2008 Meme

Well, Ellen did this one, so I feel obliged to do so, as well.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Canvassed a neighborhood and called total strangers in support of a presidential candidate.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Made no resolutions in 2008, but for 2009, I resolve to get back to a weight loss program that includes walking.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die? My sweet dog, Ricky.

5. What countries did you visit? None this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Less debt.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? March 24th (my new job’s start date), November 4th (election day), November 5th (the day I put my dog down), and November 13th (the day I passed my Series 7).

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Passing the Series 7.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not staying with Atkins after losing 15 lbs.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Plantar fasciitis in both heels, GERD, gigantic ragweed hive from an allergy test.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Flat-screen televisions.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My brother and sister-in-law, because, after one very bad evening which led to an arrest, they actually went to counseling and have been working on their marriage.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? The above-mentioned bad episode.

14. Where did most of your money go? Paying off debt and creating more debt.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The Barack Obama rally in St. Louis, my new job and the election results.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? American Prayer

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? About the same, emotions-wise. Fatter. Poorer, and yet, richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Walking.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Spending money.

20. How did you spend Christmas? At a good friend’s house, eating, playing games and laughing.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? No.

22. What was your favorite TV program? Countdown with Keith Olbermann and Supernatural.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? The Wasilla Hillbilly, Sarah Palin, and any sap who thinks this complete imbecile is worthy of high political office.

24. What was the best book you read? When I had time to read, it was Why the Jews Rejected Jesus by David Klinghoffer. It’s a provocative look at the roots of Christianity (and Islam), and the idea that Christianity and Islam might never have come about had the Jews accepted Jesus. Pretentious in its prose, but interesting to contemplate and definitely makes an open-minded reader think.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? That Ellen enjoys shaming you for not listening to lyrics.

26. What did you want and get? Large flat-screen television.

27. What did you want and not get? Nikon 35mm SLR digital camera.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? “Michael Clayton” was quite good.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I didn’t do anything on that day, and I turned 49. It’s really weird that I am older than my dad ever got to be.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Waiting until November to roll my 401(k) into a mutual fund.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Trying not to outgrow my wardrobe.

32. What kept you sane? My beautiful little niece and my friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Barack Obama, but “fancy” only in the sense of admiration.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The election.

35. Who did you miss? Tim Russert, but mostly, my dog Ricky.

36. Who was the best new person you met? My new co-workers.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Nothing changes if nothing changes.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one." ~ John Lennon