2007: year in review
1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
--started grad school, moved into an apt. w/ roommate, saw some sights in Utah, northern AZ, and vegas. these are the big things.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
--probably not, and probably not.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
--a couple people I know from work.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
--Lost Laura to cancer, the kindest and dearest neighbor and babysitter anyone could ask for. She helped our family in countless ways, especially during my dad's illness. She also had some skill as a medium, and gave us a few readings and contacts with my dad after he'd passed away. now, ironically, they're both over there on the "other side." she also made the best apple pies during the holidays. She was such a simple, unassuming human being that she didn't even want a funeral ceremony, preferring to sort of just fade away into the shadows, with quiet remembrance. She is missed.
Also lost Nikki to cancer -- the best family dog anyone could imagine, always there for a belly-rub or handshake, to give and receive comfort, jump into your car for a ride, accompany you on walks and adventure, so full of excited energy.
And just this past week my family and I lost Sunday, our beloved adopted greyhound. She had been having heart trouble, and it happened very quickly. Her racing name had been "shoeless sunday," but she wasn't interested in running 'round a circle for other's amusement, and her racing career was very short-lived. She spent her days lazing about on the couch (if you should take her spot, she would stand before you staring you down until you moved aside), going out for a morning and nightly sprint, but otherwise sprawling elegantly on the furniture, raising her long neck at attention to acknowledge you if you were lucky, sometimes obliging to give you her paw, but only if one begged. She knew how to keep people on their knees -- an admirable thing.
5. What countries did you visit?
--none, unless las vegas counts as its own country.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
--more self-discipline, conviction, and inner peace. (there's never quite enough)
7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
--late July in the Grand Canyon.
we were only there for a few hours, regrettably, but corny as it sounds, it's truly one of the most sacred spaces I've ever been in. (the much more remote, less tourist-drenched North Rim -- not the South Rim with the tourist traps everywhere, the "sky-walk" thing, etc.) There were several thunderstorms in the distance, and clouds were rolling in from the horizon, flashes of lightening miles away, sometimes coming down electric bolts. It was fantastic. I will be back.
those mountain drives in late spring were excellent too -- god, I love nature.
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
--moving out and starting my grad program (and getting accepted to said program)
9. What was your biggest failure?
--hmm. not "seizing the moment" far too many times. missing out.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
--nothing note-worthy.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
--my new comforter. worth every penny.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
--everyone did something worth at least a bit of celebration.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
--certain political leaders.
14. Where did most of your money go?
--rent, food-stuffs, travel/bills
15. What did you get really, really excited about?
--going on a real, genuine vacation -- moving out and starting school were exciting too (starting to sound repetitive!)
16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
--it's too soon to say.
17. Compared to this time last year,
i. are you happier or sadder?
--hmm. winter is rough on my emotions, but I'd say I'm slightly happier than this time last year.
ii. thinner or fatter?
--the same.
iii. richer or poorer?
--poorer!
iv. older or wiser?
--I'm going to say both.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
--physical activity. I had plans to go on this sunset hike, but never made it.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
--gluttony.
20. How will you be spending New Years Eve?
--no idea -- can't think that far ahead right now. must finish this semester first.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
--in very many simple, fleeting ways, yes.
22. How many one-night stands?
--Zilch.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
--I don't watch too much tv, but the usual suspects of Lost (even though this past season wasn't the best), the Office, Scrubs, and that BBC special "Planet Earth" was pretty spectacular, as was the PBS series "The War." whatever, I'm a dork.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
--no, no, "hate" is a strong word.
25. What was the best book you read?
--I'm ashamed to say I didn't read much -- but "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris was great.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
--the new classical radio station I can get from my new abode.
27. What did you want and get?
--to move into an apt. with character.
28. What did you want and not get?
--furnishings. (eventually, we will have some actual furniture.)
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
--Babel / Little Miss Sunshine
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
--turned 25, went out to eat and to visit the shisha bar.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
--more sex?
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
--comfort on the weekends and evenings, more polished on workdays (well, sometimes.)
33. What kept you sane?
--hope, music, writing, memories.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
--members of the WGA.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
--global warming.
36. Who did you miss?
--my dad and grandfather.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
--"odwalla bar" guy from my grad program. le sigh. need to stop being attracted to men who have a wife and child(ren).
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
--"you can't always get what you want...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."
39. Quote a song or lyric that sums up your year.
Nobody can tell ya;
There's only one song worth singin'.
They may try and sell ya,
'cause it hangs them up
to see somone like you.
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
sing your own special song,
make your own kind of music even if nobody
else sing along.
So if you cannot take my hand,
and if you must be goin',
I will understand.
You're gonna be knowing
the loneliest kind of lonely.
It may be rough goin',
just to do your thing's
the hardest thing to do.
But you've gotta make your own kind of music
sing your own special song,
make your own kind of music even if nobody
else sings along.
So if you cannot take my hand,
and if you must be goin',
I will understand.
You gotta make your own kind of music
sing your own special song,
make your own kind of music even if nobody
else sings along.