"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be."
Only two days into the new year, so this technically isn't late! At most, it's fashionably late. As is tradition, here is the end of the year meme:
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Moved out of my parents' house for non-college reasons; baby-sat the baby girl, though it was more "watching her watch TV for a few hours" than actual baby-sitting
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, only vague plans to do more or less of something. So...sort of?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not unless the people I know are really good at keeping secrets.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just the good ol' US of A this year
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
More adventures, more concerts, more visits to UCB Theatre, more naps
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
* January 9-ish: 3-day work road trip to CES in Vegas with my boss and two co-workers. Exhausting, ultimately unproductive, and really fun. Nothing brings a group together like singing "Livin' On A Prayer" and Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" at the top of your collective lungs.
* February 13-14: Those days when we semi-stalked the Parks and Rec cast when they were filming at UCLA
* June 23: The date we moved into our apartment and the birthday of our friend, whose bonfire we went to after hauling all our crap into our new place. It was a fun but emotionally exhausting day.
* June 21-27: My and beetsbearsbsg's week of Government Shutdown Week hosting. So much fun and randomness.
* November 2: The season premiere of our show. I had to write it dozens of times all over the internet, so it'll be stuck in my head for a while.
* Awesome events whose dates I don't actually have memorized:
- PaleyFest panels for Community (awesome), New Girl (super awkward), and Parks and Rec (amazing even though half the cast was missing)
- Book of Mormon and Rock of Ages at the Pantages
- LACMA Live Reads
- Children Mending Hearts volunteering wherein we helped a great cause, and in a fun bit of surrealism, Ben Affleck took a photo of us making bead bracelets with his daughter
- Paul F. Tompkins's Nightcap pilot taping
- Every evening spent being overly invested in the Olympics
- Pixar in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
- The Shit Shows at UCB
- New FOX Tuesday screenings/Q&A (an hour in front of Mindy Kaling, Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson and other great FOX comedy actors = awesome)
- The 12th(?) Annual Thanksgiving with the Kids
- The stand-up marathon that was the Comedy Bang! Bang! Nativity Pageant
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
We did manage to make another season of TV that some people actually really like. We tend to forget that amongst the stress and ridiculousness. Also, I made this card for my BFF. It was simultaneously the best and most emotionally draining thing I've ever made.
9. What was your biggest failure?
There are a few things I'm not proud of, but let's just focus on the positives here.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, nothing more than the usual colds.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
When the screen of my Android randomly stopped working, I gave in and bought an iPhone 4S--not the 5 because I like saving money. Also, among many other presents, I bought my goddaughter a talking bacon toy, and it was worth it to hear her adorably repeat, "I'm bacon."
14. Where did most of your money go?
Boringly, moving expenses (furniture and random home-y stuff is expensive, yo)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving out, new Parks and Rec eps, Christmas (I love the holidays, you guys), Pitch Perfect, The Hunger Games, all LACMA Live Reads, the now-rare Shit Shows at UCB, Les Mis (it was okay!), Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2012 (British comedians! Quiz shows! Pop culture! It's the highlight of my holiday TV season every ear)
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Any answer that isn't "Call Me Maybe" is a lie. Honorable Mention: fun.'s "We Are Young," Gotye's "Somebody I Used To Know," and the Pitch Perfect soundtrack
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier
Older or wiser? Little of both
Thinner or fatter? Fatter
Richer or poorer? Poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Going out/relaxing/spending time with friends
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing out, procrastinating, whining. (The pay's not great, and the stress is more than it's worth, but we're making television for goodness sake. There are more soul-crushing ways to spend our lives.)
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
As tradition, Christmas Eve was spent with my dad's side of the family. We wore pajamas, ate too much food (this year's theme: Mexican food), laughed too loudly, and lost our voices as we yelled at each other during a particularly long game of White Elephant. I look forward to this party all year. On Christmas Day, my mom's side came over. We ate more food and took too many pictures of my 2-year-old goddaughter opening presents. (She's the cutest damn thing in the world.)
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Only of the fictional character and good TV-storytelling variety
23. How many one-night stands?
Exactly zero
24. What was your favorite TV program(s)?
In 15 words or less each:
* Parks and Recreation: Because of course, and good gravy, Leslie and Ben are just the best everything
* Downton Abbey: Still makes me feel so many feelings despite that damn Christmas Special
* Community: #sixseasonsandamovie
* New Girl: We should all hope to live in a world where Nick Miller and Schmidt exist.
* The Mindy Project: It's not quite there yet, but it has potential. In Mindy Kaling I trust.
* Top Chef/The Next Iron Chef[: Redemption]: I'm more emotionally invested in these shows than I am in most dramas.
* Married to Jonas: (WAIT, HEAR ME OUT) This was weekly roomie viewing. I love how it brought us together.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not particularly.
26. What was the best book you read?
Seeing as how I sadly only finished one book this year, my only answer is Mike Birbiglia's Sleepwalk With Me. Thankfully, it was also a funny and poignant memoir, so it's still a solid rec. Currently, I'm in the middle of Stephen King's 11/22/63. It's quite the behemoth, but so far it's pretty compelling, especially for people who enjoy time travel stories, which this novel mostly is.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
My favorite free streaming music service Songza, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, every other fun. song that isn't "We Are Young," "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran, the Pitch Perfect soundtrack, Red by Taylor Swift (who I now freely admit to loving), "How" by Regina Spektor on repeat forever
28. What did you want and get?
My own place, an iPhone, a little time off during the holidays
29. What did you want and not get?
A vacation to somewhere that wasn't my parents' house or my apartment
30. What was your favorite film(s) of this year?
Public Answer: Cabin in the Woods, Safety Not Guaranteed, The Dark Knight Rises
Actual Answer: Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect, The Hunger Games
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
25; my friends took me out to a low-key dinner, and we watched the Golden Globes. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't exactly what I asked for.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time not thinking about work.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Jeans, cardigan and/or blouse, flats or boots with the occasional ModCloth dress
34. What kept you sane?
My friends (especially my roommates), my co-workers (when they weren't driving me crazy), my sister (when she wasn't driving me crazy), Vulture
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Adam Scott for the 2nd year running because of Ben Wyatt and everything Adam Scott chooses to do outside of Parks and Rec, namely the CBB episode Farts and Procreation 2, which will never stop being funny to me. Close second: Skylar Astin because Pitch Perfect has ruined my sanity. I was also belatedly reminded that he played Mark in the NPH-directed production of Rent we went to a couple of years ago. Back then, though, we only had eyes for Aaron Tveit/Roger. How blind our past selves were. Close third: Jon Hamm because he's Jon Effing Hamm.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
That election was a pretty big deal, and though I can't pretend to have participated more than encouraging everyone I know to vote, it made me feel like part of the process nonetheless. There's just something about voting and the idea of having your voice be heard--as ultimately small as it is when you live in a traditionally blute state--that makes me feel so American in that warm and fuzzy way. Also, a couple of those debates were amazing to watch.
37. Who do you miss?
(Vague answer alert) There are a few friends with whom I've lost touch with over the past year that I hope to reconnect with this year
38. Who was the best new person you met?
There are some lovely ladies I've gotten to know at leslie_ben who I think are the bee's knees. They've made fandom fun again, which is not something I thought I'd do again after Alias. Shout out specifically to beetsbearsbsg, who is as amusing as she is frightening (I mean that as fondly as possible).
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
Even when the job seems thankless and not worth the effort, there will always be one person whose life you positively affected, and that will make all of the trouble worth it. (Second lesson: Sometimes you just have to watch movies that rerun on cable with commercials despite owning the DVD, and it will be the most therapeutic thing you do all week.)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Hey, I just met you/And this is crazy/But here's my number/So call me maybe (No, it isn't the most poignant answer, but it gave me so much joy and reminded me that lighthearted silliness is good for the soul.)
So 2012 was somehow simultaneously crazy and boring. Did a little growing up, and I know I have a lot more growing up to do. Got a second season of TV under my belt but in some ways feel like I'm as inexperienced in this business than I ever was. Feel like I accomplished a lot and nothing at all. Had a lot of fun but not enough (though that's just being greedy now). I think it'll end up being one of those years that was fantastic in retrospect but one of those you wouldn't care to re-live. But enough of this introspection. Onwards and upwards.
To kick off 2013, it's back to work I go. I'm currently the only person in my office, which my boss was apparently unaware of if the enraged call I received was any indication. I mean, yay, I came off as the industrious worker bee, but yikes, I had to come in defense of my out of town co-workers who were victims of miscommunication. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the peace of an empty office and blast "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" one last time.
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Moved out of my parents' house for non-college reasons; baby-sat the baby girl, though it was more "watching her watch TV for a few hours" than actual baby-sitting
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't really make resolutions, only vague plans to do more or less of something. So...sort of?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not unless the people I know are really good at keeping secrets.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just the good ol' US of A this year
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
More adventures, more concerts, more visits to UCB Theatre, more naps
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
* January 9-ish: 3-day work road trip to CES in Vegas with my boss and two co-workers. Exhausting, ultimately unproductive, and really fun. Nothing brings a group together like singing "Livin' On A Prayer" and Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" at the top of your collective lungs.
* February 13-14: Those days when we semi-stalked the Parks and Rec cast when they were filming at UCLA
* June 23: The date we moved into our apartment and the birthday of our friend, whose bonfire we went to after hauling all our crap into our new place. It was a fun but emotionally exhausting day.
* June 21-27: My and beetsbearsbsg's week of Government Shutdown Week hosting. So much fun and randomness.
* November 2: The season premiere of our show. I had to write it dozens of times all over the internet, so it'll be stuck in my head for a while.
* Awesome events whose dates I don't actually have memorized:
- PaleyFest panels for Community (awesome), New Girl (super awkward), and Parks and Rec (amazing even though half the cast was missing)
- Book of Mormon and Rock of Ages at the Pantages
- LACMA Live Reads
- Children Mending Hearts volunteering wherein we helped a great cause, and in a fun bit of surrealism, Ben Affleck took a photo of us making bead bracelets with his daughter
- Paul F. Tompkins's Nightcap pilot taping
- Every evening spent being overly invested in the Olympics
- Pixar in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
- The Shit Shows at UCB
- New FOX Tuesday screenings/Q&A (an hour in front of Mindy Kaling, Max Greenfield, Jake Johnson and other great FOX comedy actors = awesome)
- The 12th(?) Annual Thanksgiving with the Kids
- The stand-up marathon that was the Comedy Bang! Bang! Nativity Pageant
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
We did manage to make another season of TV that some people actually really like. We tend to forget that amongst the stress and ridiculousness. Also, I made this card for my BFF. It was simultaneously the best and most emotionally draining thing I've ever made.
9. What was your biggest failure?
There are a few things I'm not proud of, but let's just focus on the positives here.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Thankfully, nothing more than the usual colds.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
When the screen of my Android randomly stopped working, I gave in and bought an iPhone 4S--not the 5 because I like saving money. Also, among many other presents, I bought my goddaughter a talking bacon toy, and it was worth it to hear her adorably repeat, "I'm bacon."
14. Where did most of your money go?
Boringly, moving expenses (furniture and random home-y stuff is expensive, yo)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving out, new Parks and Rec eps, Christmas (I love the holidays, you guys), Pitch Perfect, The Hunger Games, all LACMA Live Reads, the now-rare Shit Shows at UCB, Les Mis (it was okay!), Big Fat Quiz of the Year 2012 (British comedians! Quiz shows! Pop culture! It's the highlight of my holiday TV season every ear)
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Any answer that isn't "Call Me Maybe" is a lie. Honorable Mention: fun.'s "We Are Young," Gotye's "Somebody I Used To Know," and the Pitch Perfect soundtrack
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier
Older or wiser? Little of both
Thinner or fatter? Fatter
Richer or poorer? Poorer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Going out/relaxing/spending time with friends
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing out, procrastinating, whining. (The pay's not great, and the stress is more than it's worth, but we're making television for goodness sake. There are more soul-crushing ways to spend our lives.)
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
As tradition, Christmas Eve was spent with my dad's side of the family. We wore pajamas, ate too much food (this year's theme: Mexican food), laughed too loudly, and lost our voices as we yelled at each other during a particularly long game of White Elephant. I look forward to this party all year. On Christmas Day, my mom's side came over. We ate more food and took too many pictures of my 2-year-old goddaughter opening presents. (She's the cutest damn thing in the world.)
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Only of the fictional character and good TV-storytelling variety
23. How many one-night stands?
Exactly zero
24. What was your favorite TV program(s)?
In 15 words or less each:
* Parks and Recreation: Because of course, and good gravy, Leslie and Ben are just the best everything
* Downton Abbey: Still makes me feel so many feelings despite that damn Christmas Special
* Community: #sixseasonsandamovie
* New Girl: We should all hope to live in a world where Nick Miller and Schmidt exist.
* The Mindy Project: It's not quite there yet, but it has potential. In Mindy Kaling I trust.
* Top Chef/The Next Iron Chef[: Redemption]: I'm more emotionally invested in these shows than I am in most dramas.
* Married to Jonas: (WAIT, HEAR ME OUT) This was weekly roomie viewing. I love how it brought us together.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not particularly.
26. What was the best book you read?
Seeing as how I sadly only finished one book this year, my only answer is Mike Birbiglia's Sleepwalk With Me. Thankfully, it was also a funny and poignant memoir, so it's still a solid rec. Currently, I'm in the middle of Stephen King's 11/22/63. It's quite the behemoth, but so far it's pretty compelling, especially for people who enjoy time travel stories, which this novel mostly is.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
My favorite free streaming music service Songza, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, every other fun. song that isn't "We Are Young," "The A Team" by Ed Sheeran, the Pitch Perfect soundtrack, Red by Taylor Swift (who I now freely admit to loving), "How" by Regina Spektor on repeat forever
28. What did you want and get?
My own place, an iPhone, a little time off during the holidays
29. What did you want and not get?
A vacation to somewhere that wasn't my parents' house or my apartment
30. What was your favorite film(s) of this year?
Public Answer: Cabin in the Woods, Safety Not Guaranteed, The Dark Knight Rises
Actual Answer: Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect, The Hunger Games
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
25; my friends took me out to a low-key dinner, and we watched the Golden Globes. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't exactly what I asked for.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time not thinking about work.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Jeans, cardigan and/or blouse, flats or boots with the occasional ModCloth dress
34. What kept you sane?
My friends (especially my roommates), my co-workers (when they weren't driving me crazy), my sister (when she wasn't driving me crazy), Vulture
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Adam Scott for the 2nd year running because of Ben Wyatt and everything Adam Scott chooses to do outside of Parks and Rec, namely the CBB episode Farts and Procreation 2, which will never stop being funny to me. Close second: Skylar Astin because Pitch Perfect has ruined my sanity. I was also belatedly reminded that he played Mark in the NPH-directed production of Rent we went to a couple of years ago. Back then, though, we only had eyes for Aaron Tveit/Roger. How blind our past selves were. Close third: Jon Hamm because he's Jon Effing Hamm.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
That election was a pretty big deal, and though I can't pretend to have participated more than encouraging everyone I know to vote, it made me feel like part of the process nonetheless. There's just something about voting and the idea of having your voice be heard--as ultimately small as it is when you live in a traditionally blute state--that makes me feel so American in that warm and fuzzy way. Also, a couple of those debates were amazing to watch.
37. Who do you miss?
(Vague answer alert) There are a few friends with whom I've lost touch with over the past year that I hope to reconnect with this year
38. Who was the best new person you met?
There are some lovely ladies I've gotten to know at leslie_ben who I think are the bee's knees. They've made fandom fun again, which is not something I thought I'd do again after Alias. Shout out specifically to beetsbearsbsg, who is as amusing as she is frightening (I mean that as fondly as possible).
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
Even when the job seems thankless and not worth the effort, there will always be one person whose life you positively affected, and that will make all of the trouble worth it. (Second lesson: Sometimes you just have to watch movies that rerun on cable with commercials despite owning the DVD, and it will be the most therapeutic thing you do all week.)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Hey, I just met you/And this is crazy/But here's my number/So call me maybe (No, it isn't the most poignant answer, but it gave me so much joy and reminded me that lighthearted silliness is good for the soul.)
So 2012 was somehow simultaneously crazy and boring. Did a little growing up, and I know I have a lot more growing up to do. Got a second season of TV under my belt but in some ways feel like I'm as inexperienced in this business than I ever was. Feel like I accomplished a lot and nothing at all. Had a lot of fun but not enough (though that's just being greedy now). I think it'll end up being one of those years that was fantastic in retrospect but one of those you wouldn't care to re-live. But enough of this introspection. Onwards and upwards.
To kick off 2013, it's back to work I go. I'm currently the only person in my office, which my boss was apparently unaware of if the enraged call I received was any indication. I mean, yay, I came off as the industrious worker bee, but yikes, I had to come in defense of my out of town co-workers who were victims of miscommunication. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the peace of an empty office and blast "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" one last time.