The Traditional 2008 in the Rearview
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
This wasn't much of a ground breaking year, personally speaking. But I did see Franti live, twice. And wrecked my car into a deer. And spent nearly a week in New York City by myself. There was a little something that I thought I'd never do again, but came out of semi-retirement to do with gusto. That worked out pretty well.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My resolutions are typically broadly stroked hopes as opposed to specific goals, if only because laying out the specifics seems to spell certain failure on my part. So I'll just point to this list and comment that if I could mark one or five of them achieved in 2009, it will be a very good year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
4. Did anyone close to you die?
5. What countries did you visit?
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
How about one sold house in Raleigh and one new place to call home in WV?
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Tuesday, November 4th.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Sweet lord...sometimes these questions remind me of all the ways I fail to live my best life. Achievement being a relative term, I'm opting to focus on a few smaller causes for self-congratulation. Such as...keeping my mouth shut when I wanted nothing more than to issue forth withering, regrettable oratory. (Okay, not always, but most of the time.) Meeting every deadline assigned to me, and then some. Agreeing to move back to West Virginia without causing too much emotional wreckage in the process.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I hate this question. My failures are many. My resolve to acknowledge them is abundant. My willingness to relive and spell them all out here for you - again (see: I blog) - not so vast.
10. What was the best thing you bought?
How about the best thing I was given? A certain someone tucked a receipt for a quite sizable donation made to 'Toys for Tots' in my name into my stocking this Christmas. I'm not sure which was the greater gift: understanding that the one I love really does pay attention and knows me better than I thought, or the knowledge that a happy holiday was made possible for many children through his generosity. Either way, I cried on Christmas morning. Again.
11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I have to give this one to my husband. After a long, successful career with one firm, he was a much sought after commodity this year. Three separate job offers, all with their own bits of glitter and glory, came his way in 2008. He opted for the one that offered gratification as the cherry on top.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?
I could point to a great many political figures and a couple of political bloggers, too, but won't. On a personal level, I'm happy to say that if anyone left me feeling appalled and disgusted by their behavior, it appears I've forgiven and forgotten already, because I can't think of a single example.
13. What song will always remind you of 2008?
14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Visited my parents.
15. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish I'd stayed away from the hateful face of the political blogosphere on both sides of the conversation during the election season. My perceptions of some people and some points of view have soured beyond repair because I couldn't - or wouldn't - stay away. A bit of personal commentary here: please spare me the lectures on "class" and "grace" when you clearly can't be bothered to demonstrate a shred of either yourselves.
See? I wish I'd stayed away.
16. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes I did. But then, I fall more in love with him every year.
17. What was your favorite TV program?
House. Dirty Sexy Money. Brothers and Sisters. Friday Night Lights (January 16th!). Dexter. Colbert and Stewart. Rachel Maddow. *sigh* Unfortunately, I watch way too much TV.
18. What was the best book you read?
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby.
19. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?
More time to read. More inclination to exercise. Less insistence on sweating the small stuff. Learning to count.
20. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Confused, at best.
21. What kept you sane?
Sanity is overrated, really.
22. Who did you miss?
Owen Schmitt. The far flung members of my family who I do not get to see often enough for my liking. Tim Russert.
23. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a ton of great folks working on the campaign this year. Hopeful, energetic, enthusiastic, hard working, intelligent people, of all ages and backgrounds. It was truly, eclectically amazing.
24. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2008.
"If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress."
25. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I want to live in the world, I want
to stand and be counted
With the hopeful and the willing
With the open and the strong
With the voices in the darkness
Fashioning daylight out of song
And the millions of lovers
Alive in the world
I want to live in the world, not behind some wall
I want to live in the world, where I will
hear if another voice should call
To the prisoner inside me
To the captive of my doubt
Who among his fantasies harbors the dream of breaking out
And taking his chances
Alive in the world
To open my eyes and wake up alive in the world
To open my eyes and finally arrive in the world
With its beauty and its cruelty
With its heartbreak and its joy
With it constantly giving birth to life
and to forces that destroy
And the infinite power of change
Alive in the world
To open my eyes and wake up alive in the world
To open my eyes and finally arrive in the world
To open my eyes and wake up alive in the world
To open my eyes and finally arrive in the world.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
http://www.freegrantguru.com
Posted by: Alena | January 17, 2009 at 02:10 AM
Number 10? That's all in the world I want. Really ^j^
Posted by: poopie | January 03, 2009 at 06:41 PM
great list...keep us posted on the move. Packing up to move is ick, but unpacking in a new place, to me is a symbolic action in itself. All your stuff is there to comfort you, yet you still are on a path that moves forward. good luck with the comimg move and 2009!
Posted by: pat | January 03, 2009 at 11:38 AM
This is such a good idea -- take a thoughtful look back at 2008 and then move forward.
Posted by: Jen on the Edge | December 30, 2008 at 09:18 PM
You seem fine.
Good luck with #6. Sell quick and high.
Join the club on #20.
On the bright side, I saw you waving on TV Saturday. ;)
Posted by: Paul is a Hermit | December 30, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Raleigh will miss you, Jennifer.
Posted by: kenju | December 30, 2008 at 10:16 AM