2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Lived on my own, bought a new car, became a lead, got demoted from lead, told him.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make any last year. This year's include moving on and letting him go, supreme weight-loss (getting back down to 2004-size), and finding a career instead of a job.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, my favorite (crazy) grandmother, whom I miss every day. Helping my grandpa through this has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

5. What countries did you visit?

None. Epic, EPIC fail.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

A job that allows me to live on my own, the time to re-discover my interests, a boy worth falling for.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

• January 18 - A fantastic surprise birthday dinner with loved friends - low-key and perfect!
• May 17 - Lindsay came home, fun ensued.
• August 9 - Grandma Bobbe passed away

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Survival. No, seriously - it was close.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I let Disneyland take over. No job should take up that much of me, or affect me so much.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not any worth mention.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My new car, Zoey. A ComicCon ticket.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My grandfather, who has shown me the truest love I have ever witnessed.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Dick Cheney, 75% of my co-workers.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Sleepless - The Decemberists

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Sadder
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter
c) richer or poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Anything which would have allowed me to answer #17 differently? Played guitar, sat with Grandma, sung.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Ate, worked, COMPLAINED. I became a pretty intolerable person for a bit and I'm still working my way back up that hill.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With family on Christmas eve, then being told that I "should be lined up and SHOT." in City Hall.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

No. I began to fall out, but that's a pretty big hill, too.

22. How many one-night stands?

None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

West Wing, Arrested Development, Modern Family, Dr. Who.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Pixar Touch or The Last Lecture

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Bands I'd known for years but never gave real attention to when I first heard them. Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, Bishop Allen, and Fiona Apple's "extraordinary machine" album.

26. What did you want and get?

More respect from my peers at work, my MINI.

27. What did you want and not get?

More respect from my mother, financial relief, my degree, love.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

UP

29. What did you do on your birthday?

My best friend kidnapped me to dinner with a cabal of my closet friends.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Finding someone to love (myself included).

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

"This will cover the rolls adequately."

33. What kept you sane?

Lindsay, Jeff, Chris and Mirna. My West Wing DVD collection.

37. What political issue stirred you the most?

Iran. The amazing acts of bravery and passion I have witnessed in the face of seemingly heartless brutality have changed me in ways I don't even understand yet. But it's been wonderful and terrifying to witness.

36. Who did you miss?

Andrew, Lindsay, Grandma.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Mirna (I never took the time to really "meet" her until this year).

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?

• It's only over when you give up on yourself.
• Love is more beautiful than death is ugly.
  

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

When your family calls you make nice to them all and assure them you're fine & you're great / Then you cry in the bath; cry so hard that you laugh, then you watch television 'till 8 // Who do you need? Nobody. You're lucky nobody's around / I can pour my own drinks; no thanks, Mister. Go on, get out of town // And you're gorgeous in your evening gown.