Top 11 of 2011.

Behold! The Coke Freestyle!

Favorite New Thing: The "Coca-Cola Freestyle."

The average soda fountain has about 7-8 beverage choices. But picture this – a machine with over 100 choices. Try Vanilla Sprite, Orange Coke, Raspberry Coke, Peach Fanta – just to name a few. Oh yeah, that’s the “Coke Freestyle” machine.

Best Follow on Twitter: Gavin Veasey (@gavinvz). 
I always make it a point to read what Gavin has to say. While we do not agree on every issue, it is always refreshing to hear from the "master of chickens."

• Runner Up: Chris Kinner (@thekinner). An edgy, deep thinker, passionate pastor, and loving father are a few things that come to mind with @thekinner. Chris is a personal friend who will not shy away from calling you out.

 Most Favorite Personal Moment: Westboro, sign and interview.

Ha! Tim Phelps holds my custom sign (May 2011).

Early in March, I wanted to interview someone from Westboro Baptist Church. Social media came through as I contacted the spokeswoman, Shirley Phelps Roper, through Twitter. She quickly responded and the next day I had her on the phone with the recorder going. It was probably my most favorite interview as I had the opportunity to ask the questions that were never asked of this so-called “church.” The conversation was only supposed to last 30-minutes, but it lasted a whole hour (listen to the entire interview here).

After the interview, I noticed they make signs against the Pope, Lady GaGa, and many other public figures. So, why would they not make a sign with my name and face on it? I emailed Phelps-Roper and approximately a month later when the “church” visited Columbus, I had a “GOD H8S VINCE” Westboro sign, used in a protest and autographed by three church members.

Coolest Place to Eat: Buckeye Donuts (1998 North High Street, Columbus).
Bits of America are preserved in local diners scattered across the country. Buckeye Donuts, founded by Greek immigrants, has been in existence since 1969 and has the best donuts, gyros, and coffee in town. Jimmy Barouxis, the third-generation owner, is one of the nicest and hard-working guys I know. http://buckeye-donuts.com

• Runner up: Jack's Diner (52 East Lynn Street, Columbus). Props to my friend Colton Henson (@coltonhenson) for introducing me to this place. Legit old-school diner feel with great food at killer prices (breakfast: less than $4 - lunch: less than $6). Jack’s is located just north east of the Broad and High intersection in downtown Columbus. http://www.jacksdowntowndiner.com

Least Favorite Moment of 2011: Herman Cain controversy.

Herman Cain and me (10/2011).

I enthusiastically supported Herman Cain for president. It angers me that the media, who groomed Obama for the presidency, destroyed Cain’s character through slanderous and libelous content they had the gall to call “news.” Still to this day, there is absolutely nothing besides hearsay, anonymous and sketchy sources that say Mr. Cain was a sexual pervert. Sadly, the media won this one. With no evidence whatsoever, they successfully duped the American public into thinking that Herman Cain was some kind of pimp.


Jackass of the Year: The "Occupy" Movement. 
This group of people is nothing but a bunch of morons who forgot that personal responsibility is actually an admirable trait. Don’t forget they poop on cop cars, and are racist, antisemitic, violent, rapists, and sexual deviants.

• Runner up: Ron Paul and the "Paulites." Ron Paul’s campaign is built on absolute fluff – stuffing straw polls in a cheap attempt to inflate his laughable run at a presidency.

Shaking hands with the enemy: Ron Paul and me in DC on October '11.

Favorite Read: "Decision Points" by George W. Bush.
Bottom line is, I had more respect for President Bush after reading this book. The 400+ pages are worth your time.

Best Newish Band of 2011: Company of Thieves. They hail out of Chicago and bring with them a unique vibe. Their new album, “Running from a Gamble,” has many tasty tunes: “Modern Waste,” “Death of Communication,” “Tallulah” amongst many others. They play from the heart and love making good music.

• Runner up: Sleeper Agent. These young guns are from Bowling Green, Kentucky but carry a musically infectious punked-out vibe. Their website: http://sleeperagentmusic.com.

Best Album of 2011: "I'm With You" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The cover of "I'm With You."

Wow – what can I say. “I’m With You” is a gem of a record that puts the Chili Peppers’ staying power on display. Nearly every song on this record is absolutely fantastic. Faves: “Factory of Faith,” “Look Around,” and “Did I Let You Know.”

• Runner up: "Celebrasion" by Sleeper Agent. I think we’ll be hearing more from these guys – hopefully so. Their delicious ditty “Get It Daddy” was named to Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Singles of 2011.” One of their sweetest songs – pun intended – is “Shuga Cane.”

Favorite Gadget: The Amazon Kindle.
The interface and convince is total brilliance. Hard to comprehend the hundred or so books on my shelf could be stored on this e-ink bad boy. I do have to admit that I still struggle with some technological cognitive dissonance since the e-reader is still making its way into the mainstream.
 
Most Annoying Thing on the Web: People on Facebook.
Dear People of the World, please stop posting dumb crap on Facebook. You know who you are and what you do.