All the news that's fit to type.
Just checking in before gussying myself up to say happy new year to you all. I'll be in in a larger capacity this year (no, really, it's in the resolutions part of the survey!) but for now, this fat ain`t gonna Spanx itself and i have a shindig to attend. All the best, lovelies.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
-Moved out and paid rent-and I have to say, I don’t know what all the fuss is about, it’s not fun at all
- Wrote and read a eulogy
- Organized a $30 000 event
- Made a bunch of food I never have before (pea soup from scratch, chicken cordon Suisse, banana bread, etc)
- Made a video for a friend (oh! I also answer questions on the internet now: here.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well , last year I hoped to read 50 books in a year, but I said I stalled on 49. But, lo and behold, when I actually tallied those suckers? I had read 50, after all. So, a bit anti-climactic but, I did it! This year, however, a lowly 25 or so. Not as many long bus rides= loss of reading time.
I know I had gastronomic endeavours I wanted to achieve (10 new things tried, 10 new things made) but the list got lost in the move so I never really kept on top of that. But I’d like to try that again this year. The Boy and I are also trying to do “11 new restaurants in 2011” so that should be fun. I’m also going to try to take better care of myself. Not eating well all the time or exercising because i know i’ll just be depressed when i inevitably let those slide but at least cooking more for myself and sleeping more. I want to write here a lot more, I miss it and I think it's good for me. I also resolve to go out more since, fuck it, i live downtown and i get invited but, mama lazy.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Can’t say that they did. Though one of my old high school pals/crushes got twins this year and three more high school acquaintances have babies on the way. So, wow... i’m old.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, she did.
5. What countries did you visit?
'Merica for the bargains. C'est tout. <-- copying last year’s answer, ‘cause that’s how I roll.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A laptop battery that lasts more than 10 seconds, my old cell phone back, my grandma but I’m not stupid, I know how that works.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 25th, my first day at my new job; April 2nd because it was unseasonably hot and The Boy and I had a fabulous day in Montreal eating mussels, getting massages, getting manicures (okay, just me) and just generally grinning like idiots. June 19th, my first day in my first place. And, goddamnit, July 24th.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’m actually really proud of 2010 me. I moved out of my ‘rents home, got a new job, passed my French oral test after being demoralized after the first strike-out, survived the awfulness of a family funeral. I did okay, me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I honestly can’t think of too much I did badly. The first French test as, I said. And for the first time *ever* i put metal in the damn microwave. Smelled like rotten fish in the sweatervest for a week and a half.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really but, not to “girl, you’ll be a woman, soon” the lot of you or anything but.. holyshitcrotchinfectionsSuuuuck. Why did no one tell me???
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tough one. I’m typing this from my new bed which is pretty friggin’ fantastic. How was i living my life in a twin until this? I also bought a bitchin’ bright green leather jacket that is pretty much the hottest thing on earth. I bought a 32” tv and an Xbox. But, my true beloved, Dan B. Airconditioner was probably the best acquisition of the year.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
For all his frustrating and downright regrettable behaviour, I have to say: my dad's. I wouldn’t have survived without him this year and he really stepped up to bat. this answer stands from last year. We’ve really gotten closer over the last year or so now that we don’t live cheek-by-jowl and that’s been really, really nice. He fixes things around the apartment, helped me move, and has generally been there for me in a lot of wonderful ways. My uncle’s, because he basically stepped in and took care of my grandmother even though there were days she claimed he had devil eyes and wasn’t who he said he was. And now that she’s gone, he’s stepped up to the plate for my grandpa. Sure, he’s a bit anal with the charts and the documents and the lists and such, but I think it’s his consultanty way of dealing with chaos. My family members wouldn’t have survived without him.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, those words are a little harsh in this case but my mom really needs to chill the fuck out some days. The stroke has removed a lot of her filters so she’s gone from mildly passive-aggressive to really. Fucking. Passive-aggressive. I love her though and we still get along really well but, man.. i don’t know how my dad does it some days. But yeah, no one really made me tear my hair out this year.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Ugh. Paying off debts. Boooring.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Jonathan Coulton concert, seeing comedian Debra Digiovanni, my Montreal trip in September, finally finishing French classes.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2010?
“Ready to Start” Arcade Fire
“Howl” Florence and the Machine
“Last Parade” Matt Good
“Bed Intruder” Antoine Dobson
“Fuck You” Ceelo Green
“Rolex Sweep” Skepta
“Code Monkey” Jonathan Coulton
“Telephone” Lady Gaga
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or Sadder? Hard to say. Bit of both But more pensive, maybe. Older, definitely.
ii. Thinner or fatter? As I’ve been saying for 5 days running now- I am officially the fattest I have ever been. This is why the sweatervest has no scale.
iii: Richer or poorer? Poorer right now for sure (but i do have more in my savings than ever before) <-- this is still very, very true. I’m in credit card hell right now in a way I never have been. But I’m much closer to my goal of being student loan-debt free by this time next year, so that’s good.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
going out, cooking, sleeping, going to the movies.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
crying, fucking around on the computer, spending.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
This was a year to break the traditions, however slightly. Went over to my ma and pa’s house after work on the 24th, watched xmas programs on tv with Dunkleman, slept over there and then opened stuff in the morning. Only my grandfather came over and then we had the whole family over to my parent’s place for dinner. Dinner has only not taken place at my granparent’s place twice in my whole life. Considering how badly it could have gone, everything was splendid.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
Going to the boy’s house for new year’s eve lobster dinner with his fam and then off to my pal J’s for a new year’s potluck bash. Then back to the sweatervest and up the next day to have dinner with his folks as his ma’s bday is the next day. Got a massage today to work the kinks out of my neck, took a nice long shower, went to my favourite bakery. New year’s eve is, as always, my least-favourite day of the year so I’m filling the day with people/things i like in an effort to beat the suck back.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Nah, but I stayed firmly in it. <-- ah, why change what’s still true? Don’t tell Dan B.
23. How many one night stands?
Nada.
24. What were your favorite TV programs?
Misfits, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Community and True Blood were 2010 discoveries. Also started watching Oz again from the beginning with The Boy which has been fun.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Can’t say that I do. Very chill about this this year. As Dunkleman said, let Be-gones, be Be-gones. (ie: if someone’s out of your life for a good reason, let them stay there)
26. What was the best book you read?
Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood was fan-damn-tastic. Also loved The Hunger Games trilogy.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jonathan Coulton is just ten kinds of awesome. The new Arcade Fire album is good stuff, too.
28. What did you want and get?
Freedom and independence. A snuggie.
29. What did you want and not get?
A budget I could follow.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
You know, I don’t think I saw a film in theatre this year. How sad is that? I did see some films at home though. The Machinist was good, so was Young at Heart, though it broke me.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was downtown for the first time so I made the most of it. Walked around with Dunkleman for most of the day, eating and taking pictures. Met up with my parents and we saw the Queen speed off from Parliament and watched the sights and sounds of 250 000 people loving their country. The Boy came over after and the five of us hung out, watching the festivities on my then-13”-tv until the parents went home and the kids stayed. And then I was 28.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Acting, having all the change in my life be good, about 5 more outlets in my apartment.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
It was an adjustment coming from French school where i barely put on pants to my current position where I bought a suit (didn’t say i wore it though). I’d say it was downtown, hide-the-gut casual, except at work where it was “almost business but not quite”.
34. What kept you sane?
Having a place of my own where I could just go and know there’d be no one there but me. Tv and video games when I needed to zone out. Having friends around when I needed them.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Still in love with the Gaga and Paul Rudd. Also, Joel McHale is cut from marble.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I really was pulling for you ‘mericans where health care was concerned. Got sucked into the midterm elections there, too. And the long-form census here in Canada got me more riled than I ever thought statistics would have.
37. Who did you miss?
My grandma. My friends who live all over.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmm..I like the people I work with so I’m going to group them all together. There’s a couple of people i’d like to know better there, too.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
If you’re going through hell, keep going.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Don’t live another day unless you make it count,
There’s someone else that you’re supposed to be.
There’s something deep inside of you that still wants out,
And shame on you if you don’t set it free.”
“A Talk With George” Jonathan Coulton
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
-Moved out and paid rent-and I have to say, I don’t know what all the fuss is about, it’s not fun at all
- Wrote and read a eulogy
- Organized a $30 000 event
- Made a bunch of food I never have before (pea soup from scratch, chicken cordon Suisse, banana bread, etc)
- Made a video for a friend (oh! I also answer questions on the internet now: here.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well , last year I hoped to read 50 books in a year, but I said I stalled on 49. But, lo and behold, when I actually tallied those suckers? I had read 50, after all. So, a bit anti-climactic but, I did it! This year, however, a lowly 25 or so. Not as many long bus rides= loss of reading time.
I know I had gastronomic endeavours I wanted to achieve (10 new things tried, 10 new things made) but the list got lost in the move so I never really kept on top of that. But I’d like to try that again this year. The Boy and I are also trying to do “11 new restaurants in 2011” so that should be fun. I’m also going to try to take better care of myself. Not eating well all the time or exercising because i know i’ll just be depressed when i inevitably let those slide but at least cooking more for myself and sleeping more. I want to write here a lot more, I miss it and I think it's good for me. I also resolve to go out more since, fuck it, i live downtown and i get invited but, mama lazy.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Can’t say that they did. Though one of my old high school pals/crushes got twins this year and three more high school acquaintances have babies on the way. So, wow... i’m old.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, she did.
5. What countries did you visit?
'Merica for the bargains. C'est tout. <-- copying last year’s answer, ‘cause that’s how I roll.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A laptop battery that lasts more than 10 seconds, my old cell phone back, my grandma but I’m not stupid, I know how that works.
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 25th, my first day at my new job; April 2nd because it was unseasonably hot and The Boy and I had a fabulous day in Montreal eating mussels, getting massages, getting manicures (okay, just me) and just generally grinning like idiots. June 19th, my first day in my first place. And, goddamnit, July 24th.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’m actually really proud of 2010 me. I moved out of my ‘rents home, got a new job, passed my French oral test after being demoralized after the first strike-out, survived the awfulness of a family funeral. I did okay, me.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I honestly can’t think of too much I did badly. The first French test as, I said. And for the first time *ever* i put metal in the damn microwave. Smelled like rotten fish in the sweatervest for a week and a half.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really but, not to “girl, you’ll be a woman, soon” the lot of you or anything but.. holyshitcrotchinfectionsSuuuuck. Why did no one tell me???
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tough one. I’m typing this from my new bed which is pretty friggin’ fantastic. How was i living my life in a twin until this? I also bought a bitchin’ bright green leather jacket that is pretty much the hottest thing on earth. I bought a 32” tv and an Xbox. But, my true beloved, Dan B. Airconditioner was probably the best acquisition of the year.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
For all his frustrating and downright regrettable behaviour, I have to say: my dad's. I wouldn’t have survived without him this year and he really stepped up to bat. this answer stands from last year. We’ve really gotten closer over the last year or so now that we don’t live cheek-by-jowl and that’s been really, really nice. He fixes things around the apartment, helped me move, and has generally been there for me in a lot of wonderful ways. My uncle’s, because he basically stepped in and took care of my grandmother even though there were days she claimed he had devil eyes and wasn’t who he said he was. And now that she’s gone, he’s stepped up to the plate for my grandpa. Sure, he’s a bit anal with the charts and the documents and the lists and such, but I think it’s his consultanty way of dealing with chaos. My family members wouldn’t have survived without him.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, those words are a little harsh in this case but my mom really needs to chill the fuck out some days. The stroke has removed a lot of her filters so she’s gone from mildly passive-aggressive to really. Fucking. Passive-aggressive. I love her though and we still get along really well but, man.. i don’t know how my dad does it some days. But yeah, no one really made me tear my hair out this year.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Ugh. Paying off debts. Boooring.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Jonathan Coulton concert, seeing comedian Debra Digiovanni, my Montreal trip in September, finally finishing French classes.
16. What songs will always remind you of 2010?
“Ready to Start” Arcade Fire
“Howl” Florence and the Machine
“Last Parade” Matt Good
“Bed Intruder” Antoine Dobson
“Fuck You” Ceelo Green
“Rolex Sweep” Skepta
“Code Monkey” Jonathan Coulton
“Telephone” Lady Gaga
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or Sadder? Hard to say. Bit of both But more pensive, maybe. Older, definitely.
ii. Thinner or fatter? As I’ve been saying for 5 days running now- I am officially the fattest I have ever been. This is why the sweatervest has no scale.
iii: Richer or poorer? Poorer right now for sure (but i do have more in my savings than ever before) <-- this is still very, very true. I’m in credit card hell right now in a way I never have been. But I’m much closer to my goal of being student loan-debt free by this time next year, so that’s good.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
going out, cooking, sleeping, going to the movies.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
crying, fucking around on the computer, spending.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
This was a year to break the traditions, however slightly. Went over to my ma and pa’s house after work on the 24th, watched xmas programs on tv with Dunkleman, slept over there and then opened stuff in the morning. Only my grandfather came over and then we had the whole family over to my parent’s place for dinner. Dinner has only not taken place at my granparent’s place twice in my whole life. Considering how badly it could have gone, everything was splendid.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
Going to the boy’s house for new year’s eve lobster dinner with his fam and then off to my pal J’s for a new year’s potluck bash. Then back to the sweatervest and up the next day to have dinner with his folks as his ma’s bday is the next day. Got a massage today to work the kinks out of my neck, took a nice long shower, went to my favourite bakery. New year’s eve is, as always, my least-favourite day of the year so I’m filling the day with people/things i like in an effort to beat the suck back.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Nah, but I stayed firmly in it. <-- ah, why change what’s still true? Don’t tell Dan B.
23. How many one night stands?
Nada.
24. What were your favorite TV programs?
Misfits, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Community and True Blood were 2010 discoveries. Also started watching Oz again from the beginning with The Boy which has been fun.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Can’t say that I do. Very chill about this this year. As Dunkleman said, let Be-gones, be Be-gones. (ie: if someone’s out of your life for a good reason, let them stay there)
26. What was the best book you read?
Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood was fan-damn-tastic. Also loved The Hunger Games trilogy.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jonathan Coulton is just ten kinds of awesome. The new Arcade Fire album is good stuff, too.
28. What did you want and get?
Freedom and independence. A snuggie.
29. What did you want and not get?
A budget I could follow.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
You know, I don’t think I saw a film in theatre this year. How sad is that? I did see some films at home though. The Machinist was good, so was Young at Heart, though it broke me.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was downtown for the first time so I made the most of it. Walked around with Dunkleman for most of the day, eating and taking pictures. Met up with my parents and we saw the Queen speed off from Parliament and watched the sights and sounds of 250 000 people loving their country. The Boy came over after and the five of us hung out, watching the festivities on my then-13”-tv until the parents went home and the kids stayed. And then I was 28.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Acting, having all the change in my life be good, about 5 more outlets in my apartment.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
It was an adjustment coming from French school where i barely put on pants to my current position where I bought a suit (didn’t say i wore it though). I’d say it was downtown, hide-the-gut casual, except at work where it was “almost business but not quite”.
34. What kept you sane?
Having a place of my own where I could just go and know there’d be no one there but me. Tv and video games when I needed to zone out. Having friends around when I needed them.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Still in love with the Gaga and Paul Rudd. Also, Joel McHale is cut from marble.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I really was pulling for you ‘mericans where health care was concerned. Got sucked into the midterm elections there, too. And the long-form census here in Canada got me more riled than I ever thought statistics would have.
37. Who did you miss?
My grandma. My friends who live all over.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmm..I like the people I work with so I’m going to group them all together. There’s a couple of people i’d like to know better there, too.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
If you’re going through hell, keep going.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Don’t live another day unless you make it count,
There’s someone else that you’re supposed to be.
There’s something deep inside of you that still wants out,
And shame on you if you don’t set it free.”
“A Talk With George” Jonathan Coulton