Wrapping Up 2006

Wrapping up 2005

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?

Lost my job due to budget issues. Not that I'm proud of it or anything, but all the other big stuff I'd done before (moving, getting a new job, buying an ipod...). I guess I also temped for the first time. That's a good thing. And I was commissioned to knit things for people! For monies!

Oh -- and went to and then hosted a Passion Party.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
From last year:

This year I have a few. I want to work out more, eat better, drink more water, and improve my posture. I want to take more pictures and stay more focused at work. Yeah – loads of resolutions.

Well, I did none of those...I did work out more sometimes, but that wasn't consistent. My posture has gotten worse, if that's possible. I probably took more pictures, but I also stopped mid-year. And focus at work? Psh. As if. Yeah. I sucked. At life.

This year, I want to work out more (HA), be a nicer person (at least outwardly), and definitely be more patient (both inside and out). And drink more water.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I count my blessings -- no one did this year.

5. What countries did you visit?
The Midwest

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2006?
A healthy relationship with myself <----This was there from last year. I thought it was still apt.

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
I can't think of one day in particular. Perhaps Lesley's wedding. Even though that was associated with a flurry of activity in the entire weekend surrounding the wedding.

Maybe December 19th...Or should that be the 17th?

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finding a job that I like -- working with people whose company I genuinely enjoy. And finally being able to accept myself the way I am -- and coming close to being truly happy.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Allowing myself to become depressed when I lost my job.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really this year. There were lots of paper cuts. Some busted toenails. But no real injuries.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I bought my sister some pants that she's been absolutely coveting all year. It was nice to get my sister something that she wanted that my parents would never in a million years get her -- both because I could afford it and because I wanted to make her happy.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?Anyone at the office who didn't judge me too harshly at one of our parties.

And my sister, for being generally awesome. And for getting into West Point.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Well, it depends on what you mean by appalled. And I was never depressed due to other people's actions. People can't make you feel anything you don't want to feel.

I think if anyone made me feel appalled, it was me, for my own behavior.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Aside from rent and utilities (and my gym membership), I bought a lot of CDs and DVDs this year. And surprisingly less shoes than last year. Okay. That's still a lot of shoes...

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I can't think of any one thing...part of the problem with being mildly depressed for most of the year is that it takes quite a bit to get you excited about anything. And so now I'm starting to get really excited about stuff, but for some reason "my first real date with a boy I actually like a lot" and "OMG, guys, he called me"

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Say Goodnight and Go by Imogen Heap

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder?
I suppose that if I'm going to be honest, I'm happier. Last year, even though I still had my grandmother on my mind (in the way that hurts so bad), I was in a relationship I was really excited about. But I was hiding it from people, and other people were mad at me, and I felt like no one really approved (whether or not they did is beside the point). I ended up thinking I was happy, but really feeling like it was all the calm before the storm. And it was. This year I think it's pretty much that I'm mildly happy about life things. I'm pretty happy about the boy situation. And I have a job I like instead of one I'm settling for. I think if anything, it's the calm after last year's storm.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel. And relish my happier moments.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I wish that I had spent less time eating and sitting on my ass feeling sorry for myself.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With my family, maybe around the tree, opening presents.

21. How will you be spending New Years?
That's a good question.

22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I didn't, but I think I'm finally ready to accept love in my life again, should it want to find me.

23. How many one-night stands?
None

24. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, The Brak Show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and as always, Futurama.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I try to make it a policy not to hate people. I do dislike some people strongly, but that list is pretty much the same as it was last year.

26. What was the best book you read?
The Time Traveler's Wife, My Sister's Keeper

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Blow, The Raconteurs, and most definitely We Are Scientists.

28. What did you want that you also ended up getting?
Heheheh

29. What did you want that you did not end up getting?
I didn't get an electric guitar or a record player. But I am going to try to snag an acoustic guitar from my parents and steal their record player.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Besides Talladega Nights? You mean other movies came out this year?

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?I turned 22 -- it seems like ages ago. We went to the Cactus Club for dinner, then hit up Whiskey's, then went clubbing at the Big Sleazy.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finding a job more quickly, and with less weight gain.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Indie-tastic.

34. What kept you sane?
Not caring much about the outcome of things.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Steve Carrell

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
None really stir me all that much.

37. Who did you miss?
My grandmother, always. My friends. Laura, Jessica, Teresa, Lisa, Ben...I miss everyone that made college so special.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
:)

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
To just go for it. It can't hurt more than not going for it. Also, to relax -- and stop freaking the fuck out about everything.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

The scene is dead but I'm still restless
An hour or so till the last call I guess
I shouldn't even be here much less
Drinking myself into excess
I'm not going home till I'm done

--The Scene is Dead - We Are Scientists

OR (more likely):

i have tried
my hopes have blossomed
and my hopes have fried,
i tried to cut them all down
but i found hopes were still living deep inside

--Fists Up! - The Blow

Why they call it raisin?

I finished reading two books on this trip (so far). The first one was My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult. I recommend this one -- Emily is the one who originally told me about the book, but I didn't get around to it until I picked up The Tenth Circle at the airport on my trip to Lancaster. Because I loved it so much, I figured I'd give another Jodi Picoult book a shot and I was not disappointed.

I have to rant a little bit about Little Children, though.

Little Children was written by Tom Perrotta, who wrote Election, which I haven't read -- but I've seen the Reese Whitherspoon/Matthew Broderick movie based on that book, and loved it. I heard that Kate Winslet was going to be in this movie (Little Children) and so I implicitly wanted to see it, and by association, read the book. Never having seen a real preview, I couldn't imagine that it wasn't anything but fabulous -- and maybe it is. The book, however, is the worst piece of trash I have ever picked up, and I have picked up some pretty bad books in my life.

Aside from the story line, which was a little bit unbelievable, I had two major peeves with this book. Firstly, the toddlers in this book speak like little retarded children. I know I shouldn't say that, because it's fairly non-PC, but I swear to God. Children only speak as poorly as you teach them to speak. I suppose since on more than one occasion I caught adults in this book using improper grammar ("do good on a test" for instance), I shouldn't be surprised that the toddlers say things like "what you favorite color?" and "why they call it raisin?" Apparently, in Massachusetts suburbs they're raising some little ignoramuses -- Perrotta himself included. (and in no way to suggest anything about any friends I have who grew up in MA suburbs ;)

The second peeve I had was that the sex scenes were just appalling. They were clearly written by a man -- and they were degrading. Sarah was described in excruciating detail, and Todd would fade into the background. I mean come on. It was frustrating at best, and insulting at worst.

I already listed this book on half.com -- and I really hope some sucker buys it from me. Only because I lost the receipt. Because this book is so bad, I'd throw shame to the wind and return it. It sucked that hard.

Wolf Parade

I downloaded a song by Sunset Rubdown recently, with no expectations -- I had no idea what band this was, or what to expect. I've gotten such a deluge of new music lately that I don't even bother to listen to all of it anymore. It became necessary to add the "Date Added" field in iTunes just to figure out, based on which songs haven't been played and/or rated, which I have added to my library without bothering to take a listen.

I recognized the voice immediately, but didn't think it was possible. I guess when your life is music, it shouldn't surprise people when you are in three overlapping Indie bands. And I guess Wolf Parade hasn't released anything since Queen Mary, which has probably left time for side projects.

Anyway, yes. That's Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade and Swan Lake. He's got an awesome voice, in the way that Billy Corgan had an awesome voice -- there's no denying it when you hear it. I happen to love it, but I've heard it's not for everyone. Still -- I think it's sexxy.

I also found a Hot Chip remix of Do The Whirlwind (by Architecture in Helsinki). It's...interesting. I think I'll keep it.

I also don't know what to do with all my free time

Being home has provided me with an extra-special holiday rollercoaster of emotion.

My dad predicted that it would take my sister and me four days to start fighting. In reality it was three days. And instead of my sister, it was my mother. And instead of happening within the safe confines of the house it happened at a crowded Chick-fil-a at the mall. We r awesome.

Anyway, things are better now, and instead of talking about that, I'll talk about the things in El Paso that I fully plan on taking advantage of (Chick-fil-a and Terrazas having been crossed off the list today): Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Arby's, and Schlotzskys. Well...maybe not Schlotzsky's...

I got to see Peter and Patrick on the 23rd. We watched Talladega Nights, and then flipped through various infomercials. The infomercials with the running O'Brien commentary were as funny as Talladega Nights.

So now I'm just relaxing. I can't believe I took a week off of work. I don't know what to do...with my hands.

I'm not really that cynical, but it writes up well

I am stuck at Logan right now -- flying standby to Denver. Then from Denver to El Paso.

God knows when I'll set foot on El Paso soil, because I'm not entirely convinced I'll be lucky enough to be on the 4 o'clock flight, and assuming that I am, I'm not entirely convinced I'll make any sort of connection to El Paso. I mean...what? My glass is totally half full.

In the meantime, I purchased Internets for the day. $8, which sounds worth it and very reasonable. A girl can't live without her Internet! Hence the blogging.

I don't understand why I can't be routed through some other hub. I don't think it's unreasonable for me to ask, and now I'm feeling rather sheepish about how easily I let the obnoxious tiny woman behind the counter tell me that there were no other options since I've checked my bags. My bags and I...we parted ways. I don't intend to see them for a while -- I've made my peace with that. Now can we please discuss getting me on another plane, woman? This only occurred in my head. Instead I slunk away meekly, deciding that people actually trying to get to Denver should come first. Which is about the dumbest kind of reasoning I've ever come up with, yet.

So the office party last night was fun, aside from some of the topics of conversation, which weren't very fun for me. At least I think this will be the last time those things come up. I wasn't the office drunk this time around, and for that I'm rather proud -- although I did get in trouble for tending bar later in the evening. Well, mildly scolded, at least. There was no bartender, and he had not announced last call! So we grabbed something before they packed up the bar, and I am not ashamed of that. Also, Everyone loved my skirt -- the one I almost didn't wear because I thought the tulle made me look like a five year old in a ballet recital. But I got at least five independent compliments.

Of course, the drinking left me ill equipped to deal with the "your flight was cancelled" crisis. My dad called twice -- having no idea I wasn't sitting sedately at home. I was wondering why the hell I gave the airline my parents' phone number. I think it's just stored on the priceline/expedia server as my primary number, which I guess made sense when I was in college. I was on hold with united forever, until I decided I just couldn't deal with this, and passed out on my futon.

I started calling again at six in the morning, knowing full well that I would probably be booked on a later flight, and possibly that I'd be on standby. I just wanted to sleep in my own bed until I had to leave for the airport. No dice. I had to head to the airport in person to get the bad news. And so here I am, waiting for a plane that will probably leave without me. If it leaves at all.

Story of my life.

The 747's - Rain Kiss

It's raining kisses for you
She has a lot to give
So keep your head up high
And take it as you live

For when the rain falls
And then it shines like this
I fall down at your feet
I fall down at your feet
For this beautiful rain kiss, yeah
Never thought I'd see a day like this
But you know I'll made a promise to be there
When the sun and rain meet unaware

It's raining kisses for you
It lives beneath your feet
It keeps you company
Til the next time we meet

For when the rain falls
And then it shines like this
I fall down at your feet
I fall down at your feet
For this beautiful rain kiss, yeah
Never thought I'd see a day like this
But you know I'll make a promise to be there
When the sun and rain meet unaware

(Doo doo doo doo doo)

OK...Go!

I'm trying to get through the top 50 Music Videos of 2006, doing a video or two a day -- but hopefully finishing before 2006 is over.

Won't you watch with me?

If you gotta go, darling, maybe it's better that way

I have a bruise on my toe. I think I got it back in May, when I dropped a full bottle of horseraddish sauce from the fridge. It hit just at the bottom of my nail, and left a nasty bluish purple spot. It grew a little bit more when the nail grew out, and then it started to grow out with the nail.

Here we are, seven months later, and the bruise has become a part of me. Every time I've looked down at my un-pedicured feet, it has been there -- a new reassuring constant in my life.

It's reached the top of my toe now, and it's starting to grow out.

I'm not saying I want a big nasty bruise on my toe. In fact, it will be kind of cool to look down in about a month and see two perfectly neat, unbruised big toes.

But I can't say that I won't miss my little friend, either.

[Currently Spinning: Ace of Base - Don't Turn Around]

I've been just waiting, and hesitating With this heart of mine

This week has been hellishly busy. I worked crazy hours, but it did not stop me from going out at all (except for Roller Derby -- I missed that because I C-R-A-S-H-E-D, and I crashed Hard on Saturday afternoon).

There was the concert on Thursday, the movie on Friday (followed by hours of asshole, and then a Scrabble game that lasted until five in the morning), and then a lot of little things on Saturday (manicure with Emily and Sam, picking up prescriptions, mailing letters, and things like that). It was so bad that not only did I crash in the afternoon, but I had to convince myself that going over to J and Barrett's to watch UCB was better than laying in bed until a respectable bedtime.

I did finally get rid of the growler that's been in our fridge since Phil and Dave visited. I was a little embarrassed by the fact that the date is stamped in big red numbers on the cap of the bottle. September. Why would I leave beer in my fridge for so long? Anyway, I'm glad that it was adopted by boys who will, invariably, give it a good home.

[Currently Spinning: Peter Salett - Heart of Mine]

We Are Scientists.

Do people who are in a couple realize how hard it is for people who aren't in a couple, sometimes?

I was standing behind a couple at a concert tonight -- they kept...Moving; talking to each other. Getting in my way. In the end, I was less bitter about the fact that they kept flaunting their squishiness than the fact that they were up in my face doing it.

I don't know. It was still an awesome concert. It helps when the lead singer is a HOTTIE. I almost didn't make it. In fact, I had the cab pick me up to take me home. Home, where my bed is. Instead, I went to a concert, where my earplugs weren't.

But spontaneity is where it's at, guys. I'll only be young once, right?

And I Don't Think I've Found the Tempo

Today's headlines are reading like a star-studded version of a depressing Christmas newsletter:

Jennifer Aniston & Vince Vaughn Split
Rachel Bilson & Adam Brody Split
Farrah Fawcett 'Doing Well' After Cancer Treatment

Okay, sure, these are People Magazine online headlines; fine.

Today is still already starting out on the wrong beat.

Like pigeons on my windowsill we hang around

Phil is a fan of "drive-by" Instant Messaging. He'll drop a bomb, or leave an indecipherable message, and then sign off. It's frustrating, but also flattering and amusing.

Apropos of almost nothing, I got this little wonder today, right before he left for a meeting:

"With [good] friends, seeing you emotionally naked is perfectly fine.
physically naked is not.
With dating it's the opposite.
But I guess each subset comprises different things;
and you've gotta find the person you can do both with?
I'll leave you to ponder that"

And so I am now leaving y'all to ponder that. Cos I'm busy.

[Currently Spinning: Joseph Arthur - Honey and the Moon]

Monday Madness - Closing Out the Year

1. I wish people would just think about people other than themselves -- or at least apologize when they don't; it's not always intentional and everyone does it.

2. My biggest pet peeve where other drivers are concerned, is when people cruise in the left lane. It's for passing, not poking it. I'm not really a driver these days, though. Mostly, I hate it when jerks in cars almost hit me, or honk at me when I'm in a G-D crosswalk, or give me ugly looks because I have the right of way. That's just TOO BAD FOR YOU! Move to a less pedestrian-friendly city, jerkface.

3. I will probably spend about 300 on holidays this season, not counting travel.

4. I really hope to know a little bit more about a certain current situation by the end of this calendar year.

5. I make about two big resolutions each year, and keep zero of them, unless it's one like...say, a year or two ago I decided to be more tolerant. I know that I'm not consistently more tolerant, but I do know that since I made that resolution it's been a conscious decision for me to try to be more tolerant every day (or not).

My Genuis Nerdiness is Unappreciated

Yesterday at Emily's, Matt said something about how we were all going to do things just to prove him wrong (he predicted that Emily would be the "one with the most marriages," and that "I would never get married," because sometimes Matt is tactless funny.)

"You'll all contradict my predictions just to prove me wrong, and then you'll lead unhappy lives."
"It'll be like a Tolstoy novel," I said.
"Seriously?" Alisa asked, "You're serious?"

And so the most recent PA comic made me smile a little brighter than usual today:

I'm not really that big a fan of Fleetwood Mac

I went out with college boyfriend last night.

We met at the Asgard for dinner with some drinks, then dinner and a movie. Not feeling feelings is strange, but it was good, and I'm glad that I did this. I will probably never see him again, and I really needed the closure.

Minnesota: Part III

So, Minnesota: Part 3. Better than The Godfather: Part 3, I swear.

Saturday was half day of rest (slash hangover control), half dinner and a movie.

Laura took Lizzie and me to see Happy Feet and then to eat at Chino Latino.

Happy Feet was...amazing. I don't know that it needed to be as funny as we thought it was (Laura told me at the beginning, "Is this going to be penguins singing and dancing for two hours? Because if it is, I'm okay with that.") It took me 3.5 seconds to pull out the "Big...BLUE," and we were, the three of us, laughing at the most INAPPROPRIATE times ("NORMA JEAN!!!!"). The movie was...Very political. That's all I'll say about it. Okay, except that also, there was like an hour and a half of development -- and then about two minutes of resolution -- good for the kiddies, frustrating for me.

Anyway, dinner was amazing. The burrito, not so much, but the tostada and the lo mein were perfect. Lizzie got a blue hawaiian that came with dry ice, and so it was all foggy and luauish...or something. I was impressed, anyway. Then, the dessert. The coconut ice cream. On something. Oh: bananas. OH MY GOD. It was positively orgasmic. Until I found something. A nut. I thought it was a peanut, but Laura told me it was probably a macadamia nut. Whatever it was, it harshed my buzz. But if I'd had a tub and gallons of that ice cream -- you wouldn't have to tell me twice; I'd be bathing in it within minutes.

It was a good night out, and quite a bit of fun. Whenever I look at the magnet(s) I snagged from Chino Latino, I'll become wistful. That is, if I ever put them on my fridge.

Movies Blockbuster Says I Saw in November

The Secret Lives of Dentists - This was a really good movie, except for the weird way he would freak out and...hallucinate? Daydream? I don't think it was misplaced or anything, just that it was weirdly done. The thing is, this movie satisfied my desire for something real, and I think that it did a good job portraying what might happen to somoene in a marriage where one spouse is cheating. David Hurst seemed inhuman to me at first, until I realized that a lot of people are scarily closed off and cold. Four and a half stars. ★★★★

Before Sunset - I liked this movie so much more than the prequel. SO MUCH MORE. Maybe it's because I had a somewhat grudging emotional investment in the characters. I don't know how people feel about spoilers, but I am really glad that they both really wanted to see each other again, but missed each other. I am delighted that nine years later, they still love each other even though Ethan Hawke's character is married. It's so brutal! Four stars. ★★★★

About Schmidt - This was a good movie, but since the theme of the month is my ability or disability to suspend belief, I just felt that the setup was too convenient. Not saying it couldn't happen, I just felt...well, set up. It was kind of cute, though -- especially his toast at his daughter's wedding. Four stars. ★★★★

The Children's Hour - This was such a fantastic movie. I love Audrey Hepburn, and this movie disturbed me so much. I like a good disturbing movie. And man was I angry. I like movies that can make me angry. I do wish that the resolution had been different, but at least there was a release at the end. Four and a half stars. ★★★★

Downfall - I didn't get around to seeing this documentary/film about Hitler's last days. I do want to try to rent it again, but it will have to be of the moment because while I was really excited about it while it was in my queue, I was not thrilled to watch it when it came, or for two weeks after.

Dig! - A documentary about the Dandy Warhols? I am so there. This was both informative and entertaining (well, I guess it wasn't terribly informative, since I already had a basic knowledge of their career, but the Brian Jonestown angle was informative, since I never followed their career). Five stars. ★★★★★

My Neighbor Totoro - It was a cartoon. Anime with english dubbed over? Or English movie drawn anime style? I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention. It was okay. When If I have kids, I'm going to have to have knitting if they want to watch stuff like this, cos I almost poked my eyes out a few times. Two stars. ★★

The Break Up - Okay, fine, this was kind of "realistic" where in the end it kind of happens the way it might in real life. Still, this movie? Not worth peeing my pants over, and not worth obsessively checking the queue because of the "Long wait" I had just because I had two damn dvds out when this came out even though I pre-requested it like three months ago. TWO STARS, Jen! And that's post-pity party about Brad. Make better movies, woman! ★★