Journal Ra5pu7in's Journal: Year in Retrospect Meme 2
1) What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Got 2x my monthly rent in savings. This is the first time in my life I've actually got a reserve and am not living paycheck to paycheck.
2) Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well, looking back at a journal entry last year, I didn't really accomplish the things I wanted. Of course, I didn't really make resolutions so much as throw around some ideas of what I wanted to do. So this year I will make some resolutions rather than a half-assed "well, maybe I'll do this and that".
3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
No one close, but a number of acquaintances have larger families.
4) Did anyone close to you die?
Again, no one close. However, the most shocking death was one of our customers whom I've helped often who died in a small plane crash only a little over a week ago.
5a) What countries did you visit?
I don't travel much, so none.
or 5b) What was the best new food you learned to cook?
I don't cook much, so none. I did try my hand teaching my daughter the fine art of the pie crust though. Haven't made one since cooking class in junior high school. It was edible, and better than the factory-produced things from Costco, but could have been better. Practice makes perfect (but adds lots of pounds).
6) What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A pet. It's unlikely to happen though, since I want a large dog (Rottweiler or long-haired German Shepherd - that type), and the only way I'm getting one is with a house that has a fenced yard which I can't afford.
7) What date(s) from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Etched? I don't think anything that memorable happened this year (good or bad).
8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my taxes filed and a payment plan set up. Hadn't done that since I moved my kids to live with my ex's mother years ago and couldn't claim them as dependents. It's not paid off yet, but getting this far was a major achievement.
9) What was your biggest failure?
Not making any real plans, so I didn't get anywhere. Vague ideas of what I want just aren't enough.
10) Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Not exactly - just some back/neck trouble and some severe headaches. I've got those under control for now.
11) What was the best thing you bought?
Depends on what I consider the criteria for best. There is the bass guitar for my son which is the best gift I've ever gotten him.
12) Whose behavior merited celebration?
All the quiet, unsung heroes who gave of their time, money, homes, and energy to the victims of the natural disasters this year seemed to be full of. Not the ones who got media play or made sure we knew they were helping, but the ones who simply jumped in to help as soon as the need was there.
13) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
There were lots of people whose behavior was appalling, but why should I let the behavior of scum make me depressed? There are far more people whose behavior was not appalling and they are the ones I want to know about.
14) Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food (especially eating out at lunch), and spoiling my kids.
15) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Watching the space station go overhead a couple nights ago. Whenever we can, my brother and I try to catch a glimpse.
16) What song will always remind you of 2005?
Er, I don't listen to lyrics much - or I don't listen to songs with a lot of lyrics. Plus this year was pretty forgettable.
17) Compared to this time last year, are you...
i. Happier or sadder?
Happier. Late 2004 is I finally confronted my ex on a few things and made the clean break I should have when our divorce was final in 1996. So this year has been about emptying away all the old hopes and dreams and making room for new ones.
ii. Thinner or fatter?
Thinner, but not by enough to be excited. (Seven pounds in one year? I quit trying mid-year, but at least I didn't backpedal.)
iii. Richer or poorer?
Richer, both in money (love that savings balance) and budding friendships.
18) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Hiking. Without my car I don't get to go hiking much at all and I seriously miss the nature without city sounds.
19) What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating on chores around the house. It's bad when I'm avoiding the kitchen so I don't have to remember there's a sink full of dishes to wash.
20) How will you be spending New Year's?
Probably logged in to Guild Wars dancing with a whole bunch of other addicts.
21) Did you fall in love in 2005?
No, but then I haven't been particularly social in real life. Online is a whole different story, but I wouldn't fall in love with an online persona, so that gets me nowhere.
23) How many one-night stands?
None. Let's just say I got that out of my system when I was 19 and 20. There won't ever be another.
24) What was your favorite TV program?
Do DVDs of TV series count? I've been thoroughly enjoying Stargate
25) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, I don't waste the energy on hating people.
26) What was the best book you read?
Alphabet of Thorns by Patricia A. McKillip. In fact, every one of her novels I've read so far has been a delight.
27) What was your greatest musical discovery?
That I can still read music even though I only took lessons when I was nine or ten and have usually played by ear since.
28) What did you want and get?
I wanted a scale I could trust to give me the same number if I stepped off and back on. My last scale could vary five pounds up or down, so keeping track of my weight and trend was impossible.
29) What did you want and not get?
New bath towels - preferably large, fluffy and dark green or dark blue. But only because I haven't gone shopping for them yet.
30) What was your favorite film of this year?
Not sure - I dropped out of movie-watching midyear and have been a Netflix junkie since, so I have no idea what year things came out in. Oh, wait
31) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I don't remember (without pulling up a calendar I don't even know what day of the week it was on). I was 36 (still am, too).
32) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Changing jobs to a company that has regular benefits, vacations, and management. Working for a small place where the boss works when she feels like it and everyone is rather lackadaisical about getting stuff done may not have much stress, but the business is going nowhere.
33) how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Is it dirty? Does it have more holes than it should? Toss - otherwise wear.
34) What kept you sane?
The same thing that keeps me sane every night, Pinky. Trying to take over the world. Ahem. Based on accepting the argument that I am sane in the first place, I'm not sure what keeps me sane. Certainly not genetics, circumstances, or environment. Personality perhaps.
35) Which celebrity did you feel the most sorry for?
I don't. Celebrities aren't worth feeling sorry for. Of course I don't envy them either. Scorn
36) What political issue stirred you the most?
Oddly enough it isn't any one issue that got me riled up. It's the idiot extremists on both sides who turn local and personal situations into fodder for their agendas.
37) Who did you miss?
No one - I even got to see more of my siblings this year than usual.
38) Who were the best new people you met?
Um, did I meet anyone new this year (in real life)? No. That's a real problem I need to work on this year. I'm not lonely, so I don't seek out people, but it would be nice to make some new friends.
39) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005
I can burn out on the things I enjoy most, so balance really is key.
40) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
Err, back to the song lyrics. I can think of several, but none that sums up my year. Something about good beginnings perhaps, because while I didn't actually accomplish much, I've done a number of things and made a start on certain changes.
BONUS: Who are you that you weren't a year ago?
I'm not sure yet, but I'm actually trying to figure it out which is new. Hopefully I have a better answer for this next year.
YIKES, this thing is long.
Get the Pet (Score:1)
Few years ago gave up urban life and made my way back to my roots, country livin. I make much less dollars now, but am immensely richer from that one decision.
Re:Get the Pet (Score:2)