1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
Nothing Earth shattering- I visited Nic in Canada for the first time in the six or so years she’s lived there and ate moose at her rehearsal dinner. I saw the Nutcracker for the first time.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t really make resolutions. When I do, I tend to make them on my birthday because that is what I consider to be the start of a new year for myself.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Umm, I guess that depends on how you interpret “close”. Several friends had babies (Rachel had Gianna in May, Brad and Jen had Sebastian in October, and Raul and Julie had Amanda in November), but no one in my immediate family or everyday circle of friends.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no. Lolly’s dad died, and that has completely sucked. I wasn’t close to him but I am close to her- I’m not sure if that quite counts.
5. What countries did you visit?
Canada
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A boyfriend. I know that sounds kind of shallow, but it’s what I really missed not having, especially with all of 2005’s weddings. Oh, and job I like.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched in your memory, and why?
Two dates: March 19 and July 30. March 19th was the day ATI competed in the Regional One Act Festival in Oregon, and July 30th was the day I threw Caryn a surprise bridal shower which I managed to pull off despite living several states away.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Learning the lines for the aforementioned one act play in less than 3 days. An actor had to back out at the last second, and while my performance was far from perfect, we made a really good showing and gave a pretty darn good first impression of our little theater. Also, gathering the courage to join OA was a huge thing.
9. What was your biggest failure?
A work thing that I can’t talk bout here. But it’s fixed and did not cost me my job, so I guess that’s what is important.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope. Had a bad cold last week but nothing major.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My laptop.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Uhhhhh…. I can’t really think of anyone.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My ex-coworker. Which I can’t say much about, except to say that the reasons that they are an EX-coworker are numerous and quite justified.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The boring answer is rent. I live in one of the most expensive places in the country. The slightly more fun answer is plane and theater tickets.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Nic’s wedding in Toronto, Caryn’s shower, and her wedding, getting to see Wicked… Those were some of the biggest moments this year, but I’m easily excited in general…
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, because it was the song of many covers this year, including the wrongest wrong thing ever.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
Happier, thinner by a little I think- I’ve gone up and down this year but I think for once I have stayed more down than up, financially I’m about the same.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveling. My friends have gone to some cool places this past year, and it makes me realize that I want to go nifty places too. Also, spending time with my best friends.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Trying to be everything for everyone and running myself ragged.
20. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
Working the party at the theater. They’re doing drinks, dinner, a show, and then dancing til midnight. It’s gonna be fun.
21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Nope.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Survivor, Grey’s Anatomy, Related
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No. Not hate. There are people who were in my life at this time last year who, due to their actions, are no longer in my life, but I do not hate them.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Wow, um… Dan Chameroy. Other musical awesomeness includes Dar Williams and Avenue Q… All of these courtesy of Charlotte, so I guess she has had the most influence over my musical tastes this year.
28. What did you want and get?
An iPod, the master bedroom, a new laptop.
29. What did you want and not get?
A raise and/or a better job
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
RENT. I’m a total RENT-head, and waited MONTHS for it to be released. They changed a few things that made me unhappy, but still.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old did you turn?
I turned 29, and on my actual birthday I went to dinner and a movie with some friends, and had a party at Keegan’s the weekend after my birthday.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with friends who live far away. Because we are relational creatures, and spending time with friends is always infinitely more satisfying than stressing about work or finances or housemates or anything else.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
I don’t have a “fashion concept.” I wear clothes and try not to look like a slob. I’ve worn more pink this year than I probably ever have in my life (I was a tomboy growing up), but my sartorial choices had little to do with trying to be fashionable.
34. What kept you sane?
I’m gonna have to steal Caryn’s answer and go with “supportive friends”- people I can vent over IM to or go have a relaxing dinner and just decompress.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Fancy? Ummm….. no? one?
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The gay marriage issue, and the kerfuffle in Indiana with the senator wanting to pass really discriminatory laws regarding assisted pregnancy.
37. Whom did you miss?
I missed Ryan, which feels weird to admit, but I did. I missed him almost daily when I let myself think about it. And I really missed Tara. I can’t count how many times I longed for the days when we used to share an office.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Nic’s husband Richard. He is completely awesome, and so right for her. (Bonn is really awesome too, but since I technically met her last year…)
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
It’s not so much something I strictly learned in 2005, but, to be myself. To quit trying to be the person I think other people want me to be. It’s much more satisfying to be the person I want me to be.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Every so often we long to steal
To the land of what might have been
But that doesn’t soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in
– Not That Girl from Wicked