In which I say a lot of "Oh well."
I could start the new year with a meaningful post.
However, I figured I'd rather just fill out surveys I stole from mostlycrazy because it's 1:30 and I can't sleep. Unfortunately, they both ask questions assuming it is still 2008, but I'll just answer for now. Close enough, ne?
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Willfully cut myself off from people. Join a proper gaming group. Have regular coffee dates with a friend.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any last year, or if I did, they clearly had little or no impact. As for this year, I didn't take the time to think of one, though the idea of tying up loose ends is fairly appealing at the moment.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin Janet did, but we're not hugely close.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just Canada this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A functional, romantic relationship, better drive in school, more music.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 25th, because someon told me to grow up after hurting me, and I realized that I didn't need that anymore.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a job I enjoy and want to keep.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Allowing my life to be put on hold for someone other than myself.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I suppose not, no.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oh goodness. My leather boots, I suppose.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Juliet's.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My own, Michael's, the girls he dated / is dating, my sister and her boyfriend. It was a ridiculous situation.
14. Where did most of your money go?
So many books. Including textbooks, good job self.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Discovering Radiohead music after I saw them live.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Hold Steady - First Night
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, no doubt about it.
ii. thinner or fatter? Much the same, I think.
iii. richer or poorer? Again, much the same. I've managed to spend all the money I make at work.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Let myself be happy.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Refusing to let go of anything.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with both sides of the family, which was nice. Christmas Eve in Airdrie, playing Settlers and other board games, Christmas in St. Albert playing Things and Rook. It was nice.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
More of the out than in, really.
23. How many one-night stands?
Haha. I don't know if those counted. I suppose the one in July was the closest we got to a one-night stand, since there were no realistic expectations when it ended. So one, I guess.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who or possibly Pushing Daisies, though True Blood wasn't bad, either.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes.
26. What was the best book you read?
Ha, I have no idea. I've read a ridiculous number of books in the past year. Working at a bookstore does that.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Radiohead.
28. What did you want and get?
A chance to date someone new. (Turns out I need to find someone else. But that's okay, too.)
29. What did you want and not get?
Michael.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Mamma Mia? I guess?
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had people over to play in the park and then hang out and watch movies and play board games. (Actually, that was a month later. On the day of my birthday, someone else had a party for me where I alienated the host and misled a boy into thinking we were going to be in a relationship just in time for him to go to another country for a month or two. That was a bad night.)
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A different outcome with my ex and my sister and that whole fiasco.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Girl-next-door t-shirt and jeans with the occasional actually-fashionable day every few weeks.
34. What kept you sane?
Being with friends, having people who could tell me that while I was stupid, it wasn't all my fault.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lee Pace, I guess.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The idea of people not understanding that a coalition government is completely the point of a mutli-party democracy.
37. Who did you miss?
Everyone, at some point.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Brett. Dimitri.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Sometimes, when you're having a hard time coping with your relationship with someone, it's better to stay apart and get perspective than to try to get back what you used to have with them.
2008 is quickly coming to an end.
So tell us exactly what happened in this unforgettable year.
How old did you turn?
19
What school did you go to?
U of A.
Tell us about something good that happened:
I got a social life that I'm mostly comfortable with now.
Tell us about something that you shouldn’t have done but enjoyed doing:
When I was with him, I did enjoy screwing around with Michael.
Did you change much?
Yes. For better or worse has yet to be decided.
Are you happy with who you have become?
I'm happy with parts of myself. I still need to work on some things, but for now, I'll do.
Did you fall in love?
Not in, no.
Did you kiss anyone?
Just the one. More times than should ever have been allowed by either of us.
Did you go on any holidays?
Choir tour was such a good experience. The annual trip to Vancouver was also fantastic, both from the concert and just getting to see a bunch of people I'd not seen in a while.
Did you go to any camps?
We were going to, but somehow that never happened. Next year, we'll manage it somehow.
Did you see any movies at the theatres?
Twilight on opening night with AliDawn, and again with David and Janice. Dark Knight with Juliet, Mark and Peter. Benjamin Button (a couple days ago) with Brendan. Prince Caspian with Carla and Jackie S (before the alienation). Wall-E with Mck, Sylv, Scott and Graham (who I hadn't seen in years, and haven't seen since). I'm sure there were others, but that'll do.
Tell us a song you were hooked on:
Radiohead - House of Cards
The National - About Today
Jimmy Eat World - Cautioners
The Hold Steady - First Night
Did you go to the beach?
Nope. I went to the coast but avoided the beach. Maybe this year.
Did you get really dressed up for anything?
Choir formal dance... that's about it, I think.
Tell us a funny thing that happened?
I almost fell for a boy with a girlfriend. It's vaguely amusing in retrospect. (There were funnier things, I just suck at remembering them.)
Tell us the saddest thing that happened?
My ex dating two of my friends and being closer to my sister than I am. But oh well.
What do you want for Christmas?
I didn't want anything specific. I'm happy with what I got.
What are your plans for New Year?
I went to a five-course dinner party and played board games and hung out with friends from high school. It was nice.
Will you be getting a midnight kiss?
I didn't, but that's okay.
What are you most looking forward to next year?
Right now, choir tour. After that, we'll see.
Are you happy with what happened this year?
Largely, no. But there are some things I'm glad to have experienced.
Was 2008 your best year?
Not in the least. But oh well.
And the first sentence from each month one I've done every other year...
January:
"Winamp is out to get me." (This is still occasionally true.)
February:
"Christian Hansen is opening for Hot Panda's Band of the Month show." (I'm still sad I never got a copy of that CD...)
March:
"My mom's in LA for the second time in two months." (I might be jealous, it's true.)
April:
"Damien Rice seems like the kind of guy who would break your heart, and still make himself out to be the victim." (Still true.)
May:
"Choir tour was... overwhelming." (I miss it terribly.)
June:
"Why did I stop saying 'tsu'?" (Because it meant something between Michael and I, so it no longer fit in my daily vocabulary. Something to be remedied, perhaps.)
July:
"The fan video for this song on youtube makes me want to draw." (Still true. It's an awesome video (Alone, Jealous and Stoned by The Secret Machines).)
August:
"So my parents are going to Quebec for a week, as of 6 am." (It wasn't a bad week, as I recall. Just lonely.)
September:
"Y'know how everyone has nervous habits?" (The one I proceeded to discuss is actually causing me pain as we speak. Silly me.)
October:
"I pain tuition today." (Clearly an exciting post.)
November:
"So it's been a few weeks." (This keeps happening. Oops.)
December:
"'It's not like I work here for the coffee.'" (Heh, oh that boy...)
And now that I'm sufficiently tired, I think I'll head for bed. I don't work until 3 tomorrow, which is nice.
However, I figured I'd rather just fill out surveys I stole from mostlycrazy because it's 1:30 and I can't sleep. Unfortunately, they both ask questions assuming it is still 2008, but I'll just answer for now. Close enough, ne?
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Willfully cut myself off from people. Join a proper gaming group. Have regular coffee dates with a friend.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any last year, or if I did, they clearly had little or no impact. As for this year, I didn't take the time to think of one, though the idea of tying up loose ends is fairly appealing at the moment.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin Janet did, but we're not hugely close.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just Canada this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A functional, romantic relationship, better drive in school, more music.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 25th, because someon told me to grow up after hurting me, and I realized that I didn't need that anymore.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a job I enjoy and want to keep.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Allowing my life to be put on hold for someone other than myself.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I suppose not, no.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oh goodness. My leather boots, I suppose.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Juliet's.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My own, Michael's, the girls he dated / is dating, my sister and her boyfriend. It was a ridiculous situation.
14. Where did most of your money go?
So many books. Including textbooks, good job self.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Discovering Radiohead music after I saw them live.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Hold Steady - First Night
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, no doubt about it.
ii. thinner or fatter? Much the same, I think.
iii. richer or poorer? Again, much the same. I've managed to spend all the money I make at work.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Let myself be happy.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Refusing to let go of anything.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with both sides of the family, which was nice. Christmas Eve in Airdrie, playing Settlers and other board games, Christmas in St. Albert playing Things and Rook. It was nice.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
More of the out than in, really.
23. How many one-night stands?
Haha. I don't know if those counted. I suppose the one in July was the closest we got to a one-night stand, since there were no realistic expectations when it ended. So one, I guess.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Doctor Who or possibly Pushing Daisies, though True Blood wasn't bad, either.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Yes.
26. What was the best book you read?
Ha, I have no idea. I've read a ridiculous number of books in the past year. Working at a bookstore does that.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Radiohead.
28. What did you want and get?
A chance to date someone new. (Turns out I need to find someone else. But that's okay, too.)
29. What did you want and not get?
Michael.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Mamma Mia? I guess?
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had people over to play in the park and then hang out and watch movies and play board games. (Actually, that was a month later. On the day of my birthday, someone else had a party for me where I alienated the host and misled a boy into thinking we were going to be in a relationship just in time for him to go to another country for a month or two. That was a bad night.)
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A different outcome with my ex and my sister and that whole fiasco.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Girl-next-door t-shirt and jeans with the occasional actually-fashionable day every few weeks.
34. What kept you sane?
Being with friends, having people who could tell me that while I was stupid, it wasn't all my fault.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lee Pace, I guess.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The idea of people not understanding that a coalition government is completely the point of a mutli-party democracy.
37. Who did you miss?
Everyone, at some point.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Brett. Dimitri.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Sometimes, when you're having a hard time coping with your relationship with someone, it's better to stay apart and get perspective than to try to get back what you used to have with them.
2008 is quickly coming to an end.
So tell us exactly what happened in this unforgettable year.
How old did you turn?
19
What school did you go to?
U of A.
Tell us about something good that happened:
I got a social life that I'm mostly comfortable with now.
Tell us about something that you shouldn’t have done but enjoyed doing:
When I was with him, I did enjoy screwing around with Michael.
Did you change much?
Yes. For better or worse has yet to be decided.
Are you happy with who you have become?
I'm happy with parts of myself. I still need to work on some things, but for now, I'll do.
Did you fall in love?
Not in, no.
Did you kiss anyone?
Just the one. More times than should ever have been allowed by either of us.
Did you go on any holidays?
Choir tour was such a good experience. The annual trip to Vancouver was also fantastic, both from the concert and just getting to see a bunch of people I'd not seen in a while.
Did you go to any camps?
We were going to, but somehow that never happened. Next year, we'll manage it somehow.
Did you see any movies at the theatres?
Twilight on opening night with AliDawn, and again with David and Janice. Dark Knight with Juliet, Mark and Peter. Benjamin Button (a couple days ago) with Brendan. Prince Caspian with Carla and Jackie S (before the alienation). Wall-E with Mck, Sylv, Scott and Graham (who I hadn't seen in years, and haven't seen since). I'm sure there were others, but that'll do.
Tell us a song you were hooked on:
Radiohead - House of Cards
The National - About Today
Jimmy Eat World - Cautioners
The Hold Steady - First Night
Did you go to the beach?
Nope. I went to the coast but avoided the beach. Maybe this year.
Did you get really dressed up for anything?
Choir formal dance... that's about it, I think.
Tell us a funny thing that happened?
I almost fell for a boy with a girlfriend. It's vaguely amusing in retrospect. (There were funnier things, I just suck at remembering them.)
Tell us the saddest thing that happened?
My ex dating two of my friends and being closer to my sister than I am. But oh well.
What do you want for Christmas?
I didn't want anything specific. I'm happy with what I got.
What are your plans for New Year?
I went to a five-course dinner party and played board games and hung out with friends from high school. It was nice.
Will you be getting a midnight kiss?
I didn't, but that's okay.
What are you most looking forward to next year?
Right now, choir tour. After that, we'll see.
Are you happy with what happened this year?
Largely, no. But there are some things I'm glad to have experienced.
Was 2008 your best year?
Not in the least. But oh well.
And the first sentence from each month one I've done every other year...
January:
"Winamp is out to get me." (This is still occasionally true.)
February:
"Christian Hansen is opening for Hot Panda's Band of the Month show." (I'm still sad I never got a copy of that CD...)
March:
"My mom's in LA for the second time in two months." (I might be jealous, it's true.)
April:
"Damien Rice seems like the kind of guy who would break your heart, and still make himself out to be the victim." (Still true.)
May:
"Choir tour was... overwhelming." (I miss it terribly.)
June:
"Why did I stop saying 'tsu'?" (Because it meant something between Michael and I, so it no longer fit in my daily vocabulary. Something to be remedied, perhaps.)
July:
"The fan video for this song on youtube makes me want to draw." (Still true. It's an awesome video (Alone, Jealous and Stoned by The Secret Machines).)
August:
"So my parents are going to Quebec for a week, as of 6 am." (It wasn't a bad week, as I recall. Just lonely.)
September:
"Y'know how everyone has nervous habits?" (The one I proceeded to discuss is actually causing me pain as we speak. Silly me.)
October:
"I pain tuition today." (Clearly an exciting post.)
November:
"So it's been a few weeks." (This keeps happening. Oops.)
December:
"'It's not like I work here for the coffee.'" (Heh, oh that boy...)
And now that I'm sufficiently tired, I think I'll head for bed. I don't work until 3 tomorrow, which is nice.