1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I gave birth without pain medication, and I started a public blog.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t keep my resolutions, which mostly centered around working more on my fiction. This year, I’ll keep the same resolution and hope that I find the time to write more and actually submit some fiction for publication.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A ridiculous number of women I know gave birth this year. I’m talking more than ten ladies.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully. Unless you count my cat.
5. What countries did you visit?
None!
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Reliable tenants—or some magical way to get rid of our stupid house.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Valentine’s Day. George surprised me by decorating the entire house and cooking/ordering a feast of all my favorite foods. He lit candles and got a bottle of my favorite wine. (The Tillerman, Hook and Ladder.) I thought he’d be on the road at the time. MJ’s birthday, 11/18, will also remain etched upon my memory.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Quitting my job to spend more time with my kids. And having MJ.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don’t like to think of things in terms of failure. I want to be more patient with my older son though. I want to spend more time just playing with him.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a nasty cold in January. And I guess I injured my vagina with that whole childbirth thing.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Rockband 2 for my husband. He’s awfully excited about it. I also thoroughly enjoyed splurging on a huge meal of take-out sushi a week after I had the baby.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
George’s—-he drives almost an hour to work and back every day and still manages to help me with the baby at night. He worked with his job to spend less time on the road and that literally saved my sanity. My mother also deserves celebration for the stunning amount of time and energy she spends helping me with my life and my children. She’s the chipmunk’s best friend. Lastly, even though the Chipmunk has been super challenging lately, he’s been the light of my life this year. And he’s put up with a crapload of change and doctor’s appointments and usurping baby brothers.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one specific comes to mind, but I find it difficult to read the news. Those who commit violent acts toward children make me appalled and depressed—and afraid.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent/Mortgage.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Almost everything to do with my pregnancy. But seeing that little pink line was definitely near the top of the list. I peed on the stick in the bathroom of a CVS on a break from work.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
“Real Gone,” the opening theme to Disney’s Cars. I think I’ve heard it about 500 million times this year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, oh boy
c) richer or poorer? Financially, poorer. Emotionally, richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Documented Chipmunk on film.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I wish I’d spent less time worrying.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Opening presents under our tree and then heading to my parents where I spent every Christmas morning as a kid. Then heading to Christmas dinner at my aunt’s, which used to be my Nana’s, where I had Christmas dinner every Christmas of my life. My in-laws were there and I felt incredibly blessed.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes, with my moose-child, MJ.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
This is pathetic: Gossip Girl. Followed closely by Entourage, 30 Rock, the Office, Grey’s Anatomy, ANTM, Idol, Top Chef, Project Runway, Battlestar Gallactica and Weeds.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
Havemercy, by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Rediscovering Pandora.com.
26. What did you want and get?
A healthy baby.
27. What did you want and not get?
Consistent and timely rent from my tenants.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
A tie I guess between The Dark Knight and Hamlet 2. But I also really liked Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder and The Fall. Updated: And Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28 this year. I worked and went to lunch with some of my favorite coworkers. And a bunch of people at work made me an awesome card. (Then I quit my job like a week later.)
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Peaceful sleep.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
“Does this make me look like an elephant? Fuck.”
32. What kept you sane?
Phone calls with Lauren, Awesome Pasta, TV after Chipmunk’s bedtime, and Halo on Wednesday nights.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Early in the year, I’d have to say James McAvoy. More recently, Lee Pace. I’d fancy him in my pants, that’s for sure.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Sarah Palin. Does she count as an “issue”?
35. Who did you miss?
I missed Lauren even though I’ve called her five days a week for the past two years.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Andi like-a-party. It’s been relieving and super satisfying to meet a local mom who happens to be particularly awesome. We have the same birthday and MJ is going to make a bid to woo her lovely daughter Piper.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Slow down, soak in the little moments. And stop being such a fucking stress-monkey. Jeez.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Life is a highway, I’m gonna ride it all night long.”
Additionally, I’d like to point out that the lyric “shawty puts out like a toaster” is pure brilliance.
Quiz courtesy of Linda at All and Sundry, my seriously for reals all time favorite blog.
This may or may not be related:
