survey survival
And now to add a third one of these to the front page of my dying little LiveJournal -- Annual Survey 2014.
1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?
Moved out, worked in tech support, quit smoking and joined the Vape Life. Double-features at the drive-in. Started a single-topic Tumblr. I'm sure there are a lot of new things I've handled, but for the first time in ages I've been despondent and apathetic for an extended period of time. I feel like a very different person in a lot of ways.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't even remember what my resolution was for 2014. I feel like I didn't make one at the turn of the calendar page, but eventually I resolved to just get my shit together. It's been a long time coming.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES!!!!!!! MY SISTER GAVE BIRTH TO THE COOLEST BABY ON EARTH!! On June 4, 2014, my nephew Elijah Kekoa was born and the love was instant. Anyone who has known me for any amount of time knows I just don't fuck around with children, but I absolutely adore this little dude. He is the harbinger of the end! I am now officially the only one of my parents' collective children who does not have a child, and life as The Eccentric Childless Aunt has officially begun. :confetti:
4. Did anyone close to you die?
:knock on wood: No... and I am getting to the age where this is starting to happen more often. I'm kinda scared about this question for 2015.
5. What countries did you visit?
Nope. I hardly even left the city this year, and for the last half of the year I hardly ever left bed in my free time.
6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
Contentment. Just contentment. I started 2014 with a bold, joyous spirit, soaring optimism, and it turned to shit in the summer. High high, very low low. I seek harmony now, balance, contentment. (Should go without saying, this also means I would like to have a steadier and more comfortable income.)
7. What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
06/04/14 -- DA BEBEH! was born!
07/04/14 -- the day I made my very first apple pie from scratch, cuz Amurrika
08/11/14 -- my ten-year anniversary with ♥Cam, a bittersweet day of reflection on the twists and turns we've gone through together
8. What was your biggest achievement this year?
Not giving up.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Almost giving up.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I watched my eczema turn into psoriasis, which I refer to as "my Kim Kardashians" -- large, gnarly patches all over my hands and forearms. I was also flu-riddled and depressed as shit on my 29th birthday.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
All the Lush stuff -- it actually kept my skin in check as it developed into psoriasis, and when I went too broke to re-up my stash, my skin kept getting worse and worse. Lush does have its weird cultural-appropriation approach to all-natural skincare, which I agree is problematic, but their products are still very, very good.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My roommates, who saved my life. My sister, who is proving to be an excellent mother -- loving, protective, attentive, kind, fun. My father, for letting me go with grace and dignity.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Ugh. They should know who they are. If not yet, I'll get around to cursing them once I get my altar together.
14. Where did most of your money go?
MOST? Nononono henny -- ALL my money went to The Man this year. Even the nice shit I bought, eventually all of it felt like I just paid bills and insurance and gas money out my ass for all of 2014.
15. What events did you get really, really, really excited about?
ANTICS; Bianca Del Rio winning RuPaul's Drag Race; all the dates I had with my ♥Cam; AHS: Freakshow; finally getting a job after too long a period of unemployment.
16. What song will always remind you of 2014?
Beyoncé, "Blow" -- she finally got me. She finally got into my soul. Praise Bey. Also "Bloodflood" by Alt-J, which fueled many a long drive alone, on repeat, bass up, dark streets.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
- Happier or Sadder?
Sadder, unfortunately, but at least I know I am on an upswing.
- Thinner or Fatter?
I can't tell because I did starve for a little while there, but I'd guess fatter because I just spent two months at a desk job where the break room vending machine only charges 30 cents.
- Richer or Poorer?
RICHER!!! HAHAHAAHAHAHAHA YES I am not in overdraft hell right now. I might get there again, who knows, but at this very moment I am able to handle my bills and rent without breaking a sweat. All it took was working 50+ hours a week for two months and never leaving my apartment.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Being social with my current friends, making new friends, saving money while I was employed so I wouldn't die while I was unemployed.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Smoking cigarettes, driving aimlessly, beating myself up.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it already. It was not great. I did not receive any gifts. I actually asked people not to get me gifts, not only because I could not return in kind, but because in 2014 I feel like I was given more I could have even asked for at a time when I most needed it.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My boss at the cheese shop, probably.
22. Did you fall in love in 2014?
I always do, and it's always Cameron.
23. How many one-night stands?
ZERO.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
My usual telenovelas -- Game of Thrones, American Horror Story, Walking Dead. Bob's Burgers! Last Week Tonight was also good. Also glad to see Black Dynamite return for a second season. Hoping they'll come back with a third soon! ... I watch a lot of TV. Fuck you.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I hate at least one more person every year, and 2014 is no different.
26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read any books this year. I was too busy writing, looking for jobs, watching TV, and whiling away my life on Tumblr. I don't feel dumber, but I really do miss books.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery?
Beyoncé's fifth album -- not so much that I discovered her, but that she discovered a part of herself that speaks to both of us. I also really enjoyed Alt-J's album, got really into SMD's Temporary Pleasure (five years late!). Rx Bandits released Gemini Her Majesty which was great although kind of a comedown from the previous album.
28. What did you want and get?
A firm, life-changing kick in the ass. I didn't know I wanted it until it happened.
29. What did you want and not get?
The job that would change my life forever. I might have it now -- IDK yet, I start on Monday -- but I didn't have it then.
30. What were your favorite films of this year?
I did see many more movies in 2014 than I did in 2013, but not that many overall. And definitely not that many good ones. The best movie I saw in theaters in 2014 was Guardians of the Galaxy, hands-down.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29. I was depressed and sick, and ♥Cam was sick, too. I went to Seafood City and bought us some very garlicky arroz caldo for our sickness, and a slab of Sans Rival cake for my birthday treat, which I mostly had to myself.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I would have rather skipped it entirely, gone from this time in 2014 to today in the blink of an eye.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
"I don't leave the house. I just wear gym shorts and old T-shirts all day."
34. What kept you sane?
♥Cameron, sleep, handouts.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most/least?
This question actually tires me right now, because if anything 2014 was a year of personalities rising as figureheads of massive moments or falling from might. I may as well make a big chart. And I still have like six questions to go so let's not.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS YEAR WAS A FUCKING NIGHTMARE. We are in dire need of a revolution. I am relieved that the horrific conditions that exist between the oppressed and the oppressor are being examined in earnest, being forced into the public eye, but I am disgusted at the apathy that it is met with. I applaud those who actively seek to identify and unlearn the problematic shit taught to them by a toxic, racist patriarchy. Everyone who just sits in the ivory tower enjoying the privilege can go die in a fire. The fire's coming soon.
37. Who did you miss?
Everyone, and yet, no one.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I think I've had a lot of false leads on cool people this year. Maybe my favorite people I met this past year were the folks behind LICK Long Beach, particularly my co-resident DJ who is the most adorable Radiohead fanboy I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014:
"Make hay while the sun shines, and burn the midnight oil." Sensei used to tell us that back in high school, and we used to laugh at the idea that we would never rest, but she was ultimately right. You don't rest until you fucking die.
40. Do you have any lost feelings of others?
Yeah, yeah. This dumb Engrish-sounding question does ring true. Yes. I did. At least once.
41. Quote a song that sums up your year:
"Well, I'm bored of the game / and too tired to rage / feels like, feels like a coming of age." -- Foster the People
Happy belated new year to all one of you who read my LJ ♥
1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?
Moved out, worked in tech support, quit smoking and joined the Vape Life. Double-features at the drive-in. Started a single-topic Tumblr. I'm sure there are a lot of new things I've handled, but for the first time in ages I've been despondent and apathetic for an extended period of time. I feel like a very different person in a lot of ways.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't even remember what my resolution was for 2014. I feel like I didn't make one at the turn of the calendar page, but eventually I resolved to just get my shit together. It's been a long time coming.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES!!!!!!! MY SISTER GAVE BIRTH TO THE COOLEST BABY ON EARTH!! On June 4, 2014, my nephew Elijah Kekoa was born and the love was instant. Anyone who has known me for any amount of time knows I just don't fuck around with children, but I absolutely adore this little dude. He is the harbinger of the end! I am now officially the only one of my parents' collective children who does not have a child, and life as The Eccentric Childless Aunt has officially begun. :confetti:
4. Did anyone close to you die?
:knock on wood: No... and I am getting to the age where this is starting to happen more often. I'm kinda scared about this question for 2015.
5. What countries did you visit?
Nope. I hardly even left the city this year, and for the last half of the year I hardly ever left bed in my free time.
6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
Contentment. Just contentment. I started 2014 with a bold, joyous spirit, soaring optimism, and it turned to shit in the summer. High high, very low low. I seek harmony now, balance, contentment. (Should go without saying, this also means I would like to have a steadier and more comfortable income.)
7. What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
06/04/14 -- DA BEBEH! was born!
07/04/14 -- the day I made my very first apple pie from scratch, cuz Amurrika
08/11/14 -- my ten-year anniversary with ♥Cam, a bittersweet day of reflection on the twists and turns we've gone through together
8. What was your biggest achievement this year?
Not giving up.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Almost giving up.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I watched my eczema turn into psoriasis, which I refer to as "my Kim Kardashians" -- large, gnarly patches all over my hands and forearms. I was also flu-riddled and depressed as shit on my 29th birthday.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
All the Lush stuff -- it actually kept my skin in check as it developed into psoriasis, and when I went too broke to re-up my stash, my skin kept getting worse and worse. Lush does have its weird cultural-appropriation approach to all-natural skincare, which I agree is problematic, but their products are still very, very good.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My roommates, who saved my life. My sister, who is proving to be an excellent mother -- loving, protective, attentive, kind, fun. My father, for letting me go with grace and dignity.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Ugh. They should know who they are. If not yet, I'll get around to cursing them once I get my altar together.
14. Where did most of your money go?
MOST? Nononono henny -- ALL my money went to The Man this year. Even the nice shit I bought, eventually all of it felt like I just paid bills and insurance and gas money out my ass for all of 2014.
15. What events did you get really, really, really excited about?
ANTICS; Bianca Del Rio winning RuPaul's Drag Race; all the dates I had with my ♥Cam; AHS: Freakshow; finally getting a job after too long a period of unemployment.
16. What song will always remind you of 2014?
Beyoncé, "Blow" -- she finally got me. She finally got into my soul. Praise Bey. Also "Bloodflood" by Alt-J, which fueled many a long drive alone, on repeat, bass up, dark streets.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
- Happier or Sadder?
Sadder, unfortunately, but at least I know I am on an upswing.
- Thinner or Fatter?
I can't tell because I did starve for a little while there, but I'd guess fatter because I just spent two months at a desk job where the break room vending machine only charges 30 cents.
- Richer or Poorer?
RICHER!!! HAHAHAAHAHAHAHA YES I am not in overdraft hell right now. I might get there again, who knows, but at this very moment I am able to handle my bills and rent without breaking a sweat. All it took was working 50+ hours a week for two months and never leaving my apartment.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Being social with my current friends, making new friends, saving money while I was employed so I wouldn't die while I was unemployed.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Smoking cigarettes, driving aimlessly, beating myself up.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it already. It was not great. I did not receive any gifts. I actually asked people not to get me gifts, not only because I could not return in kind, but because in 2014 I feel like I was given more I could have even asked for at a time when I most needed it.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My boss at the cheese shop, probably.
22. Did you fall in love in 2014?
I always do, and it's always Cameron.
23. How many one-night stands?
ZERO.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
My usual telenovelas -- Game of Thrones, American Horror Story, Walking Dead. Bob's Burgers! Last Week Tonight was also good. Also glad to see Black Dynamite return for a second season. Hoping they'll come back with a third soon! ... I watch a lot of TV. Fuck you.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I hate at least one more person every year, and 2014 is no different.
26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read any books this year. I was too busy writing, looking for jobs, watching TV, and whiling away my life on Tumblr. I don't feel dumber, but I really do miss books.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery?
Beyoncé's fifth album -- not so much that I discovered her, but that she discovered a part of herself that speaks to both of us. I also really enjoyed Alt-J's album, got really into SMD's Temporary Pleasure (five years late!). Rx Bandits released Gemini Her Majesty which was great although kind of a comedown from the previous album.
28. What did you want and get?
A firm, life-changing kick in the ass. I didn't know I wanted it until it happened.
29. What did you want and not get?
The job that would change my life forever. I might have it now -- IDK yet, I start on Monday -- but I didn't have it then.
30. What were your favorite films of this year?
I did see many more movies in 2014 than I did in 2013, but not that many overall. And definitely not that many good ones. The best movie I saw in theaters in 2014 was Guardians of the Galaxy, hands-down.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29. I was depressed and sick, and ♥Cam was sick, too. I went to Seafood City and bought us some very garlicky arroz caldo for our sickness, and a slab of Sans Rival cake for my birthday treat, which I mostly had to myself.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I would have rather skipped it entirely, gone from this time in 2014 to today in the blink of an eye.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
"I don't leave the house. I just wear gym shorts and old T-shirts all day."
34. What kept you sane?
♥Cameron, sleep, handouts.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most/least?
This question actually tires me right now, because if anything 2014 was a year of personalities rising as figureheads of massive moments or falling from might. I may as well make a big chart. And I still have like six questions to go so let's not.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS YEAR WAS A FUCKING NIGHTMARE. We are in dire need of a revolution. I am relieved that the horrific conditions that exist between the oppressed and the oppressor are being examined in earnest, being forced into the public eye, but I am disgusted at the apathy that it is met with. I applaud those who actively seek to identify and unlearn the problematic shit taught to them by a toxic, racist patriarchy. Everyone who just sits in the ivory tower enjoying the privilege can go die in a fire. The fire's coming soon.
37. Who did you miss?
Everyone, and yet, no one.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I think I've had a lot of false leads on cool people this year. Maybe my favorite people I met this past year were the folks behind LICK Long Beach, particularly my co-resident DJ who is the most adorable Radiohead fanboy I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014:
"Make hay while the sun shines, and burn the midnight oil." Sensei used to tell us that back in high school, and we used to laugh at the idea that we would never rest, but she was ultimately right. You don't rest until you fucking die.
40. Do you have any lost feelings of others?
Yeah, yeah. This dumb Engrish-sounding question does ring true. Yes. I did. At least once.
41. Quote a song that sums up your year:
"Well, I'm bored of the game / and too tired to rage / feels like, feels like a coming of age." -- Foster the People
Happy belated new year to all one of you who read my LJ ♥