So Many Questions to End a Year

Here is, possibly, my favorite wrap up for each year. It's not easy - last year I had to amend my post - but it's comprehensive in a way I find useful. In other years I've grabbed it from another blogger's rendition but this year I went back to my own archives and found it. I guess I must have finally made it my own.

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Called myself a dog trainer and was called one by someone who knows. Performed at a new venue, The Duplex.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I crossed a few more things off my life list, which was nice. Walking a meditation maze, for instance, was such a small, simple thing but wonderfully satisfying. I am headed out in the next few minutes to meet Sara and make new plans and notions for 2014.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
At least one Facebook friend/former college classmate. My boss gained another grandchild. A former colleague.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.

5. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
More time away from my desk job and therefore more time doing the things I'm finding happiness and success in - dog training, writing, performing. 

6. What countries did you visit?
I stayed here in the US this year. Had a fabulous trip to Chicago, though!

7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
A sort of vague idea of the 2nd weekend in June because that was the reprise of my cabaret show at The Duplex. It was an epic rain storm, a completely fabulous time, and a gigantic success.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing the first draft of a novel. More on that in a later post.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Still being in my desk job - not a failure exactly but a slowness that's become obvious since I recently realized I'll have been in this job I called temporary for 9 years come March. That's a long time. Not even close to temporary

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I still struggled with my breathing some but no huge illness or injury. My eyesight, though, is getting pretty bad and needs some help.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
All of the dog training classes I took.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Every state that passed marriage equality, Pope Francis (to some extent), everyone who achieved a goal they thought was nuts. (Does that last one apply to you?)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Same community member as last year.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food, training, health care, and accessories for the pets.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Performing, training dogs, finishing a novel.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Bury My Lovely by October Project - It was hard to learn this one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder?  Happier
ii. thinner or fatter?  Fatter
iii. richer or poorer?  Tiny bit richer perhaps

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Dog training, performing

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, office work

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas in New England as happily usual. Super low key this year, in a good way. Much time for eating and knitting and chatting.

21. There was no #21. I don’t know why there was no 21.

22. Did you fall in love in 2013?
Nope. I'd like to in 2014, though.

23. How many one-night stands?
Zero. Again, such a slacker.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
New Girl, Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad and many more.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Still pretty much the same as before.

26. What was the best book you read?
I'm going with three. I can't choose. Ocean At The End of the Lane, Culture Clash, Homeland

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I sort of rediscovered a lot of stuff as I learned to sing it. So, Carole King, October Project, Bobby Darin, Carolann Solebello.

28. What did you want and get?
A spot in the NYC Listen To Your Mother show.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Either Enough Said or Dallas Buyers Club

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I performed my cabaret show and had dinner with my parents and a friend. Pretty awesome celebration! I was 44. Still am...for a couple of weeks.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Less time in the office. More kissing. That's two but they could go together.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
Jeans + Color = Good enough.

34. What kept you sane?
Friends and dogs.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I've got to stick with Craig Ferguson. I almost switched to Eddie Izzard for variety but I'm still watching Ferguson 5 shows a week and I'm not watching Izzard that much so...

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The mayoral election here in NYC and the continuing reproductive rights hell.

37. Who did you miss?
Bethany.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

My friend and fellow dog trainer, Alison.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:

With persistence and commitment I can accomplish all my goals. (When I apply this to dating it kind of turns my stomach but for other stuff it works!)

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

From Carolann Solebello's song, Falling is Easy:

I am not proud, but I’m not ashamed
Finding myself here at sea
But fate is unkind so I can’t be blamed
For letting you happen to me
Falling is easy
Make no decisions and lay down your guard
Falling is easy
Getting back up is so hard