2007 was a pretty sweet year..
Okay- so this is a bit late, really for year-end lists, but I needed something to jump-start my writing a bit. I borrowed this list from mz.
lee_cheri and who knows, perhaps I'll start keeping this thing up again.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
moved cross-country to San Francisco!
shared a studio apartment with a significant other for more than seven months (and counting!)
visited Madison, Wisconsin, Washington D.C., and lovely Californian places like Sonoma and Monterey
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Although I didn't make any formal resolutions, I'm pretty sure all my mind could think about was move out west - and it happened!
For this year - I'm hoping to be more socially active, doing things to help people in my community and taking part in the electoral process this year. I'd also like to meet make more friends in San Franciso. The Boston connection has made things fairly comfortable for me out here, but there's still a whole city to explore!
Also:
(+) Travel more
(+) Look into Lasik surgery for my eyes
(+) Keep in better touch with people (the whole work/life balance thing)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
nope.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
no - thankfully. My brother had another heart attack in December, but is already back at work and doing ok (I hope).
5. What countries did you visit?
I've never been outside the U.S. except for Canada, something I'd love to change in '08.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Hmm, a two bedroom apartment? Am I dreaming too big here?
It's Really Hard to not lose your mind living with one other person and a cat in a studio.. I'd love to have a workroom that I could write, illustrate, and edit music by myself. Fingers crossed!
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Ok - So I don't remember dates. Of anything. But probably May 28th. Our first day in San Francisco after my whirlwind weekend to see Patrick and Becca tie the knot. Boston > D.C. > Boston > San Francisco. Thanks to
new_fangled for making sure I didn't miss my SuperShuttle!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
After getting to California - probably that I found a job fairly quickly - and it's a great job!
I feel very fortunate to have stayed in the black this year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not sure if I'd call it a failure, more of a flaw.
I let too many little things (and little people) get under my skin and make me either
a) sad, or
b) really pissed
The high (low) light of this was during our recent trip to Wisconsin. A TSA officer made me take off my sweater (which to him looked like a jacket) and I had to stand there for all to see in a filmsy undershirt with my bra hanging out. He screamed at me through the entire process ("I don't care what you think", "Our Nation's Security..." "Terrorists...") and after telling him pointedly how it made me feel (of which he said he didn't give a damn) I broke out into tears and couldn't stop crying for a good fifteen minutes. The same man proceeded to yell at a grandma for not taking off her plastic xmas jewelry.
These people, mean, ignorant people, really upset me. Especially men on a law enforcement power trip. I know I should feel as though we're all mean and ignorant sometimes and I shouldn't judge or take it too seriously.
But I do. I just have no idea how to cope with meannies.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Already on my first cold of 2008. rah rah.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Haven't had a lot of money to spare this year, but it's probably plane tickets.
I'm really happy I got to see both our families.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hmm..
Kudos to:
nma for leaving the enterprise world and returning to the wild west of the web.
sph for having the courage to move back.
catherine for once again doing so many amazing things - a cross-country trip, come out and play (in nyc and amsterdam), and all the sweet gamelab stuff
p & b for making a great example for all the rest of us remaining single folk on how to get married.
sean for staying in beirut through everything that happened last year.
everyone here in sf making me feel at home.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
See above mentioned TSA dude.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The rent, the rent, and the rent. Lovely California.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Road trips, Plane trips, and soaking up the sun.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
"Young Folks" PB&J, "I Love You New York" LCD Soundsystem, "Rehab" Amy Winehouse, "Smile" Lily Allen, "D.A.N.C.E" Justice, "Paper Planes" M.I.A. (The Clash sample still annoys the crud out of me!)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder?
about the same.
ii. thinner or fatter?
fatter
iii. richer or poorer?
poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
sleep.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
drink.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With the Gross's in Madision, Wisconsin
22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Still in.
23. How many one night stands?
nada.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
When I do watch TV, it's probably still Law & Order SVU.
Don't ask me why, but it's so addictive.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Hours. Super depressing, but worth it.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jukeboxes in SF bars. They contain a wealth of musical supremacy.
28. What did you want and get?
A job that pays the billz, that lets me use my mad skillz.
29. What did you want and not get?
The same for Chris.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Pan's Labyrinth. Visually stunning and the first fantasy movie I found myself wanting to "believe in" in quite a while.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had a very tasty dinner at Millenium. 29 (gasp).
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Can't really top this year for changes, but if somehow the war in Iraq ended and Bush spontaneously combusted that would have been sweet.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Dressed? I've really fallen off the fashion chart this year - mostly due to my burrito belly making me feel yucky in everything I wear.
34. What kept you sane?
My mom, my girlfriends, and the ever snuggly Sara-cat. And, oh yes, the dude that does my laundry and makes me breakfast, and basically everything else - Chris.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Can't say I really noticed - it's been quite an interal year for me.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
There's been a lot of things, really. Probably the recent oil spill in the Bay, the upcoming elections, the war, the growing acceptance (finally!) of what we're doing to the environment.
37. Who did you miss?
Oh man, EVERYONE. Except my friends that I get to see in San Francisco of course. I wish I had enough money (and vacation time) to go visit everyone in their respective cities, states, and countries.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
three way tie - laura jean, zachary, and ted. I haven't laughed so much in a very long time.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
"If you jump, the net will appear."
Having faith in yourself (and your relationships) cannot be valued enough. If you feel strongly enough about something, plan for it, then DO it.
40. Which song sums up your year?
On the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world be turnin' our way
And our way
Is on the road again
Just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
And I can't wait to get on the road again