1. what did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
Visited Norway, wrote a book
2. did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t remember what my resolutions were. I have made the resolution this year to cut back on caffeine and diet pop.
3. did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin Debi had Meredith, Danny and Tiffany had Oliver, and John and Patty had Niamh.
4. did anyone close to you die?
Actually, no. This is the first funeral-free year I’ve had in a while. Its nice.
5. what countries did you visit?
England, Norway and Sweden (Sweden was just for a long layover).
6. what would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
An agent to represent my book.
7. what date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Oh man, I’m bad at dates. I’m going to have to go with July 30, our first anniversary, which I spent in Ontario with a bunch of computer geeks.
8. what was your biggest achievement of the year?
I wrote a whole book of over 300 pages.
9. what was your biggest failure?
I don’t think I’ve had any this year.
10. did you suffer illness or injury?
I probably had a cold or two, but overall I was healthy. My knees aren’t too bad this year either.

11. what was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets, as usual. The tickets to Norway were especially good, because they ended up getting us free tickets for our upcoming trip.
12. whose behavior merited celebration?
Maggie Jesse, my new boss. She’s been a good advocate for our group so far, and I’m looking forward to working with her this year. I’m also very proud of the American voting public for turning out and making some changes during the midterm elections.
13. whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Maybe it’s just new year blue-skying, but I don’t think anybody in particular upset me too much this year.
14. where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, travel, food (same as last year).
15. what did you get really, really, really excited about?
Bookity bookity book.
16. what song(s) will always remind you of 2006?
Hm…maybe Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie.” Is that from 2006? I love Shakira but that song (and the video where Shakira stupidly does the robot) annoys me.
17. compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder?: I guess about the same, which is to say pretty happy.
ii. thinner or fatter?: Approximately the same. Maybe a bit fatter. I’m going to address that.
iii. richer or poorer?: A bit richer. Denny got a chubsy raise and I’m expecting one eventually.
18. what do you wish you’d done more of?
Lift weights. I slack on weightlifting too much.
19. what do you wish you’d done less of?
Drinking of diet pop. It can’t possibly be good for a person.
20. how did you spend Christmas?
Hanging out with my parents, Denny, my aunt, uncle, and grandmother at my parents’ house. There were lots of other Christmas peripherals too on surrounding weekends.

Where’s 21?
22. did you fall in love in 2006?
Yes, most notably last night. I was in a bad mood due to some external factors, and Denny brought me flowers just to cheer me up.
23. what was your favorite TV program?
Heroes and Project Runway.
24. do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t hate the player, I hate the game.
25. what was the best book you read?
I liked Between the Bridge and the River by Craig Ferguson.
26. what was your greatest musical discovery?
Los Super Elegantes29. what did you want and get?
A meat grinder attachment for my mixer. I used it just today. it worked great.
30. what did you want and not get?
An agent for my novel. But there is still time.

31. what was your favorite film of this year?
I haven’t seen Pan’s Labyrinth yet, but I’ve already decided it will be my favorite.
32. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I think my parents were in town for some reason. I turned 29. I made myself a really good almond cake.
33. what one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Um…unlimited resources?
34. how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
I have this pair of green pants I wore a lot. Oh, I also have gotten into vests lately. Vests, people!
35. what kept you sane?
Tai chi, chai tea…
Actually that’s not true. I just happened to see that episode of the Simpsons tonight. Getting a good night’s sleep keeps me sane, and regular exercise.
36. which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Probably superstar Angelina and her cute baby.
37. what political issue stirred you the most?
Midterm elections, first female Speaker of the House
38. who did you miss?
My friend Chris. I just saw him the other day and it made me realize how much I’d missed him.
39. who was the best new person you met?
Baby Meredith. I haven’t met little Oliver or Niamh yet.
40. tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
You’re not 21 anymore. Pace yourself.
41. quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Two feet land on a different ground.
You can’t live easily, you can’t even speak.
But all of them speak, all over the world.
I will meet you over there.   –The Pixies, “All Over the World”