Year in Review

This time of year, all manner of websites are doing their "best of 2005" reviews. Mostly in list format, you'll encounter these sometimes enlightening, but often predictable features on any subject imaginable. So far with just a cursory look at the web tonight, I've encountered one relating to the top celebrity fashion trends on Yahoo! (no, I didn't click the link) and another on Pitchfork (pitchforkmedia.com) enumerating the Top 50 albums of the year.

As website proprietor extraordinaire, who am I to buck the trend? Here goes part one of what may turn out to be a multi-part series.

My Album of the Year

I happen to agree with Pitchfork on this one: Sufjan Stevens - Illinois is the album that I most enjoyed in 2005. It amazes me that an album about the history of the state of Illinois could be as compelling as this one is. But once you hear the lyricism and music which comprise this album, all concern about the geographical focus disappears. In its place, your left with an appreciation for banjo playing the likes of which you never imagined possible.

Meal/Food of the Year

Sushi and sashimi at Jewel Bako. From the appetizer of tuna tartare (with caviar) to the last bite of toro, each piece of fish provided sensational taste and delicate texture. Presentation here was so crucial to the experience that the waiter came over and turned my dish 180 degrees after I had oriented the plate in such a way that it deviated from the proper display. Honorable mentions: Spotted Pig because the chef came from Berkeley's Chez Panisse (and the gastropub fare was great); Mesa Grill because Bobby Flay was actually there (damn you, Bourdain); Wogie's cheesesteaks for their hangover-related curative properties; Paul's Palace cheeseburger after my last final; and Brazilian BBQ because no fault can be found or will ever be found with all-you-can-eat meat.

Class of the Year

Each of my classes had a significant flaw which prevents it from attaining "class of the year" status. Environmental law involved too many federal laws; Trademarks severly lacked clarity and structure all the way up until the day of the final; Patents was lead by a professor who assigned entirely too much reading and spoke much too quickly to follow in class; and corporations, well, see below.

Professor of the Year

My corporations professor, John Coates, for designing an exam which, as many of my fellow students put it, incorporated "the worst of both worlds." Only the most devious and ingenious of all professors could envision a test which would create misery from the first day of the almost two-week finals period started to the very last minute of said finals period -- and be willing to administer such a tortue device without a hint of guilt or reluctance. Truly a magnificent achievement!