2006: The year in review
Here it is: 2006 in review. Took me several days and quite a bit of thinking to fill it out this year. My conclusion is that I'm ready to start a new year without too much looking backward. I should also note for the record that Rob Brezny's predictions for my 2006 panned out neither literally nor metaphorically. Ahead to 2007. Here we go....
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
1) Quit a job without having another job to replace it.
2) Gave a presentation at the Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association Coin Show.
3) Submitted a story to the Writers of the Future competition.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Don't think I made any last year. Not sure I'm going to make any for 2007. We'll see.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep: shellyinseattle.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes: My Aunt Shirley, practically my second mother, who had been ill for quite some time and whose death was really, in the end, a blessing on her.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Did a little visiting inside this country, though: Anaheim, Vegas.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Direction. And, frankly, a boyfriend, partner, whichever word applies. Someone to share all of this with.
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 10: I quit my job.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being named a Writers of the Future finalist.
Realizing that I really, really, really had to quit my job.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not writing more than I did. Not continuing to go to the gym on a regular basis. Not getting off the North American continent.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Broke my right foot. It still aches when I'm tired or stressed or when the weather gets bad. But I have a new appreciation for it. It's pretty. And it's more delicate than I had the brains to acknowledge.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
It may be a tie between the first season of the new Doctor Who on DVD and the pair of snappy brown high heels I bought myself this past spring. I feel so good when I wear those shoes, taller, more attractive, more confident. Isn't it silly how a pair of shoes can do that? But I don't care. I love wearing them.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
1. jaylake, whose support of his Neighbor-In-Need is an ongoing model of generosity. I continue to be inspired by it.
2. My friends who made contributions or purchases to help shore up Talebones magazine when it needed an infusion of cash to keep publishing.
3. The American citizenry, who sent the President a clear message about just how unhappy we really are with his, his policies and with a rubber-stamp Congress.
4. Al Gore, who got the whole country, if not the whole world, talking about global warming and, I hope, acting on it.
13. Whose behavior, what situations appalled and depressed you?
The President of the United States. Dick Cheney. Donald Rumsfeld. Saudi Arabia (see my February entry here about the Danish cartoon thing and Saudi Arabia's response). Sudan. Ethiopia and Somalia.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Debt and mortgage. Hopefully the story will be different in 2007 (though I suspect "mortgage" will always be at the top of this particular list).
15. What events did you get really, really, really excited about?
1) Going to WorldCon and Las Vegas.
2) Deciding which Earthwatch expedition to go on.
3) Performing in the chorus' shows in the first half of 2006.
4) Seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Pacific Science Center.
5) Being named a Writers of the Future finalist for the fourth quarter.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
"For Good," from Wicked: Singing it with miss_swamp for the chorus' show, "Family Happens," was a high point for me.
17. Compared to this time last year, you are…
...unemployed, not as excited about chorus, restless and searching.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise. Write. Travel.
9. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Watched TV. Overeat. Fret about things over which I have no control.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With friends.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Nope.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
A tie: Doctor Who and Project Runway 3.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate's a pretty strong word. I don't hate anyone, at least not personally. Not a fan of our president. And really not a fan of the people I worked for at Cingular.
24. What was the best book you read?
Top three (in no particular order) were Gospel by Wilton Barnhardt, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, and The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery?
Tough to say. So tough, in fact, that I don't really have an answer.
26. What did you want and get?
A full-time job.
27. What did you want and not get?
A full-time job that was worth having.
28. What were your favorite films of this year?
The Illusionist, Pride & Prejudice, Brokeback Mountain
I didn't see nearly enough movies this year.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My birthday was a rolling celebration that occurred over several days. It included a crepe brunch, a small dessert party, and watching Doctor Who with friends. And in case you don't already know, I turned 44.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Sorry, there are several things that would have made this year more satisfying. Selling a story (and yes, I had stuff in the mail, so I did my part). Getting and keeping a full-time job. And, as I said in #6, having someone with whom to share it all.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Practical, girlish, comfortable.
32. What kept you sane?
My friends.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
The midterm elections; I even made phone calls on behalf of MoveOn.org! (I may never, however, do political telephoning again. Made me hugely uncomfortable. They'll have to put me on stuffing envelopes or something.)
34. Whom did you miss?
Many people but no one in particular: friends and relatives who live far away, friends or relatives who are gone forever. It's an ever-changing continuum.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
littleelfhat. Ooh, and matociquala, only mentioned second because I knew her online before we met in person this year, but the in-person part was terrific.
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Don't make an important life choice because you feel cornered. Make an important life choice that will make you feel free.
Happy new year, everyone. Stay safe tonight. I'll see you in 2007-may it be a happier, healthier, and more peaceful year than 2006.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
1) Quit a job without having another job to replace it.
2) Gave a presentation at the Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association Coin Show.
3) Submitted a story to the Writers of the Future competition.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Don't think I made any last year. Not sure I'm going to make any for 2007. We'll see.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep: shellyinseattle.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes: My Aunt Shirley, practically my second mother, who had been ill for quite some time and whose death was really, in the end, a blessing on her.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Did a little visiting inside this country, though: Anaheim, Vegas.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Direction. And, frankly, a boyfriend, partner, whichever word applies. Someone to share all of this with.
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 10: I quit my job.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Being named a Writers of the Future finalist.
Realizing that I really, really, really had to quit my job.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not writing more than I did. Not continuing to go to the gym on a regular basis. Not getting off the North American continent.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Broke my right foot. It still aches when I'm tired or stressed or when the weather gets bad. But I have a new appreciation for it. It's pretty. And it's more delicate than I had the brains to acknowledge.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
It may be a tie between the first season of the new Doctor Who on DVD and the pair of snappy brown high heels I bought myself this past spring. I feel so good when I wear those shoes, taller, more attractive, more confident. Isn't it silly how a pair of shoes can do that? But I don't care. I love wearing them.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
1. jaylake, whose support of his Neighbor-In-Need is an ongoing model of generosity. I continue to be inspired by it.
2. My friends who made contributions or purchases to help shore up Talebones magazine when it needed an infusion of cash to keep publishing.
3. The American citizenry, who sent the President a clear message about just how unhappy we really are with his, his policies and with a rubber-stamp Congress.
4. Al Gore, who got the whole country, if not the whole world, talking about global warming and, I hope, acting on it.
13. Whose behavior, what situations appalled and depressed you?
The President of the United States. Dick Cheney. Donald Rumsfeld. Saudi Arabia (see my February entry here about the Danish cartoon thing and Saudi Arabia's response). Sudan. Ethiopia and Somalia.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Debt and mortgage. Hopefully the story will be different in 2007 (though I suspect "mortgage" will always be at the top of this particular list).
15. What events did you get really, really, really excited about?
1) Going to WorldCon and Las Vegas.
2) Deciding which Earthwatch expedition to go on.
3) Performing in the chorus' shows in the first half of 2006.
4) Seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Pacific Science Center.
5) Being named a Writers of the Future finalist for the fourth quarter.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
"For Good," from Wicked: Singing it with miss_swamp for the chorus' show, "Family Happens," was a high point for me.
17. Compared to this time last year, you are…
...unemployed, not as excited about chorus, restless and searching.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercise. Write. Travel.
9. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Watched TV. Overeat. Fret about things over which I have no control.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With friends.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Nope.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
A tie: Doctor Who and Project Runway 3.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate's a pretty strong word. I don't hate anyone, at least not personally. Not a fan of our president. And really not a fan of the people I worked for at Cingular.
24. What was the best book you read?
Top three (in no particular order) were Gospel by Wilton Barnhardt, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch, and The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery?
Tough to say. So tough, in fact, that I don't really have an answer.
26. What did you want and get?
A full-time job.
27. What did you want and not get?
A full-time job that was worth having.
28. What were your favorite films of this year?
The Illusionist, Pride & Prejudice, Brokeback Mountain
I didn't see nearly enough movies this year.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My birthday was a rolling celebration that occurred over several days. It included a crepe brunch, a small dessert party, and watching Doctor Who with friends. And in case you don't already know, I turned 44.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Sorry, there are several things that would have made this year more satisfying. Selling a story (and yes, I had stuff in the mail, so I did my part). Getting and keeping a full-time job. And, as I said in #6, having someone with whom to share it all.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Practical, girlish, comfortable.
32. What kept you sane?
My friends.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
The midterm elections; I even made phone calls on behalf of MoveOn.org! (I may never, however, do political telephoning again. Made me hugely uncomfortable. They'll have to put me on stuffing envelopes or something.)
34. Whom did you miss?
Many people but no one in particular: friends and relatives who live far away, friends or relatives who are gone forever. It's an ever-changing continuum.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
littleelfhat. Ooh, and matociquala, only mentioned second because I knew her online before we met in person this year, but the in-person part was terrific.
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Don't make an important life choice because you feel cornered. Make an important life choice that will make you feel free.
Happy new year, everyone. Stay safe tonight. I'll see you in 2007-may it be a happier, healthier, and more peaceful year than 2006.