A Happy New Year Meme

A typical way to kick start blogging, I suppose, is to do a “puff” piece.  I thought perhaps that the internet’s friend – google – might be of some assistance, so I put “Happy New Year Meme” into the search box to see what I might find.

First page results led me to one posted by a guy calling himself “the Gunfighter”.  (He blogs on typepad.)

As I read the meme, I realized that I’d already seen this format over at SneakyG’s blog.  (She blogs on blogger.)

And so, without further ado, here we go:

1.  What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

I had to think about this for a few minutes.  The time has passed by so quickly and yet I can’t think of a single new thing I did last year that I had never done before.   No, there was one thing: I have become very cavalier about my employment situation and been totally honest with my leader about what is I want and expect from our employer.  I have also let all the filters on what I say fall away.  Life’s too short to eat any more bull shit.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t recall making any new year’s resolutions last year.  I don’t really believe in them.  However, I was thinking that I should probably cut down on the amount of time I waste while on the clock doing non-productive things or surfing the web.  I will be making a conscious effort to do so and have stricken some select websites I’ve historically visited.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.  A co-worker who occupied the office next to me did, though and several other co-workers will be giving birth shortly.  None of them are particularly close, but their procreation efforts, and the resulting maternity leaves, are complicating my efforts to achieve a job transfer.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My late wife’s father (my father-in-law) died last January from cancer.  A good friend (made quickly) died in October from cancer.

5. What countries did you visit?

In 2009, the only other country I travelled to was the United States.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Clarity as it relates to my current employment situation.   All else flows from there.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

No specific dates, really.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Still walking on this side of the grass at year’s end.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I did not get the manufactured stone onto the house again this past summer.  I got a start on the scratch coat, though.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I experienced a relatively rare condition known as a pilonidal abscess in July.  It was painfully uncomfortable and I sincerely hope it never recurs.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I bought a netbook for Ann.  (and a stand mixer too – hey! she requested it!)  I also bought a snow blower.  A small one, because the one I wanted was sold out.  Serves me right for waiting until the snow actually fell!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

No idea.

13. Whose behavior appalled you?

A very recent example:  The asshole who vandalized my vehicle while it was parked in front of my house.  On Boxing Day night to boot!

14. Where did most of your money go?

Food, fuel, renovation supplies and materials, clothing.  Oh, and vacations.

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

I’m a Virgo.  I don’t get “really, really, really excited” about anything.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

2009 was the year I discovered “Scooby Snacks” by the Fun Lovin’ Criminals.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?  Life is what it is.  Most of the time I choose to be happy.  Or I choose not to be sad.
b) thinner or fatter? I’ve probably gained a few pounds and lost more fitness.  Probably need to work on that.  If I believed in new year’s resolutions.
c) richer or poorer? Financially?  According to the stats, we’re all poorer.  But in a life experience sense, definitely richer.  Always richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Relaxed.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Home renovations.  Maybe once they’re done, I can relax?

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Quiet Christmas at home with the family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

No new love in 2009, just growing the existing love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I don’t watch TV.  I catch the odd episode of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on the web from time to time.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hating is a waste of energy.  There are some I dislike and I generally make that plain.

24. What was the best book you read?

I discovered Max McCoy this year.  I read “I, Quantrill” and it was excellent.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

See 16. above.

26. What did you want and get?

Hmmm.

27. What did you want and not get?

Transferred to an overseas project.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I don’t see many films in the theatre, but I did see Star Trek.  It was pretty good.  And a franchise renewal.

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

We had dinner at The Keg with the older girls.  My oldest was upset, though, over her cat.  It had some kind of blood parasite and was pretty close to dying.  After taking the babysitter home, I went back into the city to meet her at the emergency vet clinic.  The cat survived.

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

On a personal note, getting the approval to transfer to the overseas project.  This would have enabled us to firm up our life plans moving forward.  As it is, we are still in a holding pattern, but starting to lean towards just assuming that it ain’t gonna happen.  Which means we’ll be sticking it out here for a while longer.  A plan for that will be required.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Functionally practical.  Or is that practically functional?

32. What kept you sane?

I’m a Virgo.  See 15. above.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I loathe celebrity/public figures.  Really, have you ever noticed how so many of these “celebs” are mental midgets and head cases?  Who needs that?

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Oddly, despite the fact that I’m a Canadian citizen, I was angered quite a bit at:

1) the lack of any criminal investigations and charges against the greedy thieves in the American banking sector

2) the way the “debate” went on Barack Obama’s attempt to reform the way medical services are delivered to Americans.

I wonder if I would have even noticed were I not now married to an American citizen?  Probably not so much on #2.

35. Who did you miss?

Answering this question invites speculations and questions that have no answers.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I didn’t meet any one new this year.  At least that I can recall.  I did try to reconnect with a few “old” persons via facebook.  How’s that going?  Uh, not that great.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

A valuable life lesson?  Hmmm.  Not sure there was one.  I’ve learned some tough ones over the last few years.  Can’t think of a one for 2009, though.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

“Runnin’ around, robbin’ banks all wacked on my Scooby Snacks!”

Happy New Year, y’all!

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