What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before?
I ran my niece and nephew through four different RPGs while on a week's vacation for Thanksgiving. Also, I crossed Alaska off my list of states I need to visit.
Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I long ago made a new year's resolution to never make another new year's resolution again. It's the only one I've ever managed to keep in my life.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not such that I remember it right now.
Did anyone close to you die?
One former coworker did.
What countries did you visit?
Just this one, although I was over Canada a couple of times in July.
What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
More discretionary income.
What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The week in early July when Calen and I visited Alaska, especially our time in Denali. The Thanksgiving week with travel to Fort Collins to see my sister's new place and game with the kids.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Successfully leading a software team to deliver a project on time. The second biggest was securing an OK from my employer to write tabletop game material as a sideline.
What was your biggest failure?
Not managing to produce much material after I secured that approval.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a tooth shatter right before Dragon Con. I've got a crown there now. I also messed up my lower back a few times, but that's an old injury that keeps coming back.
What was the best thing you bought?
My new AC unit for my house.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Calen's did. He transitioned from training developer to software developer and joined the team I was leading. He transitioned quickly and was also a heck of a travel partner.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Some of my gamers. Most of them have shown commitment and dedication to being members of our gaming group but a few make it less of a priority and one quit the group altogether (I don't miss her kid, though).
Where did most of your money go?
The house, again. Mortgage payments and the AC system especially.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Alaska trip. It was amazing there. Gorgeous scenery (except in Anchorage) and we kept finding awesome places to eat and people to meet.
What song will always remind you of 2016?
You Can't Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Sadder.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercising. Sleeping.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spending money on household upkep.
How will you be spending New Years?
I'm not doing much of anything. There's a hockey game and a Mikey Mason online concert. There's some overlap there, but I can watch the game with it muted and listen to the concert. That's pretty much how it worked last year.
Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Definitely my parents, but my sister Karen and her family would be in spot #2.
Did you fall in love in 2016?
Nope.
How many one-night stands?
None.
What was your favorite TV program?
Still Last Week Tonight.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes, but only because I hadn't become aware of these people.
What was the best book you read?
I don't know if it was the "best" but the one I enjoyed reading the most was Flinx Transcendent by Alan Dean Foster. I've been a Flinx fan since I was a kid and that book wrapped up a long-running story arc and tied in a bunch of characters from the older books at the end.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
I had been aware of S.J. Tucker by reputation but I finally got to see her perform live at Dragon Con. Crazy talent level there.
What did you want and get?
I wanted to see Alaska. I got to do that.
What did you want and not get?
A lottery jackpot, a cure for diabetes, a raise, and those sorts of things.
What was your favorite film of this year?
I haven't seen many yet. Right now I'd have to say either Civil War or Deadpool. I haven't seen Rogue One or Doctor Strange yet.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Not much, and 44.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Could this not have been an election year? And were those really the best candidates available?
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
Same as it's been for years: t-shirt (usually black with white design) and blue jeans.
What kept you sane?
Being 900+ miles away from "close" family for most of the year.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Honestly, I don't do much in the way of celebrity worship.
What political issue stirred you the most?
The whole process of the election.
Who did you miss?
Nobody in particular.
Who was the best new person you met?
Patrick B., who was working more on the DBA side of the project I was on for most of the year.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016:
The air in Fort Collins is so dry that when I was up there in late November it was cold enough to make my nose start to run but then it would dry out and get stuck before it could leave my nostrils. It was uncomfortable.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I had a dream
Ah, shucks, oh, well
Now it's all fucked up
It's shot to hell
Yeah, yeah, my shit's fucked up
It has to happen to the best of us
The rich folks suffer like the rest of us
It'll happen to you