2009 in review
Jan. 1st, 2010 11:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
offbalanceWow. Epic new year was epic. ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
j_bkl and I caught a concert with Dean & Britta at Southpaw before heading to a Soiree That Will Live in Infamy at lwoodbloo's. Awesome.
Without further ado....
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Shared a dwelling with my significant other.
enrolled in paralegal classes.
wrote letters to my congresspeople and senators and got answered
Went to Boston during the baseball season and made it out alive
Rode a float in the NYC Pride Parade as a member of Bridesmaids for Marriage Equality
Visited the new Yankee Stadium
sang live band karaoke
learned to love Twitter and Farmville
ate goose
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year I resolved to try to get into a better workout program (failed again), to save more money (sort of successful!), and to continue to stand up for myself and my needs as much as possible (getting better at that all the time!).
This year I resolve to continue being a good girlfriend (J says I'm gangbusters so far!), really try to do some, any working out, and continue to make wise financial choices. Mint.com taught me one thing, and that's the little things really and truly add up.
Otherwise, Keep standing up for myself more. Finish the paralegal program, with solid grades. Try to enjoy life, and not waste it worrying. AND, to continue to take good care of myself: eat well, take my vitamins, get good sleep, drink water, and remember that needing rest doesn't make you lame.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Carly gave birth to the lovely Eva, who I will hopefully get to meet tomorrow!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
So many people I know lost their moms in 2009. :( It's awful.
And there were a few celebrities, who even though I didn't know them personally, hit me more than I expected.
5. What countries did you visit?
Not a one - I stayed stateside. I'm hoping that will change next year.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More money, more travel, more stamps in the passport.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Moving out of Park Slope
My one-year anniversary with J
Starting classes at NYU
P-Town
Trip to Boston
The Pride Parade
Eva's birth
a funeral that turned into a celebration of all that's important in life
New Year's Eve
U2
Camera Obscura at the Bell House
THE YANKEES WIN THE WORLD SERIES!!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Choosing to nut up (or ovary up, if you want to be all technical-face about it) rather than shut up about school. I enrolled, and I have a pretty solid A-/B+ average. Not bad, considering that I was also working full time while doing this.
Remembering that it's not always fruitless to fight for things, even when you don't win. You have to keep fighting.
That, and being there for the people who needed me as much as I could be.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not exercising. And blaming myself for failing too much, according to J.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Other than the occasional cold or stomach ick, not really. Although I fucked up my knee pretty well while ice skating...the day before the start of comic-con. That sucked.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
new shoes. new bras. new shampoo. Middleman on dvd. presents for people. Many tasty food items. Concert and movie tickets.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? J. Who continues to be just amazing. Also, my wonderful, amazingly supportive friends - I would be lost without you. People who fight for the right to choose and the right to marry and for rights, every single day.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
So many, both in the private and public sphere.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, travel, just doing stuff and living life.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
moving in with J, comic-con, P-Town, discovering new music, and oh yeah, that whole YANKEES WINNING THE WORLD SERIES THING.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys & Jay-Z - forever tied to #27 for the Yankees.
"Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. Because she's awesome and it's awesome and it makes me want to shake my ass.
"This Year" the Mountain Goats - for what it meant to other people.
Any song involved in daily sing-alongs with New Orleans Girl ("Alone" by Heart, "Starman" by David Bowie, etc.)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier. So much happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? about the same, maybe a drop fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? richer in the important things.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spending time with friends. I learned recently that hanging out on your couch with tv and snacks is even MORE fun than going out sometimes. True story.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being stressed. Worrying. Sweating in this overheated apartment (turn down the damn thermostat already!!!)
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With J's family in Dobb's Ferry. We had roast beast and saw Sherlock Holmes. It was lovely.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Stayed in it. And it continues to be wonderful.
22. How many one-night stands?
Why go out for fast-food when you have gourmet at home.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Supernatural, Mad Men, GLEE, NCIS, Bones, Gossip Girl, Ugly Betty, Big Bang Theory, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, White Collar, Dr. Who, and Leverage
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
People who are enemies of choice and who are trying to prevent marriage equality. And Cablevision.
25. What was the best book you read?
There was a lot of disappointments this year, but a few standouts:
American on Purpose - Craig Ferguson
White Teeth - Zadie Smith
A Homemade Life - Molly Wizenberg
The Reader - Bernhard Schlink
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lady Gaga, The Weepies, Dean & Britta, the Bird and the Bee, Good Night States, and the Beatles.
I say the Beatles because I got the Stereo Box Set for Christmas. And holy hell, it sounds AMAZING. The music sounds brand new. And if decades-old music can sound
27. What did you want and get?
Some vacations. The Beatles in Stereo box set. Some purpose and direction.
28. What did you want and not get?
More money, more time.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Watchmen, (500) days of Summer, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Star Trek, Up, Zombieland, I Love You, Man
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The actual day, I helped a friend celebrate, since it was her birthday too (yeah). We celebrated by waltzing the night away to a 30's Jazz combo at the retro-tastic Clover Club. I then had the traditional blowout, this year at Sycamore, which was awesome and fun.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More money.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Is it clean? Does it clash?
All kidding aside, I'm trying to find more fun and flattering things to wear, as always.
33. What kept you sane?
j_bkl, redesigner, redstapler, blergeatkitty, airspaniel, lwoodbloo, cheese, vodka, chocolate, fried foods, and tv.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hard to fancy a celebrity when you've got the real-life love goggles on. ;)
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Women's choice and the right for EVERYONE to be able to marry.
36. Who did you miss?
People who are far away. :(
37. Who was the best new person you met?
A friend from my paralegal program named S, a friend I met at Brooklyn Bowl, also named S,reflectedeve, and last but far from least, rockradar!
But mostly, 2009 was more about reconnecting with friends I've had for awhile, and that's been fantastic. Because I have some really fantastic friends.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Make sure the ones you love know they're loved. And life is very, very short.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
This year? Not sure it can be summed up in song.
j_bkl and I caught a concert with Dean & Britta at Southpaw before heading to a Soiree That Will Live in Infamy at lwoodbloo's. Awesome. Without further ado....
1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Shared a dwelling with my significant other.
enrolled in paralegal classes.
wrote letters to my congresspeople and senators and got answered
Went to Boston during the baseball season and made it out alive
Rode a float in the NYC Pride Parade as a member of Bridesmaids for Marriage Equality
Visited the new Yankee Stadium
sang live band karaoke
learned to love Twitter and Farmville
ate goose
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Last year I resolved to try to get into a better workout program (failed again), to save more money (sort of successful!), and to continue to stand up for myself and my needs as much as possible (getting better at that all the time!).
This year I resolve to continue being a good girlfriend (J says I'm gangbusters so far!), really try to do some, any working out, and continue to make wise financial choices. Mint.com taught me one thing, and that's the little things really and truly add up.
Otherwise, Keep standing up for myself more. Finish the paralegal program, with solid grades. Try to enjoy life, and not waste it worrying. AND, to continue to take good care of myself: eat well, take my vitamins, get good sleep, drink water, and remember that needing rest doesn't make you lame.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Carly gave birth to the lovely Eva, who I will hopefully get to meet tomorrow!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
So many people I know lost their moms in 2009. :( It's awful.
And there were a few celebrities, who even though I didn't know them personally, hit me more than I expected.
5. What countries did you visit?
Not a one - I stayed stateside. I'm hoping that will change next year.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
More money, more travel, more stamps in the passport.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Moving out of Park Slope
My one-year anniversary with J
Starting classes at NYU
P-Town
Trip to Boston
The Pride Parade
Eva's birth
a funeral that turned into a celebration of all that's important in life
New Year's Eve
U2
Camera Obscura at the Bell House
THE YANKEES WIN THE WORLD SERIES!!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Choosing to nut up (or ovary up, if you want to be all technical-face about it) rather than shut up about school. I enrolled, and I have a pretty solid A-/B+ average. Not bad, considering that I was also working full time while doing this.
Remembering that it's not always fruitless to fight for things, even when you don't win. You have to keep fighting.
That, and being there for the people who needed me as much as I could be.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not exercising. And blaming myself for failing too much, according to J.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Other than the occasional cold or stomach ick, not really. Although I fucked up my knee pretty well while ice skating...the day before the start of comic-con. That sucked.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
new shoes. new bras. new shampoo. Middleman on dvd. presents for people. Many tasty food items. Concert and movie tickets.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? J. Who continues to be just amazing. Also, my wonderful, amazingly supportive friends - I would be lost without you. People who fight for the right to choose and the right to marry and for rights, every single day.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
So many, both in the private and public sphere.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, travel, just doing stuff and living life.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
moving in with J, comic-con, P-Town, discovering new music, and oh yeah, that whole YANKEES WINNING THE WORLD SERIES THING.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys & Jay-Z - forever tied to #27 for the Yankees.
"Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. Because she's awesome and it's awesome and it makes me want to shake my ass.
"This Year" the Mountain Goats - for what it meant to other people.
Any song involved in daily sing-alongs with New Orleans Girl ("Alone" by Heart, "Starman" by David Bowie, etc.)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier. So much happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? about the same, maybe a drop fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? richer in the important things.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spending time with friends. I learned recently that hanging out on your couch with tv and snacks is even MORE fun than going out sometimes. True story.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being stressed. Worrying. Sweating in this overheated apartment (turn down the damn thermostat already!!!)
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With J's family in Dobb's Ferry. We had roast beast and saw Sherlock Holmes. It was lovely.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Stayed in it. And it continues to be wonderful.
22. How many one-night stands?
Why go out for fast-food when you have gourmet at home.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Supernatural, Mad Men, GLEE, NCIS, Bones, Gossip Girl, Ugly Betty, Big Bang Theory, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, White Collar, Dr. Who, and Leverage
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
People who are enemies of choice and who are trying to prevent marriage equality. And Cablevision.
25. What was the best book you read?
There was a lot of disappointments this year, but a few standouts:
American on Purpose - Craig Ferguson
White Teeth - Zadie Smith
A Homemade Life - Molly Wizenberg
The Reader - Bernhard Schlink
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lady Gaga, The Weepies, Dean & Britta, the Bird and the Bee, Good Night States, and the Beatles.
I say the Beatles because I got the Stereo Box Set for Christmas. And holy hell, it sounds AMAZING. The music sounds brand new. And if decades-old music can sound
27. What did you want and get?
Some vacations. The Beatles in Stereo box set. Some purpose and direction.
28. What did you want and not get?
More money, more time.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Watchmen, (500) days of Summer, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Star Trek, Up, Zombieland, I Love You, Man
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The actual day, I helped a friend celebrate, since it was her birthday too (yeah). We celebrated by waltzing the night away to a 30's Jazz combo at the retro-tastic Clover Club. I then had the traditional blowout, this year at Sycamore, which was awesome and fun.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More money.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Is it clean? Does it clash?
All kidding aside, I'm trying to find more fun and flattering things to wear, as always.
33. What kept you sane?
j_bkl, redesigner, redstapler, blergeatkitty, airspaniel, lwoodbloo, cheese, vodka, chocolate, fried foods, and tv.34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hard to fancy a celebrity when you've got the real-life love goggles on. ;)
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Women's choice and the right for EVERYONE to be able to marry.
36. Who did you miss?
People who are far away. :(
37. Who was the best new person you met?
A friend from my paralegal program named S, a friend I met at Brooklyn Bowl, also named S,
reflectedeve, and last but far from least, rockradar!But mostly, 2009 was more about reconnecting with friends I've had for awhile, and that's been fantastic. Because I have some really fantastic friends.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Make sure the ones you love know they're loved. And life is very, very short.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
This year? Not sure it can be summed up in song.
