from katherinhand�s journal - thanks K (lurk lurk, etc. and so on)

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
dug up a lizard in my garden, accepted a proposal of marriage, stuck with an exercise/goddess plan, tried Eritrean food, was approved for a huge car loan
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
my resolution every year since 2000 has been to get through another year, alive, so yes. unofficially i also try to be a better person and like myself better, but this is more of a life resolution than a new years�
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
not this year - although i do have a friend with a one year old that is a bit disturbing
4. Did anyone close to you die?
my great aunt Catherine, my favorite auntie - my tt and i visited her in the hospital the last time we were around the burgh, so at least i was able to stuff her with nummy truffles before the goodbye
5. What countries did you visit?
i went to Chicago, does that count?
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
less worries about layoffs and the economy, less sly cat pee incidents *glares at freyja*, more tight clothes for a developing me, more free-time, more pirate treasure *wink*
7. What dates from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
my 30th b-day/engagement weekend, watching the eclipse with my tt, merrydeath's, idle's and f0o's visits out to CA
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
a change at the workplace (ADDboy and bossmann adios - certainly worked hard for the first, probably had nothing to do with the second, but wonderfull anyhoo), starting aikido and not quitting even though it hurt, much
9. What was your biggest failure?
not doing any artwork at all and barely being creative, not going out to meet people
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
just a bump here, cough there
11. What was the best thing you bought?
the car, engagement ring, size 12 pants, and a little sanity for a close friend
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
everyone i hold close and dear but especially those who have made a decision in their lives for change, whether it be to go back to school (and stuck with it), go to therapy, switch jobs, or to take a stand and be strong in a not-healthy relationship - salute!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
GW and his red croonies - i just cannot understand ...also those who complain about the people who go out of their way to help them - jeez.
14. Where did most of your money go?
rent, loans, credit cards. bah.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
getting married (i am a sap, i know)
16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
anything by radiohead - it has been that kind of year
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier - still working on it
b) thinner or fatter? thinner i hope, what the hell kind of question is this anyhoo?
c) richer or poorer? richer in most aspects of the word, perhaps a bit poorer in the purse - rent takes quite the slice out of the paycheck
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
artwork, dancing, laughing, writing to friends, planting things that grow grow instead of die, kissing
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
not knowing the why about the sad, sitting on me tuckus, worrying about work
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
in front of the fire with the kitties and my love, not the rents
21. How will you be spending New Years?
nothing interesting popping up as of yet - would like to do something interesting this year
22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
i fall in love all of the time, pretty sick, yes. i had a few crushes - do they count? i count 2!
23. How many one-night stands?
none, zero, zip
24. What was your favorite TV program?
B5, Sopranos, 6ft Under, Family Guy, Nova
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
hate is a pretty strong word, but i have certainly learned a few disappointing things about people *shrug*
26. What was the best book you read?
i cannot remember authors or titles, but this year i've read a lot more than years past and it was great!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
rediscovering some music from my past as of late - yeah!
28. What did you want and get?
the best 30th birthday ever, a diagnosis and something to help our HavanaLog
29. What did you want and not get?
more romance/dates
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
super size me - ick, but good for people to see
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
30 - we went skipping around Chicago looking for engagement rings, had great Jewish food at a deli and met good friends for dinner - i also think it rained that night and was wonderful
32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
breaking through the shy and meeting more people
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
comfy cargo and layered warmth - getting a bit tighter and liking it
34. What kept you sane?
my tt is my rock and my island, my friends are my ocean and sky - they help me deal with everything else
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
kerry - my hopes were high, man.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
gay marriage being outlawed in multiple states - sick.
37. Who did you miss?
loved ones back home, who i imagined myself to be
38. Who was the best new person you met?
teclo - i met her before in person, but i feel much more of a bond now than then
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
getting what you want is easier if you actually get up the guts to ask for it; sometimes you'll make the people you love the most cry - when you do it better be for a good reason; shoulders are available even if 3,000 mi. away
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
thanks for the trouble you took from her eyes - i thought it was there for good...so i never tried...