Final examination

I was going to give a list of bests for 2009, but you probably don't really care.

Nevertheless, here are some things I enjoyed during 2009:

Music

Bruce Hornby, Levitate. This is a confusing album. At first, it appears to be a convoluted mess, with no underlying theme. But as you listen more, you realize that's part of its genius. It never gets boring. Bruce's lyrics may be maddening, overly complex and assuring him that he's not going to have any hit singles off yet another album. But it's a good time, pokes fun at the right targets, and is all Bruce - and many different versions of Bruce.

Patty Griffin, Children Running Through. OK, so this record is from 2007, but it was new to me in 2009. It's smart, socially conscious and, for a record labeled "Country," it can sure rock at times.

Willy Nelson, Willy and the Wheel. I called it Dixieland, but apparently it's really called "Western Swing." Whatever it's really named, it's great music and a laugh.

Film

Star Trek. No comment necessary. Read the rest of the blog.

Books

The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America, by Timothy Egan. I enjoyed this, although I think the name is not quite fair - it's really about Gifford Pinchot, not TR. And while it tells a good story, it really fails to connect the dots. But since 2009 seems to be the year to lionize TR, between Ken Burns' PBS series on the National Parks and Douglas Brinkley's new biography of TR, I'm sure the editors knew what they needed to do to sell the book. A good read, but not the best non-fiction I read this year.

Columbine, by Dave Cullen. Fascinating and disturbing.

Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin. Not really, just seeing if you're paying attention. I wouldn't read this work of fantasy for money.