2017 in questions

[serene]

1. What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?

Sang solo in public without stagefright

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don't do resolutions. I mostly just try to do my best as life goes on.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, just a co-worker.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, but several people in my circles lost people dear to them.

5. What countries did you visit?

I stayed put this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

A competent president

7. What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The event that's most memorable is my sister's death, but I don't remember the exact date. I could look it up. June 23rd.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Filing a reclassification request that is probably going to be approved (raise + promotion).

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not finding a way to help my sister while she was alive

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I have chronic illness, and I got an RSI in my ankle, which has been going on for more than a year now.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A sofa! (We have been without one for 3 years, and we finally found one we are both comfortable on, for $299 at Ikea, so there's the bargain aspect, too!)

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

All the women who have mobilized to resist sexual harassment and assault.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Trump and his cronies

14. Where did most of your money go?

Debt reduction

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

The Resistance Manual

16. What song will always remind you of 2017?

My brain doesn't work that way.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder? Happier. I was depressed for a few months after the election.

ii. thinner or fatter? I'm not sure. Probably around the same. I don't pay too much attention.

iii. richer or poorer? Hmm. Less debt, so richer, I guess.

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

Resisting the current administration.

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

Worrying about work drama.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

We hung out at home and didn't celebrate.

21. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?

We usually are asleep before midnight, and then the next day we celebrate the kid's birthday.

22. Did you fall in love in 2017?

Nope.

23. How many one-night stands?

Still don't do that.

24. What was your favourite TV program?

Hmm. Probably Broadchurch or Jane the Virgin.

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

Yes. At this time last year, some of the loathesome Trumpists weren't on my radar yet.

26. What was the best book you read?

Best? Probably Lincoln in the Bardo. I really enjoyed The Hate U Give and Binti: Home and The Cooking Gene, though.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Tank and the Bangas. One of those bands I wish I could share with Cute-poet-chick. Bet she loves them!

28. What did you want and get?

A couch; a new TV.

29. What did you want and not get?

I tried for a couple of better jobs at work and didn't get them.

30. What was your favourite film that you saw for the first time this year?

Moana (I didn't watch many movies this year, and almost no new ones)

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

I worked, and I turned 51.

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

A different election outcome.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

Whatever my mom buys me at the yard sales.

34. What kept you sane?

My general tendency toward sanity.

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

I don't exactly "fancy" public figures, but I have been really admiring Elizabeth Warren.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The Resistance

37. Who did you miss?

(As much as I miss anyone, which I don't really tend to do, because my brain is wired weirdly): stonebender

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Not actually sure I met anyone new this year. Certainly no one super significant to me.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.

Self-care and selfishness are not the same thing.

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

I am not much of a joiner, she says,
that's not where I draw my strength.
Some of them go for the depth of field,
while most of 'em go for the length.
Me, I will go for the hard combination.
(John Gorka, "Flying Red Horse")

Comments

[light_of_summer]

Hi, Serene,

I liked this meme when I saw Debbie do it, and she credited you, so thanks! I just finished doing it, myself.

Wishing you and yours a good 2018!
Karensu

[nitoda]

Admiring the first item on the list - and wondering how long it took to feel comfortable. I’ve been psyching myself up to sing solo at Folk Club and I have dreadful nerves. My voice cracks! But I’m persevering as the group leader keeps asking me and I’ve received some good feedback from others too. Well done you, I hope to be able to report the same one day.