Another year that was generally accepted as awful but nonetheless had some incredibly bright spots for me personally; another blog post that nobody will see except maybe my kid in a few years when he is waxing nostalgic.
1. What did you do this year that you'd never done before?
Was part of a pandemic; worked from bed a record number of days in a row; hiked in the dark to watch the sun come up at Arches, hired a personal trainer.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I believe in evolutions, not resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope. I'm in that gap between my friends being too old and my kid's friends being too young (at least, too young to my way of thinking!)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Ugh. Yes. The dog died the Monday before Christmas, which was awful, and my BFF Duryan died on Jan. 2, but you can bet your ass I'm counting it as part of 2020. She wouldn't want anyone carrying that baggage into the new year!
5. What countries did you visit?
Nowhere new this year.
6. What would you like to have in the new year that you lacked this year?
A U.S. populace that is not only physically healthy but also unafraid of shadows, boogeymen, air, etc.
7. What date from the year will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
None that are good.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Working with (instead of for) the YP to get through the college application process. And he got accepted places!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope; and depending on what media you follow that puts me in the majority or the minority.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Trips, as usual. Beautifying the house. We bought a deep freeze, but the jury's still out on how great it is.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The YP did great as an essential worker at the grocery store when the powers that be decided to blow off school. Duryan was an amazing example of how to keep kicking ass even when cancer is kicking yours. I hope when it's my time to go, I show the same grace and style.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Pretty much everyone else's. Right wing, left-wing, fearmongers, the fearful, I found them ALL tiresome.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel. The yard. Savings because we couldn't travel or go to sporting events.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to the movies when the theaters reopened—until they closed again.
16. What song will always remind you of this year?
I don't want to ruin any songs by associating them with this year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? about the same, but in better shape.
iii. richer or poorer? Definitely richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I am pleased to say that despite covid and side-eyes, I did pretty much everything I wanted to, except for go to Newport, which was shut down and thus beyond my control.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Getting spun up about assholes on social media. Cutting that shit off in the autumn was one of the best decisions I made all year.
20. How (did) you spend Christmas?
We went to see my mom. Again. And it was great, except for the dog dying while we were gone. I ate a lot, drank a lot, learned a lot about cooking, and I think was at least marginally useful.
21. Did you fall in love?
This one is an established daily tradition since 1998.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Longmire, even though it was off the air.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I literally don't hate anyone. I lack the energy.
24. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot of books this year! The Longmire series captured my heart.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That I need to start listening to music again. And practicing the piano.
26. What did you want and get?
Money! Books! Travel! Girly shit! Workout stuff!
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
I guess it was Mank. But it was a shallow bench, for sure.
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 49. I honestly do not remember. It was right around when quarantine was kicking in, so I probably stayed home and worked.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Dumping social media sooner than I did.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept this year?
Bathrobe chic!
31. What kept you sane?
NYAB. Sleep. Same as always.
32. What political issue stirred you the most?
The fact that other people insist on being stirred rather than civil. And the appalling double standards demonstrated.
33. Who did you miss?
All the dead ones, as usual.
34. Who was the best new person you met?
Probably Duryan's neighbor, although we aren't officially that well acquainted.
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned:
Go out whenever you can; connect whenever you can; don't wait around for it to be safer or more convenient or socially acceptable. Fricking do it.
36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
What good is livin' a life you've been given
If all you do is stand in one place...
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