(no subject)
Jan. 1st, 2009 12:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
felis_ultharusSo I got back to Montreal a few days ago. I was half-expecting to have to spend a night at the Toronto airport, which has been happening to people all week, but luckily we got out between snowstorms.
I wound up last night at Sky for their New Year's Madonna-themed drag show. I was happy, though not at all surprised to see![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
link2lando there. The dancers were professional-caliber -- they really knew what they were doing, and they were the best I've seen on any local stage.
But y'know, you really know you're Scottish if the dancers are gorgeous men of astonishing talent, dressed only in thin undershirts and kilts slit up the side, and you're thinking, "What clan is that kilt?"
Otherwise, it's been very quiet. I've been working on my writing, reading, and cleaning house. I'm not back at work until Monday because the office is closed this week, so it's still a little like vacation for me.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Lots of little things -- put up election signs for the first time, was official agent for a major campaign, that sort of thing. Other than elections, though, it's been a quiet year.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I have become better at managing my writing time -- at keeping to a schedule without letting it intrude unduly upon other aspects of my life. As for what i intend to do this year, come hell or high water I want to send this novel out this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Several net-friends but no one I know in real life. My cousin Michelle has one on the way, though.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Grandma Marg. I hadn't seen her since I left the city -- she lived up-island at Bowser, BC. But I have very fond memories of visiting her farm.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just this one (but two coasts)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A boyfriend would be nice ^_^
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 14th -- already a red-letter day because it'smontrealais's birthday, but this year it was the end of the first election I participated heavily in, and which had me at my most stressed since I finished university.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing version five of my novel. I know -- no one thinks I'll ever finish it, but it's much better than previous versions now. I suppose losing a hundred pounds might be here, as well.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I think I would've liked to have helped out on the election more, but my stress level was so far through the roof that I don't think I could've.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Flus and colds. they weren't even as bad as they usually are, though. I think i'm getting healthier overall.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Lots of good books and excellent video games. Lullabies for Little Criminals in the first category, and Psychonauts more than any other in the second.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
montrealais, who nearly killed himself running two back-to-back election campaigns.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Stephen Harper. The man is vile, and if Ignatieff lets him have his stolen government, then I hope the Liberal Party dies a well-deserved death. Oh, and that huge number of Canadians who didn't want to peel their asses off the couch long enough to vote. Yeah, you're the reason Harper upped his seat count.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, and political donations.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Larger trends. Especially in politics, this has been a year of ugly short-terms with hints of larger and better changes. We're leaving this year in a political stalemate, but one that's got people talking about electoral reform, the role of arts in society, history, government, and what this country's about. Harper's election floundered on the issue of the arts for gods' sakes -- that wouldn't have been likely even in Quebec until recently. I think we're becoming a better people in fits and starts. Now the trick is transferring that progress into the political theatre.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Probably "You destroy everything you touch" by Ladytron. I heard it for the first time this year, and it seems to capture something in this year personified.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier: Yes, actually, though it's been a horrible year for most of my friends.
II. Thinner or fatter? I started the year at 320 pounds, and am leaving it at 220.
III. Richer or poorer? I got a small raise, but my student loan and political contributions ate it up and then some. I had to dip into my emergency fund this year, though I'm gradually recovering :/
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent more time with friends. Everyone got horribly busy at the end of the year that we stopped anime nights, rituals, and tea parties altogether.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time in that horrible upper level of stress during the election, when I can't do anything useful or focus.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I visited my parents and Sean, as usual.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Not really, but I am crushing out a little on one of the teachers at work.
22. How many one-night stands?
Does it count if you knew him before...?
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Usually I answer with anime here, but I actually did get into a Canadian TV program on streaming video this year -- Douglas Coupland's JPod.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Well, I didn't know who Sarah Palin was last year.
26. What was the best book you read?
I read more books this year than any year doing my English Lit bachelor's or master's. Some of them were fantastic -- Oryx and Crake, Gentlemen of the Road, A Fair Country, Christianity & Paganism in the Fourth to Eighth Centuries, among others. the one that'll probably haunt me for its wonderful language, though, is Lullabies for Little Criminals.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I've been gradually getting into Sigur Ros, but that's little by little and started the year before. But I've never been a huge music fan.
28. What did you want and get?
Good books and video games, mostly. Plus a few small political victories (it's been a very political year, and I've been talking about it a lot).
29. What did you want and not get?
That's a book with no ending. I did want to be published this year, though, and that's always the thing that stings the most.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I can't actually remember seeing a single film in theatres this year except Batman: The Dark Knight I rented a couple. Batman was probably the best.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32. We did our usual house party thing here, though I think these parties are getting gradually larger.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Any of the things mentioned above. Plus I would've liked to get to Vancouver once this year. I had a gut feeling that this wasn't going to be a very good year, though, so my expectations were very low. The thing about pessimism is that makes life into a series of pleasant surprises when things don't fuck up, so this has been a year of pleasant surprises for me.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
The only new clothes I buy now are ones I can wear to work, so my style is pretty preppy outside of work too -- button-up shirts in earth- and sea-tones, and black pants.
34. What kept you sane?
My writing, as always.
35. Which celebrity/public figure person did you fancy the most?
Probably Rufus again, but I'm not really plugged into the "star systems," so I never know who these people are now.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
This blog has been half politics lately. Ousting Harper and the hopes for a coalition government would probably be at the top, though.
(I didn't get stirred up by the whole Prop 8 battle because I'm not a Californian and I knew already that our rights can be easily taken away from us. I'm glad it stirred the community out of its complacency, however.)
37. Who did you miss?
My BC friends, as always. Although this year, my Montreal friends have been pretty scarce, as well.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
In real life? Undoubtedlysassysairs. Online? lux_apollo
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I'm not sure I learnt anything I didn't already know, though there were some lessons about stress and how to deal with it that I've had to re-learn.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Probably something from Portal's "Still Alive" song, but I can't choose just one part of that song ^_^
I wound up last night at Sky for their New Year's Madonna-themed drag show. I was happy, though not at all surprised to see
link2lando there. The dancers were professional-caliber -- they really knew what they were doing, and they were the best I've seen on any local stage. But y'know, you really know you're Scottish if the dancers are gorgeous men of astonishing talent, dressed only in thin undershirts and kilts slit up the side, and you're thinking, "What clan is that kilt?"
Otherwise, it's been very quiet. I've been working on my writing, reading, and cleaning house. I'm not back at work until Monday because the office is closed this week, so it's still a little like vacation for me.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Lots of little things -- put up election signs for the first time, was official agent for a major campaign, that sort of thing. Other than elections, though, it's been a quiet year.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I have become better at managing my writing time -- at keeping to a schedule without letting it intrude unduly upon other aspects of my life. As for what i intend to do this year, come hell or high water I want to send this novel out this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Several net-friends but no one I know in real life. My cousin Michelle has one on the way, though.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Grandma Marg. I hadn't seen her since I left the city -- she lived up-island at Bowser, BC. But I have very fond memories of visiting her farm.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just this one (but two coasts)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A boyfriend would be nice ^_^
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 14th -- already a red-letter day because it's
montrealais's birthday, but this year it was the end of the first election I participated heavily in, and which had me at my most stressed since I finished university.8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing version five of my novel. I know -- no one thinks I'll ever finish it, but it's much better than previous versions now. I suppose losing a hundred pounds might be here, as well.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I think I would've liked to have helped out on the election more, but my stress level was so far through the roof that I don't think I could've.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Flus and colds. they weren't even as bad as they usually are, though. I think i'm getting healthier overall.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Lots of good books and excellent video games. Lullabies for Little Criminals in the first category, and Psychonauts more than any other in the second.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
montrealais, who nearly killed himself running two back-to-back election campaigns.13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Stephen Harper. The man is vile, and if Ignatieff lets him have his stolen government, then I hope the Liberal Party dies a well-deserved death. Oh, and that huge number of Canadians who didn't want to peel their asses off the couch long enough to vote. Yeah, you're the reason Harper upped his seat count.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, and political donations.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Larger trends. Especially in politics, this has been a year of ugly short-terms with hints of larger and better changes. We're leaving this year in a political stalemate, but one that's got people talking about electoral reform, the role of arts in society, history, government, and what this country's about. Harper's election floundered on the issue of the arts for gods' sakes -- that wouldn't have been likely even in Quebec until recently. I think we're becoming a better people in fits and starts. Now the trick is transferring that progress into the political theatre.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Probably "You destroy everything you touch" by Ladytron. I heard it for the first time this year, and it seems to capture something in this year personified.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
I. Happier: Yes, actually, though it's been a horrible year for most of my friends.
II. Thinner or fatter? I started the year at 320 pounds, and am leaving it at 220.
III. Richer or poorer? I got a small raise, but my student loan and political contributions ate it up and then some. I had to dip into my emergency fund this year, though I'm gradually recovering :/
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent more time with friends. Everyone got horribly busy at the end of the year that we stopped anime nights, rituals, and tea parties altogether.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spent time in that horrible upper level of stress during the election, when I can't do anything useful or focus.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I visited my parents and Sean, as usual.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Not really, but I am crushing out a little on one of the teachers at work.
22. How many one-night stands?
Does it count if you knew him before...?
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Usually I answer with anime here, but I actually did get into a Canadian TV program on streaming video this year -- Douglas Coupland's JPod.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Well, I didn't know who Sarah Palin was last year.
26. What was the best book you read?
I read more books this year than any year doing my English Lit bachelor's or master's. Some of them were fantastic -- Oryx and Crake, Gentlemen of the Road, A Fair Country, Christianity & Paganism in the Fourth to Eighth Centuries, among others. the one that'll probably haunt me for its wonderful language, though, is Lullabies for Little Criminals.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I've been gradually getting into Sigur Ros, but that's little by little and started the year before. But I've never been a huge music fan.
28. What did you want and get?
Good books and video games, mostly. Plus a few small political victories (it's been a very political year, and I've been talking about it a lot).
29. What did you want and not get?
That's a book with no ending. I did want to be published this year, though, and that's always the thing that stings the most.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
I can't actually remember seeing a single film in theatres this year except Batman: The Dark Knight I rented a couple. Batman was probably the best.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32. We did our usual house party thing here, though I think these parties are getting gradually larger.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Any of the things mentioned above. Plus I would've liked to get to Vancouver once this year. I had a gut feeling that this wasn't going to be a very good year, though, so my expectations were very low. The thing about pessimism is that makes life into a series of pleasant surprises when things don't fuck up, so this has been a year of pleasant surprises for me.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
The only new clothes I buy now are ones I can wear to work, so my style is pretty preppy outside of work too -- button-up shirts in earth- and sea-tones, and black pants.
34. What kept you sane?
My writing, as always.
35. Which celebrity/public figure person did you fancy the most?
Probably Rufus again, but I'm not really plugged into the "star systems," so I never know who these people are now.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
This blog has been half politics lately. Ousting Harper and the hopes for a coalition government would probably be at the top, though.
(I didn't get stirred up by the whole Prop 8 battle because I'm not a Californian and I knew already that our rights can be easily taken away from us. I'm glad it stirred the community out of its complacency, however.)
37. Who did you miss?
My BC friends, as always. Although this year, my Montreal friends have been pretty scarce, as well.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
In real life? Undoubtedly
sassysairs. Online? lux_apollo39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I'm not sure I learnt anything I didn't already know, though there were some lessons about stress and how to deal with it that I've had to re-learn.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Probably something from Portal's "Still Alive" song, but I can't choose just one part of that song ^_^
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-02 04:29 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-02 11:05 am (UTC)And yeah, it was my best New Year's in years.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-02 06:18 am (UTC)Your present still hasn't arrived though (grr) and I'm not yet done reading your novel. Too much Persona, too little else. ;)
But y'know, you really know you're Scottish if the dancers are gorgeous men of astonishing talent, dressed only in thin undershirts and kilts slit up the side, and you're thinking, "What clan is that kilt?"
At least you took a moment to recognize that they were gorgeous. ^_^
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-02 11:06 am (UTC)And from the sounds of it, Persona is a valid excuse for everything ^_^
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-02 06:03 pm (UTC)The following Monday my other classes, and probably judo, start. I'm not working yet though so my schedule's still pretty open.
Tuesday, Thursday or the weekend would probably be best for anime night.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-01-02 07:03 pm (UTC)