victorious laugh and almost childish way of being was just awesome.. That and the segment with Snape’s backstory was what I really took with me from the movie.

With that said.. maybe even said a little too much.. here’s my top two!

X-men: First Class: Hands down the best comic book-movie I’ve seen this year, the best ever from marvel material and overall only second to Watchmen when it comes to comic book-movies. The material looks kind of boring, it’s not the most exciting characters from the X-men universe.. but they made it with such.. care, they made something extraordinary out of it!

No Strings Attached: A movie that was in my taste entirely.. the thing about movies like this with me is that I either absolutely despise them or love them to death.. in this case, it’s the type that’s done right.. I really like both actors and the script is just so quotable! I really like this movie :).

(I feel I have to say something about Waiting for forever, it was a movie kind of like the one above done wrong in many, many ways.. but then.. it has some shining moments that don’t deserve to be in the movie because they’re really great.. I just can’t wrap my head around it.. the letter read in the movie is great and some other moments too.. but other parts are just awful! )

BEST LYRICS 2011

Mardrömmar by Melissa Horn – it paints a pretty scary picture, it’s a song that might as well fit for one of the songs that described this year. There’s parts about fearing everybody around you might disappear, a fear I can’t say I haven’t gone through many times this year, and also parts about not feeling anything. A song that personally came at the right time for me.

Kom och håll om mig by Timbuktu – a beautiful song about a broken relationship.

BEST EXPERIENCE 2011

Same as last year I think: “Celebrating Christmas with my friends and celebrating new years with my other friends. I love them all.”.. The concert with Winnerbäck was good, UppCon and NärCon too.. but it wasn’t perfect.. when I think back there were parts that I didn’t dig.. that disturbed me a little.. I don’t know, I was mentally broken down for a lot of the time so.. yeah, Christmas and New Years.

Awards taken out from last year:
BEST FOOD: Same, will be for a long time, pizza and pasta.
BEST TEACHER: I still have teachers but they’re all okay, not too bad but not one super great either.

If you happen to have any award that you feel I should’ve given out, it’s not too late yet! If anybody suggests something in the comments I could give out more awards in a later post this month or something. But you have to give me categories for me to give prizes in.

Alright, that’s it. And now a classic in this blog: the song of today:

The song of today:
Fear No Darkness, Promised Child by Timo Räisänen

It’s just great and I’ve started to listen to him a bit again. He’s great. A kind of weird and unique way of singing and this is where he shines, where he’s the greatest, Fear No Darkness, Promised Child has such a powerful chorus, filled with energy and the lyrics are fine and effective.

That’s it, I wish whoever reads this a good year!