I’ve seen this one before, but Abby’s recent posting of it reminded me that I’d never gotten around to it.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? I went on a week-long camping trip by myself. And had a great time. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Like Abby, I didn’t resolve to lose any weight. I lost about seven pounds, though, without trying very hard. I’m going to see if I can double that by putting in some effort. 14 pounds in 12 months ain’t much. Should be doable.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? What, you mean, like, in the seat next to me on a flight or something?
4. Did anyone close to you die? We’re tenuously clinging onto the “no deaths in the family” record. This year, great uncle Ron died. He wasn’t quite “close,” but he had been part of the family gatherings for many years.
5. What countries did you visit? The United States of America. Also Massachusetts. (hardy-har, channeling Rush Limbaugh there for a second)
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A good night’s sleep. Actually, I had a few of these, but I’m greedy and would like several in a row.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Well, there are a few events I’ll remember, but I can’t remember exactly which day they happened on. So it’s safe to say that no memory is so strong that I can actually remember the date.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Exams. Passing them.
9. What was your biggest failure? I didn’t get much done, academically speaking, other than the exams. Though it’s vague, I’d call that the biggest failure of the year. But I’m not overly bothered by it—I tend to work in cycles.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yeah, I strained my right Achilles and have had bouts with tendinitis since then. Didn’t have any illnesses (not even significant colds), though, which was nice.
11. What was the best thing you bought? New computer (dirty little secret: Windows Vista works just fine on a nice, new computer with a clean install—zero crashes since I bought it in February). A close second might be my new Yamaha keyboard.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I have no idea, but the first person who came to mind was Ed Mueller, our new Writing Programs “administrative director.” Without being given much power, resources or guidance, he’s stepped in and done a great job. Very easy to work for.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled/depressed? The usual list cited by rappers: politicians, record companies, hustlers, players, snitches, bitches.
14. Where did most of your money go? Honestly, I don’t pay attention anymore. It’s all debt. I just live.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Damn, this is a long quiz. I’m barely a third of the way through it.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? Probably Blonde Redhead’s “23.” It was one of those songs that seemed to always be on the CD player in the car during summer drives.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? a) pick ‘em; b) thinner; c) richer, though I doubt my stipend boost to $15,300 is exactly cause to start knocking back bottles of Cristal.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Giving a shit.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Not much, really. The year was pleasant and low-key, for the most part.
20. How will you be spending Christmas? Fambly last year, fambly this year.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Ha. As usual, nary a peep from me regarding those topics. You’ll hear about it when I get engaged someday… until then, bugger off.
22. How many one-night stands? Thirty-two thousand, six hundred seventy one.
23. What was your favorite TV program? The Riches, though Law and Order reruns made a strong showing at the end of the year.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I’ve never hated anyone, ever, because I’m sane.
25. What was the best book you read? Kafka on the Shore.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Some old Velvet Underground stuff.
27. What did you want and get? For Christmas? Our family doesn’t really do gift-giving after the age of 18. I got a shirt and Water Challenge Baseball. I didn’t know I wanted either until I got them.
28. What did you want and not get? I wanted and asked for nothing, and didn’t not get it.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? I didn’t see many in ‘07. Juno might have qualified, but I didn’t see it until last weekend. So I’ll go with American Gangster.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I had the day off (thanks MLK!) and therefore didn’t do nuthin’. But that was a year ago. My next birthday is tomorrow, and I’ll be tutoring and working on my Creative Nonfiction assignments. And possibly making some Mexican food.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Sleep.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? I now apply foundation with a sponge.
33. What kept you sane? I don’t ever even approach the brink of insanity, so inertia, I guess.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Wilford Brimley.
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Hard to say. War, education, partisanship, etc. Maybe immigration—seems that you’re now allowed to be as racist as you want to be, as long as you frame it within an immigration context.
36. Who did you miss? Ms. Drews. Same answer every year since moving to NH in ‘04. Also PJ, Anna, Brittany, Jared, and all of my other longtime pals, none of whom I saw more than once this year.
37. Who was the best new person you met? The best?
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. “TV sets are getting smaller and smaller, and bigger and bigger. Soon the medium-sized set will be a thing of the past.” (Dale Gribble, King of the Hill)
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.“No future, no future, no future for you.” (Sex Pistols)