Looking Back; Looking Forward -updated

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Katie: I said "I do."
William: Got married in beautiful Hawaii.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Katie: I don't know that I made any last year. I think having goals is a good thing, ultimately. If I were to throw a few out there, I'd go with:
Getting published nationally
Keep doing yoga and dance
Make more things—be creative and crafty
Stay committed to good blogging (that's been lacking lately)

William: I didn't have any, so yes! I'll try to do more artistic projects and enjoy things other than TV. I would also like to be a kinder person. I would also like to mentor again for Big Brother Big Sister.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Katie: Lots of blogging pals sure did! We're waiting on a couple coming in the new year.
William: Not this year, although a few close friends did become pregnant.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Katie: No. Thankfully.
William: No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Katie: Dakota, Ramsey, Itasca...oh, wait. Did you say countries, not counties? Yeah, none of those.
PS I wrote this before Sundry, but didn't finish so I couldn't post it. Just so you know I didn't steal her joke.
William: America, the land of the free. Seriously though, this is sad as i used to travel all the time. Maybe in 2009 we will make it to Thailand or I will be able to go to Morocco for work.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Katie: A sense that our world is being righted again.
William: A competent president.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Katie: May 27, 2008. Extra sunshiny, breezy, and hot. My wedding day was perfect.
June 14—our reception at home, complete with tornado.
William: The day we got married. Election Day. My birthday, getting surprise cupcakes from Katie ;)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Katie: Not completely and totally melting down when I lost my job; in the past I'd have totally lost it. I'm not great with change and have been actively working to go with the flow. I feel like it was a huge turning point in my maturity.
William: The biggest thing was getting married. I entered my first bike race, although it didn't turn out as well as I had planned. Making Katie laugh when she was down about her job. I have also begun managing larger projects for work.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Katie: Allowing myself to feel defeated over small things.
William: Still getting overly worked up over small matters (people cutting me off, people who park next to fire hydrants, financial matters, people who ask how you are and then walk on, watching MSNBC, there were so many I will end it there)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Katie: Well I did have the rock bottom attacks of stomachaches, but that has been mostly under control lately.
William: I was invincible in the year 2008.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Katie: Probably our marriage license. And our helicopter ride in Kauai.
William: I believe I bought Katie's engagement ring and wedding band in 2008. It was originally a Tiffany style ring and we went with something more unique. She smiles every time she looks at it, and I that will continue forever - err as long as I don't act like a dumbass and piss her off.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Katie: Obama, baby! Tina Fey.
William: Obama, especially since everyone was trying to make him look like the angry black man. Also, if you have ever seen an interview with Barack and Michelle, Michelle did not take a back seat! She shut him up if he was ever exaggerating.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Katie: I think I probably went on enough about people who really appalled me this year. Sarah Palin tops the list.
William: The Fat Cats on Wall Street. Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, Sean Hannity, Joe Lieberman, again i should just stop there.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Katie: To paying off debt. Six months to go!
William: To 856 sq. ft. of high ceilings.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Katie: Duh. The wedding.
William: Our wedding was pretty damn exciting! The honeymoon in Kauai. My bike trip to Duluth.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Katie: "Anything You Want" by Roy Orbison. Our wedding song. And the Iz Hawaii-style mash-up of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World".
William: Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World. And Boogie, Boogie Hedgehog. Oh, and Business Time.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Katie:
a) happier or sadder? Tough call, because last year at this time so much was left to look forward to. But I'm awfully content and looking forward to making new goals.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, 8 lbs more than the wedding.
c) richer or poorer? I'm in better shape, but I have a long way to go.

William:
a)happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Neutral, since high school I have always been 170-175.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, but not by much.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Katie: Write good stuff.
William: Art projects, I have so many ideas for things but I always have an excuse that it's not the right time to start something.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Katie: Freak out, worry.
William: Couch-potatoing. And crack. I wish I would have picked up less of Molly's poo.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Katie: With family and friends, good food, and fun toys. Opening presents with William and helping Molly open her stocking stuffers.
William: With family over good food.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Katie: I love that there's no capacity for loving; there's no way to not have more room for it in your life. I find more and more percentages of my heart toward my family and friends; toward William; toward cute clothes.
William: Yes, every day I fall in love. With Katie, of course.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Katie: Still the same faves: Project Runway, The Office, Top Chef, American Idol, Flipping Out...
William: Top Chef, Project Runway, The Office, Seinfeld, Good Eats, No Reservations, Flipping Out

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Katie: Um, no. That's pretty awesome. I hate hate. No, that's not true. I am too passionate to hate hate.
William: I probably say I hate around 10 people a day, but that might be a little overly dramatic. The big one would probably be Sarah Palin and all she tries to represent.

24. What was the best book you read?
Katie: I read a LOT of really good books this year! Topping the list: Mountains Beyond Mountains, What is the What, the Twilight series, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Infidel, The Namesake, The Freedom Writers' Diary, Helter Skelter, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
William: I don't think I finished a book. I get into a lot of new books, but I always get too antsy and switch to something else. [A fight ensued here; it hurts my heart he didn't read a book. His response? "How many bike rides did you take? How many pictures did you paint? How many birdhouses did you build? How many drawings did you make? There are numerous ways to relax, I choose other things than reading. There shouldn't be anything shameful about that."]

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Katie: Probably She & Him.
William: The Black Keys - no doubt. If you haven't heard them, quit reading and go buy cd.

26. What did you want and get?
Katie: A husband. A perfect wedding day. A beautiful honeymoon. Fun reception. A full-time job. Freelance work. My dog to stay healthy. Obama to be president. Family members to stay healthy.
William: A wife. A democratic president.

27. What did you want and not get?
Katie: Uh, even the things I didn't get, I lived through. ;) (But hint, hint: Chanel sunglasses.)
William: A mountain bike.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Katie: Maybe The Dark Knight. I feel like I didn't see that many movies that were actually made this year. We both really like No Country for Old Men but that was 2007.
William: The Dark Knight.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Katie: I turned 28. William made me breakfast, I went to work, I did yoga, and opened some presents. The next night, we went for couples' massages.
William: 28. We went to aloft hotel for my birthday weekend.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Katie: If I'd worked harder at getting published in places outside my comfort zone, though I'm going to try more this year. And I'm getting published in Maui Magazine in the spring.
William: I can't think of anything.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Katie: Pretty preppy. Girly. On a budget. Tall boots.
William: Ravishing.

32. What kept you sane?
Katie: The idea that all these changes were part of life's plan. That there had to be, inevitably, scary moments along with the exhilarating ones. The idea that not all of growing up is bad. My husband, and my stress-reducing snuggler, Mo.
William: Biking really helped me cool down after work, avoid rush hour traffic(see section 9), and generally feel like a kid again.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Katie: Obama. Hillary.
William: Obama. Heidi Klum.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Katie: Well, that whole issue of the most important election of my LIFETIME. I got super pissed when I found out the Palin thought women should pay for their own rape kits; then found out that most states feel that way. Oh, and Prop 8.
William: the financial bullshit and the whole election process.

35. Who did you miss?
Katie: The Kilipino. A lot lot.
William: Tim Russert. Jimmy and Lee.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Katie: My new coworkers rock. Seriously. Our minister Ken.
William: Don't know.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Katie: That we still have a long way to go while we have still come a long way.
That sometimes positivity comes from loss.
William: 8 hours on a bike really chaps my ass, but an hour sure makes me smile.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Katie:
Im glad to give my love to you.
I know you feel the way I do.
Anything you want, you got it.
Anything you need, you got it.
Anything at all, you got it.
Baby!
—Anything You Want, Roy Orbison

William: Well since I don't want to sound like I am copying my wife on everything I will think of a different song....sorry it may take awhile to get my musical engines started...

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me.

Cause I always want my smalls next to me. :)

I'm diggin' for fire

Things have been good, but hectic, over here. Sorry for the absence. Christmas was wonderful with lots of good food and presents (hopefully photos to come when we get a camera).

However, I have been hovering on the edge of some stupid cold that won't come to a head, and it's been dark as crap out, and snowing/melting/raining/slushing, and I just sort of feel like lead. I think it's the stress of the last couple months starting to come down. Two nights of almost 12 hours of sleep has helped some; I bought lots of superfoods at Trader Joe's today to help my body do whatever it needs to do to get better.

I'm finishing the last book of the Twilight series this weekend. I'm sort of sad and dragging it out. But I HAVETOKNOWWHATHAPPENSNOW.

William has made a new, brilliant thing that you should at least take a look at. It was under embargo until after Christmas:


If you're interested, and this is not a sales pitch, but just in case, you can go here.

OK, off to read.

xoxo

Those Pretty Faces Always Stand Out In a Crowd

So, I've had a weeklong bad mood, pretty much. I swing back and forth, but I've just been feeling tired and overwhelmed and running my fool head pretty much clear OFF, so I haven't been around on the blogs lately. So sorry.

I have a few more things to do tonight and tomorrow, and then I'm finally ready for Christmas and done with some projects. Then I have time to RELAX! I have Christmas to the 4th off, so I'm gonna be all up in this blog when that time comes.

I promise to make it up to you.

In the meantime I'm listening to songs that make me happy. Have you heard the Subways' "Shake Shake"? Go listen to it right now. I'm dancing around in my house to it and I can't help but giggle. See also: Jackson 5.

Overwhelmed

That's all. Lots to do. Terrible mood. Frustrated. Feeling like this week has been a big FAIL on life.

I Hate Winter.

Another quick one...I've got a LOT cookin' this weekend.

Super cold, below zero today, with icy crap falling from the skies, impossible to keep the windshield clear in my two-plus hours I spent commuting today.

Did about a 200-degree spin in the middle of an intersection this morning.

Was in meetings and working like crazy today. now I get to work like crazy tonight, too.

It's cold. I love my new sweatsuit that my sister got me for my birthday. And the heat is a-crankin'.

Sleep deprived. This is gonna be one long, out of control week.

Must run.

Bite Me

This is getting ridiculous.

I swore up and down I wouldn't love Twilight (and the ensuing books).

Oh god, talk about obsession.

But no! I have so much to do this week! I must ignore my vampire books.

Also, I like this song lyric:

"Oh, whoa, whoa, habits die hard/When you got/ When you got a sentimental heart."

Have you heard the She & Him record?

I know, I'm late to the party on both Twilight and She & Him, but will you still let me in?

A Special Mention

So, a few days ago I did the A to Z survey and I had put in a link to the Kilipino, my BFF living in Paraguay. We've been friends since we were about 15, right before we had our driver's licenses. Dudes, we've been friends for ... uh ... wait for it ... THIRTEEN years. We've managed to stay friends through a lot of growing up, a lot of changes.

But anyway, for some reason, the link didn't publish, and I never looked at the published post. the other day I was looking for something else, and realized it never came through.

I felt terrible. And by that I mean, I totally panicked. I knew she'd been to the blog, read it, and probably secretly felt bad, but never mentioned it. I immediately texted her even though it was 4 in the morning or some crap where she is, explaining the technical error.

The next day I called as soon as I could, my heart racing.

I told her of the mistake, and my ensuing terrible feelings about it, and after she heard the panic in my voice, she laughed. I was still completely mortified so I reiterated approximately 500 times how it was a mistake and how I felt bad about it. And that I didn't forget her. And that she has a secure place among my family and close friends. Always. She laughed some more, the connection between us crackling, but never failing.

She's been away almost two years, and big, huge, life-changing events have happened to both of us in that time, but it hasn't seemed to matter in terms of our ability to stay close.

Even when she's 2,000 light years away, we laugh like hell together, she sends a get-well note to my recovering dad, and tears fill my eyes if I think too closely about how much I miss her.

I miss: long drives with the windows down and the heat on, music blasting, going to concerts and holding hands through the best songs, finding snacks, random acts of silliness, long talks (we have to be super efficient since it's expensive to call back and forth), cheap thrills, late night giggles, browsing at Cheapo Records, the simple act of spending time together (we're proud of our ability to hang out for hours on end without saying a word), irritating our siblings. I think I miss her hugs the most.

There are still so many things that we still enjoy together: sometimes we call each other just to laugh like crazy, talking be damned; we have managed to stay close despite our ten-minute conversations (we give the Micromachines man a run for his money, but panic when the operator tells us we have one minute remaining); we still shop (just now online) together; we send each other notes; we still daydream about the future. We sometimes still act like we're 16, against our better instincts.

I've said many times that I have had a Kilipino-shaped hole in my life since she left, but I've realized it isn't exactly true. I still have so much of her in my life, and I'm proud we've made it this far.

So that's the story about one of my BFFs. And maybe now you'll understand why I was so mortified to find out the link disappeared when it published. And why it was important for me to set the record straight. Both to her personally and to my online life.

More stories of awesome friends to come.