So it's back to work tomorrow. Vacation is over. It's just never long enough. Herewith, a year-end madcap meme (that's what a survey's known as in these here blogosphere parts, case you didn't know!)
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Developed film in the darkroom. Life-altering, in a bizarre way. Went to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. You should really go to the Grand Canyon if you haven't been already. It changed my perspective on this country. Las Vegas is the nuthouse it purports to be. Ate Ethiopian food = mostly yummy. Went to Charlottesville. Worked out every day when I was away at the beach and still gained two pounds. Cancelled my birthday party. Went the whole year without setting foot in a church, I believe.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I never make resolutions in a traditional sense, although I do consider the turn of the year a powerful moment. It's a useful unit of time for taking stock, really - where was I last year? Who was around? What did I do that didn't work? What can I do better? My only resolve this year is to use my powers for good, which I know is possible every second, but it just doesn't always happen. Please let this be a good year. Please, I resolve.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope. Two next year, though.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.
5. What countries did you visit?
I just saw more of this one.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A clue. Peace in my heart. A hand to hold. Smooshy things. More cake. Time to breathe. My own space. More time with my friends.
7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 2nd and something-teenth. First=beautiful day, second=sad. August 2nd - move out day. Hated it. Whatever day the BNL, Elton and Killers' shows were. December 23 - resigned from my job and took a new one (in the same place). December 27th - birthday drag bingo, baby. ; )
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping my head up when I wanted to just lay down on the floor and not get up for days. Surviving the summer. Getting another job. Spending a week in Vegas and having fun mostly on my own.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Caving occasionally. Not always showing grace under pressure. Blowing some deadlines. Summer vacation. Not getting my Web site built. No more writing gigs.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was sick all fall and felt like a whiney crybaby for talking about it so much, but man it was a BITCH. I felt like it was never going to go away.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My photography equipment. iTunes songs. Food at Lebanese Taverna. Concert tickets. Some really good presents. Best thing bought for me: 60gb iPod.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Everyone I love who is trying so hard to live a good and productive life. Anyone who spoke the truth about the government's (state, local and national) mishandling of the hurricanes, and anyone who got up off their ass and helped. The tsunami survivors who didn't lay down and die in response to what they'd lost.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Anyone who used the phrase "the American people" without irony. You know who. Tom Cruise. SUV drivers who try to dominate my little Beetle=big, fat cowards. Dumb, mean people. People who blamed the striking Nutcracker ballet dancers for their timing. Hosts of entertainment "news" shows. Katie Couric. My own, occasionally.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Photography. Travel. Music. Food.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about
Traveling. Seeing the Killers and Elton John. Meeting Barenaked Ladies.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Since U Been Gone, Kelly Clarkson; Feel Good Inc, Gorillaz; Stuck in the Middle With You, Stealer's Wheel; the entire "Hot Fuss" album, the Killers (especially All These Things That I've Done and Smile Like You Mean It); Lodi, CCR; Good Day for the Blues, Storyville; Float On, Modest Mouse; Boom Shack-a-Lack, Apache Indian; Stop in the Name of Love, The Supremes; Hide and Seek, Imogen Heap; White Christmas (in July), Bing Crosby; Step Into Christmas, Elton John; Wake Me Up When September Ends, Green Day; Let's Get it Started, Black-eyed Peas
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder, but hopeful.
b) thinner or fatter? A little fatter, probably.
c) richer or poorer? A bit poorer in spirit but not enough to matter.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taking photos. Writing. Swimming. Exercising. Having fun. Spending time with my friends. Smooching. : )
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying. Crying. Bitching. Sitting in traffic and standing in line. Freaking out. Working late.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
This year? Hopefully on a beach somewhere. I've learned my lesson.
21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Over and over, every day. And in like a lot too....
22. How many one-night stands?
8723
23. What was your favorite TV program?
This was the year I almost stopped watching television, but Family Guy and South Park remain essential. ER has some life again. Medium.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hell, no. Hate? Doesn't happen.
25. What was the best book you read?
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer. Read it.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Killers (trendy, but I can't help it.) Imogen Heap. The new Girlyman cd.
27. What did you want and get?
An iPod. My Pier One bill paid off. Snacks. A new gig.
28. What did you want and not get?
A roommate for my apartment. A bathtub.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
None stand out. I didn't go to the movies very much. However, I did watch the Thanksgiving showing of the Sound of Music on television, and it was just like it was when I was a kid. I didn't even mind the commercials. When the family Von Trapp was walking across the mountains (Gretel: "AH WE GOING TO HAVE TO PUSH THE CAAH ALL THE WAY TO SWITZ-ah-LAND????") at the end, and that evil "Climb E'vry Mountain" started up, I was cutting mats in my dining room, sobbing. Gets me every time.
I wanted my favorite to be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it wasn't. I had an odd love for Spanglish, even when Adam Sandler does that funny little mumbly thing. I re-watched Office Space like ten times.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to drag queen bingo for my 35th and it was actually really fun. Then I went to another bar and a 20 year old gay boy asked if he could kiss me. Sweet. Madonna and Janet Jackson were on, too, so it was quite a night.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A lighter workload. Calming the fuck down a little bit more. Not having to move. Not getting sick in Vegas. A Metallica concert. A vacation with a cute boy.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
I am totally cute, you guys. : )
33. What kept you sane?
The desire to keep my job for an income source and health insurance. Coffee. Karen. Reading great blogs. More music than ever. The Borders cafe. My dog. Sheer, blind, faith. Stacey. Denise. Jeremy.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have a girl crush on Jennifer Aniston. I think she's so lovely. Whatever, Angelina. Tina Fey. The eternal John Cusack. Vince Vaughan. Jake Gyllenhall. Paul Giamatti.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The morass of ridiculousness that is our entire political system. However, I have to say that our goverment's "response" to the hurricanes was laughable. I can't believe this man hasn't been shown the door.
36. Who did you miss?
Shobha. Vicky. Erica. Mike. My sister when she wasn't around. Jesse. Kim.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Tumpa. Susan (I didn't exactly MEET her this year but we became good friends.) Carmen.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
My dog is the only being in my life who is totally consistent, so he gets extra snacks. Sometimes things just don't feel good, and there's nothing you can do about it. You have to have a plan for most things.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the blackburner
You know you got to help me out
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold-hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the blackburner
You know you got to help me out
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
I got soul, but I'm not a soldier
...
While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
If you can hold on
If you can hold on
Hold on."
"Smile like you mean it."
"We hit the stretch south of Rehoboth
The Atlantic Ocean came into sight
There was nothing on the radio but old Joni Mitchell
And I said, 'lean your seat back, just close your eyes, and I'll drive'
I'll bring you home and carry your shit to the house
How else can I say this?
I never really tried
I was always afraid that the world would end in ice"
"Record and play, after years of endless rewind. Yesterday wasn't half as tough as this time."
The end.
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