1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Tried to wait out a political coup in Bangkok.
Created a Collection Rotation for the SFMOMA blog.
Helped my grandma celebrate her 94th birthday in person.
Talked trash on NPR.
Explored the Puente Hills Landfill with the CLUI.
Rowed a boat across the roof of the Hayward Gallery in London.
Joined a CSA.
Watched all of Fassbinder's Berlin Alexanderplatz.
Sat in the passenger seat of an Autopia car while Sophie drove.
Found myself moved to tears by dance set to Explosions in the Sky, in Glendale.
Started Engineer's Daughter.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make 'em.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Coworkers were having babies left and right, and then a bunch of peeps in my friend circle did too. So many babies that if I tried to name them all I'd miss someone for sure.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My friend Fran.
5. What countries did you visit?
England, Thailand and Malaysia, and then airports in Japan and China.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A boyfriend.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 4. Yes we did.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Figuring out how to get myself home from Bangkok without use of the city's international airport.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to eat my weight in curry during the 20 hours I was in Kuala Lumpur.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A gas nozzle fell on my toe and made it awfully difficult to walk for a few weeks this fall.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets to the Sigur Rós show at the Greek.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Every single one of my talented, courageous, amazing friends.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Every single person who voted yes on Prop 8.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Therapy.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My brother returning home after three years in the Peace Corps in Africa.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Fools - Dodos
Close runner-up: This Time Tomorrow - The Kinks
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? Happier
ii. thinner or fatter? Same
iii. richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Making use of my PFA membership.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Second-guessing myself.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Lunch with my family, then a stop at the JCCSF, then evening activities with my clan.
21. How did you spend NYE?
On Aimee's couch in full-on sloth mode, then a private ritual at home at midnight involving pear brandy and good music.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I would say yes, but I don't think it counts unless it's reciprocated.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Mad Men
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
The election stirred up some pretty strong emotions toward politicians and fellow citizens alike.
26. What was the best book you read?
How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone - Saša Stanišić
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Fordlandia - Jóhann Jóhannsson
Close runner-up: Alpinisms - School of Seven Bells
28. What did you want and get?
Seats at the crazy-sold-out Flight of the Conchords show at Davies Symphony Hall. Aimee nabbed 'em!
29. What did you want and not get?
I want Patrick to move back to the Bay Area.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Girls Rock!
In Search of a Midnight Kiss
Beautiful Losers
Milk
(I had trouble picking just one)
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Lunch upstairs at Chez Panisse, and then a roller skating party the following weekend. I turned 32.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A high-speed bullet train between SF and LA. Soon...
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
34. What kept you sane?
The kitties waiting in the window for me when I get home from work. Also almost-weekly visits to SFMOMA.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Andrew Bird (musician), Scoot McNairy (actor), Trevor Paglen (artist)
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Besides the election? Food politics and the environment.
37. Who did you miss?
My more far-flung friends and family.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Katia and Thierry and Ksenya all tie for this one, for making the unanticipated bus trip from southern Thailand to Malaysia a lot more fun.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Always keep a hand on the gas nozzle when you're refilling your car.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I feel it all, I feel it all
--Feist