Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, everybody! I hope you had a lovely Christmas (or whatever else you may celebrate) and New Year.
My Christmas was delightful as always. As usual, I spent it with my family, at my parents' place. This year, we had me and Don, my parents, my brother, and my aunt and uncle, later joined by my sister and brother-in-law, my grandmother, and another uncle. The day was laid-back, with lovely gifties for all and excellent company. Oh, and delicious turkey, of course.
Gift highlights, I would have to say include the complete series so far of Battlestar Galactica (seasons 1-3 plus Razor), as well as tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show, which were an excellent complement to the trip to Las Vegas that Don surprised me with! Going back to Vegas in February! Woot!
(And can I just add a side note here about just one of the many reasons my husband is awesome? He can pull off a surprise like this. So many people - especially guys trying to surprise their women - will try, but they have this tendency of being all "I have an awesome surprise. You're gonna love it. You'll never guess what it is, but it's awesome." And so on and so forth, which of course leads to one a) actually being aware that something big is brewing, and b) pondering what it could be. The ultimate results tends to be one of two things. Either the ideas you had were way more awesome than whatever you ultimately get, so it's disappointing, or you actually did figure out what it's going to be, and it is indeed awesome, but you've lost that shock value, and then it's mostly disappointing for the giver. Don, however, I have come to realize, is very good at keeping his cool, as this is the third thing he's basically successfully blindsided me with. First, there was his surprise visit to Halifax. I had no idea he was coming. Next, there was the proposal. Totally didn't see that one coming, and you know that has to be hard to keep under wraps for very long. And then there was this trip. I had no idea whatsoever that his main gift for me would be that massive and awesome. I had suspicions that he'd sent a pretty good chunk of money on me, but a trip to Vegas never even crossed my mind as a possibility. And because he didn't make a big deal of it, I really didn't even ponder what the big thing he got me was, so the surprise when I opened it? Totally awesome, both for me and for him. So let this be a lesson: when planning a big awesome surprise, for best results, keep your freaking cool about it. End side note.)
Boxing Day, we went to visit another aunt and uncle, where I got to see one of my cousins that I haven't seen in forever, and finally meet her fiance. He's much taller than I expected. He seems like a good guy, so for whatever it's worth, I approve. :)
We spent New Year's Eve chilling with Glenn and Tickles, watching the last Air Farce ever. Ordered in some food, drank some bubbly, and then our peaceful evening was... well, made louder around 10:15 or so, when we became aware of some loud banging coming from the garbage chute. We then started hearing obscenities shouted at the top of some very angry dude's voice. These obscenities ranged from the mundane (fucking cocksucker), to the specific (fucking Kevin), to the seasonal (Happy fucking New Year), to the downright bizarre (I'm gonna eat your fucking soul). And they went on for about 45 minutes. And when I say at the top of his lungs, I seriously mean it. This was *loud*. When security finally arrived, about half an hour after we called, he'd toned down the swearing, unfortunately, cuz when you call about such things, you kind of want security to actually witness it. In any case, this is where we find out the crazy part. This dude was not just some random angry drunk guy. No no, he was actually an employee of the building management, who had been tasked with clearing an apparently quite stubborn blockage in the garbage chute. Now, I get that this is no fun, and perhaps he had other things he'd have preferred to be doing on New Year's Eve, but that's what muttered obscenities to yourself is for. I'm actually still a little stunned by this astonishing display of lack of professionalism. I realize that the sort of job that includes garbage chute-cleaning isn't exactly the most white-collar, elegant, classy sort of job, but still. You're at work, in an apartment building where plenty of people can hear you. It's worth keeping in mind, no matter how irritated you are. Anyway, ultimately, no harm done, and hey. Now we have an entertaining little New Year's Eve story, right?
The Quiz:
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Got government security clearance.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Sort of. Last year's resolutions were to do more dancing and to register as a bone marrow/stem cell donor. The dancing didn't really happen (it's hard when there's no money for such things). I did finally register on the donor website, but I haven't had a chance to return their follow-up call to complete the registration yet. As for this year, well, let's just say I have a few hopes. I hope to make enough money to be able to afford some kind of fitness class, whether it's dance or something else. I just need to be more active, and I'm not good at motivating myself to do it on my own. I hope to collect the remainder of my two+ year old debt from a previous place of employment. I hope to find work that both pays the bills comfortably and that I truly enjoy. And I hope to have another good theatre experience.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Stayed domestic this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A firmer tummy.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nothing's really jumping out at me, actually.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Landing my first government contract. First one's the hardest, from what I hear.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I apparently failed to send out enough good vibes to the universe to actually land several of the jobs I really would have liked to have this year.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing too traumatic.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I'm actually more enamoured with a few things other people bought. Specifically the Christmas tree Don bought.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Can't really think of anybody specific.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Certain former associates of my uncle's come to mind.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Groceries. Fun stuff like that.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Wicked.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Sadly, I think I have to go with the entire godawful Mamma Mia Movie soundtrack that was played constantly at work for most of the year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
ii. thinner or fatter?
Not much change, I don't think.
iii. richer or poorer?
Little richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Dancing.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Tagging acronyms.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Battlestar Galactica, all the way.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hating people accomplishes nothing but bringing yourself unpleasant thoughts and feelings.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Gargoyle, by Andrew Davidson. Easy.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Ramones. I'm totally a punk at heart. Who knew?
28. What did you want and get?
A Christmas tree.
29. What did you want and not get?
An iPod Touch.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Wall-E. Again, easy.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I honestly don't remember if I worked or not. I usually book the day off, but Don was away, so I might not have bothered. In any case, I'm sure I ate Chinese food and drank lots of bubbly, then I know I had pizza at Thom's, and went to see Cirque du Soleil's Corteo when Don got back from Montreal.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The ability to wield a red pen and get paid for it.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Dressed.
34. What kept you sane?
My home and family life is enormously satisfying and grounding.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Patrick Stewart. Also Anna and Edyta from Dancing with the Stars.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Coalition.
37. Who did you miss?
The usual suspects. Gill, my brother, Victoria, Kyle, among others. Got to see Gray and Gill, but do miss the others.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Tough call, as I started two jobs this year. I think I'll go with the receiving team at Chapters. Miss you, Matt, Kelly, and Brianne!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I'm sure I learned something. I must have. But I can't think of anything at the moment, I'm afraid.
My Christmas was delightful as always. As usual, I spent it with my family, at my parents' place. This year, we had me and Don, my parents, my brother, and my aunt and uncle, later joined by my sister and brother-in-law, my grandmother, and another uncle. The day was laid-back, with lovely gifties for all and excellent company. Oh, and delicious turkey, of course.
Gift highlights, I would have to say include the complete series so far of Battlestar Galactica (seasons 1-3 plus Razor), as well as tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show, which were an excellent complement to the trip to Las Vegas that Don surprised me with! Going back to Vegas in February! Woot!
(And can I just add a side note here about just one of the many reasons my husband is awesome? He can pull off a surprise like this. So many people - especially guys trying to surprise their women - will try, but they have this tendency of being all "I have an awesome surprise. You're gonna love it. You'll never guess what it is, but it's awesome." And so on and so forth, which of course leads to one a) actually being aware that something big is brewing, and b) pondering what it could be. The ultimate results tends to be one of two things. Either the ideas you had were way more awesome than whatever you ultimately get, so it's disappointing, or you actually did figure out what it's going to be, and it is indeed awesome, but you've lost that shock value, and then it's mostly disappointing for the giver. Don, however, I have come to realize, is very good at keeping his cool, as this is the third thing he's basically successfully blindsided me with. First, there was his surprise visit to Halifax. I had no idea he was coming. Next, there was the proposal. Totally didn't see that one coming, and you know that has to be hard to keep under wraps for very long. And then there was this trip. I had no idea whatsoever that his main gift for me would be that massive and awesome. I had suspicions that he'd sent a pretty good chunk of money on me, but a trip to Vegas never even crossed my mind as a possibility. And because he didn't make a big deal of it, I really didn't even ponder what the big thing he got me was, so the surprise when I opened it? Totally awesome, both for me and for him. So let this be a lesson: when planning a big awesome surprise, for best results, keep your freaking cool about it. End side note.)
Boxing Day, we went to visit another aunt and uncle, where I got to see one of my cousins that I haven't seen in forever, and finally meet her fiance. He's much taller than I expected. He seems like a good guy, so for whatever it's worth, I approve. :)
We spent New Year's Eve chilling with Glenn and Tickles, watching the last Air Farce ever. Ordered in some food, drank some bubbly, and then our peaceful evening was... well, made louder around 10:15 or so, when we became aware of some loud banging coming from the garbage chute. We then started hearing obscenities shouted at the top of some very angry dude's voice. These obscenities ranged from the mundane (fucking cocksucker), to the specific (fucking Kevin), to the seasonal (Happy fucking New Year), to the downright bizarre (I'm gonna eat your fucking soul). And they went on for about 45 minutes. And when I say at the top of his lungs, I seriously mean it. This was *loud*. When security finally arrived, about half an hour after we called, he'd toned down the swearing, unfortunately, cuz when you call about such things, you kind of want security to actually witness it. In any case, this is where we find out the crazy part. This dude was not just some random angry drunk guy. No no, he was actually an employee of the building management, who had been tasked with clearing an apparently quite stubborn blockage in the garbage chute. Now, I get that this is no fun, and perhaps he had other things he'd have preferred to be doing on New Year's Eve, but that's what muttered obscenities to yourself is for. I'm actually still a little stunned by this astonishing display of lack of professionalism. I realize that the sort of job that includes garbage chute-cleaning isn't exactly the most white-collar, elegant, classy sort of job, but still. You're at work, in an apartment building where plenty of people can hear you. It's worth keeping in mind, no matter how irritated you are. Anyway, ultimately, no harm done, and hey. Now we have an entertaining little New Year's Eve story, right?
The Quiz:
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Got government security clearance.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Sort of. Last year's resolutions were to do more dancing and to register as a bone marrow/stem cell donor. The dancing didn't really happen (it's hard when there's no money for such things). I did finally register on the donor website, but I haven't had a chance to return their follow-up call to complete the registration yet. As for this year, well, let's just say I have a few hopes. I hope to make enough money to be able to afford some kind of fitness class, whether it's dance or something else. I just need to be more active, and I'm not good at motivating myself to do it on my own. I hope to collect the remainder of my two+ year old debt from a previous place of employment. I hope to find work that both pays the bills comfortably and that I truly enjoy. And I hope to have another good theatre experience.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Stayed domestic this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A firmer tummy.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Nothing's really jumping out at me, actually.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Landing my first government contract. First one's the hardest, from what I hear.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I apparently failed to send out enough good vibes to the universe to actually land several of the jobs I really would have liked to have this year.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing too traumatic.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I'm actually more enamoured with a few things other people bought. Specifically the Christmas tree Don bought.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Can't really think of anybody specific.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Certain former associates of my uncle's come to mind.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Groceries. Fun stuff like that.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Wicked.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Sadly, I think I have to go with the entire godawful Mamma Mia Movie soundtrack that was played constantly at work for most of the year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
ii. thinner or fatter?
Not much change, I don't think.
iii. richer or poorer?
Little richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Dancing.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Tagging acronyms.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Battlestar Galactica, all the way.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hating people accomplishes nothing but bringing yourself unpleasant thoughts and feelings.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Gargoyle, by Andrew Davidson. Easy.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Ramones. I'm totally a punk at heart. Who knew?
28. What did you want and get?
A Christmas tree.
29. What did you want and not get?
An iPod Touch.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Wall-E. Again, easy.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I honestly don't remember if I worked or not. I usually book the day off, but Don was away, so I might not have bothered. In any case, I'm sure I ate Chinese food and drank lots of bubbly, then I know I had pizza at Thom's, and went to see Cirque du Soleil's Corteo when Don got back from Montreal.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The ability to wield a red pen and get paid for it.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Dressed.
34. What kept you sane?
My home and family life is enormously satisfying and grounding.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Patrick Stewart. Also Anna and Edyta from Dancing with the Stars.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Coalition.
37. Who did you miss?
The usual suspects. Gill, my brother, Victoria, Kyle, among others. Got to see Gray and Gill, but do miss the others.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Tough call, as I started two jobs this year. I think I'll go with the receiving team at Chapters. Miss you, Matt, Kelly, and Brianne!
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I'm sure I learned something. I must have. But I can't think of anything at the moment, I'm afraid.