The Best New (to me) Things of 2009
2009 was a year of all sorts of new things for me. I got laid off, I moved to San Francisco, and I found myself back on the stage. But the best new things are those that aren’t truly new, the things that have been around for a while but have only recently entered my life. These “new” things are a reminder that right now (right now!) there’s all sorts of awesome stuff out there that you’ll discover if you look (and sometimes you don’t even have to look).
Here are five new (to me) things from 2009.
Passion Pit
I didn’t like Passion Pit when my sister first played “Sleepyhead” for me in the car. At all. I couldn’t stand the lead singer’s voice. But after hearing “Moth’s Wings” on an episode of Gossip Girl, and discovering it was by a band I thought I didn’t like, I gave them a second chance. Passion Pit is now what I put on when I’m not sure what I want to put on.
Ellie Kemper
Known for a while to NY improv/sketch folks and those who pay particular attention to Onion bylines, Ellie Kemper came into my life when she became Dunder Mifflin’s new receptionist earlier this year. She was a wonderful addition to The Office at a time when the show desperately needed a wonderful addition. She’s obviously funny, but wicked smart too. And also has other positive attributes. She’ll soon be a comedy rockstar and maybe we’ll get married.
Cook’s Illustrated
I was really slow on this one. I thought Cook’s Illustrated was for old people who cook frumpy old people food. It’s not. After eating a few scrumptious dishes (one of which is pictured above, another is here) prepared from Cook’s Illustrated recipes, I became a believer. Then a subscriber.
Skins
I started watching Skins, a UK teen drama, on a recommendation from new media superagent Brandon Martinez. Featuring the language, drugs, and, uhh, skin that American teen soaps lack, Skins is everything a teen drama should be (and everything the in-production American version likely won’t be.)
Philz Coffee
I met my then-potential housemate (now housemate) for the first time at Philz. I had never been there before. It’s the best coffee in the Bay Area. Yes, better than Blue Bottle. (Photo: Scott Beale)
Happy New Year! Here’s to the discovery of more “new” things in 2010…
