First LJ post of 2008.
I think 2008 is gonna be a good one. This year will find me graduated from school, finally. At least for a while. And either settled in a location or happily rambling about the country. Or hopefully both. I'm going to DC next week (eek! that's coming up soon!) and I'm going to Jersey and NYC in March to visit Johanna. And Johanna and I are embarking on the Great American Road Trip in May. It will be quite nearly two weeks of cruising around the country and mostly sleeping a tent. We'll stop in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Portland, maybe Seattle and see the Grand Canyon. It will be amazing. I feel like I haven't seen much of my own country and I would like to fix that. And I've hardly been out west, so I'm really looking forward to it. And Johanna will be an awesome traveling partner, I'm sure. We're both easy-going, we don't really need creature-comforts, and we're both always up for new adventures. I think it will be perfect. And it looks like I'm getting eye surgery in either April or May. I will finally be able to see without glasses or contacts, after 17 years of needing glasses. This is really exciting. I'll be able to travel much more easily and have less eye problems--that's the big one. It will be sweet. And my friend Julie is apparently setting me up with one or two people. Which, even if that crashes and burns, should ensure some interesting occurrences in the love-life front. And I rarely can ever have enough of those.
Bah, I can't believe classes start tomorrow already. I'm totally not moved back into my apartment yet either. Sometimes my job blows--I had to schedule a double today in order to keep my job, but I got lucky and I get 2.5 hours off. Which will be much nicer than I had thought. I can go home and visit my kitty--I'm a little nervous about how he's adjusting to being home again, buy groceries and at least get the rest of my belongings out of my car. I gave Clyde kitty-valium to get him home yesterday (he howled the WHOLE way to metro-Detroit) and it was only supposed to last 8 hours, but he was definately still a little stoned 11 hours later. And he refused to sleep outside my bedroom last night, he was howling outside my bedroom door until I let him in. He slept in bed with me for the first time and kept me awake for half the night. I think he'll be ok, but he's just acting a little abnormal. Hopefully he will be ok when I leave next week. I think I will arrange for someone to come over once or twice while I'm gone.
Uhh I feel so lazy today. I slept at work until 11:30 today (Friday night at the gay bar in Lansing wore me out, apparently), I have been laying around since then. And I'm working at a site that I have only worked at once today and I think the one client that has even come downstairs as of yet, is afraid/nervous about me. Awesome.
1.What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Lived in a truly big city, had a 9-5 job
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't think I made one last year. But I have one this year that is sort of unexciting--to be healthy (take a yoga class, get my bite fixed, work out on a regular basis, take care of my teeth, etc etc).
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin and his wife had a baby a few weeks ago and my friend Jenny had (another) baby earlier this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Nope
5. What countries did you visit? Ummm I probably went to Canada. Does that count? Kind of a lame year for travel.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? I would like to have a big-kid job. And to do some traveling, which I have planned for the next couple of months.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Missy and Jon's wedding was pretty memorable. Aside from them being the first of us to get married, it was like a big reunion. And 003 Christmas. Mostly like old times.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being a (mostly) functional adult in a big city. Living alone and not losing my mind (or even coming close to it). Being responsible for another living thing and keeping it alive and healthy (my cat).
9. What was your biggest failure? I try not to think about these kinds of things too much, but one that stands out in my mind was my failure to get the kind of responses I would have liked when I was applying to internships. But I plan to take what I learned from that experience and make it a positive as I start to apply for jobs.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope.
11. What was the best thing you bought? I mostly tried not to buy things, seeing as I don't have money.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? All of my friends who got big kid jobs this year, there's too many to even count. And especially the ones that have big-kid jobs but still understand the importance of having fun. And my friends that made a least a few jumps in emotional growth, who I won't mention by name. That seems inappropriate.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I honestly couldn't think of anyone if I tried. I can think of a few people that continue to make poor decisions, despite the knowledge that they really are poor decisions.
14. Where did most of your money go? Food, booze, gas.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing friends I haven't seen in a long time, that never looses its excitement. Missy and Jon's wedding was overwhelming being surrounded by so many people I hadn't seen in quite a while. I remember being really excited when my sister moved into her own place in DC because we weren't trapped in my aunt's house anymore. I also got really really excited about the end of academic terms this year because they both blew XhardcoreX.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? I guess maybe "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" both by Paul Simon. Those were two songs I developed new obsessions with this year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? A little fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? A little poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Sewing, art in general, reading, keeping track of current events, swimming laps, yoga.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Sometimes drinking. The frequency was about right, but the quantity a little too much sometimes.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent Christmas day driving back from Indiana, but then I spent the day with my mom and sister in Detroit. We tried to drink at the casino, but apparently no one serves alcohol on Jesus' birthday. Lame. Later that week, we had a proper Christmas celebration with a big dinner, my immediate family and both grandmas present.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? In the romantic sense, no. But I find myself falling in love with most of my good friends more and more. I've always had a greater appreciation for friendship-love (Buddhists call it metta) anyways.
23. How many one-night stands? That is a difficult question. Definitions of these things are hard to peg down. A few with the same person, one or two that were only sort of one-night-stands. Yes, difficult question.
24. What was your favorite TV program? It seemed like I watched a lot more tv this fall, not having cable. My new favorite would definitely be Arrested Development. It's pretty brilliant, actually.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No. I don't think I really hate anyone.
26. What was the best book you read? The one that stands out in my mind right now is "Thicker than Blood: Friendship on the Buddhist Path." It's a really thorough examination of friendship and how it relates to spirituality. And really it's just refreshing to hear from someone that has the same value of friendship as I do.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Paul Simon's solo stuff. Tuvan throat-singing. I also realized that I really like Cream.
28. What did you want and get? I've been trying to be less critical of myself and others and I think I'm getting better at that.
29. What did you want and not get? At most points of last year I wanted a long-term relationship and that never quite came together. Now I'm pretty neutral about it though.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Across the Universe was really moving. Visually just awesome to watch.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 23. Had a little party at Cheryl (my coworker from NCSE)'s apartment and went out in Georgetown. Nothing too horribly awesome, but people kept buying me drinks and my tolerance was waning, so I got fucked up.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably satisfying? Um that's a weird question. I feel like I would be a simple person if my life could be so much improved by one thing.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Still in a transitional period into Heather As An Adult. It's sort of an awkward transition from the way I would prefer to dress.
34. What kept you sane? Phonecalls from Johanna and Steffie. Going to the bar with friends in Bloomington. Hanging out with Esther, Cathy and Heidi in DC. Visiting home.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Apparently we're speaking British now. That's a tough one. I feel like I tend to be mostly unaware of popular culture.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Um, global warming and agricultural pollution, if you could call those political issues.
37. Who did you miss? I tend to be at least 6 hours away from at least one of my really good friends at all times. I always miss someone. But I've found ways to deal with that.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Rachel (in Indiana) went from being an acquaintance to a friend and she's really cool. Down to earth and pretty hilarious. I met Julie G earlier this year and she's become a pretty close friend. She's practically the only other artist in SPEA. I met a bunch of cool people in DC, some of my favorites being: Cathi, Steve, Tim, Joe T, Cheryl, etc.
38B. People I got to know better:A lot of people. All of my friends in Indiana, Dan P, Adam G, and Heidi B.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: I'm beginning to learn to forgive myself and others. But I also learned that I shouldn't give people (read:men) a second chance unless they really want it and deserve it. I learned that sometimes just to be in the presence of the people you love is enough. Health-wise, I learned that I'm not invincible and I really DO need to take care of myself.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: I'll make an attempt to do that.
Leaves are falling all around, It's time I was on my way.
Thanks to you, I'm much obliged for such a pleasant stay.
But now it's time for me to go. The autumn moon lights my way.
For now I smell the rain, and with it pain, and it's headed my way.
-"Ramble On," Led Zeppelin
Bah, I can't believe classes start tomorrow already. I'm totally not moved back into my apartment yet either. Sometimes my job blows--I had to schedule a double today in order to keep my job, but I got lucky and I get 2.5 hours off. Which will be much nicer than I had thought. I can go home and visit my kitty--I'm a little nervous about how he's adjusting to being home again, buy groceries and at least get the rest of my belongings out of my car. I gave Clyde kitty-valium to get him home yesterday (he howled the WHOLE way to metro-Detroit) and it was only supposed to last 8 hours, but he was definately still a little stoned 11 hours later. And he refused to sleep outside my bedroom last night, he was howling outside my bedroom door until I let him in. He slept in bed with me for the first time and kept me awake for half the night. I think he'll be ok, but he's just acting a little abnormal. Hopefully he will be ok when I leave next week. I think I will arrange for someone to come over once or twice while I'm gone.
Uhh I feel so lazy today. I slept at work until 11:30 today (Friday night at the gay bar in Lansing wore me out, apparently), I have been laying around since then. And I'm working at a site that I have only worked at once today and I think the one client that has even come downstairs as of yet, is afraid/nervous about me. Awesome.
1.What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Lived in a truly big city, had a 9-5 job
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't think I made one last year. But I have one this year that is sort of unexciting--to be healthy (take a yoga class, get my bite fixed, work out on a regular basis, take care of my teeth, etc etc).
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin and his wife had a baby a few weeks ago and my friend Jenny had (another) baby earlier this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die? Nope
5. What countries did you visit? Ummm I probably went to Canada. Does that count? Kind of a lame year for travel.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? I would like to have a big-kid job. And to do some traveling, which I have planned for the next couple of months.
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Missy and Jon's wedding was pretty memorable. Aside from them being the first of us to get married, it was like a big reunion. And 003 Christmas. Mostly like old times.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being a (mostly) functional adult in a big city. Living alone and not losing my mind (or even coming close to it). Being responsible for another living thing and keeping it alive and healthy (my cat).
9. What was your biggest failure? I try not to think about these kinds of things too much, but one that stands out in my mind was my failure to get the kind of responses I would have liked when I was applying to internships. But I plan to take what I learned from that experience and make it a positive as I start to apply for jobs.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nope.
11. What was the best thing you bought? I mostly tried not to buy things, seeing as I don't have money.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? All of my friends who got big kid jobs this year, there's too many to even count. And especially the ones that have big-kid jobs but still understand the importance of having fun. And my friends that made a least a few jumps in emotional growth, who I won't mention by name. That seems inappropriate.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I honestly couldn't think of anyone if I tried. I can think of a few people that continue to make poor decisions, despite the knowledge that they really are poor decisions.
14. Where did most of your money go? Food, booze, gas.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing friends I haven't seen in a long time, that never looses its excitement. Missy and Jon's wedding was overwhelming being surrounded by so many people I hadn't seen in quite a while. I remember being really excited when my sister moved into her own place in DC because we weren't trapped in my aunt's house anymore. I also got really really excited about the end of academic terms this year because they both blew XhardcoreX.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? I guess maybe "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" both by Paul Simon. Those were two songs I developed new obsessions with this year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? A little fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? A little poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Sewing, art in general, reading, keeping track of current events, swimming laps, yoga.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Sometimes drinking. The frequency was about right, but the quantity a little too much sometimes.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? I spent Christmas day driving back from Indiana, but then I spent the day with my mom and sister in Detroit. We tried to drink at the casino, but apparently no one serves alcohol on Jesus' birthday. Lame. Later that week, we had a proper Christmas celebration with a big dinner, my immediate family and both grandmas present.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? In the romantic sense, no. But I find myself falling in love with most of my good friends more and more. I've always had a greater appreciation for friendship-love (Buddhists call it metta) anyways.
23. How many one-night stands? That is a difficult question. Definitions of these things are hard to peg down. A few with the same person, one or two that were only sort of one-night-stands. Yes, difficult question.
24. What was your favorite TV program? It seemed like I watched a lot more tv this fall, not having cable. My new favorite would definitely be Arrested Development. It's pretty brilliant, actually.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No. I don't think I really hate anyone.
26. What was the best book you read? The one that stands out in my mind right now is "Thicker than Blood: Friendship on the Buddhist Path." It's a really thorough examination of friendship and how it relates to spirituality. And really it's just refreshing to hear from someone that has the same value of friendship as I do.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Paul Simon's solo stuff. Tuvan throat-singing. I also realized that I really like Cream.
28. What did you want and get? I've been trying to be less critical of myself and others and I think I'm getting better at that.
29. What did you want and not get? At most points of last year I wanted a long-term relationship and that never quite came together. Now I'm pretty neutral about it though.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? Across the Universe was really moving. Visually just awesome to watch.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 23. Had a little party at Cheryl (my coworker from NCSE)'s apartment and went out in Georgetown. Nothing too horribly awesome, but people kept buying me drinks and my tolerance was waning, so I got fucked up.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably satisfying? Um that's a weird question. I feel like I would be a simple person if my life could be so much improved by one thing.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Still in a transitional period into Heather As An Adult. It's sort of an awkward transition from the way I would prefer to dress.
34. What kept you sane? Phonecalls from Johanna and Steffie. Going to the bar with friends in Bloomington. Hanging out with Esther, Cathy and Heidi in DC. Visiting home.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Apparently we're speaking British now. That's a tough one. I feel like I tend to be mostly unaware of popular culture.
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Um, global warming and agricultural pollution, if you could call those political issues.
37. Who did you miss? I tend to be at least 6 hours away from at least one of my really good friends at all times. I always miss someone. But I've found ways to deal with that.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Rachel (in Indiana) went from being an acquaintance to a friend and she's really cool. Down to earth and pretty hilarious. I met Julie G earlier this year and she's become a pretty close friend. She's practically the only other artist in SPEA. I met a bunch of cool people in DC, some of my favorites being: Cathi, Steve, Tim, Joe T, Cheryl, etc.
38B. People I got to know better:A lot of people. All of my friends in Indiana, Dan P, Adam G, and Heidi B.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007: I'm beginning to learn to forgive myself and others. But I also learned that I shouldn't give people (read:men) a second chance unless they really want it and deserve it. I learned that sometimes just to be in the presence of the people you love is enough. Health-wise, I learned that I'm not invincible and I really DO need to take care of myself.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: I'll make an attempt to do that.
Leaves are falling all around, It's time I was on my way.
Thanks to you, I'm much obliged for such a pleasant stay.
But now it's time for me to go. The autumn moon lights my way.
For now I smell the rain, and with it pain, and it's headed my way.
-"Ramble On," Led Zeppelin