2008 in a Nutshell

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

            Got a job that I might actually have a FUTURE with, as in a CAREER.  Also rented a car and drove in a major metropolitan area without getting lost (Denver) and also nearly going the wrong way on a one way street (Chicago).  I am not a fan of driving in big cities and avoid it at all costs.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

            No I did not.  I think I went to the gym a total of 5 times this year.  I will try again this year though, considering my contract at said gym is still in place.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

            My niece Jessi had her second baby, my girlfriend Jolene had her third child, her first boy, and my other friend Megan had her little man too.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

            My uncle, but we weren’t that close.

5. What countries did you visit?

            Didn’t visit any new countries, but did go to some new cities in the U.S.: Chicago (multiple times), Boston, Raleigh, L.A., Boulder.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

            A car that doesn’t stress me out!  Also more motivation regarding the gym.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

            I’m not good with dates but whatever day it was in February when I found out I got the new job, and whatever day it was in May that I gave my first big presentation for it, those were both pretty exciting.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

            Getting the aforementioned job and earning our first certification as a company because of it.

9. What was your biggest failure?

            The Mitsubishi.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

            Nothing major.  Just the usual colds.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

            All the plants that went into my garden, it was so much fun & very therapeutic too.  I would say my Subaru, but considering I'm getting it back from the shop tomorrow... hmph.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

            My hubby’s!  He’s really stepped up to the plate regarding school, taking better care of himself, and being a good husband.  

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

            The Army, the Bursar’s Office at the university, and some of B’s stupid professors.  Also on occasion, the dog (aka "The Crockpot Incident").

14. Where did most of your money go?

            Rent, and car repairs.  (Boooo)

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

            The job, traveling for the job, and getting a new car.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

            Martin Sexton, “Diner”

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
b) thinner or fatter?
c) richer or poorer?

            Happier, thinner (I think... at least, some of my pants fit better), and poorer (despite the raise!)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

            Working out & walking the dog

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

            Waiting for car repairs to be done!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

            We celebrated at our house for the first time, with the in-law’s & my mom over for dinner.  It was stressful, but a good time!

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

            Yes, all over again (cheeeeeeesey!)

22. What was your favorite TV program?

            Heroes, CSI: NY

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

            Hate is a strong word, but I do think it adequately describes how I feel towards any and all used car dealerships that I’ve ever done business with.

24. What was the best book you read?

            “The Road” by Cormac McCarthy, “Forever” by Pete Hamill… I read a lot, but these are what pop into my mind right now.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

            Atreyu.  They’re not new really, but they’re new to me.  And they ROOOOOCK.

26. What did you want and get?

            A Subaru.

27. What did you want and not get?

            A Subaru with no mechanical problems.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

            The Dark Knight and Wall-E

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

            B & I went shopping and to a nice dinner.  I was and from now on will be 29.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

            My job.  It’s interesting to me, keeps me engaged, makes me feel like I’m doing something that might actually make a difference, and pays a helluva lot better!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

            “Adult.”  I’m trying to get away from the "perpetual college student" look.

32. What kept you sane?

            My home and garden.  I love having projects to work on, or just a place to relax, where I feel comfortable and cozy.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

            Milo Ventimiglia, aka Peter Petrelli.  Yummo.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

            The environment of course.  When people fail to recognize the effect that their “standard of living” has on the world around them, or brush off anyone who actually DOES care as a “tree-hugger” without stopping to listen to any reason whatsoever, I get pretty heated.  How can you just ignore it?  IT'S NOT THAT HARD PEOPLE.

35. Who did you miss?

            My dad.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

            Ian, Mark, Kim, Nikki… I didn’t really MEET them this year, but I really got to know some of the people I work with this year which was great. 

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

            Don’t take the time you have with your family for granted.  Work belongs at work, not at home.  If a job stresses you out THAT much, it’s not worth it!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

            I suck at remembering lyrics, sorry.  

Um, Hi Mom!

My nephew is setting up my mother with a Facebook page.

I've been linking my posts here to Facebook. (So much for not telling anybody about this site.)

Hi Mom! I don't swear this much usually! Only when the dog craps on the floor or eats my Tupperware, I promise! Or when my finances go down the toilet (notice I refrained from saying "shitter" there! See, I'm doing better already!), or when people at work are dumb.

Also, I'm not sure why but Facebook only links my posts back to August.

Time to make some edits I guess. (Sorry again about the swearing Mom.)

Pass the Rogaine, and bring me my back pill!

I'm 29. I'll be 30 in April. Yet I am apparently an old fogey.

The company Christmas party was Friday night.

First off, we got there after the "social hour" and most everyone was already half in the bag. Now understand that B & I are not really drinkers. I've never enjoyed getting drunk, ever, mainly because (a) it makes me really tired and I wind up sitting there staring off into space, and (b) I say and do the stupidest shit after 3 or 4 drinks. So while we enjoy being social, we don't find it necessary to get wasted and make fools of ourselves. Because oh, the foolishness that would ensue!

We ate, had some fun conversation over dinner with our friends, and then the DJ kicked into gear. About an hour later, after "Electric Slide" and every other line dance known to man, after Boyz II Men (I shit you not) and Celine Dion, we had gotten our fill of bad wedding reception/high school dance music. That, combined with ill-advised shoe choices, made the decision for us... we bailed out. It was about 9:30 pm.

And seriously, how could anybody endure that much bad music? Not to sound snobby, but I think we would have enjoyed hanging out with people for a bit longer if our ears weren't bleeding.

"Bring some sunshine home with you!"

Observation #1: LAX is not half as big as I thought it was. Or at least this particular terminal sure isn't. It's definitely as crowded as I thought it would be, and twice as loud. I need some industrial strength ear protection in here.
Observation #2: I have seen more service dogs flying with their people in this trip alone than I have ever before. The most beautiful German Shepherd just went past, and I'm a little jealous.
Observation #3: The whole "get to the airport 2 hours early" bit is overkill. Maybe not at Christmas, but any other time.
Observation #4: You would think that LAX would have free hi-speed internet that was actually hi-speed. Instead it's a T-mobile "hotspot" that's definitely spotty and not hot whatsoever.
Observation #5: Cars, in general, have it in for me. Although this time I think it may be manageable without dropping 2 g's in repair costs.
Observation #6: I need to get the hell home, like, NOW.

Ain't no potty like a West Coast potty... er...

I love the west coast. I can't stand L.A. Sorry folks, I know there are some out there that have a deep abiding love for the City of Angels, but I can't deal with the congestion of most big cities. I dig Chicago & Boston's downtown areas, and I HEART Seattle 4-evah, but I would never want to live in any major metropolitan area. Give me the 'burbs, or better yet, the good ol' R.R. (rural routes for you city folk) any day. Too many people, not enough wide open spaces, too much traffic... just kinda gives me the heebie jeebies. I'll visit, sure, but I couldn't call it home and be comfortable for a long period of time.
***
Today we took the PCH to Santa Barbara which was absolutely GORGEOUS. But oh my GOD people that road is so friggin bumpy, and my sales rep's truck was so friggin monstrous (a Dodge diesel supercab that put you at eye-level with the semis, that's how big this bastard was), and she kinda drove like a madwoman (a 4'11" madwoman who needed a stepladder to get in the damn truck), and by the time we made it back to the hotel this evening I was a nervous wreck. I've hardly eaten anything today but I really don't think I could eat anything now after that hair-raising ride.
I'm pretty glad to be flying home tomorrow. I know, I know, Toledo vs. Los Angeles should be no contest, right? I hate to say it folks, but I'm ready to get back to my little armpit of Ohio.

Hey Ma, I wanna go home...

Traveling is taking over my schedule lately & I'm getting burnt out. After Boston came Chicago for 3 days last week (Good & Green Marketing Conference hosted by Discovery Channel's Planet Green... lots of great free swag!) and tomorrow I'm heading to L.A. for 3 days. This one is different though, for two reasons: (a) I'm traveling with a co-worker, who is a great, funny guy but who is also mildly irritating in his lack of organization, and (b) I'm the one giving the presentations this time. I'm not a big fan of speaking in front of people, although I'm getting more used to it. I would much rather stay home & enjoy my Christmas decorations.

The new car is pretty cool, although I'm glad it came with a limited after-market warranty. When we test drove it, we weren't anywhere near a freeway so we didn't really get a chance to gun it & get up to a high speed. So of course, what with my glorious luck, it does something crazy-wrong when it tries to downshift at higher speeds. There's this massive scary *CLUNK* and lurching and not good. So I'm leaving it at the shop while I'm gone this week to get it fixed. Did I mention YAY warranty?