2006 In Review - A Meme

I saw this meme on Oodleday and a longer one on Radio Free Javi. I thought it would be a fun New Year's Day post and went with the long one.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
   The good: went sailing.
   The bad: learned how to give a cat subcutaneous fluids and, later, what it is like to hold a beloved kitty while the vet euthanizes her.
   The ugly: learned new technology: blogging; using an MP3 player; editing audio and video recordings; downloading torrents; using Photoshop to edit photos and create my own blog banners.
2. What places did you visit?
   - Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands for my friend Jennifer's wedding. Beautiful!
   - The set of the TV show Medium
3. What was your favorite film of this year?
   Serenity. It was release in 2005 but I did not see it until 2006. LOVED it. Want the DVD and, really, why not get the whole series while I am at it?
4. What was your favorite holiday in 2006 and why?
   Telecommuting Tuesdays and Thursdays in my PJ's is a holiday every week.
5. What was your most watched tv show during 2006?
   Medium, of course.
6. What was your favorite TV program?
   Law & Order: Criminal Intent. There is just something about Vincent D'Onofrio's portrayal of Bobby Goren that enthralls me. But do not discount Kathryn Erbe as Alex Eames. They paired Goren with some skinny redhead a year or so ago when Kathryn Erbe was on pregnancy leave and Goren? Not so funny without Eames.
7. What was the best book or book series you read?
   Julia Sweeney's Letting Go Of God
8. What was your greatest musical discovery?
   Jack FM radio
9. Which celebrity/public figure did you read about/keep up with the most?
   Patricia Arquette, but only because I blog about Medium. Otherwise, I am not really a celebrity junkie. I have no desire to see anyone's unpantied crotch and I do not care if some rich girl does not eat enough. And don't get me started on other public figures like politicians.

10. What relationships began, ended, or significantly changed during 2006? Why and how?
    I began blogging for b5media in September, which further indoctrinated me in the blogging subculture I had barely dipped my toe into since starting my personal blog mid-June. Blogging has opened a whole new world to me and even if I were to stop blogging tomorrow, I will never be the same.
11. What was your biggest expenditure in 2006? Do you feel you got your money’s worth?
    I bought a Toyota Prius for about $30,000 and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I actually use the bells and whistles, like the Bluetooth cell phone connection and the hatchback for enabling hauling of all sort of crap. And let us not forget the amazing gas mileage, which allows me to feel superior to non-hybrid car drivers.
12. Who was your mentor or role model in 2006?
    I have no role models. That is why I am so independent and outspoken. If only I had known Katherine Hepburn I would have an excuse.
13. Who was the most helpful professional or service person you dealt with in 2006?
    Our housecleaner, Sandra. She does not mind cleaning up cat pee and is always cheerful.
14. Who was the least helpful professional or service person you dealt with in 2006?
    Microsoft Windows LiveSpace technical support. I am unable to comment on LiveSpace blogs. I opened a ticket August 7, 2006, and have been following up yet still cannot comment. (It is ticket #SRX1018511933ID if anyone from LiveSpaces tech support is reading this.)
15. Did you learn any new skills in 2006? If so, what?
    See #1 and all the new technology. My mind is still reeling.
16. What skills did you work on developing further or fine tuning in 2006?
    Managing my time so as not to spend it all in front of the computer
17. What did you learn about yourself in 2006?
    I am incapable of managing my time so as not to spend it all in front of the computer
18. What did you learn about someone close to you in 2006?
    I learned that my mother would rather die in her old, badly in need of maintenance house than go to a fun retirement community where she can meet people and get out and have some fun. But I can certainly understand being a homebody and wanting familiar surroundings. Change can be scary.
19. What did you keep close to your heart in 2006?
    My prosh midnight-black kitty Squeaker-butt. Miss her!
20. What transitions did you experience in 2006?
    - From 'old car worried it would break down' person to 'brand new car with great gas mileage and a plug-in for my MP3 player' person
    - From unfocused occasional writer to daily blogger
    - From 'what is a blog?' to member of the blogging subculture
21. What was your biggest achievement/accomplishment/personal gain of 2006?
    I took up blogging, which gives me a reason to go out and do things so I have something to blog about. Most people do not need a reason to leave the house. I do. Huge personal gain.
22. What was your biggest failure/setback/disappointment of 2006?
    I gained back a portion of the weight I had previously lost and became even more sedentary than before, which I did not realize was possible.
23. What was your personal success that was the most meaningful to you in 2006? (Not the same question as 21 as the biggest may or may not be the most personally meaningful)
    Ditto #21
24. Did you suffer illness or injury in 2006? Is it ongoing or better now?
    I had an attack of the bed bugs on Orcas Island. Does that count? It is all better now.
25. What was the best thing you bought in 2006?
    My Creative Zen:M MP3 player. I download audio books so I have an endless supply of listening material during my commute and when I am stuck waiting somewhere, like the doctor's office, the grocery or bank line, under the hair dryer at the salon, etc. It also has a built-in microphone that came in handy during my visit to the set of Medium.
26. What was the best gift you received in 2006?
    I stopped waiting for people to buy me gifts a long time ago. I bought myself a 42" flat-panel plasma TV. And the car was a pretty nice self-gift, too.
27. Whose behavior merited celebration in 2006?
    Anyone who helped another human being for no reason other than to get that good, 'Hey, I helped someone today" feeling.
28. Whose behavior upset you greatly?
    Spammers and trolls. They do not actually upset me. I just don't get them. What is the point? It seems like such a waste of time and effort and for what gain? As for trolls, they strike me as the kind of people who kick the dog, beat the spouse and children, treat service people like sub-humans, and think it is okay to break any law as long as you don't get caught. Perhaps being an online troll makes them feel powerful in a sad and pathetic sort of way. Think of all the good we could do in the world if we harnessed all that negative troll energy and used it for good!
29. Of those close to you, who had the best/most positive attitude in 2006?
    Mechtilda Johanna Van Haaster Lenahan
30. Of those close to you, who had the worst/most depressing attitude in 2006?
    No comment
31. What did you do for fun in 2006?
    I blogged. Whee!
32. What meaningful hobbies/activities did you engage in during 2006?
    Meaningful to who? I find blogging meaningful because it helps me stay in touch with friends and family. Others think it is a giant waste of time. These same people spend hours watching sports, either on TV or live with much travel involved. Stones. Glass houses. I'm just sayin'. (Ed!)
33. What song will always remind you of 2006?
    I am not that into music. How about Walking With A Ghost, by Tegan and Sara? It was the promo music for the big Medium premiere in November and, since I blog about Medium, it seems appropriate. And it is rather catchy.
34. What do you wish you’d done more of in 2006?
    Stretching and spending quality time with Squeak
35. What do you wish you’d done less of in 2006?
    Sitting at my computer, both at work and at home
36. Did you fall in love or date anyone significant in 2006?
    Ha ha! You're funny.
37. How many one-night stands or brief encounters did you have in 2006?
    Really, you should be on the stage you're so funny.
38. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
    I try not to hate. It is much too exhausting. I pity and disdain instead and this year's nominees remain the same as the prior year as, unfortunately, none of them have had the courtesy to drop dead in 2006.
39. Do you love anyone now that you didn’t love this time last year?
    Nope
40. What did you want or need and get?
    My Prius. I sooooo needed a reliable, gas-friendly car.
41. What did you want or need and not get?
    A man. I would really like a man and yet, who has the time?
42. What was your absolute weirdest encounter with another human being during 2006?
    Some troll labeled me a "liberal democrat" and tried to get me into a political debate. Really, why don't people read a person's blog to find out what they are all about before jumping in and being stupid? Trying to get me to care about politics is like trying to get a cat to care about, well...anything. Neither one of us can be bothered.
43. What was your best/happiest encounter with another human being during 2006?
    Getting back in touch with my childhood pal JCW. He is my most prolific commenter, on both of my blogs, and my staunchest supporter. Love you JCW!
44. What was your worst/most distressing encounter with another human being in 2006?
    The back fence issue with our rear neighbor. Not so much the encounter itself but rather the realization that we are stuck living next to these ugly people until one of us moves or dies.
45. What got fixed and improved in 2006 and who fixed it?
    I got a new desk setup at home at the tail end of the year that is going to make working at home, either doing tax work or blogging, so much easier. Who fixed it? My friend Micky, her friend Leelee, and I moved the entire monstrous setup all by ourselves. We are gluttons for punishment.
46. What was the prettiest thing you saw during 2006?
    Our new back fence, which is not actually pretty but represents neighborly separation. 'Tis a beautiful thing.
47. Who did you miss in 2006?
    I miss my cousin Tricia, who died in 2005. She was the glue that kept the family together. We all went to family gatherings when we knew Tricia was going to be there. Not so much when she was not. Tricia was such a genuine person and so supportive of everyone she came in contact with. I really, really miss her.
48. Whose presence were you grateful for every day (or nearly every day)?
    My cat Turvy. He greets me first thing when he comes in from outside, before going to the food bowl. That just cracks me up. Who can resist unconditional love?
49. Who was the best new person you met or got to know in 2006?
    That's easy: Hsien-Hsien Lei.
50. What was the best gift you gave to another being during 2006?
    As horrible as it was for me, I have to say putting my cat Squeak to sleep. I gave her an end to pain. I do so wish I could have given her a life free of pain instead.
51. What are you proud of from 2006?
    Staying alive and not killing any human beings?
52. What good thing did you persist in despite tiredness, boredom, or discouragement during 2006?
    Getting out of bed every day. Really. Some of you will read that and say, "What is so hard about that? Everybody does that the world over every single day without even thinking about it." The rest of you will know exactly what I am talking about.
53. What dumb thing did you persist in despite better knowledge in 2006?
    Not exercising and not eating right. It seems so easy but the follow-through is a bitch.
54. If applicable, what kept you sane?
    Tea, kitty cats, and my friends
55. If applicable, what drove you crazy?
    - People who ask me to help them find something when they have not bothered to look for it themselves first or have only looked in one or two places.
    - People who ask me to help them do something they are perfectly capable of doing on their own. I actually enjoy doing things for people who are unable to perform tasks themselves. But if you are asking for help because you are just too lazy or squeamish to do it yourself? Suck it up and do it your own damn self!
56. What was your most meaningful moment of 2006, the thing that makes you say, “yes, this is all worthwhile!”?
    I have yet to have one of those "Aha!" moments. I do not want to die, certainly, but I am not quite sure what to do with me while I am here.
57. What stable thing in your life became less stable in 2006?
    Life itself. It was never stable, but I did not really think about it until the last year or so.
58. What unstable thing in your life became more stable in 2006?
    My life is stable? Since when?
59. What political issue made you the happiest?
    I must admit Vice President Cheney shooting a fellow quail hunter did make me smile. And for those who say this is not a political "issue," see #60.
60. What political issue disturbed you the most?
    All political issues disturb me because they never make any sense. Example: gay marriage. This is a non-issue. Why are people spending time and energy fighting against gay marriage when those resources could be used to fight poverty and crime and for other worthwhile causes?
61. What decisions did you make in 2006 that will likely affect 2007 and beyond?
    I took up blogging. I know, I know, I keep harping on blogging but it really has changed the way I approach life. I have always been the person who makes the effort to travel to visit friends but I really do not enjoy traveling and being away from my bed and my furry sleeping companions. I thought my blog would be a great way for friends and family to visit and interact with me without having to make much effort. Certainly without having to pack up and make a physical journey. Interestingly, a few people I thought would be big supporters (and who are active online) have not made the virtual journey. I find the whole blogging / commenting thing very, very interesting and look forward to seeing what will happen with this blog in 2007.
62. What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006 that you would like to pass on to others?
    I learned that people live in their own little worlds and just because they blame you for something does not mean you are actually responsible. Life it too short to cow-tow to ugly people who think the world owes them something. Walk away. Live your life with no regrets. You are not responsible for someone else's happiness. Only your own, and isn't that hard enough to accomplish?
63. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously" - Oscar Wilde. It is not a song lyric but it is does sum things up nicely.