2008 Year End Post

Taken from Violet, and as Melle said, because all the cool kids are posting it.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I went to a nudist resort. It was truly one of the most exciting, fun and relaxing things I’ve ever done and am looking forward to going again this year.  (you can read about it here)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t even remember what they were, so likely, no I did not keep them. Either that or I was so successful that it’s become second nature and I don’t even realize it.  I have a couple things in mind for this year; all revolve around better self care.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A few co-workers.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not that I can think of, so I guess that would be no. Thank God.

5. What countries did you visit?
I did not leave the country except for work, hockey or shopping, all in the greater Detroit area. (within 15 minutes of my house, so that doesn’t really count)

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Better health, first and foremost, health, for myself and my loved ones. Other than that, I can work it all out.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Second week of September. It’s when I finally took a vacation and Kelly and I went up to a cottage in Muskoka.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It wasn’t an achievement of my own doing, but as part of a large group. I serve on a Board of Directors for a local non-profit, and we have been working on an expansion/addition plan for many years. The $6 million fundraising campaign is more than a third of the way there, and this fall we had the groundbreaking. Construction is now well underway.

9. What was your biggest failure?
A situation at work. Can’t talk about it, but I’m still angry about it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I spent Christmas Day at the hospital in the Emergency room. The situation is ongoing.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A book that I bought Kelly for her Birthday. It made her so happy. The best purchase I made all year.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Probably my buddy Bill and my neighbour Mark. Two people I know I can always count on when I need help.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
One of my employees. Again, I can’t talk about it.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills. Lots of them. Mortgage, Car payments, utilities, gas, etc. Had some fun too. You have to have fun.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
See number one. Honestly, the nudist thing. Liberating, freeing, exciting, and relaxing. Just so many positives to the whole experience.  I also enjoyed birding and nature walks with Kelly, and many other wonderful outings with her.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think my brain will connect any particular song to this year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? – happier
b) thinner or fatter? – fatter (resolution number one)
c) richer or poorer? – very slightly richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Time with family, and vacationing, even if it’s just weekend getaways.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. These last few months have been hell at work with the uncertainty in the auto industry and despite my best efforts, I ended up working myself into a knot.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At the hospital, in the Emergency room. But with Kelly at my side, so not all bad.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No, I already was. And I still am.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
I like the show “Numbers” I remember thinking the concept was stupid when I first heard about it. But it’s very well done and the characters are great. Some of the sit-coms aren’t bad, like The Office and How I met your mother, and few others.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t really hate people. There’s a few people I can do without, and one particular person for whom I have lost much of the respect I had.

 24. What was the best book you read?
That is one thing I have been more of, reading. The best book this year I think was “In The Country of Men” by Hisham Matar.  I also enjoyed “Candy Girl” and “World Made by Hand”.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I really wasn’t into music this year.  Nothing is really getting me excited.

26. What did you want and get?
A week away with Kelly.

27. What did you want and not get?
Two weeks away with Kelly. Kidding, but I really do want more vacation time.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Wow, we saw so many. My favorites are likely the films we saw a the Windsor International Film Festival, including “The Secret of the Grain”

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 40. It was a non-event. Just the way I wanted it.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Pefect health, for me and everyone I am close to.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Easy, just a few simple words. “Kelly, does this go with this??”

32. What kept you sane?
Kelly has given me love, peace and security. I know she is there for me. That alone is enough for me to not completely fall apart on days where I’m sure I would.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don’t fancy anyone.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The American people electing President Obama. Pleaty of other issues irritated me, but not worth re-hashing.

35. Who did you miss?
I miss my uncle Marcel. This is a bit odd, because when he was alive, I barely saw him. Yet now that he is gone, the realization of it brings me to tears at times.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Several blog-world friends have been wonderful this year.  You know who you are.  And aslo, Barb, a mat leave fill-in for the person who sits on the other side of my cubicle wall. We just click. We mock each other, make fun of each others weaknesses, and commiserate about others. Just general office fun.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Nothing ever stays the same. I know, it’s not a new lesson. So why is it so hard to accept?

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Nothing I can think of. Sorry.