With few days left in 2005, a time to reflect...
So, I've begun looking on my entries from a year ago to see what I had planned for 2005. I will say now - without reservation - that I failed myself more in the past year than I can ever remember in recent years.
One post, dated 12/07/04, reads:
IN ONE YEAR I WILL:
1. be at least a little more famous than I am now.
2. have performed improv at a few different venues in Chicago.
3. have my Fatty screenplay (or *some* screenplay) finished.
4. have begun a comedic partnership in some form with Steve Mack.
I will say that I've only successfully done *maybe* two of these things.
1. A few more people know me from Faire, but I don't think that's what I was thinking of at the time. I was thinking more people in Chicago.
2. I've only done *one* improv class the whole year. And I won't be going back to I.O. as soon as January. I won't have the dough by the time classes begin.
3. No screenplays have been completed.
4. Steve and I still converse, but the decision to form a full-on partnership with him has since been deemphasized. I've got to see what I'm capable of on my own.
I'm not going to let this get me down because things that seemed like I did years ago were only done this year. 365 is a long time to get things done and I've got another 365 around the corner.
For your reference and mine, my 2003 YIR, 2004 YIR, and now...
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Took a road trip, seeing such new-to-me states as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky; took a class at the Annoyance Theater; went to Texas and saw a very historical spot; did a show with Steve. I also filmed another music video, which I haven't done in two years.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I wanted to get myself out-there more, and I didn't do that. I guess I'll just TRY NEW more in general. I think my theme in 2006 will be TRY NEW.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Erm... don't think anyone CLOSE to me.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but that death is creeping his bastard head closer to my loved ones.
5. What countries did you visit?
Nothing outside the USA.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Two years ago, it was "A place of my own and a start on my career." I almost feel like I have to say that again. I guess I would state it as "To live with Julie near Chicago."
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 6th maybe - when I left for my "Go Trip!". There's nothing that I'm like, "I'll never forget the date."
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Going on my road trip.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not trying hard enough at my career, my living situation and my health.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, although I went to the dentist after twelve years. That was painful.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new(ish) car that works. Second, an iPod, without a doubt.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Celebration? The American people's overwhelming charity to the victims of Katrina.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those tossing blame for lack-of-response during Katrina.
14. Where did most of your money go?
As usual, bills bills bills. Seems like my dentist, mostly.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
"Episode III" and "King Kong" (I like films)
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
"Bring Me To Life", "Forgive Me"
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier? maybe about equal
ii. thinner or fatter? FATTER
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer ie. I owe more debt
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, exercising, saving money. Wow, AGAIN!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Sitting around doing nothing. Having so many bills.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my mom and dad, mainly, although the days-building up to it were with friends.
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
I was still in love in 2005.
23. How many one-night stands?
None!
24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, My Name Is Earl, Simpsons, Family Guy.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Wow. YES! I will actually use the word "hate"; it's properly defining.
26. What was the best book you read?
Read Harry Potter 1-5, and "Prisoner" was the best of them for me. We'll see how I like 6.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nina Simone.
28. What did you want and get?
A road trip.
29. What did you want and not get?
More career experience, less debt.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Interesting. Not the best year for films. "Sin City" was the coolest. I guess "Episode III". I would've been "King Kong"... if it just been shorter!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had a small KFC dinner with Jules. I was 26.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Just staying at home instead of moving out in 2004.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Wearing pants instead of jeans. Unfortunately, they're bigger.
34. What kept you sane?
My friends, girlfriend, and privacy.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm... Dane Cook.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I hate to even *think* politics, but I guess gay marriage.
37. Who did you miss?
Turinski, Chloe, other Faire pals I just made and got closer to. Chicago improv pals Erin, etc. Stritch pals.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
New? Didn't meet too many new folks, but I got to know a lot more people at Faire. I guess Chloe.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
I should've just moved downstairs instead of moving OUT last year. I was *not* ready to move out ALL on my own.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"The days seem so very long/But I’m trying to be strong/But hold on I say/Things will soon turn my way/And then I’ll have a clear view/Keep your head to the sky"
Takin' care,
Neil
P.S. A more detailed year-in-review like this is coming soon.
One post, dated 12/07/04, reads:
IN ONE YEAR I WILL:
1. be at least a little more famous than I am now.
2. have performed improv at a few different venues in Chicago.
3. have my Fatty screenplay (or *some* screenplay) finished.
4. have begun a comedic partnership in some form with Steve Mack.
I will say that I've only successfully done *maybe* two of these things.
1. A few more people know me from Faire, but I don't think that's what I was thinking of at the time. I was thinking more people in Chicago.
2. I've only done *one* improv class the whole year. And I won't be going back to I.O. as soon as January. I won't have the dough by the time classes begin.
3. No screenplays have been completed.
4. Steve and I still converse, but the decision to form a full-on partnership with him has since been deemphasized. I've got to see what I'm capable of on my own.
I'm not going to let this get me down because things that seemed like I did years ago were only done this year. 365 is a long time to get things done and I've got another 365 around the corner.
For your reference and mine, my 2003 YIR, 2004 YIR, and now...
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Took a road trip, seeing such new-to-me states as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky; took a class at the Annoyance Theater; went to Texas and saw a very historical spot; did a show with Steve. I also filmed another music video, which I haven't done in two years.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I wanted to get myself out-there more, and I didn't do that. I guess I'll just TRY NEW more in general. I think my theme in 2006 will be TRY NEW.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Erm... don't think anyone CLOSE to me.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but that death is creeping his bastard head closer to my loved ones.
5. What countries did you visit?
Nothing outside the USA.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Two years ago, it was "A place of my own and a start on my career." I almost feel like I have to say that again. I guess I would state it as "To live with Julie near Chicago."
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 6th maybe - when I left for my "Go Trip!". There's nothing that I'm like, "I'll never forget the date."
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Going on my road trip.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not trying hard enough at my career, my living situation and my health.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, although I went to the dentist after twelve years. That was painful.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new(ish) car that works. Second, an iPod, without a doubt.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Celebration? The American people's overwhelming charity to the victims of Katrina.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those tossing blame for lack-of-response during Katrina.
14. Where did most of your money go?
As usual, bills bills bills. Seems like my dentist, mostly.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
"Episode III" and "King Kong" (I like films)
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
"Bring Me To Life", "Forgive Me"
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier? maybe about equal
ii. thinner or fatter? FATTER
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer ie. I owe more debt
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing, exercising, saving money. Wow, AGAIN!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Sitting around doing nothing. Having so many bills.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my mom and dad, mainly, although the days-building up to it were with friends.
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
I was still in love in 2005.
23. How many one-night stands?
None!
24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, My Name Is Earl, Simpsons, Family Guy.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Wow. YES! I will actually use the word "hate"; it's properly defining.
26. What was the best book you read?
Read Harry Potter 1-5, and "Prisoner" was the best of them for me. We'll see how I like 6.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nina Simone.
28. What did you want and get?
A road trip.
29. What did you want and not get?
More career experience, less debt.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Interesting. Not the best year for films. "Sin City" was the coolest. I guess "Episode III". I would've been "King Kong"... if it just been shorter!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Had a small KFC dinner with Jules. I was 26.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Just staying at home instead of moving out in 2004.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Wearing pants instead of jeans. Unfortunately, they're bigger.
34. What kept you sane?
My friends, girlfriend, and privacy.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm... Dane Cook.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I hate to even *think* politics, but I guess gay marriage.
37. Who did you miss?
Turinski, Chloe, other Faire pals I just made and got closer to. Chicago improv pals Erin, etc. Stritch pals.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
New? Didn't meet too many new folks, but I got to know a lot more people at Faire. I guess Chloe.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
I should've just moved downstairs instead of moving OUT last year. I was *not* ready to move out ALL on my own.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"The days seem so very long/But I’m trying to be strong/But hold on I say/Things will soon turn my way/And then I’ll have a clear view/Keep your head to the sky"
Takin' care,
Neil
P.S. A more detailed year-in-review like this is coming soon.