I know it’s nine days in and everyone is so over the whole New Year thing. But I’ve been working hard by day and trying hard by night. A sports filled weekend afternoon is the only chance I have to blog. And I can never resist the opportunity to make a list.
I found this on Gemma Cartwright’s marvellous fashion/blog emporium, though I guess it’s doing the rounds generally.
The 2009 Meme
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Unprotected sex! After 10 years popping that little yellow pill (and balking at the price of condoms on the rare months when I wasn’t), this was a weird one.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next this year?
Like I can remember that far back! I would guess the obvious was that I wanted to lose the bit of weight I’d put back on since The Great Weight Loss of 2007. I set myself revised deadlines, as the big events of 2009 (Oldest Girl Friend’s 30th, Glastonbury, Mr B’s 30th) came and went. I never managed it. Mainly after the decision to start trying for a baby sent me into a spiral of overeating crazy. This year I’ll be happy if I keep up my blog, pay off my credit card and maintain a generally healthy lifestyle. And the other thing, natch.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of the girls at work had a little girl. Her visits to the office are the biggest giveaway ever to my colleagues that I want to have a baby. I’m sure they all talked about me behind me back after my latest kid hogging session at the Christmas buffet.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My uncle died last month. That’s still too terribly sad to talk much about. Oldest Girl Friend’s beautiful cat, the perfect companion to our wine & tv nights, was put to sleep. I miss her.
5. What countries did you visit?
We took a break from holidays and had a summer of music festivals instead. We did make it to Scotland & the Czech Republic though. And we briefly drove into Wales by accident while lost.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
I’m trying not to make this totally baby themed but, you know, duh! I’d also like more money, more patience and more hours in the day. Maybe this could be the year I give up sleep.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I would say the date we moved away from The Ghetto, but I’d have to check my filofax for the correct weekend, so that could hardly be considered ‘etched’. I guess we’ve moved house so much over the years it’s hardly an event anymore. It was important though. Mr B’s 30th (week) was also pretty special.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
One single thing? I don’t really go in for big grand gestures. Preferring, instead, to make a small difference to the world every single day. Ha! I’ve done well at work, which isn’t hugely difficult. I broke my blog curse, which I’m quite pleased about. And I arranged rather awesome 30th birthday parties for two of my favourite people.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Again, hard to pick out a single big incident. I’m sure I could look back and roll my eyes at a lot of the stupid stuff I did or said. But I’m also learning slowly not to sweat the small stuff. I didn’t go on a diet but, you know, story of my life!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a cold for about a month and a half. But I deftly dodged swine flu which, considering my place of work, is commendable.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The most comfortable bed in the world, ever. It took an entire evening to build, it takes up a disproportionate amount of our bedroom, but it’s truly awesome. Just as well, considering how much time we ended up spending in it. (Honourable mention also goes to my Blackberry.)
12. Where did most of your money go?
Gin. Will I ever learn?
13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Sitting in a field, eating corn on the cob and listening to live music. The greatest feeling ever.
14. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Pet Shop Boys – ‘All Over The World’. Saw it performed twice live. Exceptional. It’s one of those songs that will always have an emotional attachment. I love that.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
2008 was easy. 2009 was an eventful year, and not all great. I think I’ve come out of it feeling pretty positive and am very happy and excited right now. (That doesn’t answer the question, I know.)
b) thinner or fatter?
Meh. I’m the same post Christmas bloatfest I always am at this time of year.
c) richer or poorer?
We spend less on takeaways, more on deli brunches. This house costs more, but we get broken into less. Overall I’d say we’re still breaking even.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Having sex! I could’ve been knocked up by now…
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing. 2009 saw the start of my semi regular problems sleeping. I am gutted about this – I love sleep.
18. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Hello Barney Stinson! I fell hard, proper teenage crush style. I even had sex dreams about him!
19. What was your favourite TV program?
The Thick of It, Peep Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gossip Girl and Dollhouse were highlights. ER ending was one of the most traumatic events of my life. And we finally started The Sopranos.
20. What was the best book you read?
I didn’t read enough to give an accurate assessment, though my favourite blogs of the year can be found here. I did enjoy the Christmas Radio Times immensely.
21. What was your favourite film of this year?
In The Loop.
22. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The big two nine. Hmph. I celebrated for a week, as is standard. Swanky dinner with Sharp Suit, Blondie, et al. London with Curly. Pedicures. Presents. Cocktails. Cupcakes. My favourite people.
23. What kept you sane?
Work. It’s easy, chilled out, and some of my favourite people are there. I actually look to The Company as a place of relative calm when other things get fucked up.
24. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
See 18.
25. Who did you miss?
Josh Lyman. Mr B & I spent much of 2008 watching The West Wing, and finished it just as the year ended. We’ve seen a lot of great stuff this year, but really nothing has come close.
26. Who was the best new person you met?
Sharp Suit. Although I’d known him since I started at The Company in 2008, this was the year we became friends. It’s been great. We’re having a semi weird patch at the moment, but I expect us to come through it intact. He gets me in a way that a lot of people don’t. Plus he introduced me to his amazing sister, Blondie.
NB. It pains me that this list is 26 questions long. Isn’t that a slightly weird amount?