2007 meme

Yep, I did a year-end sort of post, so some of this is repetitive. But I liked this meme so I grabbed it from lynn_maudlin1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?I directed a Cabaret featuring my college students, for which I wrote some dialog as well as selecting music, staging, and so forth. I also gave a lecture on writing at TNEO.2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?I don't know that I had any resolutions per se, though I suppose I wanted to get the novel edit done, which I didn't. I also didn't lose weight. I generally don't make resolutions, though I would like to be more physically active and make more writing progress this year.3. Did anyone close to you give birth?No.4. Did anyone close to you die?One cat, No humans that were particularly close, but a couple of acquaintances.5. What countries did you visit?Jamaica.6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?A clearer sense of what direction I'd like to go with regards to writing, singing, possibly going back for a doctorate, etc.7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?July 1. My sister's wedding. A wonderful event for both families, special for many reasons including dancing with my father (who is quite disabled and can dance in place moving one arm, but the look on his face was priceless).8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?Three: Directing the Cabaret, singing the soprano solos in Monteverdi's Vespers, and doing a serious overhaul of an pre-Odyssey story into a novelette which I had workshopped at TNEO. Really, I feel it's one of my best writing accomplishments. But it still needs at least another good overhaul. *sigh*9. What was your biggest failure?Being indecisive and using this as an excuse to waste time rather than pick a goal and work towards it.10. Did you suffer illness or injury?I've had back and neck issues off and on, much better at the end of the year.11. What was the best thing you bought?A 2007 Toyota Prius!12. Whose behavior merited celebration?C. did a wonderful series of last performances as a member of a Modern Dance company before retiring from dance and making plans to go back to school for Physics. Stephan taught a great freshman seminar which began life as a paper at Mythcon in Oklahoma back in 2006. My sister got married. Probably lots of other wonderful things I'm forgetting.13. Whose behavior made you appalled?The President, Vice President, and members of their administration.14. Where did most of your money go?Down payment on my new Prius.15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?Hmm, the Cabaret?16. What song will always remind you of 2007?Not a "song" but anything from the Monteverdi Vespers. Also, several Beatles songs but with odd lyrics that seem to have something to do with the Lord of the Rings. Hmm. (Thanks, Lynn, Mike, and Ted!)17. Compared to this time last year, are you:i. Happier or Sadder?Maybe happier? I think I feel slightly more ok with my life being what it is. No big changes, though. I've been relatively happy, a little bit restless.ii. Thinner or Fatter?A few pounds heavier, which I'd like to lose.iii. Richer or Poorer?Well, poorer because I took a chunk out of my savings for a car down-payment and am back to monthly payments again after 3 and a half year with no car payments.18. What do you wish you'd done more of?Exercise, write, sing.19. What do you wish you'd done less of?Playing computer games, wasting time.20. How will you be spending Christmas?I spent Christmas with my family in North Carolina, then a second Christmas with Stephan's offspring in Indianapolis.21. Did you fall in love in 2007?No, but am still in love.22. How many one-night stands?None!23. What was your favorite TV program?I don't watch TV.24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?I would like to think I don't hate anyone. I am annoyed with a few people.25. What was the best book you read?Gosh, there are too many. I don't know that I read much that was really life-changing in 2007, but I did really enjoy "The Necesary Beggar" by Susan Palwick, "The Privilege of the Sword" by Ellen Kushner, and "The Mistress of Spices" by Chitra Divakaruni.26. What was your greatest musical discovery?How well I remember harmony on Beatles songs. That and a rediscovery of how much I love to sing Monteverdi.27. What did you want and get?A new car, to direct a performance.28. What was your favorite film of this year?Hmm, I didn't watch that many, and the ones I did see were pretty light and kid-oriented. Among those my favorites are Ratatouille and Enchanted.29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?I went out for dinner, I think at Oceanaire last year. I was one less year old than I will be tomorrow.30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?Being involved with more like-minded people in my city.31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?Umm, flowy?32. What kept you sane?Stephan, music, enough free time in the summer to recharge my batteries.33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?Hmm, no one stands out.34. Who did you miss?Friends I've managed not to keep in better touch with.35. Who was the best new person you met?Susan Palwick at Mythcon (I got to hang out with lots of other wonderful folks but I believe I had met most of them before).36. Did you enjoy this year?Yes!37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your yearDrawing a blank. Though I'm tempted to try to come up with some LotR-Beatles lyrics, I can't think of any that would apply to me and 2007. (I haven't found any rings lying around.)38. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?I'm not much of a phone talker, but probably my sister.39. What did you want and not get?The darn novel edited.40. What political issue stirred you the most?Hmm, too many to single out one. Let's just say I've been perpetually pissed off whenever I start to think about it too hard.41. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007If I want to do something, I should just jump in and do it and not wait for someone, something, whatever, to give me permission.