2010 Wrap Up Survey
1) Was 2010 a good year for you?
Hmmm. Well, it definitely didn't suck!
2) What was your favorite moment of the year?
I'm not sure I have one, to be honest. This was kind of a run-of-the-mill year; droid18 and I worked a lot, and all of our vacations were to visit family. It was a really good year, don't get me wrong, but there's nothing that stands out in my mind as a really great moment. Vivian had so many great moments this year as she grew and changed at a mind-boggling rate that it's impossible to think of a single one.
3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Getting drunk and crying on gypsyariana's shoulder at PiratePalooza certainly wasn't my favorite. Nor was any moment of fighting with droid18.
4) Where were you when 2010 began?
I was at my house, surrounded by friends who'd been able to come over for a last-minute New Year's Eve party.
5) Who were you with?
droid18, Vivian, whyvette, gt_norm, Alana, kungfubadboy, Angela, Addison, gypsyariana, Wade, yamguitar, elliedee, Cathy, Charles, Rivka, apersonalchef, and John.
6) Where will you be when 2010 ends?
I was at my house once again.
7) Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
The last-minute party was smaller this year, just me, droid18, Vivian, my mother-in-law, my brother-in-law, and kungfubadboy, Angela, and Addison.
8) Did you keep your new years resolution of 2010?
I made two, and I kept one of them, which was to make a household budget with droid18 and stick to it, erasing our debt and putting money into savings. The one I didn't keep was losing weight. I'm trying again this year, but I'll tell you what: not being on a diet (and not being pregnant) for an entire year made 2010 really very enjoyable. I ended up with A LOT of weight to lose, but man was it fun to just stop worrying about it for a while!
9) Do you have a new years resolution for 2011?
I have a new weight loss plan. I am calling it "50 Pounds in 52 Weeks." I've set up a plan for the entire year with monthly goals and rewards that I will earn if I achieve those goals. I'm really, really trying to make this a positive thing rather than a punishment. Recovering addicts say the hardest thing about recovery isn't the initial withdrawal, but the boredom that ensues when they return to normal life without the addiction. Therefore, removing the food is not enough; I must replace it with new ways to reward myself, celebrate, and have fun.
10) Did you fall in love in 2010?
No. I didn't even get any new crushes.
11) If yes, with who?
N/A
12) If yes, do they know?
N/A
13) Are you still in love with them?
N/A
14) You regret it?
N/A
15) Did you breakup with anyone in 2009?
No.
16) Did you make any new friends in 2009?
I'll never see them again (probably), but I really enjoyed meeting and working with the box office staff at Cirque du Soleil. I also made a new friend at work (the other job).
17) Who are your favorite new friends?
The work friend, since I will see her again.
18) What was your favorite month of 2010?
I liked November a lot, for some reason. I was working two jobs, but the second job was only on weekends, so I was able to have a new experience while still feeling like I was doing something good for my family. It was just a really nice change of scenery and routine, and I loved the feeling of being backstage at the circus. I felt useful and productive, and my super-full schedule made me feel less guilty than usual about slacking on housework.
19) Did you travel outside of the US in 2010?
No.
20) How many different states did you travel to in 2010?
Virginia, D.C., Maryland, Indiana.
21) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2010?
Many people I know lost people close to them, but I did not.
22) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Quote from last year's survey: "I missed Kelley and Allison like crazy and still do. They've already been through the infant thing with Owen, and I would have so much liked for us to be able to share our experiences with each other. I still consider them to be my best friends, but we're losing touch, and that sucks." Still true.
23) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2010?
Easy A (you know I love the teen comedies)
24) What was your favorite song from 2010?
"Don't Look Away" by The Helio Sequence
25) What was your favorite record from 2010?
Shall We Gather By the Fire? by Three Quarter Ale
26) How many concerts did you see in 2010?
Honestly? Not a one. (Unless Vivian's impromptu performances on drums and xylophone count.)
27) Did you have a favorite concert in 2010?
When Vivian sings while accompanying herself on the xylophone, it really is pretty awesome.
28) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2010?
No.
29) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2010?
I would say no, but I am back on caffeine, so that wouldn't be entirely accurate.
30) How many people did you sleep with in 2010?
One.
31) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
It's the things I didn't do - sympathy cards I never sent, gifts I never bought, people I never managed to see or even talk to the whole year.
32) What was the worst lie someone told you in 2010?
I'm still hoping it wasn't a lie.
33) Did you treat somebody badly in 2010?
I have certainly had days when I have taken droid18 for granted or focused on his annoying qualities rather than his excellent ones. But I wouldn't say I've treated him badly.
34) Did somebody treat you badly in 2010?
Nah.
35) How much money did you spend in 2010?
We really tightened our belts this year, and it was not easy, but we did OK. We still spend too much (in my opinion) on entertainment/technology and food.
36) What was your proudest moment of 2010?
Vivian makes me proud every single day, not that I can really take credit for her awesomeness. droid18 and I marvel all the time at how lucky we are.
37) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2010?
I may have mentioned getting drunk and bawling in public at PiratePalooza. That was definitely the most embarrassed I got in 2010, and I couldn't leave because it was my PA system!
38) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2010 and change something, what would it be?
I honestly don't know. I liked 2010, all in all.
39) What are your plans for 2011?
Aside from visits to and from family, I have no set plans. (Is that true??? Man, I really have settled down.)
40. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
I worked for Cirque du Soleil, I threw a birthday party for a one-year-old, and I accepted a challenge to write a song a month.
41. Did anyone close to you give birth?
apersonalchef and Allison both had baby girls.
42. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
New boots, new clothes, Wii Fit, and a romantic getaway with my husband - all of which I will have by the end of the year if I achieve my weight loss goals!
43. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I never remember dates.
44. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting rid of our debt and accumulating a modest but respectable amount of savings.
45. What was your biggest failure?
I did not risk much in 2010, so I did not fail much, either.
46. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.
47. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't buy very many things in 2010 (that was kind of the point of the budgeting exercise).
48. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I'm proud of all of my friends who, like me, are feeling their way through adulthood and into middle age with aplomb.
49. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, it wasn't THAT bad.
50. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage, food
51. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Stoney's
52. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Don't Look Away" by The Helio Sequence or "Tremble for My Beloved" by Collective Soul
53. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? perhaps slightly less happy, but not by much
b) thinner or fatter? fatter
c) richer or poorer? richer
54. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Scheduling dates with my husband
55. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Reading stupid magazines or web sites instead of books
56. What was your favourite TV program?
30 Rock, The Dollhouse, Project Runway
57. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
58. What was the best book you read?
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. (I only read two books in 2010, and the other one wasn't very good.)
59. What did you want and get?
Money in savings and droid18's equal enthusiasm for the budgeting project.
60. What did you want and not get?
Days off, time to myself.
61. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37 this year, and my birthday kept getting cancelled. I had planned this fun Rock Star party, but then I got sick (I think; I honestly don't remember why I had to cancel it), so then it was supposed to be my birthday another night, but that got cancelled as well. I think droid18 and I did go out to dinner at some point.
62. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I seriously cannot complain. Vivian is getting cuter, more communicative, and easier to take care of, and everything in my personal and professional life seems to be pretty much in order, as is evidenced by the fact that I'm back to worrying about my weight again.
63. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Wide. Very wide.
64. What kept you sane?
Morning phone calls with my sister
65. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
James McAvoy
66. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare
67. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
"Enjoy every minute because it goes by so fast."
Hmmm. Well, it definitely didn't suck!
2) What was your favorite moment of the year?
I'm not sure I have one, to be honest. This was kind of a run-of-the-mill year; droid18 and I worked a lot, and all of our vacations were to visit family. It was a really good year, don't get me wrong, but there's nothing that stands out in my mind as a really great moment. Vivian had so many great moments this year as she grew and changed at a mind-boggling rate that it's impossible to think of a single one.
3) What was your least favorite moment of the year?
Getting drunk and crying on gypsyariana's shoulder at PiratePalooza certainly wasn't my favorite. Nor was any moment of fighting with droid18.
4) Where were you when 2010 began?
I was at my house, surrounded by friends who'd been able to come over for a last-minute New Year's Eve party.
5) Who were you with?
droid18, Vivian, whyvette, gt_norm, Alana, kungfubadboy, Angela, Addison, gypsyariana, Wade, yamguitar, elliedee, Cathy, Charles, Rivka, apersonalchef, and John.
6) Where will you be when 2010 ends?
I was at my house once again.
7) Who will you be with when 2010 ends?
The last-minute party was smaller this year, just me, droid18, Vivian, my mother-in-law, my brother-in-law, and kungfubadboy, Angela, and Addison.
8) Did you keep your new years resolution of 2010?
I made two, and I kept one of them, which was to make a household budget with droid18 and stick to it, erasing our debt and putting money into savings. The one I didn't keep was losing weight. I'm trying again this year, but I'll tell you what: not being on a diet (and not being pregnant) for an entire year made 2010 really very enjoyable. I ended up with A LOT of weight to lose, but man was it fun to just stop worrying about it for a while!
9) Do you have a new years resolution for 2011?
I have a new weight loss plan. I am calling it "50 Pounds in 52 Weeks." I've set up a plan for the entire year with monthly goals and rewards that I will earn if I achieve those goals. I'm really, really trying to make this a positive thing rather than a punishment. Recovering addicts say the hardest thing about recovery isn't the initial withdrawal, but the boredom that ensues when they return to normal life without the addiction. Therefore, removing the food is not enough; I must replace it with new ways to reward myself, celebrate, and have fun.
10) Did you fall in love in 2010?
No. I didn't even get any new crushes.
11) If yes, with who?
N/A
12) If yes, do they know?
N/A
13) Are you still in love with them?
N/A
14) You regret it?
N/A
15) Did you breakup with anyone in 2009?
No.
16) Did you make any new friends in 2009?
I'll never see them again (probably), but I really enjoyed meeting and working with the box office staff at Cirque du Soleil. I also made a new friend at work (the other job).
17) Who are your favorite new friends?
The work friend, since I will see her again.
18) What was your favorite month of 2010?
I liked November a lot, for some reason. I was working two jobs, but the second job was only on weekends, so I was able to have a new experience while still feeling like I was doing something good for my family. It was just a really nice change of scenery and routine, and I loved the feeling of being backstage at the circus. I felt useful and productive, and my super-full schedule made me feel less guilty than usual about slacking on housework.
19) Did you travel outside of the US in 2010?
No.
20) How many different states did you travel to in 2010?
Virginia, D.C., Maryland, Indiana.
21) Did you lose anybody close to you in 2010?
Many people I know lost people close to them, but I did not.
22) Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Quote from last year's survey: "I missed Kelley and Allison like crazy and still do. They've already been through the infant thing with Owen, and I would have so much liked for us to be able to share our experiences with each other. I still consider them to be my best friends, but we're losing touch, and that sucks." Still true.
23) What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2010?
Easy A (you know I love the teen comedies)
24) What was your favorite song from 2010?
"Don't Look Away" by The Helio Sequence
25) What was your favorite record from 2010?
Shall We Gather By the Fire? by Three Quarter Ale
26) How many concerts did you see in 2010?
Honestly? Not a one. (Unless Vivian's impromptu performances on drums and xylophone count.)
27) Did you have a favorite concert in 2010?
When Vivian sings while accompanying herself on the xylophone, it really is pretty awesome.
28) Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2010?
No.
29) Did you do a lot of drugs in 2010?
I would say no, but I am back on caffeine, so that wouldn't be entirely accurate.
30) How many people did you sleep with in 2010?
One.
31) Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
It's the things I didn't do - sympathy cards I never sent, gifts I never bought, people I never managed to see or even talk to the whole year.
32) What was the worst lie someone told you in 2010?
I'm still hoping it wasn't a lie.
33) Did you treat somebody badly in 2010?
I have certainly had days when I have taken droid18 for granted or focused on his annoying qualities rather than his excellent ones. But I wouldn't say I've treated him badly.
34) Did somebody treat you badly in 2010?
Nah.
35) How much money did you spend in 2010?
We really tightened our belts this year, and it was not easy, but we did OK. We still spend too much (in my opinion) on entertainment/technology and food.
36) What was your proudest moment of 2010?
Vivian makes me proud every single day, not that I can really take credit for her awesomeness. droid18 and I marvel all the time at how lucky we are.
37) What was your most embarrassing moment of 2010?
I may have mentioned getting drunk and bawling in public at PiratePalooza. That was definitely the most embarrassed I got in 2010, and I couldn't leave because it was my PA system!
38) If you could go back in time to any moment of 2010 and change something, what would it be?
I honestly don't know. I liked 2010, all in all.
39) What are your plans for 2011?
Aside from visits to and from family, I have no set plans. (Is that true??? Man, I really have settled down.)
40. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
I worked for Cirque du Soleil, I threw a birthday party for a one-year-old, and I accepted a challenge to write a song a month.
41. Did anyone close to you give birth?
apersonalchef and Allison both had baby girls.
42. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
New boots, new clothes, Wii Fit, and a romantic getaway with my husband - all of which I will have by the end of the year if I achieve my weight loss goals!
43. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I never remember dates.
44. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting rid of our debt and accumulating a modest but respectable amount of savings.
45. What was your biggest failure?
I did not risk much in 2010, so I did not fail much, either.
46. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.
47. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't buy very many things in 2010 (that was kind of the point of the budgeting exercise).
48. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I'm proud of all of my friends who, like me, are feeling their way through adulthood and into middle age with aplomb.
49. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, it wasn't THAT bad.
50. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage, food
51. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Stoney's
52. What song will always remind you of 2010?
"Don't Look Away" by The Helio Sequence or "Tremble for My Beloved" by Collective Soul
53. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? perhaps slightly less happy, but not by much
b) thinner or fatter? fatter
c) richer or poorer? richer
54. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Scheduling dates with my husband
55. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Reading stupid magazines or web sites instead of books
56. What was your favourite TV program?
30 Rock, The Dollhouse, Project Runway
57. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
58. What was the best book you read?
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. (I only read two books in 2010, and the other one wasn't very good.)
59. What did you want and get?
Money in savings and droid18's equal enthusiasm for the budgeting project.
60. What did you want and not get?
Days off, time to myself.
61. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37 this year, and my birthday kept getting cancelled. I had planned this fun Rock Star party, but then I got sick (I think; I honestly don't remember why I had to cancel it), so then it was supposed to be my birthday another night, but that got cancelled as well. I think droid18 and I did go out to dinner at some point.
62. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I seriously cannot complain. Vivian is getting cuter, more communicative, and easier to take care of, and everything in my personal and professional life seems to be pretty much in order, as is evidenced by the fact that I'm back to worrying about my weight again.
63. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Wide. Very wide.
64. What kept you sane?
Morning phone calls with my sister
65. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
James McAvoy
66. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare
67. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
"Enjoy every minute because it goes by so fast."