offbalance | The year that was.

Last night I had more fun than I was expecting to. It was a good time. And as I said yesterday, I'm more optimistic about some things related to 2008. But more on that tomorrow.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Go to the emergency room for one of my own injuries. Not too big of a year for firsts, unfortunately.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t really make any. Maybe have more fun is a good one to make, and to find a new hobby that engages my mind more than my mind is currently engaged. And try to go to the gym more often, for its mental health benefits as much as its physical health benefits.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

shackledangel brought the beautiful Penny into the world!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?

Not a one. Not even Canada.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

A serious relationship with the right person. (Same old song, I know.) A finished novel. Travel plans that don’t fall through. More money.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

February 2, the day I finally met pizanite, despite us knowing each other online for 10 years.
The day

alcestis surprised me with my amazing shaka-buku haircut.
The day my sister got engaged. (April?)
The day I told B off. (May)
June 11, the day of the concussion.
The horrible, horrible biopsy.
The day CBS-FM came back.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not letting Boss L’s bs get to me too much of the time. Occasional bouts of confidence and snarkiness at the right moments.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Spending too much time worrying about stupid crap instead of focusing on the good things.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A concussion and my first trip to the hospital since birth. Then there was the thyroid scare, and the most painful biopsy EVER, and just recently, the worst combination of stomach flu and chest cold I’ve had since I was a full-time student. It was not a great year, health-wise.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Replacing old, ill-fitting, worn out clothes and shoes with new, fabulous clothes and shoes was a great idea.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My many wonderful and fantastic friends, and my amazing family. Love to you all!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Oh, there are many, but I’m not going to name names, even though I’d love to give them the what for. Particularly someone who can’t seem to speak without insulting me.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills. Also some badly-needed new clothes, and the Beach Club

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The beach, fandom related things, new haircuts

16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2007?
“1, 2, 3, 4" - Feist
“Better” - Regina Spektor
“You Know I’m No Good” - Amy Winehouse
“Fifteen” - Rilo Kiley
“Starman” - David Bowie
“This Year” - The Mountain Goats
“Brooklyn” - Project Jenny, Project Jan

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

a) happier or sadder?
Not sure, honestly.

b) thinner or fatter?
thinner. I hope.

c) richer or poorer?
Poorer. Almost definitely.

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

Writing. Saving money.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about things, rather than just enjoying them.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Sick. But still surrounded by loved ones.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Just with my laptop.

22. How many one-night stands?

Zero.

23. What was your favorite TV programs?

How I Met Your Mother, Supernatural, Ugly Betty, Mad Men, The Tudors, The Dresden Files (sadly cancelled. *sniff*), Dexter, Bones, Gossip Girl and Project Runway.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I wouldn’t say hate. Strongly dislike? Yes.

25. What was the best book you read?
Little Children. Hands down. Close second was the Dresden Files books.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The top 5:
5. Feist
4. St. Vincent
3. Project Jenny, Project Jan
2. Amy Winehouse
1. The Mountain Goats

And big thanks to

teany for recently turning me on to the Avett Brothers! They’re great.

27. What did you want and get?

Time at the beach.

28. What did you want and not get?

A boyfriend. A real vacation.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
DREAMGIRLS!!! (it lived in my dvd player for months.) Also, the Departed, Metropolitan, Zodiac, Sweet Land, Superbad, Live Free or Die Hard, and Enchanted

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 27, and I got stinking drunk amongst friends.

31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A boyfriend, fewer trips to the doctor, less stress in general. Oh, and a megamillions jackpot win.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I’m still working on it, but I’m going for edgy classic.

33. What kept you sane?
The non-stop efforts of many, particularly

redesigner,

leopard_lady and

blergeatkitty. And my parents, of course.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Edward Norton. Two words: CALL ME. Rawr.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

As always, the idea that a woman should have the right to control her own uterus.

36. Who did you miss?
Many people.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
So many amazing new people came into my life this year thanks to LJ and other resources, I couldn’t possibly pick just one. Really.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
Stop analyzing everything. You get nothing but frustration.

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

“I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me,” - The Mountain Goats