2009: A brief summary
tofty did this thing, which in turn made me want to do the same thing, hoping that in a few years I might look back and either laugh at myself or realize that I used to be a pretty cool dude. There is only one way to find out which one it's going to be, so here goes:
Did you have a good 2009 and why?
I really did. 2009 was a mixed bag of nuts, but all is well that ends well and I feel like the year put me in a prime position to start the next decade: I am where I want to be, I am with the person I want to be with (even if I am a little further away from some people I would have liked to be around) and I have reconnected with some very dear friends whom I have not kept in touch with for far too long.
Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
If I made any last year, I don't remember. I am not making any resolutions for 2010.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes.
Did anyone close to you die?
No.
What cities did you visit?
I think the important thing here is that 2009 was the year I escaped from The City. Other than that, I did much too little travelling.
What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
An accordion. Also, some modest degree of financial security, more specifically a job that I can be proud of, would be really cool.
What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't think any date will. I have a terrible head for these things.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing and assembling No True Body. Translating a couple of "real books." Getting better at Dutch. Moving to Fanø. Plummeting to the bottom of the Danish social system.
What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping in touch with everyone I should have kept in touch with.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Unfortunately, I did. I had already been ill for quite a while, but in January I was finally diagnosed with Méniére's Disease, after a long line of tests. The diagnosis meant I could start treatment, which is probably part of the reason that I am now generally feeling much better. The disease has a rather nasty rotating cast of symptoms; hearing loss, tinnitus and episodes of severe vertigo, where all I am able to do for a some hours is lie still and be seasick. Obviously the latter symptom is the one I have had the hardest time getting used to.
What was the best thing you bought?
I might have bought my guitar, Maiko, in 2009. If so, that's the best purchase. If not, my bicycle.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Too many people to count.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, the usual suspects; politicians (with a specific mention for those who put political currency above environmental necessities and those who set up the "activation" system for the unemployed Danes), fearmongers and the fearful.
Where did most of your money go?
Sadly, I am not completely sure. Living expenses and moving between countries ate all we had left, and then some.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I can't think of anything in particular, but believe me, that is a good sign! I have plenty of stuff to be excited about.
What song will always remind you of 2009?
Let's say "Leslie" by King Creosote.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Much happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner.
c) richer or poorer? Much poorer.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travelling, writing, recording, reading, working.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Working. Worrying.
How did you spend Christmas?
In Svendborg with my father and his side of the family, which is and was absolutely wonderful! We introduced my American wife to a few more of our quaint ethnic customs, such as dancing in a circle around the tree while singing.
Did you fall in love in 2009?
Not exactly, however I continued to be in love, which I happen to think is quite remarkable in its own right. I would have added that to my short list of achievements, if I felt like I had had any say in the matter.
How many one-night stands?
None at all.
What was your favorite TV program?
The Office (US), Time Team, Planet Earth, Project Runway, 30 Rock
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nix. I am not good at hating people, so much as principles.
What was the best book you read?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
How do you think you have changed this year?
I think I have gotten to know myself slightly better than I did last year. I think I am a little more confident and a little less nervous. I think medication is part, but not all, of the explanation.
What did you want and get?
An amazing place to live on Fanø.
What did you want and not get?
An amazing place to work on Fanø.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Where the Wild Things Are
What did you do on your birthday?
Sign the lease for our house. Have cake with my mother and step-father and brother in the cold living room.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I wish my pride in myself had not been so pointlessly tied to my work (or lack of same).
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Going from Hobbit-y to increasingly burly.
What kept you sane?
Modern medicine. Thanks again, 21st century!
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Zooey Deschanel. That is a bit of a cheat, but I couldn't think of anyone I have just discovered. My libido is fine, though! I can still fancy celebrities with the best of them.
Who was the best new person you met?
I can't and won't play favourites, like that.
What was one good quality you thought you possessed in 2009?
I was really good at amusing myself!
What was one bad quality you thought you possessed in 2009?
Anxiety. Self-absorption.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
The 2012 Olympic Logo looks like Lisa Simpson giving head.
What do you look forward to in 2010?
Travelling!
Any big plans for 2010?
Travelling! Oh yeah, and getting Hiro pregnant - don't tell anyone! :-)
Did you have a good 2009 and why?
I really did. 2009 was a mixed bag of nuts, but all is well that ends well and I feel like the year put me in a prime position to start the next decade: I am where I want to be, I am with the person I want to be with (even if I am a little further away from some people I would have liked to be around) and I have reconnected with some very dear friends whom I have not kept in touch with for far too long.
Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
If I made any last year, I don't remember. I am not making any resolutions for 2010.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes.
Did anyone close to you die?
No.
What cities did you visit?
I think the important thing here is that 2009 was the year I escaped from The City. Other than that, I did much too little travelling.
What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
An accordion. Also, some modest degree of financial security, more specifically a job that I can be proud of, would be really cool.
What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't think any date will. I have a terrible head for these things.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing and assembling No True Body. Translating a couple of "real books." Getting better at Dutch. Moving to Fanø. Plummeting to the bottom of the Danish social system.
What was your biggest failure?
Not keeping in touch with everyone I should have kept in touch with.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Unfortunately, I did. I had already been ill for quite a while, but in January I was finally diagnosed with Méniére's Disease, after a long line of tests. The diagnosis meant I could start treatment, which is probably part of the reason that I am now generally feeling much better. The disease has a rather nasty rotating cast of symptoms; hearing loss, tinnitus and episodes of severe vertigo, where all I am able to do for a some hours is lie still and be seasick. Obviously the latter symptom is the one I have had the hardest time getting used to.
What was the best thing you bought?
I might have bought my guitar, Maiko, in 2009. If so, that's the best purchase. If not, my bicycle.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Too many people to count.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, the usual suspects; politicians (with a specific mention for those who put political currency above environmental necessities and those who set up the "activation" system for the unemployed Danes), fearmongers and the fearful.
Where did most of your money go?
Sadly, I am not completely sure. Living expenses and moving between countries ate all we had left, and then some.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I can't think of anything in particular, but believe me, that is a good sign! I have plenty of stuff to be excited about.
What song will always remind you of 2009?
Let's say "Leslie" by King Creosote.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Much happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner.
c) richer or poorer? Much poorer.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travelling, writing, recording, reading, working.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Working. Worrying.
How did you spend Christmas?
In Svendborg with my father and his side of the family, which is and was absolutely wonderful! We introduced my American wife to a few more of our quaint ethnic customs, such as dancing in a circle around the tree while singing.
Did you fall in love in 2009?
Not exactly, however I continued to be in love, which I happen to think is quite remarkable in its own right. I would have added that to my short list of achievements, if I felt like I had had any say in the matter.
How many one-night stands?
None at all.
What was your favorite TV program?
The Office (US), Time Team, Planet Earth, Project Runway, 30 Rock
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nix. I am not good at hating people, so much as principles.
What was the best book you read?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
How do you think you have changed this year?
I think I have gotten to know myself slightly better than I did last year. I think I am a little more confident and a little less nervous. I think medication is part, but not all, of the explanation.
What did you want and get?
An amazing place to live on Fanø.
What did you want and not get?
An amazing place to work on Fanø.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Where the Wild Things Are
What did you do on your birthday?
Sign the lease for our house. Have cake with my mother and step-father and brother in the cold living room.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I wish my pride in myself had not been so pointlessly tied to my work (or lack of same).
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Going from Hobbit-y to increasingly burly.
What kept you sane?
Modern medicine. Thanks again, 21st century!
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Zooey Deschanel. That is a bit of a cheat, but I couldn't think of anyone I have just discovered. My libido is fine, though! I can still fancy celebrities with the best of them.
Who was the best new person you met?
I can't and won't play favourites, like that.
What was one good quality you thought you possessed in 2009?
I was really good at amusing myself!
What was one bad quality you thought you possessed in 2009?
Anxiety. Self-absorption.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
The 2012 Olympic Logo looks like Lisa Simpson giving head.
What do you look forward to in 2010?
Travelling!
Any big plans for 2010?
Travelling! Oh yeah, and getting Hiro pregnant - don't tell anyone! :-)