1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Taught at Mass College of Art and at Boston University, published a cookbook for our family and friends (through blurb.com), began studying Italian in earnest, saw Moby in concert. 2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Didn't do so hot this year but plan on making 2010 be rather kickass. 3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No immediate relatives but several friends! 4. Did anyone close to you die? My grandfather passed away in September. 5. What countries did you visit? Hmmm. I didn't leave the country this year, not even to go to Canada. 6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A trip to Europe under my belt and a downpayment on a house. 7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Not sure if specific dates will be etched into my brain, but I'll remember how I felt when I got the news that Romeo had kidney disease, and when my grandfather died. Oh, also the inauguration of Obama was a historic event that was incredible to be able to see, even if only on television. And the week that my long-lost friend (17 years lost!) Leanna came to visit! 8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Teaching, and receiving agent interest on my unfinished book (I need to get it done and follow through!!). 9. What was your biggest failure? Not getting further on the novel than I would have liked. Not doing anything about my health goals. 10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A few colds (including the massive eye and nose dripping head cold I have right now), otherwise mostly was healthy. 11. What was the best thing you bought? Tickets to Italy for spring 2010!!! YAY 12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Joe for putting up with me for a ninth straight year! 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Let's just say that they know who they are. 14. Where did most of your money go? Probably eating out too often. Fixing appliances that seemed to always break. We did better this year, being able to save for Italy, pay down some debt and should have a good start on a down payment on a house for next year. 15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Visiting Italy! 16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Negramaro, Il Distrazione 17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Happier, fatter, richer. 18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Worked on my novel. 19. What do you wish you’d done less of? sleeping in instead of going to the gym. 20. How did you spend Christmas? We went to the "Pitt" as we affectionately call Pittsfield, MA. where Joe's parents live. Was happy, peaceful and full of good wine, food and excellent company. 21. Did you fall in love in 2009? I fall more in love with Joe every year. Sappy but true. 22. What was your favorite TV program? True Blood, Legend of the Seeker, Sanctuary 23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Glenn Beck is higher on the list. 24. What was the best book you read? Just one? Oh my. I really loved La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language by Dianne Hales. I bought several copies for friends this Christmas. 25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Polly Scattergood and St. Vincent 26. What did you want and get? Tickets to Italy! A Canon Powershot and a Flip Cam 27. What did you want and not get? Zelda for the Wii. A raise (company froze them, just as so many other companies have). A magic fat-disappearing wand. 28. What was your favorite film of this year? Star Trek 29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 38. Nothing terribly memorable. Went to Clio and ate at the bar. 30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? My job could have been less painless personality-wise, I suppose. Also, I still haven't mastered the ability to care less about what people think of me. 31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Back to my roots (blonde!). But otherwise, as bold and distinctive as always. 32. What kept you sane? Joe! 33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? David Tennant 34. What political issue stirred you the most? There are oh too many. 35. Who did you miss? I ended a long dying friendship this year and that makes me immeasurably sad. 36. Who was the best new person you met? My friends in my most recent Italian class. 37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. I'm always learning. I need to get better at applying. 38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. (popular Italian song, Ma il cielo e' sempre più blu) Chi sogna i milioni, chi gioca d’azzardo chi gioca coi fili, chi ha fatto l’indiano chi fa il contadino, chi spazza i cortili chi ruba, chi lotta, chi ha fatto la spia na na na na na na na na na Ma il cielo è sempre più blu uh uh, uh uh, ma il cielo è sempre più blu uh uh, uh uh, uh uh…
Let me know if you do the year end meme!
Automatic posting from my Twitter Account:
- 14:52 Christmas cards: better late than never. Harder this year since we had such a sad year.
- 15:03 But Drake was right - I do feel better having done the cards. Was tempting to skip it this year - and I *always* do cards.
This was done by an artist named Pogo from Australia: "Video for my track 'Upular', composed using chords, bass notes and vocal samples from the Disney Pixar film 'Up'. Enjoy!"
I love how this composition turned out and yes, now, I want to watch a Disney movie.
More of these songs are here.
I will be the first to admit that I have enjoyed much of their music, as well as a good half-dozen of their live shows. But, sometimes, it's just hard to take these two seriously.
And not a lot of Christmas gifts have come with more thought put into it than the one I received from my brother-in-law on Christmas Eve last night.
I have gone on to medium-sized lengths on this platform about how much I dig my in-laws, and it was with a certain amount of glee that I learned my BIL Casey had drawn my name in our Christmas gift exchange. So, last night, as we gathered at Mrs. Chicken's family's house for mirth and joyous company, I was presented with a gift-wrapped box.
This note was atop the container's innards.
"There are going to be nights when that baby is crying and there is absolutely nothing you're going to be able to do for it. It's been fed, diapered, and everything else. There are times when it's just going to have to cry it out. The only thing you're going to be able to do is put in those earplugs and pour yourself some Scotch."
Quite arguably, the best, most realistic, most you've-been-warned type of advice I've ever received.
I really do NOT look forward to using the gift. However, it is of comfort to know not only that it is at the ready, but it brings to me great holiday joy to know of the place from where the gift came. Thanks, Case.
... oral surgery.
better than a local anesthetic. Local anesthetic sucks.
Automatic posting from my Twitter Account:
- 07:57 Christmas dinner rolls: KAF refrigerator rolls (bit.ly/jV4dY) done thus: bit.ly/2EWOFg
- 07:59 Up next: my cashew-apricot fruit cake bit.ly/65vfUZ
- 11:44 Grating beets is a, uh, colorful operation. Doing prep for xmas dinner starter salad bit.ly/69yMCK
- 12:29 Is it weird to really like eating frozen walnuts?
- 13:21 Prep done for spinach-stuffed mushrooms (garnish for ribeye steaks tomorrow). Recipe from Diane's Market Kitchen bit.ly/aiszs
- 13:45 These might be world's most decadent (and delicious) Brussels sprouts bit.ly/4JrlKX
- 14:22 Next up - a holiday tradition for us - apricot-cashew fruitcake bi t.ly/65vfUZ
- 17:49 Hehehe - just a little extra brandy brushed on the fruit cake.
dressing w/ vegetarian stock
apple chicken sausage stir-fry w/ fresh green veggies
carrot souffle
panettone bread
vanilla maple tea
It took 1.5 hours total to prepare the whole meal.
It took 4 minutes total to polish off a plate.
Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season to all.
