2017 in Review
Still slowly, occasionally, backing up my old LJ entries.
2017 Round Up
What did I accomplish in 2017?
-Dad still alive and able to walk a bit
-Knit seven big shawls, almost all of which taught me new techniques
-got out of the house a little!
-maintained friendships (at least somewhat) in spite of being pretty isolated
-read some great books
What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?
Officiated a wedding in Calabasas, California for two lovely brides.
Spent a couple hours exploring Baltimore, Maryland
Visited a few new venues: the giant NJPAC in Newark, NJ, the glamorous little Enlow Recital Hall in Union NJ, the comfortable Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village, NYC, the majestic AMC Loews Lincoln Square movie theatre.
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes. I’m on a roll with my resolutions. I challenged myself to watch ten new movies (from 2017 or 2016). At least five had to be in a theatre, five directed by women, and five directed by a person of colour. I did it! I also resolved to swim more. That one was tricky, because I struggled to find a beach or public pool with lockers for me to secure my stuff when I swam. When you’re solo without a car, it’s hard to guard your dry pants & housekeys! Yet, I managed one swim in October, because I picked a Californian motel with a pool, and that is more swimming than I did in 2016. Success! My 2018 resolutions will be the movie one again, as well as the frightening “more dating”. We’ll see how I do.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, LiveJournal’s own robotropolis!
Did anyone close to you die?
No! (Admittedly, Dad is close to it)
What countries did you visit?
The United States and Canada.
What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
A surplus of free time & cash.
What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don’t know if any date will remain in my memory.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Today, I think my biggest achievement of the year was the gigantic pi shawl I knit. It’s really pretty.
What was your biggest failure?
An utter inability to manage my time well and do all the things I’d love to do.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, there were a few bad headaches, but I’ve been pretty tough.
What was the best thing you bought?
A heap of flannel pajama pants when they were on sale for $6.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I found some great investigative journalism on-line- both photo essays and text pieces. I really admire all of the people spreading the word about political corruption and social injustice.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
A whole lot of people! There are a lot of jerks out there.
Where did most of your money go?
Good question! I guess the bulk of it went to food. Hello, cheese!
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Did I get really excited this year? Oh, yes! I met Louise Lasser and Greg Mullavey from the tv show “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”, and I was beside myself with excitement. I adore them so much, and they were so gracious and loved me right back. Swoon!
What song will always remind you of 2017?
I don’t know if there is one.
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Sadder
thinner or fatter?
Fatter
richer or poorer?
Poorer
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveling
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Waking up to the sound of my Dad screaming
How did you spend Christmas?
At Dad’s house
Did you fall in love in 2016?
No
How many one night stands?
None. Why do I even address this question every year? I’ve never done this, and have no desire to try it.
What was your favorite TV program?
“Empire” & “Judge Judy”.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No one new.
What was the best concert you attended?
I saw some amazing shows this year. TWO symphony performances: the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine on Feb 10th, and then the NJ Symphony Orchestra doing Beethoven’s Fifth on Nov 2nd. I was blown away by Darlene Love on Oct 21st, and wowed by Chita Rivera & Tommy Tune performing together on Sept 16th.
What was the best book you read?
Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses” & its two sequels were amazing!
What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don’t think I had one.
What did you want and get?
Much like last year, I wanted my dad to stay alive.
What did you not want and get anyway?
A tremendous amount of time in New Jersey
What did you want and not get?
A break! A nice big break.
What was your favorite film of the year?
I discovered Gaure Shinde’s “English Vinglish” from 2012, and loved that. From this calendar year, I enjoyed Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” & Amma Assante’s “A United Kingdom”.
What did you do on your birthday?
I honestly don’t remember. For years, I thought I’d throw a big party on my 42nd birthday, since “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” says 42 is the answer to everything. Yet, when it rolled around this year, we didn’t celebrate it. Ah, well. This particular era of my life is not focused on me.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A heap of money
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
Warm and comfy
What kept you sane?
I don’t know how sane I’ve been.
Which celebrity/ public figure did you fancy the most?
Mark Hamill has been a delight
What political issue stirred you the most?
So many of the missteps being made by the federal government in Washington DC.
Whom did you miss?
My Canadian loved ones.
Who was the best new person you met?
I met some lovely people at the wedding I attended in the Fall.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
I don’t know. Am I getting any wiser? Or am I just wearing out?
What were your best meals of the year?
There’s a magnificent Italian restaurant in Kenilworth, NJ, called La Campagnola. I had a pistachio penne pasta dish there that was divine. Just incredible! I’m also still madly in love with New Jersey pizza.
What are you looking forward to in 2018?
Meh. Nothing. I have low expectations.
2017 Round Up
What did I accomplish in 2017?
-Dad still alive and able to walk a bit
-Knit seven big shawls, almost all of which taught me new techniques
-got out of the house a little!
-maintained friendships (at least somewhat) in spite of being pretty isolated
-read some great books
What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?
Officiated a wedding in Calabasas, California for two lovely brides.
Spent a couple hours exploring Baltimore, Maryland
Visited a few new venues: the giant NJPAC in Newark, NJ, the glamorous little Enlow Recital Hall in Union NJ, the comfortable Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village, NYC, the majestic AMC Loews Lincoln Square movie theatre.
Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes. I’m on a roll with my resolutions. I challenged myself to watch ten new movies (from 2017 or 2016). At least five had to be in a theatre, five directed by women, and five directed by a person of colour. I did it! I also resolved to swim more. That one was tricky, because I struggled to find a beach or public pool with lockers for me to secure my stuff when I swam. When you’re solo without a car, it’s hard to guard your dry pants & housekeys! Yet, I managed one swim in October, because I picked a Californian motel with a pool, and that is more swimming than I did in 2016. Success! My 2018 resolutions will be the movie one again, as well as the frightening “more dating”. We’ll see how I do.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, LiveJournal’s own robotropolis!
Did anyone close to you die?
No! (Admittedly, Dad is close to it)
What countries did you visit?
The United States and Canada.
What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
A surplus of free time & cash.
What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don’t know if any date will remain in my memory.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Today, I think my biggest achievement of the year was the gigantic pi shawl I knit. It’s really pretty.
What was your biggest failure?
An utter inability to manage my time well and do all the things I’d love to do.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, there were a few bad headaches, but I’ve been pretty tough.
What was the best thing you bought?
A heap of flannel pajama pants when they were on sale for $6.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I found some great investigative journalism on-line- both photo essays and text pieces. I really admire all of the people spreading the word about political corruption and social injustice.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
A whole lot of people! There are a lot of jerks out there.
Where did most of your money go?
Good question! I guess the bulk of it went to food. Hello, cheese!
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Did I get really excited this year? Oh, yes! I met Louise Lasser and Greg Mullavey from the tv show “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”, and I was beside myself with excitement. I adore them so much, and they were so gracious and loved me right back. Swoon!
What song will always remind you of 2017?
I don’t know if there is one.
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Sadder
thinner or fatter?
Fatter
richer or poorer?
Poorer
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveling
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Waking up to the sound of my Dad screaming
How did you spend Christmas?
At Dad’s house
Did you fall in love in 2016?
No
How many one night stands?
None. Why do I even address this question every year? I’ve never done this, and have no desire to try it.
What was your favorite TV program?
“Empire” & “Judge Judy”.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No one new.
What was the best concert you attended?
I saw some amazing shows this year. TWO symphony performances: the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine on Feb 10th, and then the NJ Symphony Orchestra doing Beethoven’s Fifth on Nov 2nd. I was blown away by Darlene Love on Oct 21st, and wowed by Chita Rivera & Tommy Tune performing together on Sept 16th.
What was the best book you read?
Sarah J. Maas’ “A Court of Thorns and Roses” & its two sequels were amazing!
What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don’t think I had one.
What did you want and get?
Much like last year, I wanted my dad to stay alive.
What did you not want and get anyway?
A tremendous amount of time in New Jersey
What did you want and not get?
A break! A nice big break.
What was your favorite film of the year?
I discovered Gaure Shinde’s “English Vinglish” from 2012, and loved that. From this calendar year, I enjoyed Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” & Amma Assante’s “A United Kingdom”.
What did you do on your birthday?
I honestly don’t remember. For years, I thought I’d throw a big party on my 42nd birthday, since “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” says 42 is the answer to everything. Yet, when it rolled around this year, we didn’t celebrate it. Ah, well. This particular era of my life is not focused on me.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A heap of money
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
Warm and comfy
What kept you sane?
I don’t know how sane I’ve been.
Which celebrity/ public figure did you fancy the most?
Mark Hamill has been a delight
What political issue stirred you the most?
So many of the missteps being made by the federal government in Washington DC.
Whom did you miss?
My Canadian loved ones.
Who was the best new person you met?
I met some lovely people at the wedding I attended in the Fall.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
I don’t know. Am I getting any wiser? Or am I just wearing out?
What were your best meals of the year?
There’s a magnificent Italian restaurant in Kenilworth, NJ, called La Campagnola. I had a pistachio penne pasta dish there that was divine. Just incredible! I’m also still madly in love with New Jersey pizza.
What are you looking forward to in 2018?
Meh. Nothing. I have low expectations.