1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
The only thing I can think of is that I really started to follow Twitter. I don’t Tweet that often but it’s very interesting. Ooh, and I also started texting. I love my smartphone!
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
So apparently my 2011 resolutions were to dress nicer, embrace Tough Love and have more fun. And get my super awesome certification. I think I’m 1 for 4, although I’m doing better about the Tough Love thing. My 2012 resolutions are to read more books and worry less.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My boss did, but we’re not close. Fingers crossed for anyone hoping for a 2012 baby!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
I got this one wrong last year, but in 2011 I’m pretty sure that no one close to me passed away.
5. What countries did you visit?
I am marooned in the Isle of Big Payroll but I did not visit any non-imaginary countries.
7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
2011 was mostly a non memorable year for me, but let’s go with October 4, the day I got my certification. I think. It may have been the 3rd or the 5th but it was definitely October.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I received my super hard payroll certification. We also adopted Sadie Pot Pie.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I fail at something every day so it’s pretty hard to determine which one is biggest.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
A near constant sinus infection in July and August.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Sadie Pot Pie. And Silver Dog. And the smartphone. Ooh, and my Ugg Cardis. Love them.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Gene’s, for making amazing progress. I am so proud of him and I really think that the last 4 years (which have ranged from hard to fucking impossible) have made us closer.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Someone’s ex-something. Stupid whore. (Same answer since at least 2008)
14. Where did most of your money go?
Visa (and it’s paid off, WOOT), and a puta estupida (May 2012 is coming, bitch! Save. Your. Pennies).
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My awesome blue pedicure.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
That Pumped Up Kicks song. Some of the radio stations here censor the words “Gun” and “Bullet”.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Sadder maybe, but it’s just part of the anxiety I’m trying to fix.
18. Thinner or fatter?
Fat fat fat fat fat. I think I weigh 900 lbs. But I have been informed that I have low triglycerides, which I understand is a good thing, so yay!
19. Richer or poorer?
In my mind I feel one of them but in reality it’s the other. We’re doing OK but not “Elaine can be a housewife” OK.
20. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I’d taken more time off. The new job’s policy on vacation is that we can roll over up to 40 hours from year to year but not sick time and I have 20 hours that I didn’t use. Sad. Stupid healthy Elaine.
21. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Freaking the F out about work stuff when I’m supposed to be sleeping.
22. How will you be spending Christmas? Xmas 2011: at home, just Gene and I and the dogs. We’re making a standing rib roast on Christmas eve and then going to the movies on Xmas day.
23. Did you fall in love in 2011?
No
24. Any one night stands?
Nothing new on the nightstand front…but we did paint our bedroom and replace our ceiling fan.
25. What was your favorite TV program?
Gossip Girl, Ringer, Community. I’m kind of done with Glee.
26. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No one new, although I am not a Fan of My Boss.
27. What was the best book you read? OMG, the Hunger Games trilogy. I am SO stoked for the first movie, which is being released the day after my birthday in 2012. YAY.
28. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don’t think I had any newly discovered music. I’m still listening to a lot of Top 40 but my The Very Best of Don Henley CD gets some play too sometimes.
29. What did you want and get?
My pretty new cardy Ugg boots, my bedroom repainted
30. What did you want and not get?
While I wouldn’t have refused a baby, I also didn’t get to go to Vegas in November. Oh well. Maybe next year?
31. What was your favorite film of this year?
Bridesmaids.
32. What did you do on your birthday?
Worked until only 6:15 (HUGE!), had sushi for dinner with Gene, hung out with Denise that Saturday.
33. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
GETTING PREGNANT. It never, ever goes away. Seriously, the year I turn 60 I’ll still think, “Huh, I really thought 2037 would be my year…” I wrote this in last year’s year in review but it’s still true. I had a ‘scare’ in November but that’s all it was.
34. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Lame. Other than my cute new boots, I am so shlumpy, it’s ridiculous. I think I’ll order new black shoes in January. (Edited: Frickin fraking budget. Maybe February).
35. What kept you sane?
This hasn’t actually been the sanest of years so I’m going to leave it at that.
36. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Blah blah blah Henley c. 1991.
37. What political issue stirred you the most?
None, I’m not even remotely interested in politics. Well, I’m still annoyed that Congress or the President or whoever won’t extend the Social Security tax cut for one more *&^#ing month so Big Payroll won’t tear their hair out over it.
38. Who did you miss?
The Boy. The Boy. The Boy. And Blanche. And Grandma.
39. Who was the best new person you met?
I don’t recall meeting many new people, but I did meet a new puppy (Sadie!)
40. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
A good mental health professional is worth their weight in gold; a bad one is just burning money.
41. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I’d figured out, I have to learn again
(Don Henley, The Heart of the Matter)