Lucky Number 13
So I was content to let this Livejournal lie fallow, as I didn't even finish the survay last year and I couldn't bring myself to return to it. However, 2016 has been a remarkable year for people to complain and I would like to take a record of all the reasons why it ended up being one of my best.
1. What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before?
2016 marked a lot of good professonal opportunities for me: I booked my first TV gig, appreaing on Arrow, along with a few commercials, the most I've booked in a single year in Vancouver. This is with a several long dry spells auditioning and self imposed breaks. You know what? I'm totally cool with that.
In theatre I booked my first two professional workshops in Vancouver, with Mutti Naghts Gehstalt and Tom Pinkerton. I also booked my first professional tour in Vancouver, which is pretty great. In the improv world I ended up taking on the co-AD role at Instant Theatre, which is one of the biggest responsibilities I've ever undertaken and while it is a lot of work, it is a company I care deeply about and I'm happy that the team has been able to make all the changes we have in such a short ammount of time and with so much catch up work to be done at the outset.
Also, I went to Shambhala, which was aces.
The biggest thing to note: Amanda. Very shortly after the post last year, I met a wonderful woman, we fell in love, we climbed, hiked, biked and strolled together, we took a road trip to the other end of the country and back and we moved in together. I'm more happy and content than I have been in my memory and I owe so much of it to the wonderful woman who, for some crazy reason, loves me back.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
From last year:
"1. Act in at least one play
2. Finally iron out your internet release schedule/put out at least 30 things.
3. Side splits and while you're at it take a few yoga classes.
4. Downsize more of your collection: Get rid of a whole box by the end of the year.
5. Start dating again.
6. Spend more time with animals! They are great!"
The year before I did terribly at this: How did this year come out?
Well, if I'm not including Heathers, which kicked off the year, I went on to act in Mutti, Tom Pinkerton, Ithaka and Sea Wall. Pretty good as far as performing in plays are concered, especially since I had the opportunity to act in more productions that I turned down for schedule reasons. I definitely didn't get my internet release schedule under order: I released a few episodes of Super Villains Union, and that's pretty much it. I have some new writing projects on the go along with a hope to return to SNES Chronicles and Super Villains Union, so maybe 2017 might work out, if I can make the time for it.
Side splits are still a no go, and while some Yoga classes have been put on the couple to-do list, nothing so far. Downsizing the collection definitely happened! The most recent move got rid of even more boxes, including the majority of my controller collection. Dating: I did, and hopefully I won't have to do again for a long while. Finally, if living in a house with Amadu the cat didn't count as spending more time with animals, moving in with Amanda and her cat Poot most certainly does. Consider that one absolutely
accomplished.
All in all: 4/6, which is a good year by my estimation! Especially since side splits is almost a gag entry these days.
NEXT YEAR:
1. Pay off your debt, ass hat.
2. Finish doing your taxes.
3. Do one trip out of Canada, if possible.
4. Book another TV role & audition for Bard and Arts Club.
5. Get your climbing up to 3 hexes.
6. Write a new play.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A bunch of my friends had kids this year: It keeps on coming! That said, other than Alistair, I don't get to see too many of these kids in person.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Autie Sue passed away, which came just before her 100th birthday. Now all of the sisters are gone. RIP.
5. What countries did you visit?
I didn't manage to leave Vancouver terribly often: A few trips with Amanda to Seattle and Bellingham, along with our trip to Toronto, and that is pretty much it. That's cool! I'm busy!
6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?
More auditions. It was pretty dry and considering the fact that I booked a lot of what I actually got sent out for, frustrating, not to be seen. I will work towards this.
7. What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Probably the moment that Amanda and I became more of a concrete thing. Especially the night that some pretty girls asked me to drink wine with them, and I said yes.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Having such a great relationship with Amanda nabs it, although I am proud of the work I've done at Instant along with Briana, Chelsey and Nikolai.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Money management? It's not the worst it's been, but it's certainly been better.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No! Amanda did spend the Christmas holidays pretty ill though.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
For lack of a better answer: The computer for Instant. It's a mark of my dedication to getting shit done. Plus, I like computers.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Amanda. The Instant Management crew.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
A lot of the world. Trump? Seriously?
14. Where did most of your money go?
MOVING. Setting up the new place.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Having an amazing girlfriend. Booking work. Things managing to work out.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Amanda's electronic music for sure. SHE DOESN'T KNOW THEIR NAMES.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Much happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, especially after such a cold (read: no bicycle!) winter
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer, but about to cash in a bunch of stuff. Fingers crossed!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Working out. I let that slip a lot and I should take better care of my body moving into my mid 30s for sure.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'm pretty good!
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Our plan was to go to Harrison Hot Springs, but Amanda was sick, so we spent it at home in a couch fort, which is a decent back up plan.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
Quiet night in with Mike and Ewa over at our place. Nice!
22. Did you fall in love in 2016?
Oh yes.
23. How many one-night stands?
None! Although at first, who knew!
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Westworld, Stranger Things.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope, other than Trump.
26. What was the best book you read?
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephanson was good, but maybe I have a bit of Stokholm from reading the whole damn thing.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None come to mind, although Marshmallow at Shambs was great.
28. What did you want and get?
A relationships, a little bit of respect.
29. What did you want and not get?
More respect.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
The Witch maybe? Ex Machina?
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I didn't do anything crazy, just spent time at home.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Money & freedom. Getting there. Also, a personal man servant would be great.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?
Trying not to embarrass myself.
34. What kept you sane?
Amanda.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Eh, Melissa Benoist?
36. What political issue stirred you the most?'
The election. Eg.
37. Who did you miss?
Hamish!
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I don't think this needs to be said.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016:
Sometimes the right things will show up. Be ready for them.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I have to belive it's getting better, getting better all the time.
13.