2008 NYE Meme
I'm at Trey and Melissa's in Pasadena at the moment. I just woke up from a nap since I only got 3 hours of "sleep" last night. We head out to Twigsville tomorrow. I'm grumpy because the trolls hid my camera from me in the wee hours and so I will not be taking any pics at Twigsville.
So here's the yearly meme thingy for 2008. I've found this is my last online thing I do before I go to Twigsville, and is a good way to clear out all the cobwebs
The past:
2003:
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/2841.html
I forgot 2004.
2005:
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/64612.html#cutid1
2006: (this one is locked friends only because it was a very honest one)
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/152572.html
2007:
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/183143.html#cutid1
On February 7th, 2008 the Year of the Rat began. According to randomwebsite.com-"A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find."
Yeah, that went well for me. I declared 2008 the Year of the Awesome, and in many many ways it was for me.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
In no particular order: Flipside Volunteer Coordinator, work 2 jobs (60 hours per week), stay on 11 couches in 9 months, go to the Texas French Legion Museum, help a small amount with Tx Burlesque Festival, Co Lead the 1st Austin Grilled Cheese Invitational, start working at Apple, volunteer regularly (at RFBD), do Burners Without Borders work, buy a house, take a formal belly dance class, see Gigsville united with the DFTs on playa, went to a meet and greet for a politician (Dan Grant), first real visit to LA since I left, had a facial, got accupuncture and more I know I'm not thinking of now
I also saw more shows than I have in a few years: Eddie Izzard, Peter Murphy, Dresden Dolls, Gogol Bordello
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't necessarily make resolutions, but I am constantly striving to Get My Shit Together-What did I accomplish with this meme in mind?
Health:
Same as always: Lose the rest of the weight I want to lose and get on a more regular, heavier exercise schedule. I do want to work on taking my vitamins more regularly and being better about drinking water.
In 2008 I said: I will work somewhere that has a gym onsite, and there will be a renewed focus as I make this a priority for the year.
Yeah, not so much. I give it a go for a few weeks (and for a few months I had the most regular exercise schedule I've ever had), but then let it drop off again. However, I really am feeling good about it in 09. Work will level out allowing me to work out, Sylkia will be with me helping me eat at home more, and I already met with a nutritionist and have a plan for the year.
It's a little disappointing that I don't consider this a win for the year, but acknowledging it makes me stronger, right?
Money:
2008 I said: 2008 is going to be fine though. Starting the new job the first week of the year combined with the goodwill of my fellow friends in north austin with guest rooms will allow me to get back on track. By mid year I will be out of debt and I am still planning on attempting to buy a house by year's end.
Well I rocked this one. I worked 2 jobs for months and used the kindness of the shared guest room to get me debt free. Then thanks to the years (literally) of work I did to fix my credit, I was able to buy my first house using my own money as down payment and have a very decent interest rate. After buying the house I went a little nuts buying stuff for it, but I just paid that down to 0 again, so my only debts are still my car and the house.
2009 I am planning on continuing to live within my means and start saving for the future.
Family:
Have it all be good.
2008 I said: same
How did I do? Well things are pretty much the same as last year which is good. Mom and I are good. She's really enjoying living in Houston and we are getting to spend more time together. My little brother and I didn't have as much contact as I would like, so I will work to make that better in 09. My little sister went through some bad stuff, but I feel like it strengthened our relationship because I was able to reach out to her in way I hadn't before. My father and I have no relationship at this time. It's been well over a year since we spoke, and apparently that's the way it will stay. My sister Janelle and I had a good year as well, but we always do.
Romantic Relationship(s):
2008 I said: However, the people in Austin are very crushworthy, and I am hoping that 2008 will see me at least dating more.
Well, it did. I had my first successful relationship since Ernesto, that was pretty great for those 3 months (until it wasn't). And even though it didn't work, I am happy it happened because I wasn't sure I could even start to feel those feelings again, and that showed me it was possible.
The last quarter of 2008 has been busy and lovely, and that's about all I want to talk about on LJ. Let's just say I've been wiggling.
For 2009 I will say that I feel the rest of my show is stable enough that I plan to work on finding a partner for this life thing. I'm pretty whole right now, and not looking for anyone to complete me. But more goodness is good, and it would be nice to have a hand to hold through all this.
Personal Growth:
Hmm I didn't really talk about what I wanted to do in 08 except meditate more. Well, I didn't even try. I think that my growth was really circumstantial, and getting myself to a space place with the job and the house.
So for personal growth in 09 I would like to meditate, and become a person who is healthy as a general rule.
Work:
2008 I said: So 2008 I want to kick ass at that job and I will work to get certified in the second half of the year.
Well, I think I do kick ass at my job, though I didn't work on the certification. I am going for a promotion at work, that will be good for me if I get but there is no devastation if I don't. I will actually work on the certification this next year as well.
Stuff:
In 2008 I hope to perfect the "what stuff is in which suitcase" thing so that I am more organized. And once I have my own place focus on quality.
Did that. Now I am trying to figure out what kind of style I have in the house, and working very hard to make sure I don't have what I don't want or just let it happen. (For instance, I've pretty much decided I don't want holiday specific stuff-like platters, etc. I don't want to have (many) items in my house I only use 1 month a year.)
Actually my main directive for the year is to get the house into the shape I want it to be in. It's really important that it meet my lifestyle, and I want it to become a place that people want to spend their time.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My brother's wife, Mary J and Garreth, Jack and Sarah,
Eno had a baby but that's a different thing
Boo (the dog) but that's also a different thing
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Luckily no. That's the first year I can say that in a while.
5. What countries did you visit?
none
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Stability which I know I will have. More Sylkia which I know I will have. More kissing.
7. What would you like to have less of in 2009 that you had in 2008?
Less pondering the rocks I want to throw at boys.
8. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Twigsville, Day I started my job, this one day in February I'll never talk about but trust me it was awful, Grilled Cheese Invitational, Dee's birthday party (Paris particularly), both the Spring and Fall Freaktacular, Bean and Bob's Wedding, Flipside and the Peanut Butter Briefcase, the breakup night, first Gadjo Disko night, Josh Meredith's set at Decompression, House Hunt Gauntlet, Ian's Baby Welcoming, Girlie's Wedding, Day I bought my house, Shady and Gallagher's Wedding, Zonk and Allissa's wedding, the day Travis called me, my birthday party, the night I spent on the couch with Jana
9. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Paying off my debt and buying a house
10. What was your biggest failure?
this one day in February I'll never talk about but trust me it was awful. Not managing to organize the Gigsville Ten Year Reunion.
11. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got the flu horribly at the beginning of the year. I had a flu shot this year, and I'm really going to try and limit my smooching at Twigsville to attempt and not contract the Twigsville plague this year.
12. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to events and plane tickets. My house.
13. Whose behavior merited celebration?
All the people who let me stay at their house
Sylkia for agreeing to move
Nila for taking care of herself
Travis
Girlie for doing the work
Judge and Stormy for remaining strong
the good parents I know
My bosses and coworkers and company for rocking it
The US for electing Barack
Ben Simpson and Kellies for living their dreams
Kevissimo for quitting smoking
14. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Bush
Pallin
Dumb Boys
15. Where did most of your money go?
Debt Payoff and House Purchase
16. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
romance, Obama, Flipside, Burning Man,Twigsville
17. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The News by Carbon/Silicon
18. Compared to this time last year, are you:_
a. happier or sadder?_Happier
b. ii. thinner or fatter?_Fatter
c. iii. richer or poorer?_Richer
19. What do you wish you'd done more of?
More me time and more time with friends.
20. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Fast food.
21. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with family in Houston TX.
22. What happened to question 22?_
It's fixin to go out.
23. Did you fall in love in 2008?
So very close.
24. How many one-night stands?
0
25. How many all-night parties?
Too many to count. One of the good things in my life.
26. What was your favorite TV program?_
So You Think You Can Dance, Pushing Daisies ; Watching TV on Netflix: Deadwood
27. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. Hate takes too much energy.
28. What was the best book you read?_
Not a big year for me and books which is weird. Though I will say the Golden Compass books are cracky goodness. And the Buffy season 8 comics. Read (the first few for the second time) the entire Harry Potter series.
29. What was your greatest musical discovery?
lala.com
30. What did you want and get?
A home in Austin. Ipod touch.
31. What did you want and not get?
A romantic weekend in June. A new computer but that's just because there's this whole system decision that needs to be made. An ipony. And of course my beloved transporter.
32. What was your favorite film of this year?
Once? Forgetting Sarah Marshall had Apatow people and puppets, really Dr. Horrible was great
33. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35. I worked during the day and then Jenna made me a lovely dinner. The day after my brithday I celebrated with many friends in a combo birthday party at Sodium and Cautions with Steph Taylor which will be a yearly even methinks.
34. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I think it was pretty good actually.
35. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
There was a concept?
36. What kept you sane?_
People: My wife as always, singing calls from Kat, all the people I stayed with, Nila, JenMarie
37. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Obama
38. What political issue stirred you the most?_
The presidential campaign. I'm still so proud of my country for choosing hope over fear.
39. Who did you miss?
My friends in other cities
40. Who was the best new person you met?_
Ava my fairy godmother and Steve, my coworkers, Jana Banana and I really connected this year, Willard and Cookie, Robert and I really connected this year, and getting to spend real time with JenMarie for the first time in a long time is great
40.5 Who did you know that want to get to know better in 2009?
still flipsideghost, and this year I plan to spend more time with delia_deville and tatianastarr, a few other people I won't talk about here :)
41. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008?
That I will be able to fall in love again. And that I do have the strength of will to follow through on my intentions.
42. Quote a Song Lyric that sums up your year.
And all the news is good.
On January 26th, 2009, the year of the Ox begins. (And incidentally I was born in an ox year.) Oh, and it is also known as the Brown Cow year. (There is no mention of brown chicken.)
according to the random website I found:
The Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac. Like its predecessor and complement, the Rat, it signifies new beginnings. The main difference is the Ox is associated with building to last, and slow but sure action. Even more so than last year we all have to make good choices, as that which is begun now is likely to have long-term consequences.
As with last year, this is an Earth year. The difference is this one is yin rather than yang. It is thus likely to be less tumultuous. On a personal level, better results are more likely to be achieved by reacting to circumstances and going with the flow rather than aggressively charging forward and initiating a lot of action.
I know my year will be filled with the house, my friends, Kat's wedding, putting on another GCI, volunteer coordinator for Flipside again, returning to Burning Man, and hopefully getting the online family reunion done, and more writing
Personally I am feeling very positive about the year ahead. I think it's going to be one for the record books.
So here's the yearly meme thingy for 2008. I've found this is my last online thing I do before I go to Twigsville, and is a good way to clear out all the cobwebs
The past:
2003:
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/2841.html
I forgot 2004.
2005:
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/64612.html#cutid1
2006: (this one is locked friends only because it was a very honest one)
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/152572.html
2007:
http://xoxoxtc.livejournal.com/183143.html#cutid1
On February 7th, 2008 the Year of the Rat began. According to randomwebsite.com-"A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find."
Yeah, that went well for me. I declared 2008 the Year of the Awesome, and in many many ways it was for me.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
In no particular order: Flipside Volunteer Coordinator, work 2 jobs (60 hours per week), stay on 11 couches in 9 months, go to the Texas French Legion Museum, help a small amount with Tx Burlesque Festival, Co Lead the 1st Austin Grilled Cheese Invitational, start working at Apple, volunteer regularly (at RFBD), do Burners Without Borders work, buy a house, take a formal belly dance class, see Gigsville united with the DFTs on playa, went to a meet and greet for a politician (Dan Grant), first real visit to LA since I left, had a facial, got accupuncture and more I know I'm not thinking of now
I also saw more shows than I have in a few years: Eddie Izzard, Peter Murphy, Dresden Dolls, Gogol Bordello
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't necessarily make resolutions, but I am constantly striving to Get My Shit Together-What did I accomplish with this meme in mind?
Health:
Same as always: Lose the rest of the weight I want to lose and get on a more regular, heavier exercise schedule. I do want to work on taking my vitamins more regularly and being better about drinking water.
In 2008 I said: I will work somewhere that has a gym onsite, and there will be a renewed focus as I make this a priority for the year.
Yeah, not so much. I give it a go for a few weeks (and for a few months I had the most regular exercise schedule I've ever had), but then let it drop off again. However, I really am feeling good about it in 09. Work will level out allowing me to work out, Sylkia will be with me helping me eat at home more, and I already met with a nutritionist and have a plan for the year.
It's a little disappointing that I don't consider this a win for the year, but acknowledging it makes me stronger, right?
Money:
2008 I said: 2008 is going to be fine though. Starting the new job the first week of the year combined with the goodwill of my fellow friends in north austin with guest rooms will allow me to get back on track. By mid year I will be out of debt and I am still planning on attempting to buy a house by year's end.
Well I rocked this one. I worked 2 jobs for months and used the kindness of the shared guest room to get me debt free. Then thanks to the years (literally) of work I did to fix my credit, I was able to buy my first house using my own money as down payment and have a very decent interest rate. After buying the house I went a little nuts buying stuff for it, but I just paid that down to 0 again, so my only debts are still my car and the house.
2009 I am planning on continuing to live within my means and start saving for the future.
Family:
Have it all be good.
2008 I said: same
How did I do? Well things are pretty much the same as last year which is good. Mom and I are good. She's really enjoying living in Houston and we are getting to spend more time together. My little brother and I didn't have as much contact as I would like, so I will work to make that better in 09. My little sister went through some bad stuff, but I feel like it strengthened our relationship because I was able to reach out to her in way I hadn't before. My father and I have no relationship at this time. It's been well over a year since we spoke, and apparently that's the way it will stay. My sister Janelle and I had a good year as well, but we always do.
Romantic Relationship(s):
2008 I said: However, the people in Austin are very crushworthy, and I am hoping that 2008 will see me at least dating more.
Well, it did. I had my first successful relationship since Ernesto, that was pretty great for those 3 months (until it wasn't). And even though it didn't work, I am happy it happened because I wasn't sure I could even start to feel those feelings again, and that showed me it was possible.
The last quarter of 2008 has been busy and lovely, and that's about all I want to talk about on LJ. Let's just say I've been wiggling.
For 2009 I will say that I feel the rest of my show is stable enough that I plan to work on finding a partner for this life thing. I'm pretty whole right now, and not looking for anyone to complete me. But more goodness is good, and it would be nice to have a hand to hold through all this.
Personal Growth:
Hmm I didn't really talk about what I wanted to do in 08 except meditate more. Well, I didn't even try. I think that my growth was really circumstantial, and getting myself to a space place with the job and the house.
So for personal growth in 09 I would like to meditate, and become a person who is healthy as a general rule.
Work:
2008 I said: So 2008 I want to kick ass at that job and I will work to get certified in the second half of the year.
Well, I think I do kick ass at my job, though I didn't work on the certification. I am going for a promotion at work, that will be good for me if I get but there is no devastation if I don't. I will actually work on the certification this next year as well.
Stuff:
In 2008 I hope to perfect the "what stuff is in which suitcase" thing so that I am more organized. And once I have my own place focus on quality.
Did that. Now I am trying to figure out what kind of style I have in the house, and working very hard to make sure I don't have what I don't want or just let it happen. (For instance, I've pretty much decided I don't want holiday specific stuff-like platters, etc. I don't want to have (many) items in my house I only use 1 month a year.)
Actually my main directive for the year is to get the house into the shape I want it to be in. It's really important that it meet my lifestyle, and I want it to become a place that people want to spend their time.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My brother's wife, Mary J and Garreth, Jack and Sarah,
Eno had a baby but that's a different thing
Boo (the dog) but that's also a different thing
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Luckily no. That's the first year I can say that in a while.
5. What countries did you visit?
none
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Stability which I know I will have. More Sylkia which I know I will have. More kissing.
7. What would you like to have less of in 2009 that you had in 2008?
Less pondering the rocks I want to throw at boys.
8. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Twigsville, Day I started my job, this one day in February I'll never talk about but trust me it was awful, Grilled Cheese Invitational, Dee's birthday party (Paris particularly), both the Spring and Fall Freaktacular, Bean and Bob's Wedding, Flipside and the Peanut Butter Briefcase, the breakup night, first Gadjo Disko night, Josh Meredith's set at Decompression, House Hunt Gauntlet, Ian's Baby Welcoming, Girlie's Wedding, Day I bought my house, Shady and Gallagher's Wedding, Zonk and Allissa's wedding, the day Travis called me, my birthday party, the night I spent on the couch with Jana
9. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Paying off my debt and buying a house
10. What was your biggest failure?
this one day in February I'll never talk about but trust me it was awful. Not managing to organize the Gigsville Ten Year Reunion.
11. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I got the flu horribly at the beginning of the year. I had a flu shot this year, and I'm really going to try and limit my smooching at Twigsville to attempt and not contract the Twigsville plague this year.
12. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to events and plane tickets. My house.
13. Whose behavior merited celebration?
All the people who let me stay at their house
Sylkia for agreeing to move
Nila for taking care of herself
Travis
Girlie for doing the work
Judge and Stormy for remaining strong
the good parents I know
My bosses and coworkers and company for rocking it
The US for electing Barack
Ben Simpson and Kellies for living their dreams
Kevissimo for quitting smoking
14. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Bush
Pallin
Dumb Boys
15. Where did most of your money go?
Debt Payoff and House Purchase
16. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
romance, Obama, Flipside, Burning Man,Twigsville
17. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The News by Carbon/Silicon
18. Compared to this time last year, are you:_
a. happier or sadder?_Happier
b. ii. thinner or fatter?_Fatter
c. iii. richer or poorer?_Richer
19. What do you wish you'd done more of?
More me time and more time with friends.
20. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Fast food.
21. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with family in Houston TX.
22. What happened to question 22?_
It's fixin to go out.
23. Did you fall in love in 2008?
So very close.
24. How many one-night stands?
0
25. How many all-night parties?
Too many to count. One of the good things in my life.
26. What was your favorite TV program?_
So You Think You Can Dance, Pushing Daisies ; Watching TV on Netflix: Deadwood
27. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. Hate takes too much energy.
28. What was the best book you read?_
Not a big year for me and books which is weird. Though I will say the Golden Compass books are cracky goodness. And the Buffy season 8 comics. Read (the first few for the second time) the entire Harry Potter series.
29. What was your greatest musical discovery?
lala.com
30. What did you want and get?
A home in Austin. Ipod touch.
31. What did you want and not get?
A romantic weekend in June. A new computer but that's just because there's this whole system decision that needs to be made. An ipony. And of course my beloved transporter.
32. What was your favorite film of this year?
Once? Forgetting Sarah Marshall had Apatow people and puppets, really Dr. Horrible was great
33. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35. I worked during the day and then Jenna made me a lovely dinner. The day after my brithday I celebrated with many friends in a combo birthday party at Sodium and Cautions with Steph Taylor which will be a yearly even methinks.
34. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I think it was pretty good actually.
35. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
There was a concept?
36. What kept you sane?_
People: My wife as always, singing calls from Kat, all the people I stayed with, Nila, JenMarie
37. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Obama
38. What political issue stirred you the most?_
The presidential campaign. I'm still so proud of my country for choosing hope over fear.
39. Who did you miss?
My friends in other cities
40. Who was the best new person you met?_
Ava my fairy godmother and Steve, my coworkers, Jana Banana and I really connected this year, Willard and Cookie, Robert and I really connected this year, and getting to spend real time with JenMarie for the first time in a long time is great
40.5 Who did you know that want to get to know better in 2009?
still flipsideghost, and this year I plan to spend more time with delia_deville and tatianastarr, a few other people I won't talk about here :)
41. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008?
That I will be able to fall in love again. And that I do have the strength of will to follow through on my intentions.
42. Quote a Song Lyric that sums up your year.
And all the news is good.
On January 26th, 2009, the year of the Ox begins. (And incidentally I was born in an ox year.) Oh, and it is also known as the Brown Cow year. (There is no mention of brown chicken.)
according to the random website I found:
The Ox is the second sign of the Chinese zodiac. Like its predecessor and complement, the Rat, it signifies new beginnings. The main difference is the Ox is associated with building to last, and slow but sure action. Even more so than last year we all have to make good choices, as that which is begun now is likely to have long-term consequences.
As with last year, this is an Earth year. The difference is this one is yin rather than yang. It is thus likely to be less tumultuous. On a personal level, better results are more likely to be achieved by reacting to circumstances and going with the flow rather than aggressively charging forward and initiating a lot of action.
I know my year will be filled with the house, my friends, Kat's wedding, putting on another GCI, volunteer coordinator for Flipside again, returning to Burning Man, and hopefully getting the online family reunion done, and more writing
Personally I am feeling very positive about the year ahead. I think it's going to be one for the record books.