(no subject)
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Had to speak in front of the Pacific Fishery Management Council - twice. I vaguely wish I don't have to do that again, but I probably will.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Did not make any last year. I suppose I should this year, but I haven't thought about it. Maybe try to use my planner more...
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No. The most recent was VT, and her son Evan turned two over the summer. Did find out a coworker in Monterey is expecting, but I can't say I'm close to her.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit?
Are you kidding? I barely left the state; I did attend a two day meeting in Washington in March, but since I spent most of the time in the hotel, I don't really count it as visiting.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More organization, less procrastination? More creative stuff. I guesss that goes along with the resolutions.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The first time reading the HMSMT statement in front of the Council; and literally being unable to speak when asked a question. The Chairman actually tried to put me at ease, and the Oregon rep. on our team came to my rescue, but I still felt sick afterward.
Also John Stewart announcing Obama's election on the Daily Show. It was a rerun, here in California, and the polls hadn't even closed yet. Such a feeling of relief. Let's hope that was warranted.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Actually getting the family out of town and on a camping trip in August, our first. I can't take credit for this, as runsamuck was first to get it moving. The original destination was Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, but I had serious misgivings for driving that far in the middle of summer with threee kids who had never been on a trip of more than a couple of hours, at a time of the year when gas prices were at their highest. We got in a huge fight about it, but finally changed our plans to go the Balch Park in the giant Sequoia redwoods (I never did get pictures here about that - must remedy that).
9. What was your biggest failure?
I still don't think I'm the right person for my job.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I didn't - runsamuck has been sick a lot and is having an awful time getting used to the new asthma rescue inhalers since they removed the ozone-harmful propellant. He goes through them twice as quickly, they cost three times as much, he says the medication does not work nearly as well, and our insurance only allows us one a month. It's worrying. And we discovered Avalon has a allergy to bee venom.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
No major purchases, but I think whatever spent on our trip was a very good investment. We'll remember that forever.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
?
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
California voters, passing Prop. (H)8.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Same as usual - rent, food. I really need to start keeping better track.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I was not very excitable this year. I have been finding it really difficult to get passionate about anything.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
I think this year I finally bought a Garnet Rogers album; why did I wait so long?
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
I'm not sure. I think about the same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I didn't do very much creatively this year; I'd like to make an effort to get more of that done - i.e. I haven't done holiday cards for the last two years, mostly due to lack of ideas. I also need to make more of a dent in Mt. To-Be-Read.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Getting in arguments with runsamuck; seemed like there was an excess of that this year.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it at home with our kids. Felt stressed, because I hadn't done enough.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
I'm not a big phone talker. My best friend Beth phones me once every couple of weeks, usually when she's driving somewhere.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I remained married; let's put it that way. And I'm not going anywhere.
23. How many one-night stands?
Zero. See previous.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Avatar: the Last Airbender, Death Note, - Big Bang Theory has really grown on me lately, and runsamuck has gotten me sucked into Two and Half Men; although half the fascination with that is watching Angus T. Jones get bigger and bigger.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
There are people I don't get along with, but I don't hate anyone. I am angry with runsamuck's supposed former best friend, who cut off all contact with him and caused him a lot of pain and depression; apparently because the friend wasn't getting enough of his attention.
26. What was the best book you read?
You know, none are sticking in my mind right now. I meant to record them, but I think I didn't read nearly as much as I usually do this year.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
A lot of great artists from the KCRW Top Tune O' the Day podcast, also a_hollow_year has turned me on to a lot a great stuff I wasn't familiar with, such as The Mountain Goats.
28. What did you want and get?
I did get a new phone, but it's still a fairly cheap one.
29. What did you want and not get?
I really was hoping to get a new camera, given that mine is nearly six years old, and is getting to be more frustrating, especially when I see people's camera phone pics now and they're almost better. But there were quite a few other expenses, so it's been put off. Maybe a GPS more oriented towards geocaching instead of street directions; ours is ok, but it's hard to get right on top of coordinates.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The only time we went to the movies was Horton Hears A Who. Which was cute, but not what I would have picked.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 46 this year, so I am now closer to fifty than forty. We went to Mimi's for dinner, and I think that was our birthday dinner for both runsamuck and I. Other than that it was a pretty ordinary day. The kid gave me figures of a chicken and a wheat sheaf candle holder.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
*Shrugs* Don't know.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I have no fashion concept. Mostly making sure there are enough clean socks for everyone to wear the next day, and finding the clothes that haven't developed holes, permanent stains, or worn out before the kids have already put them on and are heading out the door to school. Matching is secondary. >_>
34. What kept you sane?
Music.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
All animated.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Proposition 8 - I haven't been so angry about a political issue in a long time.
37. Who did you miss?
Mom. Still.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Our new scientific aide is pretty nice, although he could be a little less obsequious...he's a waiter at his other job and I think sometimes he brings it along.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I'm sure I must have learned something, but I forgot what it was.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Not really a theme for the year, more of a mood...
I dipped my hand into the sea
I raised it to my mouth
A sun-warmed breeze stirred the air
That blew up from the south
And the air was sweet with blossoms
And the sea was salt with tears
And the sun danced on the water
I was swept back through the years
I climbed the hill and i paused for breath
Yes and one last backward glance
Down by the green as emeralds hill
where fragile cornflowers danced
I stood once more and I crossed the ridge
Of that dear and familiar hill
The beating of the waves was lost
Like a heart forever stilled
So it's farewell to the harbor
Farewell to the fields
Farewell to deep salt water
That swells beneath your keel
What's gone is lost forever
I pray someday we're healed
And we'll meet again some brighter day
The next turn of the wheel
- Next Turn of the Wheel, Garnet Rogers