[MEME] 2020 IN REVIEW
Even later.
1. What did you do in 2020 that you'd never done before?
Live through a pandemic? (lmao); complete an entire daily journal with my non-dominant hand; glamping with the SO in Yosemite/Mariposa right before Covid got serious in California; sign a waiver to try a hot sauce that made me almost pass out (hot sauce was aptly named "The End"); purchase a second condo from a seller in Hong Kong who was really keen on divesting his property ASAP (likely due to new CCP laws going into effect at that time); have a housewarming gathering; growing habanero pepper plants from seed and acquiring an indoor Meyer Lemon tree; successfully picking my old-ass master lock; running the dishwasher more than twice in the year; getting a true head high from edibles.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Recap:
- Finish that blasted goldfish piece so I can finish my personal vanity business cards
Failed.
- Finish the goddamn holiday cards. Going to basically reset the clock from odd years to even years
Failed this one so hard. SO HARD.
- Either beat Okami, or finish at least 50% of The Witcher 3 game
Does it count if I basically played through the game with the SO on his version of the game?
- TAKE A BLOODY VACATION
Technically this did happen with the 5-day trip to Yosemite/Mariposa in March. Way too short though, and I haven't had a true break since then. Fuck Covid. Fuck my kind of nonexistent work-life balance.
For this year:
- Figure out a new hobby (have been eyeing sculpting)
- Keep it up with the daily non-dominant hand journal
- Read a book
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Thanks, Covid.
6. What would you like to have in 2021 that you lacked in 2020?
Found an SO of mutual respect, trust, and love (for all my deep-seated, visceral dislike for that word). I don't know... an actual vacation. Like 2 weeks of no work would be fucking fabulous.
7. What date from 2020 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2020-01-31. Date I officially started dating my SO (though he insists this date should actually be 2020-01-01).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Definitely keeping the non-dominant hand journal going for the entire year. It wasn't necessarily a one entry per day thing--some days I was so busy/tired that all I could do was scribble on a post-it the events of the week. But I'd always transcribe an entry for each day with my left hand. Also bought second condo so... huzzah.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not doing anything remotely artistic, I guess. Had sketched a bit in my sketchbook, but nothing beyond that. Nothing digital, nothing coloured. Really unfortunate.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major illness or injury, which I suppose is a feat given the pandemic. Experienced the occasional sciatic nerve pain and neck/shoulder pain, but I'm sure that can just be attributed to my shit posture.
11. What were the best things you bought?
The meyer lemon tree for the new place. It's currently going through its second round of blooms right now. But my favourite thing would be Phat Phoque--i.e., my emotional support phoque.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My SO... basically the same dude whose behaviour merited celebration last year. Truly, a good person.
13. Whose behaviour appalled you?
Trump, his family, and the rest of the enabling GOP. That answer has not changed in the last four, goddamn long years.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Condo purchase and renovations.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Queen's Gambit on Netflix. Truly, I don't think I've enjoyed another short-form series, limited or otherwise, in a while.
16. What song will always remind you of 2020?
Not quite a song, but a video that summarizes the major events of the year perfectly. The video/sound/music editing are lit AF, and beautiful.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier with the SO, but probably sadder in terms of the sheer burnout I feel with my job and the relationship with my mother;
ii. thinner or fatter? Maybe a bit fatter? I gained 5lbs... though I think it's not all that visible.
iii. richer or poorer? Still accumulating those assets. TSLA was also doing quite well.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Relax and vacations. But the time's were not permitting.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being stressed about things I probably have no control over.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
... terribly actually. Had another fight with the mother on Christmas Eve when she badgered me, again, about the status of my Business (i.e., child bearing). Specifically she asked for a "small Ox" because it's the year of the Ox in 2021 and. Well, I did not react well. Things escalated quickly to the point where I tried to see if she was willing to talk the next morning on Christmas, but nope. I maintain she told me to leave, so we did. Went back to Chicago with Grace and Thomas. Felt awful for leaving dad with that mess. We ordered chinese food for Christmas lunch/dinner and binged more Criminal Minds.
21. Where did you ring in 2020? How will you ring in 2021?
2020: Got invited to Paul's friend's party again, but decided to spend it instead with the german guy I've been seeing (the one who displayed an impressive amount of emotional maturity). We met at his place, then headed to his neighbors for drinks (gay couple, one guy who he's childhood friends with). Had two super boozy eggnoggs there, then we parted ways briefly. We headed to a mexican place across the street--and the alcohol hit me hard enough that I couldn't finish my margarita. Sobered up enough when we headed back to his place to ring in the near year. His neighbors came back to join us for champagne and we watched the smoke coming from the fireworks from his balcony.
2021: First had Riley/Jack over, plus Riley's parents. They stayed for some apps, drinks, and conversation before leaving for their own dinner plans. Then invited Linda & Paul over--small gathering because social distancing, ha. Grace had bailed out last minute. Linda/Paul brought home-brewed ciders and dickbutt/cat butt cookies. We continued eating appetizers, tacos, salmon, gummy bears, and drank. Played "That's What She Said" and "Bears vs. Babies." Watched a few YT videos and the sad NYC performance. Counted down and watched as somewhere, way in the distance, someone set off fireworks.
22. Did you fall in love in 2020?
I suppose I did. I'd like to think of it as a healthy sort of love, one of affection and mutual trust and respect.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Definitely "The Queen's Gambit." Beautifully directed, shot, acted, etc. And such a satisfying ending.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nobody in hate really. Unless you count the cheeto stain.
26. What was the best book you read?
Didn't really read any books. Not in the mood.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Cee-roo's sound mixes and years-in-review mixes. The man's a genius. Oh, and I guess KDA's new album. Some nice songs on there.
28. What did you want and get?
A partner.
29. What did you want and not get?
Same as last year: "A vacation and a karaoke machine"
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
"The Old Guard" on Netflix was really fun! I can't think of any others that truly stick out to me. I think "Fatman" was... interesting. Definitely a rollercoaster of. Things.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Mom called early in the morning to tell me about some tradition about eating 33 pieces of meat. Grabbed ramen with XM for lunch. Basically got a free ramen from the restaurant because the waitress accidentally threw out my to-go leftovers. Went to Stock and Ledger to have drinks with my meme-buddy Chris. Was upfront with another Bumble match and let him down hopefully nicely.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
While I technically did have a mini vacation in March, that was nowhere near enough or as relaxing I would've liked. The site's hot tub was down, so we didn't even get to do that. Then Covid really came down with a vengeance, so any travel plans were halted indefinitely. Oh, also, probably not getting pseudo(?)-estranged with my mother at the end of the year. That definitely put a dampener on an already shitty year.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2020?
Athleisure and pajamas. Hooray lockdown gear.
34. What kept you sane?
Non-dominant hand journal. Biweekly bubble tea runs. The Hobbles. Webcomics. My plants.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The circus that was the lead up to the 2020 Election, and the super circus that came afterward.
37. Who did you miss?
People.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Didn't meet anybody new, per se. Hard to meet new people during lockdown lol
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020.
The work creep is very real. Work just be creepin' in on yo' personal lives. Fuck Covid, augh.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Bonus. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Random moment: December 31, 2020 Noticing that one of my three habanero pepper plants, which had been blooming nonstop for at least two months, has finally, FINALLY started to fruit!
1. What did you do in 2020 that you'd never done before?
Live through a pandemic? (lmao); complete an entire daily journal with my non-dominant hand; glamping with the SO in Yosemite/Mariposa right before Covid got serious in California; sign a waiver to try a hot sauce that made me almost pass out (hot sauce was aptly named "The End"); purchase a second condo from a seller in Hong Kong who was really keen on divesting his property ASAP (likely due to new CCP laws going into effect at that time); have a housewarming gathering; growing habanero pepper plants from seed and acquiring an indoor Meyer Lemon tree; successfully picking my old-ass master lock; running the dishwasher more than twice in the year; getting a true head high from edibles.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Recap:
- Finish that blasted goldfish piece so I can finish my personal vanity business cards
Failed.
- Finish the goddamn holiday cards. Going to basically reset the clock from odd years to even years
Failed this one so hard. SO HARD.
- Either beat Okami, or finish at least 50% of The Witcher 3 game
Does it count if I basically played through the game with the SO on his version of the game?
- TAKE A BLOODY VACATION
Technically this did happen with the 5-day trip to Yosemite/Mariposa in March. Way too short though, and I haven't had a true break since then. Fuck Covid. Fuck my kind of nonexistent work-life balance.
For this year:
- Figure out a new hobby (have been eyeing sculpting)
- Keep it up with the daily non-dominant hand journal
- Read a book
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Thanks, Covid.
6. What would you like to have in 2021 that you lacked in 2020?
Found an SO of mutual respect, trust, and love (for all my deep-seated, visceral dislike for that word). I don't know... an actual vacation. Like 2 weeks of no work would be fucking fabulous.
7. What date from 2020 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2020-01-31. Date I officially started dating my SO (though he insists this date should actually be 2020-01-01).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Definitely keeping the non-dominant hand journal going for the entire year. It wasn't necessarily a one entry per day thing--some days I was so busy/tired that all I could do was scribble on a post-it the events of the week. But I'd always transcribe an entry for each day with my left hand. Also bought second condo so... huzzah.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not doing anything remotely artistic, I guess. Had sketched a bit in my sketchbook, but nothing beyond that. Nothing digital, nothing coloured. Really unfortunate.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major illness or injury, which I suppose is a feat given the pandemic. Experienced the occasional sciatic nerve pain and neck/shoulder pain, but I'm sure that can just be attributed to my shit posture.
11. What were the best things you bought?
The meyer lemon tree for the new place. It's currently going through its second round of blooms right now. But my favourite thing would be Phat Phoque--i.e., my emotional support phoque.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My SO... basically the same dude whose behaviour merited celebration last year. Truly, a good person.
13. Whose behaviour appalled you?
Trump, his family, and the rest of the enabling GOP. That answer has not changed in the last four, goddamn long years.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Condo purchase and renovations.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Queen's Gambit on Netflix. Truly, I don't think I've enjoyed another short-form series, limited or otherwise, in a while.
16. What song will always remind you of 2020?
Not quite a song, but a video that summarizes the major events of the year perfectly. The video/sound/music editing are lit AF, and beautiful.
Click to view17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier with the SO, but probably sadder in terms of the sheer burnout I feel with my job and the relationship with my mother;
ii. thinner or fatter? Maybe a bit fatter? I gained 5lbs... though I think it's not all that visible.
iii. richer or poorer? Still accumulating those assets. TSLA was also doing quite well.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Relax and vacations. But the time's were not permitting.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being stressed about things I probably have no control over.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
... terribly actually. Had another fight with the mother on Christmas Eve when she badgered me, again, about the status of my Business (i.e., child bearing). Specifically she asked for a "small Ox" because it's the year of the Ox in 2021 and. Well, I did not react well. Things escalated quickly to the point where I tried to see if she was willing to talk the next morning on Christmas, but nope. I maintain she told me to leave, so we did. Went back to Chicago with Grace and Thomas. Felt awful for leaving dad with that mess. We ordered chinese food for Christmas lunch/dinner and binged more Criminal Minds.
21. Where did you ring in 2020? How will you ring in 2021?
2020: Got invited to Paul's friend's party again, but decided to spend it instead with the german guy I've been seeing (the one who displayed an impressive amount of emotional maturity). We met at his place, then headed to his neighbors for drinks (gay couple, one guy who he's childhood friends with). Had two super boozy eggnoggs there, then we parted ways briefly. We headed to a mexican place across the street--and the alcohol hit me hard enough that I couldn't finish my margarita. Sobered up enough when we headed back to his place to ring in the near year. His neighbors came back to join us for champagne and we watched the smoke coming from the fireworks from his balcony.
2021: First had Riley/Jack over, plus Riley's parents. They stayed for some apps, drinks, and conversation before leaving for their own dinner plans. Then invited Linda & Paul over--small gathering because social distancing, ha. Grace had bailed out last minute. Linda/Paul brought home-brewed ciders and dickbutt/cat butt cookies. We continued eating appetizers, tacos, salmon, gummy bears, and drank. Played "That's What She Said" and "Bears vs. Babies." Watched a few YT videos and the sad NYC performance. Counted down and watched as somewhere, way in the distance, someone set off fireworks.
22. Did you fall in love in 2020?
I suppose I did. I'd like to think of it as a healthy sort of love, one of affection and mutual trust and respect.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Definitely "The Queen's Gambit." Beautifully directed, shot, acted, etc. And such a satisfying ending.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nobody in hate really. Unless you count the cheeto stain.
26. What was the best book you read?
Didn't really read any books. Not in the mood.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Cee-roo's sound mixes and years-in-review mixes. The man's a genius. Oh, and I guess KDA's new album. Some nice songs on there.
28. What did you want and get?
A partner.
29. What did you want and not get?
Same as last year: "A vacation and a karaoke machine"
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
"The Old Guard" on Netflix was really fun! I can't think of any others that truly stick out to me. I think "Fatman" was... interesting. Definitely a rollercoaster of. Things.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Mom called early in the morning to tell me about some tradition about eating 33 pieces of meat. Grabbed ramen with XM for lunch. Basically got a free ramen from the restaurant because the waitress accidentally threw out my to-go leftovers. Went to Stock and Ledger to have drinks with my meme-buddy Chris. Was upfront with another Bumble match and let him down hopefully nicely.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
While I technically did have a mini vacation in March, that was nowhere near enough or as relaxing I would've liked. The site's hot tub was down, so we didn't even get to do that. Then Covid really came down with a vengeance, so any travel plans were halted indefinitely. Oh, also, probably not getting pseudo(?)-estranged with my mother at the end of the year. That definitely put a dampener on an already shitty year.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2020?
Athleisure and pajamas. Hooray lockdown gear.
34. What kept you sane?
Non-dominant hand journal. Biweekly bubble tea runs. The Hobbles. Webcomics. My plants.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The circus that was the lead up to the 2020 Election, and the super circus that came afterward.
37. Who did you miss?
People.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Didn't meet anybody new, per se. Hard to meet new people during lockdown lol
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020.
The work creep is very real. Work just be creepin' in on yo' personal lives. Fuck Covid, augh.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Bonus. What was your favorite moment of the year?
Random moment: December 31, 2020 Noticing that one of my three habanero pepper plants, which had been blooming nonstop for at least two months, has finally, FINALLY started to fruit!