Year in review
Dec. 27th, 2005 09:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bethlakshmiPossibly more interesting to me than anyone else, but what the heck..
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before:
Oy... so many things:
- started an LJ
- taught my first long-term Indian dance class
- recorded music in a real studio
- did Burlesque
- took a class on operating systems
- went to London
- touched a 400 year old Indian textile while doing original museum research
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Not sure on either count. I'm not sure I remember my resolutions. If they were take better care of house, and cook at home more (two things I WAS doing December 2004), then I failed. But two years ago, I resolved to loose wieght, and I've kept the weight off... so they CAN be good. I may make another resolution, I'm still thinking on it.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Hmm....![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
elizabear had her second, and new_man's sister had her first on my birthday.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not so close that I went to the funeral.
5.What countries did you visit?
England! Whee!
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Have? As in material possessions? I really don't lack. Isn't that a lovely thing?
Want is another story. I want to get off my ass and givenew_man a picture of a Laurelized Baronial crown that I can wear and be really spiffy looking in. I would like to get myself a second DVD player for upstairs. A TiVo has a certain charm. A renovated bathroom would be super-keen. But many of these are passing fancies, and most of them are things that I'm not necessarily willing to put the effort into getting right now as I don't feel I NEED them.
7. What event from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Katrina and the stories of its aftermath.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
That master's degree (did I mention it? I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done!)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being clear in my communication with my parents. I feel like I still haven't found a balance between my sexual/personal lifestyle and what my mother thinks my lifestyle is. And I feel like I don't often express or handle my concern for my father's living situation and life choices. I often feel that I choose inaction over the risk of doing something wrong, leaving myself with a status quo that makes me unhappy.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not particularly. (gives thoughts of thanks)
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I'd like to be noble and say something like "I donated more money to charity than I have in the past", which is true. But really, I think it was the fabulous sari I bought from Melinda of Sari Safari - it's like opals or iridescent wings - it's no one color, and always suprises me with it's lovely colors and patterns.
But if you ask me again in 15 minutes, I may have a different answer.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friends. I am continuously amazed by the efforts my friends have gone to to show how much they care for me. When I feel blue over the holidays, I remember this and celebrate it.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
George Bush not sending in aid fast enough or enough at all for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
(I left this verbatim fromnisaa cause she got my feelings exactly)
14. Where did most of your money go?
My house. No doubt. Mr. Mortage claims a bit more than 1/2 my paycheck.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
This has been a really fortunate year. I can't pick one thing... to repeat:
- trip to London
- seeing Immodesty Blaize in Burlesque in London
- becoming a Laurel
- finishing my Master's
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
"Sing, sing, sing" as done by the Andrews Sisters. It characterizes a style of music that I've occasionally listened to, but rarely appreciated enough. Doing Burlesque this year gives me a chance to fall in love with a whole new style of music, which is incredibly neat.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
I thought the answer might be sadder. The holidays this year have been tough for me. They get progressively tougher, I think, as I realize that I have to work hard to make them what I want them to be. I guess that's just another phase of working on this adulthood thing.
But... reviewing the fabulous things that have happened this year, and how fortunate I've been, I must say that this is clearly a temporary funk. I've had an outstanding year, and while the future isn't a clear path just yet, there are so many great opportunities that I am overwhelmed by them.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Random social encounters. I often overfill my schedule, which leaves no space for the "hey! I'm home & bored, feel like going to see a movie? shopping? eating? random crafty time??" It wouldn't be a half bad resolution to plan to trim my schedule down to allow for some of this.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Overcommitting? Sort of the other side of the coin. I likenisaa's answer of "worrying", too. I had a certain fretting thing going on this spring that in hindsight was incredibly silly.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I had the Tour Du Lakshmi:
- Xmas eve with the Mom and the Bob - visit to step sister's house for big dinner and presents, ended sadly with giant migraine
- Xmas morning with Mom and Bob, group gift unwrapping, my gifts made big hit, yay! Finished with traditional quiche Lorraine
- Xmas afternoon withnew_man and mermaidlady with more presents, eventually learnedax arrived and we all proceeded to herooftheage's
- Xmas food & wine extravaganza atherooftheage's house - 21 guests, at least 4 courses of wine with at least 6 courses of food. Honestly, so much delicious food and fabulous wine that I probably lost count. The theme was certainly french decadence, and fabulously done.
- Boxing day was a workout to the newly acquired Neena and Veena Indie-Hop (bhangra folk dance meets hip hop), food & good company atjdulac and lucianus1's home, worked on choreography for Axis in January (ahh gods! buttons look at it and despair of it's cuteness it is so cute!)
21. Which LJ people did you meet this year?
Hmm... met in person? Most folks I know on LJ I know in person... I metswabere's sister, whose LJ handle I have forgotten. She may be my first didn't know prior to LJ, met in part because of LJ. I met a few folks - like flyinglemurs - who I knew in person, met on LJ, and didn't realize they were one and the same until a later meeting in person.
22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Hmmm... I think so, but perhaps not in the normal way - if the normal way is stars in eyes, wanting to boink like rabbits, instant love, or even short delay love. This was more turning around and realizing I loved and not being quite sure when it happened. If you want to know more than that, you can ask me in person.
23. How many one-night stands?
None. A remarkably good thing. I'm not particularly good at them.
Umm.... let me rephrase - I suck at them.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
West Wing... still. But make that TV as rendered by DVD. :)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Don't think so. There may be some folks I like a lot less. But I don't think I'd be able to waste the energy to "hate" them. Hate takes actual effort. I prefer not to waste that sort of passion on people I don't like.
26. What was the best book you read?
Hmmm... Possibly Geisha by Liza Dalby. Possibly something else - I read a lot of fabulous books on the "you mean you HAVEN'T read it?" quest.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
How so? In terms of listening pleasure:
- Eastern Odyssey by various artists - a collection of Indian and Middle Eastern new world music
In terms of my own musical skills - learning about how to record music in a studio.
28. What did you want and get?
The affirmation of my friends.
And a fruit hat.
Now if my friends affirm me in my fruit hat, I will be all set.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Argh. No Movie Memory.
30. Did you have any regrets this year?
That I can't do everything, as always. Things I'd have liked to have done:
- continue a group dance class in Indian dance, as well as working with Padme privately
- taken more Indian dance classes (which would require Aparna to clone herself...)
- taken time to be at home and do nothing
- strip the banister
- go to any number of events, outings, and parties that I usually skipped due to homework or sleeping
- had more time fornew_man
- had more time for crafty crack smoking withmermaidlady
- taken any number of not-relating-to-Middle Eastern-Indian-or-Burlesque dance classes
- do more with the Carolingian website
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Possibly the most kick-ass birthday ever - I went to London (I'm sure you're tired of hearing that I went to London... but I did and it was very cool).
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I got a job as a cunnilingus tester? Actually... honestly... I don't think I'd want to be a cunnilingus tester, I wouldn't want it to get old. I would like to be a head scritching tester. I'm pretty sure you can't head scritch *wrong* and I'm pretty sure I could receive 40 hours of head scritching a week and not get tired with it.
Honestly - if there was one thing I could change at will, I'd have done job tasks that involved actually making something, not incessantly writing about making something.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Geek in recovery?
Over the past few years, I have cultivated a "smart not pretty" approach to fashion, only dolling up for clubs (rare), belly dance (more frequent) and Indian/SCA stuff (monthly) - and the occasional work presentation. I decided this year to do "smart AND pretty" - getting a good hair dresser, getting more interested in clothing, and trying to find a blend of funky and yet professional with a mix of office and not-for-office clothes.
34. What kept you sane?
Moomba. Having a family of choice and camp that acts like a household has given me a place to call home both in life and in the SCA. Plus all the friends that aren't Moomba but make many other things - like Middle Eastern dance class - feel like another home.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lakshmi draws a blank...
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hurricane Katrina
37. Who did you miss?
I think I've missed people less as LJ has brought far away friends nearer. But among those who are often in my thoughts, but I don't get to speak to so much:
- the New Zealand Dancing Ladies Outpost
- my friend Tex from my RIT days, who I can't seem to track down Internet-wise
- my friend Preeti, who stimulated my interest in India in college, little did she know where I'd take it
38. Who was the best new person you meet?
I have to pick one? I refuse! I'm not sure if they were 'new' as in didn't know them in 2004, but I definitely got to know and appreciate more -rufinia and oakleaf_mirror. Also met Anuja from SCA_India who proved to be very cool, although I haven't spent much time with her yet. Aside from a few previously known baby dolls - meeting all of the baby dolls has been a blast.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
I think I may still be working my way through several - like "fun CAN happen without you", and "you don't need to be everything all the time". I can't say I've mastered them though. Perhaps the one I actually grokked was "if you dream it, and make it sane(ish), you will find people to join your dream - have faith".
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Lakshmi draws another blank.
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before:
Oy... so many things:
- started an LJ
- taught my first long-term Indian dance class
- recorded music in a real studio
- did Burlesque
- took a class on operating systems
- went to London
- touched a 400 year old Indian textile while doing original museum research
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Not sure on either count. I'm not sure I remember my resolutions. If they were take better care of house, and cook at home more (two things I WAS doing December 2004), then I failed. But two years ago, I resolved to loose wieght, and I've kept the weight off... so they CAN be good. I may make another resolution, I'm still thinking on it.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Hmm....
elizabear had her second, and new_man's sister had her first on my birthday.4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not so close that I went to the funeral.
5.What countries did you visit?
England! Whee!
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Have? As in material possessions? I really don't lack. Isn't that a lovely thing?
Want is another story. I want to get off my ass and give
new_man a picture of a Laurelized Baronial crown that I can wear and be really spiffy looking in. I would like to get myself a second DVD player for upstairs. A TiVo has a certain charm. A renovated bathroom would be super-keen. But many of these are passing fancies, and most of them are things that I'm not necessarily willing to put the effort into getting right now as I don't feel I NEED them.7. What event from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Katrina and the stories of its aftermath.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
That master's degree (did I mention it? I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done! I'm done!)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being clear in my communication with my parents. I feel like I still haven't found a balance between my sexual/personal lifestyle and what my mother thinks my lifestyle is. And I feel like I don't often express or handle my concern for my father's living situation and life choices. I often feel that I choose inaction over the risk of doing something wrong, leaving myself with a status quo that makes me unhappy.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not particularly. (gives thoughts of thanks)
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I'd like to be noble and say something like "I donated more money to charity than I have in the past", which is true. But really, I think it was the fabulous sari I bought from Melinda of Sari Safari - it's like opals or iridescent wings - it's no one color, and always suprises me with it's lovely colors and patterns.
But if you ask me again in 15 minutes, I may have a different answer.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My friends. I am continuously amazed by the efforts my friends have gone to to show how much they care for me. When I feel blue over the holidays, I remember this and celebrate it.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
George Bush not sending in aid fast enough or enough at all for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
(I left this verbatim from
nisaa cause she got my feelings exactly)14. Where did most of your money go?
My house. No doubt. Mr. Mortage claims a bit more than 1/2 my paycheck.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
This has been a really fortunate year. I can't pick one thing... to repeat:
- trip to London
- seeing Immodesty Blaize in Burlesque in London
- becoming a Laurel
- finishing my Master's
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
"Sing, sing, sing" as done by the Andrews Sisters. It characterizes a style of music that I've occasionally listened to, but rarely appreciated enough. Doing Burlesque this year gives me a chance to fall in love with a whole new style of music, which is incredibly neat.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
I thought the answer might be sadder. The holidays this year have been tough for me. They get progressively tougher, I think, as I realize that I have to work hard to make them what I want them to be. I guess that's just another phase of working on this adulthood thing.
But... reviewing the fabulous things that have happened this year, and how fortunate I've been, I must say that this is clearly a temporary funk. I've had an outstanding year, and while the future isn't a clear path just yet, there are so many great opportunities that I am overwhelmed by them.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Random social encounters. I often overfill my schedule, which leaves no space for the "hey! I'm home & bored, feel like going to see a movie? shopping? eating? random crafty time??" It wouldn't be a half bad resolution to plan to trim my schedule down to allow for some of this.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Overcommitting? Sort of the other side of the coin. I like
nisaa's answer of "worrying", too. I had a certain fretting thing going on this spring that in hindsight was incredibly silly.20. How did you spend Christmas?
I had the Tour Du Lakshmi:
- Xmas eve with the Mom and the Bob - visit to step sister's house for big dinner and presents, ended sadly with giant migraine
- Xmas morning with Mom and Bob, group gift unwrapping, my gifts made big hit, yay! Finished with traditional quiche Lorraine
- Xmas afternoon with
new_man and mermaidlady with more presents, eventually learnedax arrived and we all proceeded to herooftheage's- Xmas food & wine extravaganza at
herooftheage's house - 21 guests, at least 4 courses of wine with at least 6 courses of food. Honestly, so much delicious food and fabulous wine that I probably lost count. The theme was certainly french decadence, and fabulously done.- Boxing day was a workout to the newly acquired Neena and Veena Indie-Hop (bhangra folk dance meets hip hop), food & good company at
jdulac and lucianus1's home, worked on choreography for Axis in January (ahh gods! buttons look at it and despair of it's cuteness it is so cute!)21. Which LJ people did you meet this year?
Hmm... met in person? Most folks I know on LJ I know in person... I met
swabere's sister, whose LJ handle I have forgotten. She may be my first didn't know prior to LJ, met in part because of LJ. I met a few folks - like flyinglemurs - who I knew in person, met on LJ, and didn't realize they were one and the same until a later meeting in person.22. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Hmmm... I think so, but perhaps not in the normal way - if the normal way is stars in eyes, wanting to boink like rabbits, instant love, or even short delay love. This was more turning around and realizing I loved and not being quite sure when it happened. If you want to know more than that, you can ask me in person.
23. How many one-night stands?
None. A remarkably good thing. I'm not particularly good at them.
Umm.... let me rephrase - I suck at them.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
West Wing... still. But make that TV as rendered by DVD. :)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Don't think so. There may be some folks I like a lot less. But I don't think I'd be able to waste the energy to "hate" them. Hate takes actual effort. I prefer not to waste that sort of passion on people I don't like.
26. What was the best book you read?
Hmmm... Possibly Geisha by Liza Dalby. Possibly something else - I read a lot of fabulous books on the "you mean you HAVEN'T read it?" quest.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
How so? In terms of listening pleasure:
- Eastern Odyssey by various artists - a collection of Indian and Middle Eastern new world music
In terms of my own musical skills - learning about how to record music in a studio.
28. What did you want and get?
The affirmation of my friends.
And a fruit hat.
Now if my friends affirm me in my fruit hat, I will be all set.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Argh. No Movie Memory.
30. Did you have any regrets this year?
That I can't do everything, as always. Things I'd have liked to have done:
- continue a group dance class in Indian dance, as well as working with Padme privately
- taken more Indian dance classes (which would require Aparna to clone herself...)
- taken time to be at home and do nothing
- strip the banister
- go to any number of events, outings, and parties that I usually skipped due to homework or sleeping
- had more time for
new_man- had more time for crafty crack smoking with
mermaidlady- taken any number of not-relating-to-Middle Eastern-Indian-or-Burlesque dance classes
- do more with the Carolingian website
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Possibly the most kick-ass birthday ever - I went to London (I'm sure you're tired of hearing that I went to London... but I did and it was very cool).
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I got a job as a cunnilingus tester? Actually... honestly... I don't think I'd want to be a cunnilingus tester, I wouldn't want it to get old. I would like to be a head scritching tester. I'm pretty sure you can't head scritch *wrong* and I'm pretty sure I could receive 40 hours of head scritching a week and not get tired with it.
Honestly - if there was one thing I could change at will, I'd have done job tasks that involved actually making something, not incessantly writing about making something.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Geek in recovery?
Over the past few years, I have cultivated a "smart not pretty" approach to fashion, only dolling up for clubs (rare), belly dance (more frequent) and Indian/SCA stuff (monthly) - and the occasional work presentation. I decided this year to do "smart AND pretty" - getting a good hair dresser, getting more interested in clothing, and trying to find a blend of funky and yet professional with a mix of office and not-for-office clothes.
34. What kept you sane?
Moomba. Having a family of choice and camp that acts like a household has given me a place to call home both in life and in the SCA. Plus all the friends that aren't Moomba but make many other things - like Middle Eastern dance class - feel like another home.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Lakshmi draws a blank...
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hurricane Katrina
37. Who did you miss?
I think I've missed people less as LJ has brought far away friends nearer. But among those who are often in my thoughts, but I don't get to speak to so much:
- the New Zealand Dancing Ladies Outpost
- my friend Tex from my RIT days, who I can't seem to track down Internet-wise
- my friend Preeti, who stimulated my interest in India in college, little did she know where I'd take it
38. Who was the best new person you meet?
I have to pick one? I refuse! I'm not sure if they were 'new' as in didn't know them in 2004, but I definitely got to know and appreciate more -
rufinia and oakleaf_mirror. Also met Anuja from SCA_India who proved to be very cool, although I haven't spent much time with her yet. Aside from a few previously known baby dolls - meeting all of the baby dolls has been a blast. 39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
I think I may still be working my way through several - like "fun CAN happen without you", and "you don't need to be everything all the time". I can't say I've mastered them though. Perhaps the one I actually grokked was "if you dream it, and make it sane(ish), you will find people to join your dream - have faith".
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Lakshmi draws another blank.
