New Year Meme

1.    What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Turned 60, rode in a gondola,  hiked in Umbria, processed raw fleece, learned to weave, adopted a kitty, walked in a bamboo forest.

2.    Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t think I made any resolutions last year; I think they wear off after a few months anyway.

3.    Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4.    Did anyone close to you die?
A couple of my hospice clients, but that’s the name of the game

5.    What countries did you visit?
Italy, Hawaii (since I’m living in Canada, that counts).

6.    What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More work and an easier time with Maria’s yoga class. 

7.   What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I have no head for dates

8.    What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Clearing the many hurdles towards permanent residency in Canada

9.    What was your biggest failure?
I failed to fall in love with weaving.  But there are two looms in my exercise room.

10.    Did you suffer illness or injury?
Badly wrenched my shoulder.

11.    What was the best thing you bought?
A drop spindle.  Something about elegant primitive technologies.  Kinetic art.  Luxurious fleece for spinning. 

Spindle

12.    Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mr. Salamander, for being a hero in so many ways. Dabysan for booking more life-changing events into one year than I can believe and, of course, for completing his blogging challenge.  Carrienation for being the kind of brilliant and openhearted  human being you might only wish to meet, much less be related to. My mother for her feisty spirit, reminding us that old age ain’t for sissies. 

13.    Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sarah Palin.  Ron Blagojevich, Eliott Spitzer (but less).

14.    Where did most of your money go?
What money?  Haven’t exactly killed myself with work this year. 

15.    What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Being kissed by Mr. Salamander in a gondola approaching the Rialto.  Obama’s election.  Dabysan’s engagement. 

16.    What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Teddy Bear’s Picnic

17.    Compared to this time last year, are you:
a)    happier or sadder?
Both happier and sadder -- hopefully a bit more aware.
b)    thinner or fatter?
fatter
c)    richer or poorer?
poorer

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

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

20.    How did you spend Christmas?
Snowbound.  Warm.

21.    Did you fall in love in 2008?
Over and over again.

22.    What was your favorite TV program?
In Therapy

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

24.    What was the best book you read?
Non Fiction: The Religious Case Against Belief.  Fiction: Infinite Jest

25.    What was your greatest musical discovery?
Learning to play Air on a G String.

26.    What did you want and get?
A loom.

27.    What did you want and not get?
My couch, reupholstered. 

28.    What was your favorite film of this year?
Kung Fu Panda.  Seriously.  I loved it. 

29.    What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had my whole family out to visit me here in Canada because I turned 60!  It was such a great gift getting to know both CarrieNation and my nearly all grown up nieces. 

30.    What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Swimming all the way across the lake and back like I did in 2007.  Damn shoulder.

31.    How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Multiple, mismatched hand-knit items.  I’m turning into Miss Haversham. 

32.    What kept you sane?
Sandy.  Thank god for Sandy.  Knitting.  Thank god for knitting.  Yoga.  Thank god for Maria.  Spinning.  Thank god for the Spinners.

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

34.    What political issue stirred you the most?
Shaken, not stirred.  I feel like I’m getting a master’s degree in Economics.  While not forgetting the Environment. Torture.  Civil Liberties.

35.    Who did you miss?
Far flung friends.  You live long enough, your friends become quite dispersed. 

36.    Who was the best new person you met?
CarrieNation.

37.    Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Expect the unexpected.

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

“…and these few precious days, I’ll spend with you.”