2006

Stolen from Erin.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? Made sure I traveled somewhere away from my city at least once ALMOST every month.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Almost made #1 above. I missed January and August, but school is so busy in both of those months that it's impossible to go anywhere. And I wrote here that I intended to "use my powers for good," which I mostly think I did. I have some resolutions on deck for next year, which essentially add up to "kick ass, in a good way." So here's hoping. Specifically, to try to work this writing thing out whether in school or out, to apply and make it as a volunteer on an Operation Smile mission, and to travel outside the United States. I'd also like to design my own Website, take the rest of the photo classes I need for my certificate, and read more books.

3. Anyone close to you give birth? My cousin. My best friend from high school (and another one became a dad.)

4. Did anyone close to you die? No.

5. What places did you visit? Starting from January (the only month I missed besides August...) Atlanta, Boston, New Orleans, Ocean City/Rehoboth, the Bahamas, South Carolina, California (San Jose, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz), Austin, Indianapolis, Dayton, Lancaster and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York City, and I'll be bringing in '07 in NYC, too. :)

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? A plan. Eventually, a place of my own. And I hate to admit this, but I've got to find someone excellent (who preferably has a fucked up sense of humor that matches mine. You know, and a brain, that's nice.) to smooch on a regular basis, because this current state of affairs is really, really old. I just don't LIKE kissing people at random, because then they don't go away if you want them to...only if you don't. It sucks to have standards.

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The day I moved over to my new office was insane, but I only know it was in February. The day my sister's fiance called and asked me to arrange a dinner for him and my parents, but again, I only know it was in August. Christmas.

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year? Connecting with some students and hopefully making a difference in their lives. Moving through the worst phase of a grieving process (so I'm told) and smiling most of the time on the other side. Opening myself up to true friendship again. Making it through August without losing my tiny little mind.

9. What was your biggest failure? Acting out at the bridal shop. There were some backslides but no abject failures, thankfully.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major but I have  got to get on some kind of diet that doesn't make me feel sick all the time when I eat.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Plane tickets. I did buy a photography domain name, which was cool...Now if I can just get something up there.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? More of my friends and family members than not, so that's good.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? HA! I can't answer that. But one of my birthday presents is in response to it and it's a total howling hoot. I appalled and depressed myself less this year, so that has to be good, right?

14. Where did most of your money go? Plane tickets. Music. Food. Same as ever.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Teaching. My friends. The Killers. The Virgin Festival. The reemergence of personal goals that I thought were dead, but were really just buried. Matters of principle. Blogher. Excellent music and good writing, again, same as ever.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006? "How to Save a Life," the Fray. Just try and forget that song. I dare you. "Ordinary", Alternate Routes. The whole "Taking the Long Way" album, Dixie Chicks. "Chain Hang Low" (haha!) "John Saw That Number", Neko Case, "Not California", "Reservoir", and "Jackson", Hem, "Where am I Now", Shelby Lynne, "Dani California", RHCP, "When You Were Young" and "Glamourous Indie Rock and Roll", The Killers, the whole Raconteurs record. "Lolita", Prince

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?Happier, or at least more alert.

b) thinner or fatter? I'm about the same, unfortunately. I need to work on that but I'm trying to find a reasonable way to do it that doesn't restrict my tiramisu intake.
c) richer or poorer? Same.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Kicking back. Spent time with my grandmother. Saving money. Working on a business plan.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Crying. Socializing pointlessly. Worrying. Wasting time on regret. Being hard on myself. Procrastinating.

20. How did you spend Christmas last year? With my family - the usual stuff.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006? Just kinda. ; )

22. How many one-night stands? Wrong girl.

23. What was your favorite TV program? The Office, yes.

24. What did you do for your birthday in 2006? I had lunch at my favorite restaurant and then my sister had a dinner party for me and we all played Trivial Pursuit Pop Culture again. 

25. What was the best book you read? The Kite Runner.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? The Raconteurs. A ton more that I can't remember.

27. What did you want and get? A better outlook. A dope camera and a video camera.

28. What did you want and not get? A Mac laptop. A new tattoo.

29. What was your favorite film of this year? Little Miss Sunshine. Steve Carrell...that's all.

30. Did you make some new friends this year? I so did. I met Lauren in California!  And Marcus, and Tyra. And Brittany. And Marit. It was a good year for friends.

31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Something I don't tend to discuss in this forum, but I also don't believe in lying, either.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Comfortably stylish, I think...It was pretty much the same, but I bought some new shirts that I really like wearing. I also wore one pair of jeans and another pair of courduroy pants incessantly. I need to clean out my closet posthaste.

33. What kept you sane? My friends. Music. The Wednesday crew at work + Marcus, all day. The occasional lightbulb over a student's head. Wine with the girls. Communicating. Blogging. Traveling.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? John Cusack has emeritus status here. Jack Black. Peter Sarsgaard (Oh, LAWDY. ; ) ) Anthony Kiedis. Jack White. Jon Krasinski from The Office. (CUTE! Oh! How CUTE!!! ; )) And also I have girl crushes on Maggie Gyllenhall and Jennifer Aniston. So there.

35. What political issue stirred you the most? The elections.

36. Who did you miss? You.

37. Who was the best new person you met? Lauren and Marcus, tie.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. I learned some things,  but mostly was just reminded...that things are often difficult before they are easy. You really, really can't always get what you want, but you can't let it fuck you up and make you a shadow of yourself, because then you lose twice. You cannot lose what is meant for you, so whatever you lose, wasn't. Oh, and don't take a cab or a hotel shuttle in San Jose. Walk.

Comments

[lauren]

LOL and aw. Where would we be if shady cabbies and make-your-own business cards hadn't brought us together?

I wanna talk to you about SXSW dude, call me. Happy birthday :o)