Thanksgiving is here, and Fandomania is pointing the spotlight towards our own staff as they reveal all the things they’re thankful for. Presented here and now are the things John Reid Adams is thankful for this year.
10) Rockstar Games
I do love a variety of video games from a vast plethora of labels, but no other company has thrilled me like Rockstar has. With their raw, no holds barred attitude, they have presented consistent perfection in all of their titles by casting off the worry of controversy and delivering titles of endless variety of gameplay, atmosphere, story, and shock value. Though their Grand Theft Auto series will always be their flagship franchise, the rest of their work has contributed to hours and hours of gameplay. My other favorites are Max Payne, The Warriors, Bully, and Manhunt. I’m infinitely grateful for their constant attention towards delivering a completely different gameplay experience every time I pick up a controller.
9) Hollywood giving us something to complain about
Sure, Hollywood has a tendency to piss us off. Many times we’re left reflecting on how a dyslexic monkey could make a better movie. We’re left with a firey rage over whichever mongoloid said that it would be a good idea to cancel a great TV show in favor of another crappy reality show (You’re on the list, ABC). All things considered, if they didn’t do those things (and more), what would we have to talk about? What would the countless internet journalists use as cannon fodder for their wrath? Without those stuffy, uptight, money grubbing schmucks who claim to know what the people want, we would be directing all our aggression upon each other, as opposed to the periodic lashings we give each other.
8) Those brilliant artists who give us something to rave about
As previously stated, Hollywood tends to anger us with the ridiculous things they do, so they take us off guard when they do everything right. Particularly when they choose the right directors, the directors work with the right writers, they cast the right actors, they employ the right crew members, and as a result we get the biggest surprise of the year. 2008 has been full of exceptional surprises, and I have spent a bulk of it raving about all the amazing things that have come out on the silver screen and on DVD. It’s been a helluva year for an entertainment reporter, and it’s been an even better year for the fans.
7) Rock Band
I’ve always been a lone wolf when it comes to video games. Frankly, I find online gaming to be extremely antisocial. There is nothing like sitting in the same room with a friend playing Mortal Kombat, kicking their butt, and both of you laughing about the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Harmonix acknowledges that, and they gave us the ultimate party game. Now friends gather to rock out in front of their televisions to Rock Band. The song selection is constantly growing, and sometimes it gets overwhelming with how many selections there are. We at Fandomania have our own band, and having a band means fantastic Saturday nights with good friends on a constant basis. Keep your eyes on XBox Live for Bad Wolf Bay.
6) The wonderful people who love the lists
It’s not easy putting these crazy top ten lists together. Coming up with a new theme, sifting through thousands of options to find the right ones, and then writing a paragraph for each expounding my reason for placing them on the list is tough. Then there are the battles of posting the list online with pictures and footage. So it always warms my heart to see that you all are enjoying them after all this time and always taking the time aside to look at them. So to you lot, I give thanks.
5) The wonderful people who hate the lists
No, I’m not daft, but I find it delightful when a bulk of people disagree with me and as a result they spark fantastic debates on something of my own machinations. I find it delightful that my Anti-Heroes list is still a hot topic of discussion. Many rage that said list contains three Johnny Depps and two George Clooneys, plus some even wonder whether or not my definition of “anti-hero” is askew. It’s been a joy to see how alive our readers become when they are given something to talk about, even if it is against me.
4) Impromptu encounters with celebs
In the past two years I have met six of the nine crew members of Serenity. I’ve met respected veterans like Lance Henriksen, Beau Bridges, Warwick Davis, Malcom McDowell, Sylvester McCoy, and Terrence Dicks, not to mention some of the most talented sci-fi writers in British television. With that in mind, I am extremely thankful for each and every one of those encounters. There is something fulfilling about meeting people who have had an impact on your life in one way or another. Not too bad for a guy who has a hard time getting a full tank of gas.
3) Fandomania.com
I am at one with my lifestyle, but there was one thing that was missing: an artistic outlet. It tends to get frustrating when you’ve got all these things in your head that demand to be said, and you have no proper way to say them. So my next big thanks goes to my Editor-In-Chief Jason for bringing me to Fandomania.com and giving me a fantastic place to use my voice… to rant about Doctor Who mostly.
2) All Things Doctor Who and the Brilliance of Russell T. Davies & Co.
It was the show that made me want to be an actor. It was the show that made me want to be a writer. But most importantly it was the show that made me want to be a fan. To be a fan of Doctor Who meant that inevitably I would become a fan of other things as well. When the show was resurrected in 2005 I had felt like an old friend has come home, because Doctor Who‘s return meant a renewed love of being a fan. Not to mention my pursuits of this fandom have led me to meet some fantastic people.
1) People to geek out with
Of course all of these things are nothing unless you’ve got the right people to share them with. My favorite TV shows mean nothing unless I’ve got some droogies to watch and discuss the previous episode with. Video games aren’t as interesting until you recommend them to someone and see if they like it too. Then, there’s the cinema. There is just nothing like seeing a flick with your buds. If the movie is great you all will cheer and praise it to no end. If it’s bad you can heckle it to beat the band. Just remember, there is no “I” in “fandom.”
