How are you? Long time, no see. It's the Age of Facebook, you see. But I do miss blogging. I have many ridiculous dating and renting stories to share with the world. Maybe in 2010 I will find an audience for them.

In the meantime, I still find it a worthwhile exercise to do the annual Year in Review, so here goes:

2009 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Get a hot stone massage, go by myself to Greece, hire movers, paint a room, live with a cousin, do this much baking, buy a (table top) Xmas tree, throw a big surprise party, scrapbooking, drive on the left side of the road, see U2 in Ireland, see Stonehenge, see the Cliffs of Moher, visit an Ionian island, visit Northern Ireland, visit an Aran island, travel all around Ireland, seriously consider home ownership, get on Facebook, see a physical therapist, listen to Michael Jackson a LOT.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Annual resolutions are a great idea, but I hate them. Instead, I’m going to try to get back in the habit of setting very achievable weekly goals. (Note: this was my exact response to this question in 2008.)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Ari from high school, and my friend Kellee from college.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.

5. What countries did you visit?
I love years where I have an answer to this question other than ‘zero’!! This year I went to Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, and Greece! Yay!!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
The same things I said last year.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory?
December 12th—Kelly’s surprise party. Sept 1—moving.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Recruiting Kelly as a roommate.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Same as every year.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing other than my rapidly deteriorating memory.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets to Europe!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Kelly’s for dealing with Felix. Voula for dealing with me. Mom for being Mom. Corey for picking me up on my way back from Europe and hauling my ridiculously heavy luggage up to my third floor apartment. Laura for getting me on the plane (a 24 hour commitment on her part).

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Supreme Court (overturning DC handgun ban). CDCs for not funding my Center (again). JL. JW.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Europe, moving, rent, car, eating out.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Europe. U2. Living with Kelly. Kelly’s surprise party. Quality time with Voula. It’s so nice to feel like I actually have extended family.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
All Michael Jackson songs will always remind me of 2009. Also “Time to Pretend” by MGMT.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. Happier or sadder?
I think happier.

ii. Thinner or fatter?
Fatter, definitely. Gotta do something about that.

iii. richer or poorer?
Unfortunately I think poorer. Moving and a month in Europe in multiple countries are great for the soul and lousy for the bank account.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Dancing, job hunting, playing guitar, throwing shit out, meeting new people, eating better, practicing vocal exercises, learning greek, exercising.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time. Wasting money. Eating fatty foods.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
In Albany with the 'rents.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
I don’t watch TV, but I finished watching Arrested Development on DVD, which was awesome. I need a new comedy series.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don’t think so.

26. What was the best book you read?
“Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Of course, it might also be the ONLY book I read…

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The only post-1985 band or artist whom has made more than 3 songs I really love is Beck, and he’s at about 6. I should offer a prize to whomever gets me into a new(er) band, if that ever happens.

28. What did you want and get?
A trip to Ireland. A trip to Greece.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Probably This is It. Shut up.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32. Had dinner at Dogwood with Rebecca, Marissa, C&N, Massie, and GLENDENE!! Dinner was followed by Bag of Nouns, as any good birthday dinner is. And G spent the night and we hung out the whole next day, which was super super awesome.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Umm….

34. What kept you sane?
Friends, mom, music, laughter, kitty, Massie, cousins.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The DC handgun ban.

37. Who did you miss?
Glendene, my family in Greece, JW. And plenty of other people who live far away. I miss almost everyone who’s ever been important to me in my life, that’s why I’m so good at keeping in touch with people.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Hmmm…I can’t think of anyone…let’s say Allan Massie because it was long overdue.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Life is just easier if you don’t get too attached to any particular outcome.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"I'll leave the front unlocked cuz I can't hear the doorbell" -TMBG