December 31, 2006
Wow -- That Went By Quick!
I ganked this from Lori in 2004 and then totally forgot about it in 2005. Let's see how much has changed in two years, shall we?
2006 In Review
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before? Can't think of anything... man, that's pathetic.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't normally do New Year's Resolutions. However, I do have one for this year. Actually, it's a resolution for Husband. Aren't I thoughtful, making one for him? My resolution is to get him out of bed earlier in the morning, so he can go to work earlier, come home earlier, and go to bed earlier, so we can spend more time together.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? YES! BILLI! Making me an aunt for the fourth time and a godmother for the third time! And The Spare looks like ME! Which means I'm pretty much obligated to plot with him to take over The Boy Child's throne...
4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit? Are Indiana and Wisconsin countries? Because that's as far as I got this year. No, WAIT! We went to DisneyWorld and visited ALL the countries! (Of Epcot.)
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? A better -- if still tenuous -- relationship with my step daughters. Baby steps, right?
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Have to add September 29 to my list of Awesomest Days Ever. That's the day The Spare was born, and I THANK GOD I wasn't outta town when it happened (almost was!). My record stands firm -- I have seen all my nephews and niece within hours of their birth.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Having an honest and thought-provoking exchange of emails with my Older Step Daughter. I'm not saying I'm her BFF now, but I think we understand each other a little better now and can, therefore, cut each other some slack. We're not so bad, after all.
9. What was your biggest failure? Amazingly, no huge fuck-ups spring to mind. I guess that's what I get for not trying anything new, eh?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing worse than strep throat.
11. What was the best thing you bought? A puppy! Although ask me again in 2007 if that remains a good idea...
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Husband. After years of trying to be Superman to the whole world, he's finally getting some help for the heartache he still feels after being torn from his daughters' lives. Kudos, bubie. Any coward can be an island -- it takes strength and bravery to ask for help.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Pretty much every stranger I crossed paths with. Common courtesy is dead.
14. Where did most of your money go? My money, or our money? My eBay money went to vintage silver charm bracelets; our money went to the Disney stockholders, via our Discover card.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting to cut my work hours to part time! It's a dream come true! Although the envy of everyone I know is becoming a bit oppressive...
16. What song will always remind you of 2006? "The Song That Goes Like This," sung my moi and Gay A. Seriously, we rocked the house... as much as two white people can rock a Broadway musical.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier. Things are looking up.
b) thinner or fatter? I think I've plateaued.
c) richer or poorer? About the same, I think.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? BLOGGING! Wait, let me ammend that -- GOOD blogging.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Obsessing over things beyond my control.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Christmas Eve was happy and hectic with my immediate family all over at our place. Laughed my ass off when The Boy Child opened the video game we got him -- "Lego Stah Wahs, bay-beeeeeeee!"
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with? Probably PJ. She likes to call first thing in the morning, when I'm barely coherent, and talk about things like snow, or muffins, or puppies. Imagine being confronted with Buddy the Elf at 7 a.m.
22. Did you fall in love in 2006? Yes. With my iPod Nano. I call him Roger.
23. How many one-night stands? Dudes, I can't even close the deal in my dreams anymore. Just when I get to the good part, I wake up.
24. What was your favorite TV program? "Deadwood." Al Swearengen is my hero!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? No. Takes a lot to be added to my list. I just hate the same ol' assholes.
26. What was the best book you read this year? Ahab's Wife. A look at what she might have been like, if the legendary Ahab had had a wife. Quite a broad.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Eminem, much to the chagrin of Husband. Thanks, Billi!
28. What did you want and get? A puppy.
29. What did you want and not get? Forgiveness.
30. What was your favorite film of this year? "The Prestige."
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 37 at home in bed with strep throat.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More writing.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? Black is slimming. And sometimes it pays to buy the expensive stuff.
34. What kept you sane? Awwwwww, it's so cute that you think I'm sane!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Christian Balllaaarghlrghlrghlrghlrghl...
36. What political issue stirred you the most? Gay marriage. I can't comprehend the arrogance of keeping two people in love from publicly and legally binding their relationship. It's just nonsense! Oh, don't get me started! Where's my soap box?
37. Whom did you miss? Natalie, currently having her uber-talent underappreciated in New York. And talking with Nicki every day.
38. Who was the best new person you met? Um, did I meet Scarlett Cyn this year or last year? If it was this year, then her. If it was last year, then... Did I meet anyone new this year? I don't think so. You know how I feel about strangers.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006: Don't bang your head against what you can't change. Well, I didn't learn it very well, but I'm partway through the workbook.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: "I'm the real Shady -- All you other Slim Shadies are just imitating!"