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| Elara Posts: 8631/9736 |
What have you done in 2013 that you have never done before?
- A few things... fly JetBlue, see inside a Masonic temple, teach in a classroom, go to Ireland, fly internationally, sell cellphones, be made Associate of the Month, played Dragon Age, go to the UK (Northern Ireland), earn a Master's Degree, have someone grab the steering wheel of my car while driving, eat at a hibachi-style restaurant, eat a curry burger, eat fruitcake, going on a low-carb diet, lead a circle for a Samhain ritual, and visit a world heritage site. Did you keep your new years resolution from this year, and will you make one for next year? - I can't remember what it was, but it was probably "eat healthier, pass classes" in which case, yes. As for this year... I guess so. More eating healthier, being more active, and not procrastinating. Did anyone close to you give birth? - My friend Lindsey is probably the closest friend. There were several other friends that I am not close to that did as well. Did anyone close to you die? - No one really close to me, though Ben's grandfather did pass away right before our flight out there in February. Where did you travel to in 2013? - California, Ireland, Northern Ireland What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? - A stable teaching job. What dates from 2013 will you have etched in your memory, and why? - Dec 14th, graduation day and day I almost died. November 17th as the day we arrived in Ireland. What was your biggest achievement of the year? - Getting my Masters and teaching credential What was your biggest failure? - Not sticking to the diet as much as I could have. Did you suffer injury or illness? - Several colds, cuts, and bruises... and capping it off with whiplash and a bruised lumbar in that spin-out. What was the best thing you bought? - That is a hard choice. At the moment I am tempted to say my leggings because of how cold it is. Or my camera because of the great pictures it took while I was in Ireland. I guess I will go with the easiest choice and say the trip to Ireland because of the great experiences that it gave me. Whose behavior merited celebration? - My chiropractor for putting my well being above profit in helping me fight with my insurance company to keep them from screwing me over. Also, Ben, for letting the mask of "robot" slip a bit more this year and in general being an awesome and supportive person. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? - Besides Congress? Um... I guess I would say one of my Friday gamers because she just really does not seem to want to interact with the rest of us at all outside of the game itself. My manager at work for his utter incompetence, and to an extent Ben for withdrawing further from society (it makes me sad). Where did most of your money go? - Bills, gas, and Ireland What did you get really, really, really excited about? - The trip to California, the trip to Ireland, graduation, and going to the Penguins game What song will always remind you of 2013? - Honestly, I don't really know. Possibly the main theme to Dragon Age because I played it so damn much. Compared to this time last year, you are: a) Happier or Sadder? - Um... I about the same. If I didn't have so many bills due this month and car repairs then I would say happier. b) Thinner or Fatter? - Thinner, thankfully c) Richer or Poorer? - Poorer... damn electric bill. What do you wish you would have done more of? - Networking What do you wish you would have done less of? - Second-guessing myself How did you spend New Year's Eve? (December 31, 2012) - If I remember correctly, we had a bottle of wine instead of champagne... otherwise I think we just watched the ball drop on tv and went to bed. How did you spend New Year's Day? (January 1) - No earthly clue. I remember nothing... so probably sleeping and bumming around the house. How did you spend Valentine's Day? (February 14) - Don't remember. I went to school and got a souvenir from my friend Victoria from DC. How did you spend St. Patrick's Day? (March 17) - I had to work, then I went to the store to get stuff to make no-bake cookies and encountered a random evangelist white boy with dreads. It was different to say the least. How did you spend Easter? (March 31) - I know I had the day off and I was sick, but according to the Book of Faces all I did that day was watch Game of Thrones. How did you spend Cinco de Mayo? (May 5) - Working and dealing with racist white people. I think we had some kind of Mexican food for dinner. How did you spend the 4th of July? (July 4) - Went to the Regatta in Pittsburgh like we normally do. Ended it early because Ben's mom needed to be taken to the ER for extreme dehydration due to the humidity. Went home as soon as she was released. No fireworks, no nothing. Started looking at feasibility of teaching jobs in other states. How did you spend Patriot Day? (September 11) - I refuse to call it that, but I spent it teaching and then going to work. How did you spend Talk Like a Pirate Day? (September 19)? - Teaching and going to work... and not talking like a pirate. How did you spend Halloween? (October 31) - Running my Rise of the Runelords campaign and getting one of the players to pass out candy every time kids came to the door. How did you spend Thanksgiving? (November 28) - Driving to Lahinch in County Clare, Ireland. We stopped in Limerick and visited King John's Castle and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Had Thanksgiving dinner in Lahinch that was pretty good, but no pumpkin pie. How did you spend Christmas? (December 25) - Opened some gifts and went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Did you fall in love in 2013? - Yes, with Dragon Age... and to that extent my fictional character fell in love with Alistair. Other than that... well... Ben and I celebrated our 5th anniversary so that should tell you something. What was your favorite TV show? - Game of Thrones, hands down. What was your least favorite show of 2013? - Vikings. Tried to watch it on the plane home from Ireland and could not even get through the first episode. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? - Nope, no change. What was the best book you read? - Didn't get to read much beyond school stuff... but Nightglass was good, as was a Dragon Age fanfiction called "Of Elves and Humans" that has done a really good job of fleshing out the characters in a believable way. What was your greatest musical discovery? - The only one I really had this year was Ashes of Ares, which has the singer from Iced Earth... other than that it's been same old same old. What did you want and get? - A trip to California, a trip to Ireland, weight loss, a raise, a new camera, and to do well in student teaching and graduate. What did you want and not get? - A bigger raise, Ben to get a job, more weight loss, a tablet, a new car. What was your favorite film of this year? - Hmn... there were a few good ones but I will have to go with Desolation of Smaug What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? - I turned 29. We were in Galway and at midnight specifically we were at the King's Head pub with a live band that basically did covers of rock songs. I got a shot of Jameson and the other student teachers had the band wish me a happy birthday... it was also some random girl from Malibu's birthday that was there so he wished it to us both and played Sweet Home Alabama... using the intro "It's Crystle from Pennsylvania's birthday and *forgot name* from California's birthday... so here's Sweet Home Alabama"... rather amusing at the time. That actual day we went to Connamara National Park to hike up Diamond Mountain. I got to pee in an storage area because the bathrooms were closed... not fun. The hike was nice, and the scenery was gorgeous. Then it was off to Kylemore Abby to tour the grounds and have lunch where I was surprised by a cake, a card, and a round of happy birthday. Then back to Galway for another night out where a smaller group of us stayed on one really awesome but crowded bar with craft beer. I got rather drunk but it was a great night. What is one thing that would have made your year more satisfying? - If Ben had managed to find a job as well so our money wouldn't have been so tight. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013? - Lots of slacks, thanks work. What kept you sane? - Gaming, my coworkers, and the internet. What celebrity/Public figure did you fancy the most? - Marc Andre Fleury What political issue stirred you the most? - Gay Rights, Gun Control, the Syria thing, Obamacare, the Shutdown... I get stirred up a bit. What news story was the most overblown? - Miley Cyrus. Who do you miss? - My California friends Did you reconnect with anyone? - Not really. Tell us a life lesson you learned in 2013. - Sometimes you have to let go of the fear in order to not have regrets (the Ireland trip). Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. - Hmn... I really have trouble choosing this. I will go with some lines from "Hearted" by Van Canto since I had a lot of moments of self-doubt this year that I had to overcome. In dark hours so cruel When you feel blackhearted Remember the words You once had said If you trust in yourself You will live lighthearted Destiny's calling No fate is sealed If you trust in yourself You will live lighthearted Destiny's calling Be there to change your fate And rise a new day What plans do you have for 2014? - Finding a teaching job, maybe moving if I have to (please!), working on planning the wedding since my parents finally said how much money they were willing to pitch in for it. What are your resolutions for 2014? - Be more active, eat healthier, and procrastinate less. What will you be doing for New Year's Eve? - Already past. Ben and I went to my friend Tabby's New Years Eve party. Played some games, ate some food, and hung out. Wasn't much, but it was nice to get out of the house on New Years again. |
| Rogue Posts: 10012/11918 |
I tend to post this questionnaire each year with the dates changed. I didn't create it, but it's not really a bad way to contemplate your past year.
As always feel free to fill it out for yourself. What have you done in 2013 that you have never done before? - There's at least 400 things, seeing as my resolution to try/learn one new thing a day. Some of the highlights are: worked Ops for some conventions (got the drunkest I'd ever been in my life at Gallifrey One, the Doctor Who convention), hiked to the abandoned buildings that were supposed to be a Nazi compound, found the blue corn quesadilla lady, visited Arcosanti and went in steampunk wear to Time Travelers Day at Arizona Faire, saw Lucy's skeleton, celebrated a 9th anniversary with someone, took care of a scrub jay (and learned what not to do next time -- which is nothing, because nature is much smarter than I am), finally made it to Sunken City, met Billy Owen the Human Jack-O-Lantern, visited the falls at Mount Whitney Portal, waded around in the Kern River, ate grasshoppers with Mom before taking her by Carroll Ave for her first time, explored sea caves in El Matador, made fried goat cheese-filled squash flowers, snuck into Comic-Con, went to the Festival of the Chariots, bought some mimolette (a now illegal-to-import French cheese), got paid to do background work, climbed Clouds Rest in Runyon Canyon, got to stand behind the Union's cannons at a Civil War re-enactment, attended my first family reunion, ate at Irv's Burgers, saw a Mexican-American War battle re-enactment on the actual battlefield on which it historically occurred, took an online university course on zombie survival, went to the first-ever Nottingham Renaissance Festival, did a few transit days on the new Metro lines, hiked Hacienda Hills, cooked a Thanksgiving turkey by myself, played some of the Fallout games, explored some of the Mojave abandoned mine areas, did Tim Tam slams with the Tim Tams my parents brought back with them from Australia, gambled at the pinball bingo place using machines from the historic Pike, attended a wigwam lighting, had amazing lavender sipping chocolate in Little Tokyo, drove up Mount Lowe (normally closed off) to the ruins of the Alpine Inn and looked out from Inspiration Point. Saw lots of plays and read lots of books, as well. Did you keep your new years resolution from this year, and will you make one for next year? - Yes. As mentioned, it was to try/learn something new every day. It's pretty much my ongoing resolution for the rest of my life. Did anyone close to you give birth? - I think my friend, Richard's, son was born last year. He's on a Rocky cast in Menlo Park. Did anyone close to you die? - No one really close to me. One of the girls I worked with at a con was a passenger in a car driven by a drunk driver that plowed into a bulldozer. Huell Howser passed away in early January, and even though I never met him, his death still depresses me. Where did you travel to in 2013? - Was in San Diego a lot this year, as well as Eastern California. Went to Arizona once. Didn't leave the country this year. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? - Eh.. not sure. Last year, I answered this saying I wanted more family harmony. Things have been "better," one could say, but only because my aunt has left the state and we don't really hear much from her, but she's trying to get the people out in Vegas to get in on the rampant thievery. Eh.. family harmony wouldn't be a bad thing to wish for. What dates from 2013 will you have etched in your memory, and why? - Not sure. Lots of things from the first question will stick with me. What was your biggest achievement of the year? - Hitting 9 years with someone, became the editor-in-chief of a site my friend runs (believe me, I don't brag about this). Otherwise, sticking to my new year's resolution and completing it has been one of my few achievements this past year. What was your biggest failure? - Not finding a steady paying job. 
Did you suffer injury or illness? - Let's see... I fell down the stairs (cat was asleep on one of the steps, didn't see her, stepped on her and fell) and my back hurt for a few days, I sprained my ankle getting off the ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier, I burned the bottoms of my feet walking on the sand in Redondo Beach (enough that the skin completely came off from severe blistering and made it difficult to walk for a few days). But the worst was getting bitten by Max, Brandon's brother's cat. I was trying to save his other cat, Imp, from a possible attack by Max and he bit me HARD. The skin on my wrist ballooned up like a softball and my hand was unusable until the next day and throbbed through the night. Went to the hospital and got some antibiotics. Still healing, but doing much better. What was the best thing you bought? - Fuck, I don't know. Mint lemonade? Most of the best things this year were free or provided by friends. Oh, I bought an old Nerf gun at a garage sale for $5. From the back it looks just like the plasma rifle from "Fallout 3." Ooh oh, bought "Fallout 3" and "Fallout New Vegas" off Steam for $4.50 apiece, and got "Fallout" and "Fallout 2" from Interplay for free. Whose behavior merited celebration? - Lee. He rescued us from Ridgecrest, after driving nearly 5 hours to get us in the Mojave, and then drove down to Victorville to get our car by calling in AAA and using his account to have it towed down to our area for free. Awesome friend. And he's taken us out so many times this past year. Brandon too. He got his AA before the sound engineering program shut down and he's had a steady, sound tech job for more than a year now. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? - Scott, Brandon's dad. Since retiring and getting stuck living with his stepdad in Ridgecrest after blowing all his money in Bakersfield, he's been... shitty. I mean, he's broke and forced to live in this wasteland where he's bossing around the people who already live in that house, so I get things aren't great. But our visits have been really terrible these days. Where did most of your money go? - Hah, what money? Whenever I got any as a gift or from my parents to help with living expenses while they were traveling, it all just went to feeding Brandon and me and gassing up the car. My Christmas money for this past month went toward that for our trip to Ridgecrest and buying things for the house out there since they're all broke and kept asking us to buy them food and other things. Seriously, they don't provide us with blankets, pillows, or towels when we visit and lately visitors have just become a taxi/maid service that provides them with nourishment and you get tipped in attitude. Fuck visiting that place any more. What did you get really, really, really excited about? - Our trip to Arizona with Lee, I guess, since we went travelling into the northern part of the state and then did the faire. And our mini-vacation staying in Pasadena when we went to Mt. Lowe. Any time I did a transit day or when we'd go see Shakespeare in the park. When we went to the waterfall at Whitney Portal. Any time I got to see Katie, especially when we were planning our picnic for ConOps and baked slutty brownies together. Every time I got someone's flag while doing the zombie run this year. Lastly, the fall and harvest season because going out to the apple orchards is always fun. What song will always remind you of 2013? - "Blurred Lines," sadly. I hate to admit I actually kind of like it, but I think it's mostly from lifting so much from Marvin Gaye. It's the familiarity. The lyrics are shit, though. Also Old Man Wizard's "Highway Man." Oh and "Istanbul" by They Might Be Giants. It was playing while Lee and I were eating in a sawed-off microbus in that really good burger place in San Diego. Compared to this time last year, you are: a) Happier or Sadder? - About the same. I try to smile to at least try to get past crippling sadness sometimes. b) Thinner or Fatter? - Thinner, somehow. c) Richer or Poorer? - About the same: rock bottom broke. What do you wish you would have done more of? - Put myself out there more in the whole finding a steady job and making friends thing. What do you wish you would have done less of? - The whole being negative thing is killing me from the inside. How did you spend New Year's Eve? (December 31, 2012) - We were in Ridgecrest. Joey and I watched "Breaking Bad" all day while Brandon and Scott installed the new stereo into Bran's car. After several hours on Scott bullshitting we finally drove home for Glen and Kina's party at their house. The first words of 2013 were Kina shouting, "Kiss me, you asshole!" The day before that we explored Burro Schmidt's Tunnel near Garlock. There was blood all over that thing. How did you spend New Year's Day? (January 1) - Made empanadas with my mom for the first time and went for a night stroll through Grand Park in downtown L.A. 
How did you spend Valentine's Day? (February 14) - Was working Gallifrey One and then Bran and I went on a date (holy shit, right? We don't "date") to the One-Eyed Gypsy for drinks and dinner.  
How did you spend St. Patrick's Day? (March 17) - Drinking green beer and watching Dread Crew of Oddwood in Koreatown at a bar you need a password to get into. 
How did you spend Easter? (March 31) - OK, I have to consult the Book of Days. Looks like I spent March 31st at WonderCon in Anaheim. That day we saw the "Much Ado About Nothing" panel with Joss Whedon and most of the cast, after which Lee and I went to Clutter's Park to watch planes take off and then got Chinese food at our usual place in West L.A. 
How did you spend Cinco de Mayo? (May 5) - Again, consulting the Book. We were at the Southern California Renaissance Faire. And with the day before being one of my two favorite holidays (Free Comic Book Day), it made for one hell of a geek-out weekend. 
How did you spend the 4th of July? (July 4) - Went to my friend, Russell's, barbecue and talked geek. Then went to Glen and Kina's to play with sparklers for a while and hang out. 
How did you spend Patriot Day? (September 11) - Don't know. My one new thing for that day was watching a Fallout fan film. The next day Bran and I were visiting different cemeteries to see where some of his relatives are buried. How did you spend Talk Like a Pirate Day? (September 19)? - It's my mom's birthday. We went out for seafood. How did you spend Halloween? (October 31) - We went to the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. Soooo crowded, and I made the mistaking in engaging with someone for littering right in front of me. Probably my last year going because the crowds were such that you couldn't enjoy anything with there being no out-of-the-way place to stand. Also, apparently someone caught on fire and no one did anything about it. They all just watched. I guess they thought it was an act, and the people who filmed it were making fun of the guy, who eventually died. It really just seals my resolve in hating WeHo. How did you spend Thanksgiving? (November 28) - We were out in Ridgecrest. Since Linda wasn't expected in 'til much later Scott cooked ham while Brandon, Joey, and I went out. Wandered down to Johannesburg and walked around this old cemetery and some abandoned mines. We celebrated Thanksgiving on Black Friday, which Bran and I spent hiking Short Canyon before heading back for turkey. How did you spend Christmas? (December 25) - Was home with my parents and Brandon. I read "Boxers" and "Saints" by Gene Luen Yang and re-read Joss Whedon's arc in "Runaways." I got a bit emotional watching "It's A Wonderful Life" for the first time as an adult. The next day drove toward Ridgecrest and broke down. Did you fall in love in 2013? - Since I tend to just answer this question with what I did our anniversary, I'll do just that. We celebrated our 9th anniversary by getting amazing barbecue at Bludsoe's where we met the owner and then decided to be touristy and ride the ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier (which was unexpectedly spectacular). I sprained my ankle getting off the ride and hobbled back to the car a mile away. We had a flat tire, I made a lady bug friend while Brandon changed the tire. We had good ice cream and then hit traffic getting to our dinner place. They'd just run out of their trademark dish we wanted, so we had a couple so-so pizzas. 
What was your favorite TV show? - My favorites this year: Game of Thrones, American Horror Story: Coven, Vikings, Legend of Korra, Breaking Bad, Face Off, and Boardwalk Empire (even though I'm freaking pissed about how they ended this season). Wasn't that into Who this season since I really just can't stand the new companion. What was your least favorite show of 2013? - Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I loathe this show so much, even more so now that I have to write episode reviews every time it airs. *Sigh* Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? - I hate this question every year. As far as I can tell there isn't anyone I hate for things that happened this year. What was the best book you read? - Hm.. "Das Parfum: Die Geschichte eines Mörders" by Patrick Süskind was good. "Lolita" was also pretty great. I finally finished Garth Ennis' "The Boys" and Jeff Lemire's "Sweet Tooth." "Sailor Twain" was a pleasant read. Also started reading more French comics by Jacques Tardi, particularly his WWI books. And I finally finished "The Steel Seraglio." Oh, and I also read "A Confederacy of Dunces" and finally read "Pride and Prejudice." Lots of good books and stories this year. What was your greatest musical discovery? - It was our first year making it out to Old Man Wizard's shows. It's one of our friend's four bands that he's in (at least they all sound different). Again, constantly listening to other things on Spotify. What did you want and get? - Got to go to Arizona with my friends and spend a couple days traveling around a bit before going to the faire and then hit up my favorite British pub before driving back to California. What did you want and not get? - Well, more money but that's typical. What was your favorite film of this year? - Like last year I didn't really go to the movies much. I only saw The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Django Unchained, and The Hobbit (saw it at the cheap theater, and yes, I absolutely love "Misty Mountains"). We did, however, see "Metallica Through The Never" in IMAX 3D and Lars Ulrich was there to intro the film. We saw it in Downey, and he was going on about how Metallica formed around the corner, where the 105 Freeway is now. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? - I turned 28. We had giant Baileys and Kahlua pancakes at Griddle Cafe, then went to the Huntington Library to see all the exhibits and really old books (Gutenberg Bible, etc) and the long walk in the extensive gardens. After which, we checked out the Portal of the Folded Wing memorial and then went out for drinks at the oldest tiki bar in L.A. after we discovered the place I wanted to have dinner was closed (so just pressed on to the next stop and figured we'd eat later). We sit down at the bar at Tonga Hut, order our drinks and this guy starts chatting up Brandon. Suddenly he buys us Navy grogs, and then buys the other few people in the bar Navy grogs and then he kept buying us rounds of them. At the same time, it's Sailor Jerry's birthday and there are girls in the bar there specifically to drink in celebration of that and THEY started getting us drinks. So we ended up drunk walking down the street to get some cheap Mexican food to help sober up. It was great. 
What is one thing that would have made your year more satisfying? - I'd have liked to go to Australia and New Zealand when my parents went, but oh well. Odd that they didn't like New Zealand. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013? - I've started wearing pants that fit better. What kept you sane? - Leaving the house, reading, finding new things to do and see, and when it came to being bored in Ridgecrest: Netflix. What celebrity/Public figure did you fancy the most? - It's not romantic, but I really developed a soft spot for Sylvester McCoy. While working at the Who convention, he'd walk by people dressed as the 7th Doctor and say, "Nice costume!" which the people would immediately go, "Oh thanks!" then freeze and suddenly turn and realize who complimented them. Apparently at an after-party he was yelling at a trash can about how it's been ruining his career. What political issue stirred you the most? - The whole Syria situation was kinda harry, and thankfully it resolved to an extent. What news story was the most overblown? - Any story that involved Miley Cyrus. Who do you miss? - Huell Howser. So so much. Did you reconnect with anyone? - No, not really. Tell us a life lesson you learned in 2013. - Sometimes just being at home is fine too. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. - Well I could just quote "The Parting Glass" again, but I should probably use a different song. "And who are you, the proud lord said, that I must bow so low? Only a cat of a different coat, that's all the truth I know. In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws, And mine are long and sharp, my lord, as long and sharp as yours. And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that lord of Castamere, But now the rains weep o'er his hall, with no one there to hear. Yes now the rains weep o'er his hall, and not a soul to hear." What plans do you have for 2014? - I'm working Anime L.A. this weekend, then celebrating my birthday. Next month is Gallifrey One. In April, Brandon's little sister is having her wedding (despite already getting married in a minister's office because he guilted her about not having sex 'til she was married, and she's got a daughter by another man). We're going to see about driving up to Washington for it. What are your resolutions for 2014? - Same as it ever was: try/do/learn something new every day. What will you be doing for New Year's Eve? - Already past. Bran and I were stuck in Ridgecrest, watching American Horror Story: Asylum and when it got closer to midnight we sat there with our heads together, looking at his cellphone, 'til the time on it changed to 12:00. Then time jumped a couple minutes suddenly. It was 11:59 forever, but after hitting midnight it was suddenly 12:01 about 10 seconds later, then 12:02 about 5 seconds after that. Eep.. time's flying way too fast as I'm getting older.  |
