2009 in Review.
Dec. 26th, 2009 10:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
teylaminhProper update coming at some other point; I'm waiting for something to start on t'telly. I should really do this in the new year, but as it's Paul's birthday on the 1st I shall inevitably forget, and a few other people have done it already. Stolen off Eni.
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Attempted to be a secretary. Other than that... not very much, actually. I may have tried some other new and exciting vegetables. I can remember trying aubergine and also falafel...
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Given I didn't make any, no. Not even the ones I didn't voice, like learning to make curry or going to visit Katie.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, but Paul's mate Jenny is pregnant.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Same answer as Eni - no close relatives, but about six million celebrities.
5. What countries did you visit?
France in January, in sub-zero temperatures.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Financial security, and a better job for Paul. 2009 sucked the big one in that department and scuppered most plans for... well, anything. As ever, emotional stability would be a plus.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I suck at actually remembering dates, but the day in February when I saw Sunset Boulevard with Eni and Paul. I felt more alive during that production than I have in a fair few years. To that end, the period until about April after that was pretty amazing, too - rediscovering the fandom and the joy it had once brought, even though the end of that period was some bittersweet and tainted with nostalgic remembrance. And 26th September, for my mum's wedding - it was such a lovely day.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I... wrote some half-decent Jonathan Creek fanfic. I think that's probably about it. I suppose you could count actually obtaining the secretary job an achivement, even though it ended in disaster. Started embroidering properly again.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Secretary debacle of panicky doom.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Hah! Re-broke my foot in March, and was off work for five weeks. During which, despite bemoaning the fact that I needed a week off to write all the stuff which had been going around my head in the early hours of the morning immediately prior, I did exactly nothing except watch Jeremy Kyle and play Professor Layton on the DS. FAIL.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to Sunset Boulevard. And our fresh free-range Christmas turkey, which was bloody gorgeous.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
A few people...
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few other people. And the general public, as ever (damn you, X-Factor).
14. Where did most of your money go?
Keeping us afloat when Paul was unemployed, alas.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Sunset Boulevard, both before and after. And Christmas, for the first time in about a decade...
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Spaceman by the Killers because it was so insanely addictive. I chose that song in particular, though the entire of "Day and Age" was amazing.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
(i) happier or sadder? I'm definitely happier than this exact time last year because I'm not frelling ill for once! Generally I think I'm somewhat happier despite a glitch around May/June...
(ii) thinner or fatter? No change. I lost some weight whilst off sick with The Foot but soon put it back on again. Boo.
(iii) richer or poorer? Do I even need to answer this?
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Saw people, or... I dunno, actually. It's a difficult one.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Been randomly cryptic about my problems, or actually attempted to face them. I really wish I'd realised my Rule of Life a little earlier (anything which makes me question my own self worth is not worth the effort) because I might have actually actioned it more often...
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
As is usual, with Paul, seeing friends Christmas Eve and then family the day before - update to follow eventually.
22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I remembered the awesomeness that was Sunset Boulevard, if that counts...
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Probably, er... hm. Jonathan Creek, sadly. Thanks to Channel 4 scheduling bollocks I missed approximately 75% of season 3 of Ugly Betty. I have been enjoying The Family, though.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I really wish I didn't, or that I hadn't manouevred my brain into that mindset... though perhaps 'hate' is too strong a word. I think 'became disappointed in' may sum it up better.
26. What was the best book you read?
I've read quite a bit this year... *goes to look on bookcase* I'd have to say Year of Wonders, which I picked up at the Works on their three-for-a-fiver deal, because I read it in about a week whilst I was off sick. I'm sure I must have read other things before that but can't remember what they were...
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Killers. I think I said the same thing last year, but OMG "Day and Age" just pwns everything.
28. What did you want and get?
Tickets to Sunset Boulevard and a long-overdue kick up the arse in respect of fandom...
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
*checks appropriate LJ tag* I've seen quite a few this year... Coraline is definitely in the top ten, as is Up (I am apparently a sucker for 3D). Inglourious Basterds was pretty good. That is the earliest film my tags tell me about, though I've definitely seen some other good things this year. There was also Antichrist. We have yet to see Where the Wild Things Are and Avatar, so I shal withhold judgement. ;)
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Actual birthday I was at work and went out for lovely Italian food on the evening, the day after was at the pub with friends (and sharing Krispy Kremes with Lisa back home), and then a week later seeing Priscilla in London courtesy of the lovely Eni. :)
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Paul not becoming unemployed; to that end, BCC not being full of complete bastards as per frigging usual.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
The same as ever, but with some attempts at the 80s revival...
34. What kept you sane?
Livejournal, probably. And work, unfortunately.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm... still Johnny Depp and Noel Fielding, I'm afraid. And Brandon Flowers!!
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I can't remember.
37. Who did you miss?
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sweeterthing in the midst of my SB revival insanity. I explained why elsewhere.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmmm... I suppose Eve at work, who joined our team early 2009 and is lovely. I'll be sad to see her leave in the new year when Adults move over to the other building. She's literally the only other person who understands lolcat jokes in the office. :)
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
I'll repeat it here. Anything which makes me question my own self-worth is not worth bothering with. Or words to that effect. The sentiment is there.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
And you know I'm fine
But I hear those voices at night
Sometimes
They justify my claim
From "Spaceman" by the Killers. Mostly I love this song because it reminds me of The X-Files, but I do particularly like that lyric...
Right, I have been drinking champers all afternoon and now on the rosé so shall sign this off.
Happy Boxing Day, f-list!
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Attempted to be a secretary. Other than that... not very much, actually. I may have tried some other new and exciting vegetables. I can remember trying aubergine and also falafel...
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Given I didn't make any, no. Not even the ones I didn't voice, like learning to make curry or going to visit Katie.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, but Paul's mate Jenny is pregnant.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Same answer as Eni - no close relatives, but about six million celebrities.
5. What countries did you visit?
France in January, in sub-zero temperatures.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Financial security, and a better job for Paul. 2009 sucked the big one in that department and scuppered most plans for... well, anything. As ever, emotional stability would be a plus.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I suck at actually remembering dates, but the day in February when I saw Sunset Boulevard with Eni and Paul. I felt more alive during that production than I have in a fair few years. To that end, the period until about April after that was pretty amazing, too - rediscovering the fandom and the joy it had once brought, even though the end of that period was some bittersweet and tainted with nostalgic remembrance. And 26th September, for my mum's wedding - it was such a lovely day.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I... wrote some half-decent Jonathan Creek fanfic. I think that's probably about it. I suppose you could count actually obtaining the secretary job an achivement, even though it ended in disaster. Started embroidering properly again.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Secretary debacle of panicky doom.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Hah! Re-broke my foot in March, and was off work for five weeks. During which, despite bemoaning the fact that I needed a week off to write all the stuff which had been going around my head in the early hours of the morning immediately prior, I did exactly nothing except watch Jeremy Kyle and play Professor Layton on the DS. FAIL.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to Sunset Boulevard. And our fresh free-range Christmas turkey, which was bloody gorgeous.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
A few people...
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A few other people. And the general public, as ever (damn you, X-Factor).
14. Where did most of your money go?
Keeping us afloat when Paul was unemployed, alas.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Sunset Boulevard, both before and after. And Christmas, for the first time in about a decade...
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Spaceman by the Killers because it was so insanely addictive. I chose that song in particular, though the entire of "Day and Age" was amazing.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
(i) happier or sadder? I'm definitely happier than this exact time last year because I'm not frelling ill for once! Generally I think I'm somewhat happier despite a glitch around May/June...
(ii) thinner or fatter? No change. I lost some weight whilst off sick with The Foot but soon put it back on again. Boo.
(iii) richer or poorer? Do I even need to answer this?
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Saw people, or... I dunno, actually. It's a difficult one.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Been randomly cryptic about my problems, or actually attempted to face them. I really wish I'd realised my Rule of Life a little earlier (anything which makes me question my own self worth is not worth the effort) because I might have actually actioned it more often...
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
As is usual, with Paul, seeing friends Christmas Eve and then family the day before - update to follow eventually.
22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I remembered the awesomeness that was Sunset Boulevard, if that counts...
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Probably, er... hm. Jonathan Creek, sadly. Thanks to Channel 4 scheduling bollocks I missed approximately 75% of season 3 of Ugly Betty. I have been enjoying The Family, though.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I really wish I didn't, or that I hadn't manouevred my brain into that mindset... though perhaps 'hate' is too strong a word. I think 'became disappointed in' may sum it up better.
26. What was the best book you read?
I've read quite a bit this year... *goes to look on bookcase* I'd have to say Year of Wonders, which I picked up at the Works on their three-for-a-fiver deal, because I read it in about a week whilst I was off sick. I'm sure I must have read other things before that but can't remember what they were...
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Killers. I think I said the same thing last year, but OMG "Day and Age" just pwns everything.
28. What did you want and get?
Tickets to Sunset Boulevard and a long-overdue kick up the arse in respect of fandom...
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
*checks appropriate LJ tag* I've seen quite a few this year... Coraline is definitely in the top ten, as is Up (I am apparently a sucker for 3D). Inglourious Basterds was pretty good. That is the earliest film my tags tell me about, though I've definitely seen some other good things this year. There was also Antichrist. We have yet to see Where the Wild Things Are and Avatar, so I shal withhold judgement. ;)
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Actual birthday I was at work and went out for lovely Italian food on the evening, the day after was at the pub with friends (and sharing Krispy Kremes with Lisa back home), and then a week later seeing Priscilla in London courtesy of the lovely Eni. :)
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Paul not becoming unemployed; to that end, BCC not being full of complete bastards as per frigging usual.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
The same as ever, but with some attempts at the 80s revival...
34. What kept you sane?
Livejournal, probably. And work, unfortunately.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm... still Johnny Depp and Noel Fielding, I'm afraid. And Brandon Flowers!!
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I can't remember.
37. Who did you miss?
sweeterthing in the midst of my SB revival insanity. I explained why elsewhere.38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmmm... I suppose Eve at work, who joined our team early 2009 and is lovely. I'll be sad to see her leave in the new year when Adults move over to the other building. She's literally the only other person who understands lolcat jokes in the office. :)
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
I'll repeat it here. Anything which makes me question my own self-worth is not worth bothering with. Or words to that effect. The sentiment is there.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
And you know I'm fine
But I hear those voices at night
Sometimes
They justify my claim
From "Spaceman" by the Killers. Mostly I love this song because it reminds me of The X-Files, but I do particularly like that lyric...
Right, I have been drinking champers all afternoon and now on the rosé so shall sign this off.
Happy Boxing Day, f-list!
