2005 in capsule
A friend of mine completed this survey on LiveJournal, and I thought it might be an interesting exercise. I have an excellent memory, but a terrible on-command memory, so my answers to these questions might be wholly arbitrary. Read on, old crocuses, and if there’s something about my life that I’ve forgotten, please let me know.
1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
I snorkelled; I started a graduate program. As of February, I held a full-time job for longer than I ever have (the eternal student never holds these jobs for more than four months at a time). I gave two lectures. I drove a SmartCar in Canada.
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Did I make New Year’s resolutions? I tend to make resolutions about three days before something big happens, which usually means spending about half a day on the Matt Damon Juice Diet and spending the rest of the day pissed that I’m not six feet tall. I did resolve, actually, not to make any decisions that would render me bitter or resentful; that I did. I resolved to finish my manuscript; that I did not. I resolved, as I always do, to be the best version of myself, and I think I actually held to that one this year. Which is a little scary, really.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No. I’m at an age now, I think I’ve opined before, where my friends getting married is no longer a scandal. But I don’t think any of said friends would be happy with babies, yet. I have a cousin who is pregnant, but that doesn’t quite count, I don’t think.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, she says, furiously knocking wood. I’ve told them all that I can’t lose anyone before I turn 30. They are complying.
5. What countries did you visit?
The US, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands. For ruminations and recollections, see my published works on the subject.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Confidence. A plan to get to England. An agent.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
These are the ones that are tough for me. I usually stare at this question for an hour and think “fuck, what a boring year it’s been.” 2003 was the only year for which such a question would be easy to answer. There was the day my hair got huge in San Juan (”Aaahh!” in surprise and alarm), which was, hm, May 12? The day I found out Mike rented me a SmartCar (ah, sweet SmartCars), which was November 11. The 400th anniversary of Guy Fawkes Day was pretty cool - that was November 5.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hm, I don’t think it would be prudent to answer this question before next Thursday. But hopefully it will be that I got through four graduate classes and a full-time job between September and next Thursday, and did well in both. Also: I learned how to be really nice to people while giving them nothing that they want (valuable quality).
9. What was your biggest failure?
I did not complete my manuscript. Will I have done, by the end of this year? I don’t know. There isn’t much to go, but until I finish that, I’m always going to squeam when I see the “Anne” folder on my desktop. Which is a lot.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
See details below. I wrecked my knees and my heart, but all three are recovering nicely.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my portable DVD player. I don’t buy much, but I’m grateful daily that I bought this, and that it’s been wonderful. Van Vliet has seen a lot of me this year.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother’s. He’s always wonderful. Also my mother, who has run the world and conquered poverty, and then written poetry about it, all without sleeping (”you think you haven’t slept?” - and one wonders why I keep the hours I do).
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The British public, for their continuing assaults on the monarchy. Also this guy I talked to once who didn’t know who “Betty Windsor” is - although I don’t believe in referring to her by a name that makes you think you go down the street to borrow sugar from her.
14. Where did most of your money go?
A question I ask myself every day.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The prospect of graduate school, and friends coming home.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Only spoken word will remind me of this year. Mike pointed out to me a few weeks ago that it’s been about four months (hmmm…) since I last heard a song.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:i. happier or sadder? ii. thinner or fatter?
Happier. I’m using my brain. Thinner also, I’d say.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With friends and family, at my house, watching movies and eating chocolate. Then, a revolving restaurant for Christmas dinner. When the movies aren’t on, the Fireplace Channel will be.
21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
I have no idea. Not in a bar. Nowhere loud.
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Said friend answered this best: I stayed in love.
23. How many one-night stands?
Ha!
24. What was your favorite TV program?
House, of course! And I see that the Golden Globes have disappointed me - quel surprise.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hmm. Nope, still just Oliver Cromwell.
26. What was the best book you read?
Good Lord. There have been so many. Many books. Will get back to you on this.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I had no musical discoveries. Not this year. Except Martha Wainwright.
28. What did you want and get?
Graduate school. Half-days in June. Paneer, many times.
29.What did you want and not get?
A completed manuscript. A plan for England. The qualities required to keep a house clean.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hm. Dunno. The Goblet of Fire, I suppose. I didn’t see many movies. Does SuperMarioWorld count?
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I tooled a SmartCar around town, spent a lovely weekend with Mike, watched Jeremy Brett’s Sherlock Holmes for the first time. I turned twenty-seven.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finishing my manuscript.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Being yelled at for wearing black. Your hysterical ministrations are worthless to me, friends and neighbors: I will never stop.
34. What kept you sane?
Mike’s love.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Oh man, Hugh Laurie. I’ve always loved him, but only fraternally. But now, oh, now.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Do I look like I’m stirred by political issues? I’m not. Not usually; not this year.
37. Who did you miss?
Naomi.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hm. As the answer to #37 will tell you, it takes me about two years to decide if I like people or not.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
You really, really, really can’t solve other people’s problems without their cooperation. But you can do things to let them know they’re loved, and that will help. Prosaic, I know, but a Fundamental Truth.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I think the one at the end of my previous post pretty much sums it up. If I think of anything better, I’ll let you know.
See? I completely fall off. This is so boring that I’m dying inside. But I DID post twice in 24 hours. Count on nothing before next Thursday, and if you do see me before then, I want you to slap me, hard.
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