Best of 06

First post of 2007 and what better way to usher in the new year by remembering all that was great about the year gone by.

Blogging: Been surprisingly regular in my posts, overtaking the 62 posts of last year with 65 in 2006. That figure is a lot less impressive when you consider that I had only 7 months to pile up the 62 last year. Ah! well, a healthy average of over 5 posts a month. Can't really complain. The quality of the posts though is entirely a different matter. I would like to believe it is no worse than it was.

Reading: Like Priya, I did remember Shashi Tharoor writing in a column that he read 365 books in a year. My target was less lofty. Wanted to read one a week and bring the tally to 52 but failed. Managed only 45 (I kept count). But it included some huge tomes like Shantaram (which was around 1000 pages - my wrists hurt for a week just lugging this book around), Fountainhead (which would have to be the best book I read this year followed closely by Midnight's children). I actually read quite a few of the 'haven't you read it yet's that ideally I should have read a couple of years ago. Fountainhead, Midnight's children, English August, Lord of the Rings, Foundation trilogy and several more. Lets see if I can make the magic 52 this year.

Traveling: Loved Brisbane and Gold coast. Best trip of the year (and ever). The long drive, the adventurous camping, the crazy rides in the theme parks and the company makes it that. Couple of trips to Sydney (actually more than a couple, half a dozen, I think), the Blue Mountains, the coast last summer and a few bushwalking expeditions throughout the year were all memorable experiences.

Movies: Despite several disappointments (Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu and KANK topping that list), the year stands out for RDB, by far the best Indian movie I saw in 06. Saw some amazing world cinema. Was introduced to the quirky French humour with classics, Le diner de cons and Le placard (and just about everybody has watched Amelie). Also enjoyed multilingual films like L'auberge espagnole and Va, vie et deviens (both French productions).

2006 was also a year of politics. Thought provoking movies like Syriana and Good night and Good luck (both Clooney ones), Who killed the electric car and Munich provoked thought.

TV: Usually this doesn't even feature in my list of great things. Soapy soaps aren't my forte. Was introduced to 'How I met your mother' which I think is the next best thing after Friends and 'House' which is the ultimate in Medical Drama this year and am loving it. In the words of Barney, it was Lege- wait for it- Legendary.


There sure were other things about 2006 that was awesome. But I am sparing you, my impatient readers and will not share them with you. Looking forward to an even greater 2007, what say you?