New Year's Eve memes
Dec. 29th, 2008 07:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dolorosa_12The first one, I did last year, and have started to see it pop up again. I swiped it from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
stephstar this time.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Study at Cambridge!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually did this year! I think it must be the first time ever. In the face of this success, I might make some more this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit?
England. I also spent an hour in Bangkok airport - does that count?
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A full scholarship. And unlimited internet.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
26th September. The day I turned my back on my mother at Sydney airport, got onto a plane, and then thought in horror, 'What have I done?'
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Returning to full-time study, looking after myself in a foreign country, coping without the massive security blanket that having grown up in Canberra and living a short train-ride from all family members provides.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to avoid periods of bleakness and angst.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had some horrendous flus, but that's all.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A plane ticket and part of the fees for my degree.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Certain family members'. You know who you are. The American voting public's behaviour is very worthy of celebration.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I'm going to have to go with last year's answer: various world leaders'.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Uni fees.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
CAMBRIDGE! And meeting sraffies.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
All Systems Red by Calexico. Same as last year. But also Time To Pretend by MGMT, just about every song on Van She's V album, and the opening three songs on the Ministry of Sound Sessions 5 album (disc 1): Body Crush by Buy Now, This Boy's In Love by the Presets and More Than I Wanted by John Dählback. Mimi knows why.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? So so so much happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, unfortunately. Sainbury's mini caramel slice biscuits are my great weakness.
iii. richer or poorer? Much poorer. This is the first time in my life that I haven't saved money.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Study and writing in preparation for coming to Cambridge.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'll have to go with last year's answer: being self-absorbed. I fear it's my fatal flaw.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With random relatives that I'd never met before. Oddly enough, I had a great time.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I fell in love with a library. I fell in love with a lot of songs. I fell in love with a few more fictional characters. But with a person? No.
23. Did your heart break in 2008?
Yes, but not due to unrequited love.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
There's no point in asking this. The answer will always be Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
25. Where were you when 2008 began?
Moping alone at my share-house in Canberra, despairing at the thought of having to go back and work at the newspaper for another month.
26. Who were you with?
I was with some online people.
27. Where will you be when 2008 ends?
I will be at a small gathering at the house of one of my Cambridge friends.
28. Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
I'm not sure exactly who'll be there.
29. What was the best book you read?
If I have to limit it to one, I'd say American Gods by Neil Gaiman.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Van She and MGMT.
31. What did you want and get?
A uni place at Cambridge.
32. What did you want and not get?
A way to transport all my loved ones over to Cambridge.
33. What was your favourite film of this year?
Waltz With Bashir.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My flatmates and I had raclette for dinner and then we went out for drinks at the Maypole. I turned 24.
35. How many different states did you travel to in 2008?
In Australia, the usual three: NSW, the ACT and Victoria. Why would I want to go to any other states? In the UK, I'm not sure. I've been to Cambridge, London and Southport, and hung out at Liverpool and Birmingham stations. Presumably that's several states, or counties or whatever.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Amelie meets nerdgirl, with a touch of darkness.
37. What kept you sane?
Just like last year: Teh 'Pub. And btts. Also, being back home with Mum and Mimi for most of the year. It's slowly fading into the background, but God, I had a ghastly time living away from home last year.
38. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Does Pagan Kidrouk count? If they're only allowed to be real people, I'll stick with my Paul Keating love, thanks.
39. What political issue stirred you the most?
The US elections, like half the world.
40. How many concerts did you see in 2008?
None, actually. I'm back to having The Song Formerly Known As as my theme song: "I don't go to concerts baby/ The music's always up too loud/ Cigarettes and alcohol get up my arse/ I always lose you in the crowd."
41. Did you have a favourite concert in 2008?
Um, see above.
42. Who was the best new person you met?
Too many to name, but special mention must go to the sraffies who came to visit, my new housemates and the ASNaCs. Also the some of the kids at the school, and the child care workers who were my coworkers from February to September. You guys have my unstinting respect and praise.
43. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Oh yeah.
44. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
I'm not even going to talk about it, but if you've been reading this blog, you know what it was.
45. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008
Don't get drunk with strangers.
46. What are your plans for 2009?
Get good marks for my M.Phil. Get accepted for my PhD.
47. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
There are quite a few. First, the shorter ones:
(This one is sort of a personal mantra, too.)
"I quietly observe standing in my space,
Daydreaming" - Massive Attack, Daydreaming.
"I'll miss the playgrounds and the animals and digging up worms
I'll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world
I'll miss my sister, miss my father, miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom and the time spent alone." - MGMT, Time To Pretend.
And I feel I must post the lyrics to All Systems Red yet again, simply because of the US elections:
Felt a tremor stir beneath my breath
That forecasts storms on the gallup poll
Waking up from the nightmare news
Hoping to read a sign in the morning air
Nothing changes here and nothing improves
All say my friends who just want out
And leave these troubles behind
Scatter like paper in the eye of the storm
Documented with a silenced note
That's only heard from far away
More cards in play, following suit
Everywhere you look, you only see red
Wonder when to call off the race
Watching a horse running down its last legs
When you think it couldn't get much worse
The numbers rise on the death toll
And the chimes of freedom flash and fade
Only heard from far, far away
I hear you can't trust in your own
Now the grey is broken in the early morn
And the words forming barely have a voice
It's just your heart that's breaking without choice
Everything you hear is distorted in your head
Bouncing off the walls, unraveling the thread
Staying up with the blue screen glow
Forgetting everything you ever dreamed years ago
When the dread is flowing down my veins
I want to tear it all down and build it up again
Hear your heart that's breaking without choice
I want to hear those chimes ring again
Ring again"
Oddly enough, I discovered that Calexico dislike the album on which All Systems Red appears, and it's considered a sort of anomaly in their discography. They're embarrassed at its overt political content.
Now time for the second meme. This one's very long, so I'll put it behind a cut.anya_1984 was the last of my friends to post it.
(I assumed, as everyone seems to be doing, that this list means 'ever in your life', not 'in 2008'.)
1. Started your own blog: I currently have three blogs.
2. Slept under the stars: I've slept in a cave.
3. Played in a band: At music school, every year from 1996-2000. Good times.
4. Visited Hawaii: It's where I learned to walk!
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland:
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo: Eeek, never.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris: Quite a few times now.
13. Watched a lightning storm: Yes, from my swimming pool. And the Darwin Award goes to...
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch:
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables:
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France Yes! And there were only five people in the room. No, I'm not telling you our secret for beating the crowds.
20. Slept on an overnight train: From Canberra to Melbourne. I was six. I would never do it as an adult.
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill: Oh yes.
24. Built a snow fort, and defended it: I've defended a tree house fort. Australia and snow don't really go together.
25. Held a lamb: I've held a goat.
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon: The City To Surf was enough.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice: No, but I've been in a punt in Cambridge.
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors: All three of them, now!
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language: Sort of.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke:
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant: No, but a stranger bought dinner for my mum and me in Rome once!
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling: Yes to snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain:
53. Played in the mud: oh yeah :)
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Been in a movie I was in a shockingly badly edited recreation of the French Revolution as part of a Modern European History class in Year 8.anya_1984 will remember.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp: No, and I wouldn't really want to.
67. Bounced a cheque
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I'm actually not sure.
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle:
79. Seen the Grand Canyon
80. Published a book: One day, I hope so.
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car: I do not, and never will, drive.
83. Walked in Jerusalem: I want to go one day.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one. I loathe this phrase. People I love have died. Died. I didn't f***ing lose them.
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a mobile phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day For goodness' sake, when I was in high school I would frequently read three books in one day.
stephstar this time.1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Study at Cambridge!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually did this year! I think it must be the first time ever. In the face of this success, I might make some more this year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit?
England. I also spent an hour in Bangkok airport - does that count?
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A full scholarship. And unlimited internet.
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
26th September. The day I turned my back on my mother at Sydney airport, got onto a plane, and then thought in horror, 'What have I done?'
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Returning to full-time study, looking after myself in a foreign country, coping without the massive security blanket that having grown up in Canberra and living a short train-ride from all family members provides.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to avoid periods of bleakness and angst.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had some horrendous flus, but that's all.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A plane ticket and part of the fees for my degree.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Certain family members'. You know who you are. The American voting public's behaviour is very worthy of celebration.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I'm going to have to go with last year's answer: various world leaders'.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Uni fees.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
CAMBRIDGE! And meeting sraffies.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
All Systems Red by Calexico. Same as last year. But also Time To Pretend by MGMT, just about every song on Van She's V album, and the opening three songs on the Ministry of Sound Sessions 5 album (disc 1): Body Crush by Buy Now, This Boy's In Love by the Presets and More Than I Wanted by John Dählback. Mimi knows why.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? So so so much happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, unfortunately. Sainbury's mini caramel slice biscuits are my great weakness.
iii. richer or poorer? Much poorer. This is the first time in my life that I haven't saved money.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Study and writing in preparation for coming to Cambridge.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'll have to go with last year's answer: being self-absorbed. I fear it's my fatal flaw.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With random relatives that I'd never met before. Oddly enough, I had a great time.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I fell in love with a library. I fell in love with a lot of songs. I fell in love with a few more fictional characters. But with a person? No.
23. Did your heart break in 2008?
Yes, but not due to unrequited love.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
There's no point in asking this. The answer will always be Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
25. Where were you when 2008 began?
Moping alone at my share-house in Canberra, despairing at the thought of having to go back and work at the newspaper for another month.
26. Who were you with?
I was with some online people.
27. Where will you be when 2008 ends?
I will be at a small gathering at the house of one of my Cambridge friends.
28. Who will you be with when 2008 ends?
I'm not sure exactly who'll be there.
29. What was the best book you read?
If I have to limit it to one, I'd say American Gods by Neil Gaiman.
30. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Van She and MGMT.
31. What did you want and get?
A uni place at Cambridge.
32. What did you want and not get?
A way to transport all my loved ones over to Cambridge.
33. What was your favourite film of this year?
Waltz With Bashir.
34. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My flatmates and I had raclette for dinner and then we went out for drinks at the Maypole. I turned 24.
35. How many different states did you travel to in 2008?
In Australia, the usual three: NSW, the ACT and Victoria. Why would I want to go to any other states? In the UK, I'm not sure. I've been to Cambridge, London and Southport, and hung out at Liverpool and Birmingham stations. Presumably that's several states, or counties or whatever.
36. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Amelie meets nerdgirl, with a touch of darkness.
37. What kept you sane?
Just like last year: Teh 'Pub. And btts. Also, being back home with Mum and Mimi for most of the year. It's slowly fading into the background, but God, I had a ghastly time living away from home last year.
38. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Does Pagan Kidrouk count? If they're only allowed to be real people, I'll stick with my Paul Keating love, thanks.
39. What political issue stirred you the most?
The US elections, like half the world.
40. How many concerts did you see in 2008?
None, actually. I'm back to having The Song Formerly Known As as my theme song: "I don't go to concerts baby/ The music's always up too loud/ Cigarettes and alcohol get up my arse/ I always lose you in the crowd."
41. Did you have a favourite concert in 2008?
Um, see above.
42. Who was the best new person you met?
Too many to name, but special mention must go to the sraffies who came to visit, my new housemates and the ASNaCs. Also the some of the kids at the school, and the child care workers who were my coworkers from February to September. You guys have my unstinting respect and praise.
43. Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year?
Oh yeah.
44. What was your most embarrassing moment of 2008?
I'm not even going to talk about it, but if you've been reading this blog, you know what it was.
45. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008
Don't get drunk with strangers.
46. What are your plans for 2009?
Get good marks for my M.Phil. Get accepted for my PhD.
47. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
There are quite a few. First, the shorter ones:
(This one is sort of a personal mantra, too.)
"I quietly observe standing in my space,
Daydreaming" - Massive Attack, Daydreaming.
"I'll miss the playgrounds and the animals and digging up worms
I'll miss the comfort of my mother and the weight of the world
I'll miss my sister, miss my father, miss my dog and my home
Yeah, I'll miss the boredom and the freedom and the time spent alone." - MGMT, Time To Pretend.
And I feel I must post the lyrics to All Systems Red yet again, simply because of the US elections:
Felt a tremor stir beneath my breath
That forecasts storms on the gallup poll
Waking up from the nightmare news
Hoping to read a sign in the morning air
Nothing changes here and nothing improves
All say my friends who just want out
And leave these troubles behind
Scatter like paper in the eye of the storm
Documented with a silenced note
That's only heard from far away
More cards in play, following suit
Everywhere you look, you only see red
Wonder when to call off the race
Watching a horse running down its last legs
When you think it couldn't get much worse
The numbers rise on the death toll
And the chimes of freedom flash and fade
Only heard from far, far away
I hear you can't trust in your own
Now the grey is broken in the early morn
And the words forming barely have a voice
It's just your heart that's breaking without choice
Everything you hear is distorted in your head
Bouncing off the walls, unraveling the thread
Staying up with the blue screen glow
Forgetting everything you ever dreamed years ago
When the dread is flowing down my veins
I want to tear it all down and build it up again
Hear your heart that's breaking without choice
I want to hear those chimes ring again
Ring again"
Oddly enough, I discovered that Calexico dislike the album on which All Systems Red appears, and it's considered a sort of anomaly in their discography. They're embarrassed at its overt political content.
Now time for the second meme. This one's very long, so I'll put it behind a cut.
anya_1984 was the last of my friends to post it.(I assumed, as everyone seems to be doing, that this list means 'ever in your life', not 'in 2008'.)
1. Started your own blog: I currently have three blogs.
2. Slept under the stars: I've slept in a cave.
3. Played in a band: At music school, every year from 1996-2000. Good times.
4. Visited Hawaii: It's where I learned to walk!
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland:
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo: Eeek, never.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris: Quite a few times now.
13. Watched a lightning storm: Yes, from my swimming pool. And the Darwin Award goes to...
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch:
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables:
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France Yes! And there were only five people in the room. No, I'm not telling you our secret for beating the crowds.
20. Slept on an overnight train: From Canberra to Melbourne. I was six. I would never do it as an adult.
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill: Oh yes.
24. Built a snow fort, and defended it: I've defended a tree house fort. Australia and snow don't really go together.
25. Held a lamb: I've held a goat.
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon: The City To Surf was enough.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice: No, but I've been in a punt in Cambridge.
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors: All three of them, now!
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language: Sort of.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke:
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant: No, but a stranger bought dinner for my mum and me in Rome once!
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling: Yes to snorkelling.
52. Kissed in the rain:
53. Played in the mud: oh yeah :)
54. Gone to a drive-in theatre
55. Been in a movie I was in a shockingly badly edited recreation of the French Revolution as part of a Modern European History class in Year 8.
anya_1984 will remember.56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp: No, and I wouldn't really want to.
67. Bounced a cheque
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I'm actually not sure.
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle:
79. Seen the Grand Canyon
80. Published a book: One day, I hope so.
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car: I do not, and never will, drive.
83. Walked in Jerusalem: I want to go one day.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one. I loathe this phrase. People I love have died. Died. I didn't f***ing lose them.
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a mobile phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day For goodness' sake, when I was in high school I would frequently read three books in one day.
