It's been a long time since I did this, so here goes:
1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Lots. I...- went to Napier and Hastings
- did the whole wine tasting thing (sooo much fun!)
- got kicked out of a flat
- accidentally became vegetarian for about a month
- did kickboxing as a keep-fit thing (OK, technically I started in 2009, but I didn't do one of these lists then)
- smoked a cigarillo, and liked it muchly
- got me a car
- discovered that laptops are kinda cool
- was a support crew member for a multisporter
- went to a (student) fashion show
- went to a Pecha Kucha night
- lived through some rather large earthquakes
- shovelled a lot of mud that went by the name of liquidation
- became a regular at a coffee shop. They knew my name and my 'usual' and everything
- discovered *the* perfect cove, somewhere in the North Island
- got mobbed by pukekos
- went to a toga party
- went to a blogger meet up
- went to a tweetup
- played an RPG (D&D version 4.0 for those who require deets)
- learned about Gypsies/Romani
- other
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for the next year?
Honestly, I can never remember the resolutions I make. I suspect I didn't keep the ones I made, whatever they were. I didn't make a resolution to be happier with my spiritual confusion whatsit, and yet I am. So maybe the trick is *not* to resolve to do something, and then it'll happen? Hmm... I may come up with little goals as I go along, ways to get more out of life, that sort of thing.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! Amy had wee Louis. It is kind of frightening and cool that people my age are expelling tiny humans from their person.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, fortunately.
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia. It's been yonks since I'd been there last and I really loved Melbourne.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
An aim in life, or purposey whatsit. More travelling. Learning new things and sticking with them. A relationship that lasts a good while.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched in your memory, and why?
- Late August, when I suddenly had to find a new flat.
- September 4, because of the earthquake.
- September 13, saying goodbye to one fantastic person and hello to another.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Still being here. Discovering things about myself I was unaware of before, perhaps. I can think of lots of little achievements, but no ginormous ones. Maybe the sum of the little ones?
9. What was your biggest failure of the year?
- Not sticking up for myself or calling people on their bullsh-t when I needed to.
- Being allergic to cats turned out to be a bit of an epic fail, too.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The flu and some stomach bugs, but nothing abnormal.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my car, even though I still feel a bit guilty when I use it. I also got some dresses I dig a lot.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Friends who were there when I really needed it. Oooh, and the high school and uni students who did heaps of post-quake manual labour to help get the city back to normal. That was pretty fantastic.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Someone who I can't really mention online. And again myself, in new and interesting ways this time.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, books, drink, petrol, travel, that kind of thing.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Lots of stuff! Some very big things, like my holiday oop norf, and my new place (eventually). Some very small things like having a few dancing lessons, smoking a quiet cigar in the sun while reading, driving for the first time in years, a new album coming out, Glee-watching nights with friends, and the prospect of tasting earthquake beer. I also got very excited about a beer festival that I didn't end up going to, and a Sufjan Stevens concert that I can't go to.
16. What song will always remind of you of 2010?
The new Arcade Fire album, and the 500 Days of Summer album. One reminds me of horrible times; one of total freedom and happiness. They sum up the halves of my year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
I'm not sure, probably about the same.
b) fatter or thinner?
Fatter by quite a lot, unfortunately.
c) richer or poorer?
Poorer, because I took a cut when I got my new job. On the other hand, I *have* a job.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saying "I want to do x" and then doing it, even if it felt intimidating or I didn't have anyone to do it with. Following through with things, generally. Taking care of myself, and sticking up for myself. Explored stuff.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressed over things I couldn't control.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Had a sleepover and yummy champagne breakfast with Ray and then popped round to the family's for lunch. Marvellously laid back and twas lovely seeing everyone :)
21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Well, that depends entirely on what you mean by 'in love'. I shall pick an arbitrary definition and say in a way I did, very much.
22. What was your favourite TV programme?
The Wire, True Blood, QI, Mock the Week, Glee. I got introduced to lots of great stuff this year :)
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Yes, one or two. Am working on reducing it to a less toxic level.
24. What was the best book you read?
Toby and the Tree. It's a kid's book (or YA) and part of a two- or three-book series. It's a rollicking fun adventure story that reminded me of my own childhood and how involving books can be. Plus, it had a hand-drawn map in the cover and was printed in a luverly font using sustainable inks and recycled paper. Oooh, and also A New Christianity for a A New World blew my mind in marvelous ways, too, just when I was looking for something in that direction.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Either Saul Williams or the Bees. One's rap/spoken word and one's faux-60s pop, so I'm not sure what that says about me.
26. What did you want and get?
A job I can sink my teeth into, a laptop, a car, excitement, and a more stable living situation (eventually).
27. What did you want and not get?
Nicely tied-up loose ends, a long-term partner, an infinitely better wardrobe, the discipline to keep my room/life tidy and exercise often.
28. What was your favourite film of this year?
I'm cheating a bit cos I watched one of them over the New Year break, but it's a tie between Inception and How to Train Your Dragon. I thoroughly enjoyed The Town, too.
29. What did you do on your birthday and how old did you turn?
I turned 26, went into work and got sent home cos I had the flu. That's two years in a row. From now on, I intend to take the day off to pre-empt any illness :D
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Figuring out what to do and doing it, rather than messing around. I felt like I was scattered, super directionless and meh in 2010; the whole year seemed imbued with a feeling of powerlessness.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
A verrrrry little bit classier, cos I discovered dresses. My collection of ballet flats and silly earrings grew, too. My workmates call me the 'crazy earring and bright shoe' girl now.
32. What kept you sane?
Several completely awesome friends. At certain points of the year, the internet, TV shows, large amounts of junk food, the odd sneaky smoke and alcohol. Well, we're being honest, right?
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
This year? Uf... no one. Oh wait, does the main guy from The Wire count as a celebrity? He's pretty.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Apart from Gerry effing Brownlee being granted emergency powers? The whole mining national parks thing, and the way our mayor used the earthquake as his personal TV show. Not impressed.
35. Who did you miss?
Matt W, Claire, Chris.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I've met heaps of grand people this year partly because I switched jobs and flats. It's honestly tricky to say who'd be the best. I'm going to add mini-categories so I can have lots.
- Work: Laura
- Home: Jody/Jenny/Kata (well, we all met at the same time... it counts, it counts!)
- Unexpected: Chris
- Unexpected last minute entry: Iain
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Being nice and backing down isn't necessarily a good thing. Sometimes it's appropriate to rage.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
In my dream I was almost there / then you pulled me aside and said we're going nowhere (Modern Man, Arcade Fire.) Actually, that whole song. And the album it rode in on.
Oooh, or: Oh life don't leave me here / what can be done with a world of care / I hope it falls into the sea (Oh Life, Avalanche City).
