anagramofbrat | Oh boy, tis the season for end of year questionnaires

What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Went to PAX, spent a significant amount of time on head meds, grew things that were actually edible, went to a burlesque show. And another one. And another one...

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't tend to make them. I more set nebulous goals and if I more or less get in the ballpark of them by the end of the next year I count it a success. Considering I'm still alive, in love, not homeless and somewhat steadily employed I think I've done well even if I can't remember precisely what my goals specifically were.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

There were a couple of babies in the circle of friends and family. Some brains were eaten in the process.

Did anyone close to you die?

Well, Dad scared us right good at the beginning of the year, but bounced back beautifully. I lost an uncle and an aunt on opposite sides of the family in the meantime, but I wasn't particularly close to either.

What countries did you visit?

Travel requires money. I hope to at least see the other side of this one next year. I owe some folks in Texas and Seattle visits.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Mo' money, mo' money. And an actually working cell phone. Bonus if it's some variant of smartphone.

What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Dates are hazy, but I remember March 12, May 20, July 4th, Oct 7th and Nov 24th being good days.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Biting the bullet and getting a job that rolls out a consistent paycheck every week. Also pulling myself more or less out of a 3 year crippling depression, but I don't know if that's exactly a personal achievement.

What was your biggest failure?

Still horrid with money. I think I need to take a class.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Some years with a chronic illness are better than others. This was not a good year for Andee/her Intestines relations.

What was the best thing you bought?

Probably the tomato plants earlier this year. I got so excited about growing my own shit. I'm looking forward to doing it again next summer. Also bookshelves. Job = much needed household shit, I'm boring.

Whose behavior merited celebration?

No one comes to mind. I'm sure there are people out there that deserve lauding. Can't think of them right now.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Republicans seems like a cop out answer but it fits.

Where did most of your money go?

Bill catch-up and food. Really need to work on cooking myself lunches over the weekends and then remembering to take it to work with me. Going out for many of your meals is pricy.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Well, I did get engaged and shit.

What song will always remind you of 2011?

Trying not to respond with "Friday" but now it's fucking stuck in my head.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
1. happier or sadder? Happier. Or at least much less with the depressed.
2. thinner or fatter? A lot thinner. Damn crohns.
3. richer or poorer? A little richer, but not by much. Stuff is at least getting paid, but not as fast as I'd like.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Working?

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Being in intestinal pain?

How will you be spending Christmas?

In NY with the Brownes. Looking forward to it.

Did you fall in love in 2011?

Besides a constant Manbeast (whom I admittedly love quite a bit more with each passing day, interspersed with thoughts of playful murder), I've had an ongoing crush and a complication. Damn it, pretty ladies.

How many one-night stands?

One. That was interesting, and had happy consequences.

What was your favourite TV program?

I've watched a lot of interesting TV through the powers combined of torrenting (not tormenting) and netflix. Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad are currently ranking as my favorites.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

My Arya-style litany of people I would see dead or lemon-reamed by life hasn't changed much. There is at least one person I have purposely severed ties with this year, but that's for the best and I don't precisely hate them.

What was the best book you read?

Tough call, I had to go to goodreads and look at my 50 book challenge tally. I think the ones I liked the best were China Mieville's The City and The City, Peter Beagle's Tamsin, Jennifer Egan's A Visit from the Goon Squad, George R. R. Martin's A Dance With Dragons, and Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

This year I realized I kinda liked Gnarls Barkley, Arcade Fire, MGMT and OK Go. Also Adele, in small doses.

What did you want and get?

Quite a few things. A new job, a sparkly thing, more bookshelves… this was definitely a year of acquiring lots of little things that were needed.

What did you want and not get?

Again, quite a few things, but nothing I can't do without for a little while. I still need new glasses, pants and bras, for example.

What was your favourite film of this year?

Man, I used to be more of a movie buff. :P but I did manage to get out and go see a couple of things this year. Thor. Captain America. The Muppets. All of which I enjoyed. I think next year I'm gonna try to go out and see more movies, I miss it.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

cell23 took me out for a steak dinner at the ABC then we wandered to the back of the restaurant with the pool tables and the darts and OMGSURPRISE there were people there wanting to liquor me up and play pool and dance. I may have squeed myself.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

having a pig fly over our apartment shitting pure gold coins. Wait no, that would probably damage the roof. Shitting rolls of 50s.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Everything being three sizes too big. Thank heavens for kadharonon and her gift of dress slacks and capris earlier this year.

What kept you sane?

Meds, kitties, cell23, having friends very close by.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I'm a little disturbed by how much attention I found myself paying to Chris Hemsworth in Thor. Blond and muscley is about the opposite of my usual type, and yet his torso narrowing down to improbably skinny jeans held my attention in a way I'm not quite comfortable with admitting.

That and the usual attractions to Robert Downey Jr, Tina Fey, Alyson Hannigan and Alexander Skarsgard. Oh and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion. Just... yes.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Probably OWS. I don't support it 100%, seeing as there are problems with inclusivity and personal issues with some organizers I'm acquainted with (long story short, they're assholes). But I think it did start a much needed political dialogue, and at least the rest of the population is now aware that police officers can be utter dicks.

Who did you miss?

A few folks but no one different than usual.

Who was the best new person you met?

The person I've been discreetly referring to as CuteGirl. :) And maybe Hors D'oeuvres, the MC of Bon Appetit Burlesque. Oh and I do rather love my boss at Smith, she's pretty awesome.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

The older you get the less you care about people judging you for shit. Also sometimes drugs are good, mmk.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future
Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin'
Into the future

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Oh, Lord, through the revolution

Feed the babies
Who don't have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin' in the street
Oh, oh, there's a solution

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free
Fly through the revolution

Yeah... that works.