Popshifter‘s Best Of Lists

Best Of: Obsessions Of 2008

By Ann Clarke

Since most pop culture pretty much sucked this year—with the exception of Step Brothers (just fucking hilarious) and of course, The Dark Knight—I can’t properly compile a top ten list. It was as limp as a microwaved calzone, so I had to channel those obsessions in other directions. Now without further ado . . .

Moving: At the beginning of the year I was adamant about finding a new apartment, but since real estate was so cheap (and I have good credit and a steady job), buying a home was actually a better idea. Just to be clear, I NEVER had any intention of buying property in Cleveland, but what I ended up with was a steal: A 1,500 square foot townhouse in one of the best suburbs in the Cleveland metro area, for only $51K with a low FIXED interest rate on my loan (I may have bought property in the one of the worst fiscal years, but that variable interest trap has FUCK YOU written all over it . . . I’m not retarded!)

Prague, Czech Republic: Also towards the beginning of 2008, I traveled to Prague. I had planned and paid for this trip in 2007. This was the first time I had EVER been to Europe and I didn’t want to pick an obvious destination to visit. Reason being: I did my research! When I do ANY research, it’s because I’ve been obsessing! Prague turned out to be the perfect choice for a budget-minded couple who weren’t going to backpack in a hostel. (I’m not a prima donna, but it was my vacation . . . I worked hard for it! I wanted to be able to get enough sleep so I can soak in as much of that very foreign atmosphere as possible.) We had a great hotel in the dead center of the action in Prague, and saved a lot of money by being able to get around on foot (and the Czech Republic’s VERY efficient and inexpensive public transit). The Czech Republic is NOT on the Euro (not yet, at least), and yes. . . some things are price-gouged, but compared to Western Europe, it’s a bargain! It’s also so incredibly well preserved that sightseeing was pretty much free. The city itself is one the large Eastern European cities that strangely didn’t get ass-plowed by the World Wars, so its architecture is the real deal (it’s not rebuilt for tourists). I really admired the Czech work ethic, too. Things seem to actually progress there. I would LOVE to go back someday.

Dogs: Since I had moved into my townhouse and had no limitations on having pets, I decided it was time to get a dog. I had a small dog who had died the previous Christmas in 2007 (she lived a long and happy life), but I missed the shit out of having a dog. I have a cat (who is a total brat, I should add), and although I love dogs and cats equally . . . I still wanted to get another dog. So in late spring, I was checking Petfinder.com regularly and looking for the perfect mutt. This time I got a Black Lab/Bassett Hound Mix named Buster.

He’s pretty much the biggest wuss of a dog, but that’s what I wanted. A cuddler! Since he came from a rescue, they were able to give me a good background on the dog (health and behavior), and even though he’s bigger than I was looking for, he’s such a big baby it doesn’t matter. I highly recommend rescue groups for those who want to save a shelter dog, but also don’t want to get in over their head. Rescue groups pull dogs from kill-shelters, and rehab them. They cost about as much as pure breed dogs, but you get a healthy and well-behaved dog. The money you pay goes to the group saving other dogs from death row. It’s really a win-win option!

Cheesy Metal Music: I re-subscribed to cable once I moved, so I realigned myself with VH1-Classic (which I mentioned in a previous Popshifter article). At the beginning of the summer, Metal Mania was awesome. It piqued my interest in obtaining more of the cheesy/sleazy stuff. I was able to uncover some gems in the bargain bins (i.e., Faster Pussycat, LA Guns, Smashed Gladys, Sleaze Beez, WASP, Malice, etc). However, Metal Mania is still playing the same handful of shit they were playing when I subscribed, which is totally fucking boring now. It’s a shame, really!

Ghost Hunters: Let me just say, I fucking HATE the Sci-Fi Channel. I love cheesy stuff, but Sci-Fi just blows! My partner started watching this show one night, and I, of course, busted his balls about it. One night, they had a marathon on, and somehow I got sucked in. This show has been on for several years now, but I had never seen it until this year. Since the cable re-sub, I’ve noticed a slew of paranormal shows on various channels . . . and I’ve given a few a chance, but none are as interesting as Ghost Hunters. I think it might have to do with the fact that the two leaders (Jason and Grant), don’t come off like two flaky fuckasses (like all the other hosts on all the other shows). They’re regular guys (who happen to be plumbers . . . a very ordinary and humble profession). They aren’t those so-called psychics or “I can see dead people” weirdoes. . . nor do they pull that Wicca bullshit. The only beef I have with the show is the occasional guy who blesses the house and the drama between some of the brown-nosing team members. They got rid of one of the more entertaining members (a guy called Brian), and they should get him back on there and get rid of some of the other duds they hired.

Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland
Photo © 2003 Thorsten Pohl

Planning my next European trip: I was considering going back to Prague since I loved it so much . . . but I don’t want to limit my life experiences. I also needed to be able to afford the travel package. After much research (obsessing), I settled on Dublin, Ireland. I know Dublin is expensive, but it’s cheaper to get there (and takes less time). The one thing I didn’t like about Prague was how long it took to get there. I remember looking out the window and seeing Ireland, and I was so happy thinking, “we are almost there!” NOPE! Another four hours of limited mobility in coach seats, coupled with screaming kids and a baby with a dirty diaper behind us! Not to say that won’t happen with Dublin, but four hours less of that torture is fine by me!

Discovering more trashy films: Since writing my feature on sleazy film thespians on here a few months back, my work didn’t stop there. I still seek out the dumpster juice of the film world! Since that article, I’ve watched many more . . . and here are a few I recommend: Samurai Cop, The Stabilizer, Ninja 3: The Domination, and Hands of Steel. Steer clear of: World Gone Wild (I figured would be great since it was about dystopia and starred Adam Ant), Warrior of the Lost World, The Glove, Robowar, The Final Executioner, and Raiders of Atlantis.

Sleazy Italian Soundtracks: Many of the shitty movies I watch also have infectious soundtracks (that’s if you can find them). I am by no means an expert on this shit, but I think I’ve come across some really good ones. (And no, they’re not all Ennio Morricone; even though he’s great, there are other good composers out there!)

Some I found which are awesome: Emanuelle in America by Nico Fidenco; I Nuovi Barbari by Claudio Simonetti; 1990: I Guerrieri Del Bronx by Walter Rizzati; Paolo Il Caldo by Armando Trovaioli; and the various stuff I’ve heard by Guido & Maurizio De Angelis.

Late 70s and Early 80s German muzik: I don’t mean Krautrock, either. I’m not talking about Can or Kraftwerk. . . I guess I’d be leaning more towards Einstürzende Neubauten, Malaria!, DAF, and Nina Hagen. However, I’d say I’m leaning towards even more obscure and forgotten artists. . . stuff like: Grauzone, X-Mal Deutschland, Liaisons Dangereuses, Der Plan, Fehlfarben, Palais Schaumburg, Die Tödliche Doris, DIN A Testbild, S.Y.P.H., etc. I guess a mix of the “Genialen Dilletanten” and “Neue Deutsche Welle” (New German Wave) movements.

Eating healthier, exercising, and getting some sleep: This isn’t some New Year’s resolution bullshit . . . this is about natural selection for myself. I got diagnosed with a liver disease earlier this year, and I am now on a very strict diet, whether I like it or not! I didn’t eat the healthiest stuff before, but now I’ve got no choice! I either eat better/get some exercise, or I end up dying young from being a lazy fuck! I’d rather live. Getting a better night’s rest also speeds up the healing of my liver cells. It’s actually quite difficult, to be honest!

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