A Day (Plus 4 Days) and a Dollar Short
This is a few days late, but it's still in the first week of the new year, so the tradition still holds. That's what I'm choosing to believe anyway.
End of the Year Meme
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Gave my two weeks' notice. Usually my jobs/internships just run their course. I've never had to quit anything before. It didn't feel as freeing as I thought it would.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, but I did say I'd try to update my LJ more. Let's just say I'm going to give it another go this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin had a baby girl, Sydney, whom she says isn't named after Sydney Bristow. We all have our doubts about that claim.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just the good ol' US of A. Man, I should at least go to Canada or something this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Career stability
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Considering I can't remember any specific date from 2010, I'm going to say none. I had some good times, though. Just can't remember any specifics.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally escaping Starbucks, though I'm not sure if that's an achievement as much as just getting away
9. What was your biggest failure?
Still not having a grown-up job
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a couple of bad colds, but thankfully nothing too serious
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Nothing big. If anything, I love this necklace with a clock and a handful of traveling-related charms (i.e. an old-fashioned key, a luggage bag, a boat, Big Ben). It's the only thing I've ever bought at full price at Urban Outfitters. That's how much I fell in love with it.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Other than shopping and bills, campjinx25 and I did go to a few concerts and Comic-Con. I'd count the handful of times we saw Comedy Death Ray, The Shit Show, and Doug Loves Movies at the UCB Theatre, but those were either $5 or free, so they didn't exactly break the bank
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
NKOTBSB. It's like being 13 again. This is good or bad depending on how terrifyingly teenyboppery you were at 13.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Teenage Dream." Love the Glee/Warblers version. Hate the Katy Perry version.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Little sadder
Older or wiser? Little of both
Thinner or fatter? Same
Richer or poorer? Poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent time with friends, gone out and actually acted like a 23-year-old
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family, participating in our pajamas and Italian food theme, watching my nephews and niece get buried under piles of new toys. Christmas Day was at our house, where my sister and I cooked for my mom's side of the family. We watched the American Ninja Warrior marathon on G4 , packed away leftovers when everyone left, and marveled at the Doctor Who Christmas Special in HD on BBC America.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Only of the celebrity variety
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Community, The Office (It's better this season!), Glee (Even if the Sectionals episode made me want to punch a baby), Doctor Who (I still miss you, Russell T Davies-era crew!), Modern Family, Fringe, Bones (Needs more Nigel-Murray)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really.
26. What was the best book you read?
A Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter by Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook: Even if you're not a Doctor Who fan--although it helps--this book is a fascinating look into the mind of a successful showrunner who carries the weight of the biggest television show in the UK. Told through e-mail exchanges between RTD and journalist Ben Cook, you really get a sense of RTD's alternating genius and self-doubt while he goes through his final season of DW. This is the second edition of the book with a whole chunk tacked on that goes through the writing of the end of his DW era and his plans for the future. It's absolutely intriguing and so well-written. I cannot wax poetic about this book enough.
If we're going for novel, though, the best one out of the short list of fiction I read was One Day by David Nicholls, which tells the story of Dexter (essentially a party boy) and Emma (the brainy girl) who meet the day they graduate from university in 1988. The story takes place during a single day each year for two decades. While the story gets quite maudlin, it's a really interesting premise and absolutely what chick flicks are made of.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Florence + The Machine ...or Zachary Levi's singing voice. (Proof: "Terrified" with Katharine McPhee, "I See The Light" for Tangled with Mandy Moore) Oh, man. He's not even that great. Something about it is just so incredibly appealing. My friend and I decided that he's part Siren. But the male version.
28. What did you want and get?
Free time
29. What did you want and not get?
The feeling of being a grown-up
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Film critic answer: The Social Network, The Kids Are All Right
Actual answer: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Social Network, Easy A, Toy Story 3
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
23; my friends took me to a comedy club. It was pretty much one of the most perfect things they could've done.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a real job
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Jeans, cardigan, flats/boots
34. What kept you sane?
My sister, friends, music, and TV
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Can't remember anyone specific taking up my time. If anyone, David Tennant. Ryan Reynolds was probably a close second. ...Plus Zachary Levi, John Krasinski, Andrew-Lee Potts, Andrew Garfield, and Nathan Fillion. And Joel McHale, of whom I have a stalker picture that I'm proud/ashamed of. I have a problem, I know.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8
37. Who did you miss?
Guys, remember when we were still in high school, and you didn't have time to miss your friends because they were always there, even when you seriously wanted some alone time, and they were always on your back? I MISS THOSE TIMES.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a couple of awesome new fellow interns with whom I can talk nerd
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
It's not new, but it bears repeating: "True friends are like stars. You can only recognize them when it's dark around you." - Bob Marley
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Slow down, you're doing fine
You can't be everything you wanna be before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Too bad, but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right
***
In other news, campjinx25 and I went to Disneyland today. In all the times we've been there, we've never seen the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln area, so we decided to give it a go. The front room of it turned out to be a fascinating museum depicting the early days of Disneyland. We even made an acquaintance out of the guy who worked there when he noticed our interest in the memorabilia and models of the park.
The actual Lincoln show was interesting and--okay, let's be honest--something of a downer and upsettingly real. The animatronic Lincoln was too human for my liking. As soon as the curtains opened on him, I felt my "fight or flight" instinct kick in. It was like the beginning of a horror film where the inanimate objects came to life and attacked. But, um, at least it was educational...? The only part of the show that really took me out of it was the picture collage outside of the theater. In the section of America's great musicians, there were photos of Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Miley Cyrus. I'll let that part sink in: Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Miley Cyrus. All of the patriotic feelings the show stirred up were quickly tamped down. Guys, we Americans are responsible for Hannah Montana. Yes, all of us.
As neither my sister nor I felt well, we ended up leaving at 3:30, which is why I'm currently at home, planning to distract myself from my sore throat with Primeval, Top Gear (UK version; the US version is ironically too slow for me) and some BBC quiz shows. Some time in the middle of that, I may drink a few gallons of mint tea, depending on how much my throat hurts. We'll see how it goes.
End of the Year Meme
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Gave my two weeks' notice. Usually my jobs/internships just run their course. I've never had to quit anything before. It didn't feel as freeing as I thought it would.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, but I did say I'd try to update my LJ more. Let's just say I'm going to give it another go this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin had a baby girl, Sydney, whom she says isn't named after Sydney Bristow. We all have our doubts about that claim.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just the good ol' US of A. Man, I should at least go to Canada or something this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Career stability
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Considering I can't remember any specific date from 2010, I'm going to say none. I had some good times, though. Just can't remember any specifics.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally escaping Starbucks, though I'm not sure if that's an achievement as much as just getting away
9. What was your biggest failure?
Still not having a grown-up job
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a couple of bad colds, but thankfully nothing too serious
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Nothing big. If anything, I love this necklace with a clock and a handful of traveling-related charms (i.e. an old-fashioned key, a luggage bag, a boat, Big Ben). It's the only thing I've ever bought at full price at Urban Outfitters. That's how much I fell in love with it.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Other than shopping and bills, campjinx25 and I did go to a few concerts and Comic-Con. I'd count the handful of times we saw Comedy Death Ray, The Shit Show, and Doug Loves Movies at the UCB Theatre, but those were either $5 or free, so they didn't exactly break the bank
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
NKOTBSB. It's like being 13 again. This is good or bad depending on how terrifyingly teenyboppery you were at 13.
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Teenage Dream." Love the Glee/Warblers version. Hate the Katy Perry version.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Little sadder
Older or wiser? Little of both
Thinner or fatter? Same
Richer or poorer? Poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent time with friends, gone out and actually acted like a 23-year-old
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family, participating in our pajamas and Italian food theme, watching my nephews and niece get buried under piles of new toys. Christmas Day was at our house, where my sister and I cooked for my mom's side of the family. We watched the American Ninja Warrior marathon on G4 , packed away leftovers when everyone left, and marveled at the Doctor Who Christmas Special in HD on BBC America.
22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Only of the celebrity variety
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Community, The Office (It's better this season!), Glee (Even if the Sectionals episode made me want to punch a baby), Doctor Who (I still miss you, Russell T Davies-era crew!), Modern Family, Fringe, Bones (Needs more Nigel-Murray)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really.
26. What was the best book you read?
A Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter by Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook: Even if you're not a Doctor Who fan--although it helps--this book is a fascinating look into the mind of a successful showrunner who carries the weight of the biggest television show in the UK. Told through e-mail exchanges between RTD and journalist Ben Cook, you really get a sense of RTD's alternating genius and self-doubt while he goes through his final season of DW. This is the second edition of the book with a whole chunk tacked on that goes through the writing of the end of his DW era and his plans for the future. It's absolutely intriguing and so well-written. I cannot wax poetic about this book enough.
If we're going for novel, though, the best one out of the short list of fiction I read was One Day by David Nicholls, which tells the story of Dexter (essentially a party boy) and Emma (the brainy girl) who meet the day they graduate from university in 1988. The story takes place during a single day each year for two decades. While the story gets quite maudlin, it's a really interesting premise and absolutely what chick flicks are made of.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Florence + The Machine ...or Zachary Levi's singing voice. (Proof: "Terrified" with Katharine McPhee, "I See The Light" for Tangled with Mandy Moore) Oh, man. He's not even that great. Something about it is just so incredibly appealing. My friend and I decided that he's part Siren. But the male version.
28. What did you want and get?
Free time
29. What did you want and not get?
The feeling of being a grown-up
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Film critic answer: The Social Network, The Kids Are All Right
Actual answer: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Social Network, Easy A, Toy Story 3
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
23; my friends took me to a comedy club. It was pretty much one of the most perfect things they could've done.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting a real job
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Jeans, cardigan, flats/boots
34. What kept you sane?
My sister, friends, music, and TV
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Can't remember anyone specific taking up my time. If anyone, David Tennant. Ryan Reynolds was probably a close second. ...Plus Zachary Levi, John Krasinski, Andrew-Lee Potts, Andrew Garfield, and Nathan Fillion. And Joel McHale, of whom I have a stalker picture that I'm proud/ashamed of. I have a problem, I know.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Prop 8
37. Who did you miss?
Guys, remember when we were still in high school, and you didn't have time to miss your friends because they were always there, even when you seriously wanted some alone time, and they were always on your back? I MISS THOSE TIMES.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a couple of awesome new fellow interns with whom I can talk nerd
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
It's not new, but it bears repeating: "True friends are like stars. You can only recognize them when it's dark around you." - Bob Marley
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Slow down, you're doing fine
You can't be everything you wanna be before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Too bad, but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right
***
In other news, campjinx25 and I went to Disneyland today. In all the times we've been there, we've never seen the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln area, so we decided to give it a go. The front room of it turned out to be a fascinating museum depicting the early days of Disneyland. We even made an acquaintance out of the guy who worked there when he noticed our interest in the memorabilia and models of the park.
The actual Lincoln show was interesting and--okay, let's be honest--something of a downer and upsettingly real. The animatronic Lincoln was too human for my liking. As soon as the curtains opened on him, I felt my "fight or flight" instinct kick in. It was like the beginning of a horror film where the inanimate objects came to life and attacked. But, um, at least it was educational...? The only part of the show that really took me out of it was the picture collage outside of the theater. In the section of America's great musicians, there were photos of Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Miley Cyrus. I'll let that part sink in: Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Miley Cyrus. All of the patriotic feelings the show stirred up were quickly tamped down. Guys, we Americans are responsible for Hannah Montana. Yes, all of us.
As neither my sister nor I felt well, we ended up leaving at 3:30, which is why I'm currently at home, planning to distract myself from my sore throat with Primeval, Top Gear (UK version; the US version is ironically too slow for me) and some BBC quiz shows. Some time in the middle of that, I may drink a few gallons of mint tea, depending on how much my throat hurts. We'll see how it goes.