Ta-Dah. I reappear!
With a...meme. *facepalm*
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Played host to my folks (never thought they’d actually attempt a New Jersey visit!); spent Midsummer’s Day in Central Park stalking failing to stalk my man Will Shakespeare; took a spur-of-the-moment overnight trip down to Asbury Park for a show; rode authentic turn-of-the-century French carnival rides at Governor’s Island (and got my first peek at the Statue of Liberty on the return trip); went to my first Pagan Pride Day gathering (and finally visited Roosevelt Island for some family history, all on the same day); attended an amazing alternative arts & crafts show called SketchCon; enjoyed great music at new-to-me venues Webster Hall, St Vitus Bar, Suburbia in Brooklyn, and the Golden Tea House in Philadelphia; and went to my first actual-factual bona fide grown-up Christmas party (where I was propositioned by a going-to-seed, decidedly un-sober ex-Marine/overgrown BMOC - who then proceeded to show off the scars from his bullet wounds...by dropping trou and showing off his flabby ass - all very much a first, and hopefully a last! lol)
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Pretty much! The main one - writing - definitely, as I finally figured out what works for me in regards to a daily writing schedule. The other goals I made were successfully completed to varying degrees, but I’m content with the progress I made. I’m currently in the process of thinking about what I want the new year to look like; I usually give myself until Candlemas to solidify my goals.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
A co-worker died - she had been in treatment for cancer for years. I didn’t work with her for very long, but I’m glad I got a chance to know her; she was a very memorable woman.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Let’s just copy & paste this from last year, shall we? "A real bed. A home internet connection. I’m told I need a fridge." (I got the fridge, thanks to generous friends!) I’d also like to find a little tv, nothing fancy, nothing flat-screen & tech-obnoxious, just something to hook my video game consoles into. I miss Hyrule.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There are several: July shows in Brooklyn & Asbury Park are still very vivid in my memory, as well as the Philly show in October, for all the usual reasons that make a show stand-out (plus: smiles!) and, of course, September, in the city, standing in a magic circle in public space, with Apollo smiling at me through the branches of a September tree. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a group ritual, and it was lovely.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The daily writing thing. It’s still uneven, but I finally found that one schedule that I can keep, and feel like I’m well on the path to making it a solid habit. I’ve been trying to learn this for years and years. I’m slow like that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
This is always the hardest question to answer, because I don’t think in terms like that. Every attempt is a success, even if I fall flat on my face. Still, if I have to identify one thing that happened this last year as a failure, it’d be my solo trip down to Asbury Park. The trip itself - the spontaneity of it, the independence and the adventure of it - was successful, but once there, at the show, I gave in to my weaknesses and my fears, and didn’t even try to do what I went down there to do. That was the failure. It wasn’t that I leapt and fell; it was that I didn’t even leap.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope. There’s always the work-related lacerations that come from handling glass and hardware and tools on a daily basis, but nothing major.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t buy a lot; with the exception of some show excursions, it was a relatively frugal year. However, I gave myself an Errol Flynn movie at Christmas (an old favorite: "Never Say Goodbye") and finally got some brandy back in my pantry for after-work wintertime treats.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
K., a co-worker. She’s a part-timer, but because we were short two framers this year, ended up working almost full-time during our busiest and most difficult season. It was hard on her, but she kept with it and never gave up. She’s an awesome lady. :)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I still really don’t like my downstairs neighbor. He’s a loud-mouth and an ass.
14. Where did most of your money go?
It really never changes: rent & food & shows.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I annoyed a lot of people by talking about the band Luther...a lot. :)
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
"Your Bones" - Of Monsters and Men
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Holding steady.
iii. Richer or poorer? Also about the same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
More drawing, and more exploring.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wish I’d spent less time fuming about things I can’t change. What a waste.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Went to a nice little Christmas Eve party here in the building (see answer to question #1 for details), and had Christmas Day dinner at a Portuguese restaurant with a friend from work and her family (same place as last year: great food and great sangria!)
21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
I’m working, but I’m off for New Year’s Day, so who knows what adventures might befall once I clock out!
22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Sort of, and maybe, and yes, and no, don’t be silly.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I don’t have a tv, but I regularly raid the dvd section of the library so: The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, and Sherlock. Also, voraciously downloaded Japanese tv dramas: my favorites were Tatta Hitotsu no Koi ("Just One Love"), 1 Pound no Fukuin ("One-Pound Gospel"), and Kamen Rider Den-O.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.
26. What was the best book you read?
Oh, this is embarrassing...but, I think...I only read manga this year...?
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
In full honesty, with an embarrassed giggle: Japanese boy band KAT-TUN. However, I’m also really liking Cayetana though I haven’t yet seen them at a show.
28. What did you want and get?
Adventures, and excursions, and a fridge. And my bathtub was fixed (no more dripping water, what a miracle!) And more stripey socks. I always want stripey socks.
29. What did you want and not get?
Internet. Just never got around to it.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Hobbit. DUH. But Cloud Atlas also really stuck with me. Watched a lot of movies from the library, but those are a couple of the stand-outs.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
Worked, but was given a cake & Starbucks cards, and then took myself to the local theater to see the Star Trek film.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It was pretty damn satisfying on its own, but if I could’ve gone to every show I wanted to, that would’ve been good, too.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I bought new jeans. That fit. And lots of stripey socks. And went back to green hair, and sometimes purple. (It was a no-concept fashion concept.)
34. What kept you sane?
Learning that the people in my life really don’t mind if I lean on them a bit, and really don’t mind when I nerd out over weird things. And my faithful little Starbucks card.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Oh my god. Fully crushed out on Japanese actors this year, I’m afraid. Sato Takeru and Kamenashi Kazuya, to be specific.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not having a tv gave me an excuse to ignore politics altogether.
37. Who did you miss?
The dear ones and the distant ones, and the band I didn't want to say good-bye to.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Vickie, rocker chick and punk grrl.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
You’re never as interesting as you think you are. Keep it simple, and smile.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"So many books
That I didn’t read
But there’s so much air
I chose to breathe
How about the colors
That I’ve seen
So I’ll leave these
Pages in the trees"
- Matt & Kim "Good for Great"
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Played host to my folks (never thought they’d actually attempt a New Jersey visit!); spent Midsummer’s Day in Central Park stalking failing to stalk my man Will Shakespeare; took a spur-of-the-moment overnight trip down to Asbury Park for a show; rode authentic turn-of-the-century French carnival rides at Governor’s Island (and got my first peek at the Statue of Liberty on the return trip); went to my first Pagan Pride Day gathering (and finally visited Roosevelt Island for some family history, all on the same day); attended an amazing alternative arts & crafts show called SketchCon; enjoyed great music at new-to-me venues Webster Hall, St Vitus Bar, Suburbia in Brooklyn, and the Golden Tea House in Philadelphia; and went to my first actual-factual bona fide grown-up Christmas party (where I was propositioned by a going-to-seed, decidedly un-sober ex-Marine/overgrown BMOC - who then proceeded to show off the scars from his bullet wounds...by dropping trou and showing off his flabby ass - all very much a first, and hopefully a last! lol)
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Pretty much! The main one - writing - definitely, as I finally figured out what works for me in regards to a daily writing schedule. The other goals I made were successfully completed to varying degrees, but I’m content with the progress I made. I’m currently in the process of thinking about what I want the new year to look like; I usually give myself until Candlemas to solidify my goals.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
A co-worker died - she had been in treatment for cancer for years. I didn’t work with her for very long, but I’m glad I got a chance to know her; she was a very memorable woman.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Let’s just copy & paste this from last year, shall we? "A real bed. A home internet connection. I’m told I need a fridge." (I got the fridge, thanks to generous friends!) I’d also like to find a little tv, nothing fancy, nothing flat-screen & tech-obnoxious, just something to hook my video game consoles into. I miss Hyrule.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There are several: July shows in Brooklyn & Asbury Park are still very vivid in my memory, as well as the Philly show in October, for all the usual reasons that make a show stand-out (plus: smiles!) and, of course, September, in the city, standing in a magic circle in public space, with Apollo smiling at me through the branches of a September tree. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a group ritual, and it was lovely.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
The daily writing thing. It’s still uneven, but I finally found that one schedule that I can keep, and feel like I’m well on the path to making it a solid habit. I’ve been trying to learn this for years and years. I’m slow like that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
This is always the hardest question to answer, because I don’t think in terms like that. Every attempt is a success, even if I fall flat on my face. Still, if I have to identify one thing that happened this last year as a failure, it’d be my solo trip down to Asbury Park. The trip itself - the spontaneity of it, the independence and the adventure of it - was successful, but once there, at the show, I gave in to my weaknesses and my fears, and didn’t even try to do what I went down there to do. That was the failure. It wasn’t that I leapt and fell; it was that I didn’t even leap.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope. There’s always the work-related lacerations that come from handling glass and hardware and tools on a daily basis, but nothing major.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t buy a lot; with the exception of some show excursions, it was a relatively frugal year. However, I gave myself an Errol Flynn movie at Christmas (an old favorite: "Never Say Goodbye") and finally got some brandy back in my pantry for after-work wintertime treats.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
K., a co-worker. She’s a part-timer, but because we were short two framers this year, ended up working almost full-time during our busiest and most difficult season. It was hard on her, but she kept with it and never gave up. She’s an awesome lady. :)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I still really don’t like my downstairs neighbor. He’s a loud-mouth and an ass.
14. Where did most of your money go?
It really never changes: rent & food & shows.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I annoyed a lot of people by talking about the band Luther...a lot. :)
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
"Your Bones" - Of Monsters and Men
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. Thinner or fatter? Holding steady.
iii. Richer or poorer? Also about the same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
More drawing, and more exploring.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wish I’d spent less time fuming about things I can’t change. What a waste.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Went to a nice little Christmas Eve party here in the building (see answer to question #1 for details), and had Christmas Day dinner at a Portuguese restaurant with a friend from work and her family (same place as last year: great food and great sangria!)
21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
I’m working, but I’m off for New Year’s Day, so who knows what adventures might befall once I clock out!
22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Sort of, and maybe, and yes, and no, don’t be silly.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I don’t have a tv, but I regularly raid the dvd section of the library so: The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, and Sherlock. Also, voraciously downloaded Japanese tv dramas: my favorites were Tatta Hitotsu no Koi ("Just One Love"), 1 Pound no Fukuin ("One-Pound Gospel"), and Kamen Rider Den-O.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.
26. What was the best book you read?
Oh, this is embarrassing...but, I think...I only read manga this year...?
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
In full honesty, with an embarrassed giggle: Japanese boy band KAT-TUN. However, I’m also really liking Cayetana though I haven’t yet seen them at a show.
28. What did you want and get?
Adventures, and excursions, and a fridge. And my bathtub was fixed (no more dripping water, what a miracle!) And more stripey socks. I always want stripey socks.
29. What did you want and not get?
Internet. Just never got around to it.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Hobbit. DUH. But Cloud Atlas also really stuck with me. Watched a lot of movies from the library, but those are a couple of the stand-outs.
31. What did you do on your birthday?
Worked, but was given a cake & Starbucks cards, and then took myself to the local theater to see the Star Trek film.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It was pretty damn satisfying on its own, but if I could’ve gone to every show I wanted to, that would’ve been good, too.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I bought new jeans. That fit. And lots of stripey socks. And went back to green hair, and sometimes purple. (It was a no-concept fashion concept.)
34. What kept you sane?
Learning that the people in my life really don’t mind if I lean on them a bit, and really don’t mind when I nerd out over weird things. And my faithful little Starbucks card.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Oh my god. Fully crushed out on Japanese actors this year, I’m afraid. Sato Takeru and Kamenashi Kazuya, to be specific.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not having a tv gave me an excuse to ignore politics altogether.
37. Who did you miss?
The dear ones and the distant ones, and the band I didn't want to say good-bye to.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Vickie, rocker chick and punk grrl.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.
You’re never as interesting as you think you are. Keep it simple, and smile.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"So many books
That I didn’t read
But there’s so much air
I chose to breathe
How about the colors
That I’ve seen
So I’ll leave these
Pages in the trees"
- Matt & Kim "Good for Great"