My First Survey

As far as I know, I’ve never done a survey like this before, but I read it here and then found the original here, so I thought ‘why the hell not’? Plus, I like to talk about myself.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
Bought a couch? Honestly, I can’t think of anything that I did that was noteworthy for being a first experience. We did buy our first grown-up furniture, consisting of a couch and a dining room table, which I’ve never done before. We also moved to a house with multiple levels, which I’ve never been a part of previously either. And we bought a washer and dryer! So basically, I turned into a 50-year-old lady who only talks about furniture.

Now that I think about it, I also went to New York City for the first time.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t know that I made any resolutions last year, though I did mention that I was going to write a book, and then I totally forgot about that. For next year, I’d like to go to the gym, at least often enough so I’m not constantly worried about how much I’m spending on such things. I’d also like to find a yoga class that I truly enjoy, and figure out a way to make enough money so I’m not sacrificing food to pay for it. That’s good for now.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Baxter and my friend AJ and his girlfriend had a baby boy, Aidan. I can’t remember if I gained cousins this year or last, since I’ve never met either of them that I recall, although I think I probably saw them at the wedding over Labor Day.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
This is a question that I can’t imagine I wouldn’t remember the answer to, so I’m going to say no. B had an uncle that died, and he was at our wedding and rehearsal dinner, but I don’t remember actually meeting him.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just the US and Canada. And by Canada, I mean Niagara Falls, for Valentine’s Day, and for a couple of football games, but that is all. We did go to a bunch of debate tournaments, and I went to a bunch of states, even though those don’t really count.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
I’m going to be a total pain in the butt and say a college degree. Even though I’m not sure what I would do with it, and I could end up chasing the doctor around the country anyways, or just staying to coach debate here cause I like it, or whatever. But I’d like the degree before my five-year reunion, just for kicks.

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Let’s see. June 26 is our anniversary, and I remember the 26th of every month because B usually buys me a present, and it is fun. Other than that, my birthday? I really like my birthday. B defended his dissertation on November 30, so that’s a biggie, certainly the one that probably matters the most in the long run, though I don’t get presents for that one (which is a total shame, since being the wife of someone who is a doctor is totally underrated).

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my butt in gear and starting the process to take the classes needed to finish my degree. Even though I ended up having to pay for them because the benefits brochures at Rochester are a lie. It might not matter in the scheme of the rest of the drama, but it was a big first step.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting my butt in gear enough to get another lawyer. I keep talking about it, and I love my dad to pieces, but his 80-hour-a-week job is just not doing the situation justice. And B’s dad kind of scares me, so I don’t want to call him on the phone to tell him to fix the mistakes of my family, or me, even though I know that that’s the right thing to do in the long run.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I am sickly in general, and I got a couple of rough colds and such, but other than that, no.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I would have to say the couch, or maybe the washer/dryer. The latter is more practical, and also means that I don’t have to get my laundry into the car in order to get it clean.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
B, cause he’s a doctor and finished his dissertation in a near-record 4.5 years, including the getting of a master’s degree. I am so impressed that I can barely handle it.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Probably the government, even though that’s not very interesting. We had one summer incident with a friend whose alcoholism has gotten sad, but appalled doesn’t seem the right word to me, because I’m mostly just wanting the situation to be fixed.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills. I know, it’s sad. Rent was especially hefty this year, since it doubled when we moved to Rochester. Also, J.Crew and their fantastic clothing items.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I mean, I get really, really, really excited about most things. My birthday, yoga, and the cat are probably highest on the list, but the screaming when Buddy and Wittwer won JV nationals was also pretty nice.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Regina Spektor and “Samson.” I love listening to it in the sauna at the gym, even though B seems to think it is the single most depressing song ever written (which he has also said in the past about both Tracy Chapman and Ben Harper). To be honest, songs don’t generally remind me of years, they remind me of situations, or people, plus sometimes physical sensations (like feelings of warmth). The NDT is “9 to 5″ by Dolly Parton, which I listened to over and over again, even when it was rude to not be talking to the person next to me while walking down the street.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
a) I think I’m about the same. Probably a little more anxious about money, but generally pleased with life and happy with where I am.
b) Also almost exactly the same. I was a little skinnier at the end of last year, but I’ve stayed pretty steady throughout the year, much to my chagrin.
c) Definitely poorer. We were doing better when B was getting school money, but we’ll be okay.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Yoga. I always feel so much better when I’m motivated, and dressed, and exercizing. Often, I don’t do the yoga because it would mean I would have to take a shower afterwards and then get dressed, and that is just pathetic.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Procrastinating. I can spend whole weeks on the couch, doing nothing but checking my email over and over again, even when there’s nothing new to read and no reason not to be doing debate work, the aforementioned exercise, or any variety of other things. I think that if I wasn’t so subject to the properties of inertia I would be so much better off, but once I’m on the couch, I tend to stay on the couch. Once I get moving, I get tremendous things accomplished.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent Christmas in a 6 day whirlwind tour of Minneapolis, and we’ll spend New Year’s in LA, at a debate tournament that right about now I’m wishing I hadn’t volunteered to take the kids to.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Am I supposed to say something sappy here about how I fall in love with B a little more every day? For someone who cries while reading romance novels and in ridiculous movies, I certainly am not that kind of sappy in my real life. I love B, and I love Hippo. We have a good thing going around here, my little family in its townhouse in Rochester.

22. How many one-night stands?
Zero, at least that I remember.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
The clear victor in this question is Studio 60, especially since I know that the choice doesn’t require me to abdicate the choice of the West Wing, as they are similar and both equally awesome. It is the only show that I wish would be on 5 days a week, in serial form, so that I could see more and more of the characters. It is brilliant and funny and smart, and I would watch Bradley Whitford and Matthew Perry talk for my whole life if I could do it sitting next to B.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t really hate people at all, since that would mean I’d be paying attention to them instead of the things I’m more interested in, but there’s no one that has gone significantly in one direction or the other this year.

25. What was the best book you read?
I can’t remember any books that I read off the top of my head that aren’t romance novels this year, and I really enjoyed discovering Stephanie Laurens and the Cynster series this year, plus reading the conclusion of the Julia Quinn series, but that doesn’t make me seem especially intellectual. Does the fact that I read a lot of news on the internet make up for the fact that I seem to have abdicated entirely the mantle of my fifth grade championship in reading 153 books in six weeks for the MS Readathon?

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don’t really do musical discoveries, as I rely on my sister and the television to do them for me. I also truly enjoy singles more than albums, so when I like an artist it’s generally because I like a whole bunch of their individual songs altogether. This year, I listened to a lot of James Blunt, Me First & the Gimme Gimmes, and Kelly Clarkson.

27. What did you want and get?
B got me a Coach Purse for Christmas. My parents bought me two college classes. I got to move to Rochester and keep coaching debate here, and everyone has stayed pretty healthy and happy. I enjoyed the return of a Democratic Congress.

28. What did you want and not get?
Guaranteed access to abortion, the right to get paid as much for my work, and other assorted political disasters. Other than that, I’m pretty good, and have nothing much to personally complain about. I wanted a grey persian kitty at the cat show we went to earlier this year, but B was probably right to talk me out of that idea.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Probably A Prairie Home Companion, if for no other reason than I can’t remember any other movies that I saw this year, and I know I didn’t see very many.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 26 on August 30, and the Katie BirthdayPalooza consisted of going to the State Fair, and then had an awesome dinner at Table 7. I figure I talked enough about my birthday at the time, so you can just read about it there.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not being worried about money. I would like to actually put money in our savings account instead of talking about it. Also, we could have had a more successful first semester of debate, and that would have rocked.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Um, I like to buy clothes. Mostly from J.Crew, and on sale. I like pajamas, though I’m trying to wear more actual pants. I got some trendy boots and am currently in the market for a vest, as everyone in Minneapolis says that I must obtain one soon. I spent most of the fall making fun of weird length pants and pirate shirts, and ended up purchasing both, along with some super-cute ballet shoes.

33. What kept you sane?
B*. Did I mention B*? Also, I tend to cry it out when I’m tired. Which B particularly enjoys.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I still hold Britney Spears dear to my heart, even sans underwear. Boys, you say? Eh. I like the one I’ve got.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
I like the ladies, what can I say? The gender ones always get to me the most.

36. Who did you miss?
EVERYONE. Friends in Minnesota, my parents, my high school friends in Kansas, the bridesmaids I haven’t talked to in awhile. This year has been a big one for nostalgia if not follow through because I am better at talking about talking to people than actually sending an email or dialing the phone.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I don’t do new people, but I did get to know Ken’s girlfriend Anna a lot better this year, and she is awesome.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
I think the biggest life lesson that I learned this year is that you can’t ever really know anything about other people’s relationships. You may think you know people separately, but internal dynamics are private, even if people are making out in public all the time. I don’t need to know why it works, I just need to know my friends are happy and trust them when they tell me that they know why it works.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

The depressing version:
“Everything that I said I’d do
Like make the world brand new
And take the time for you
I just got lost and slept right through the dawn
And the world spins madly on

I let the day go by
I always say goodbye
I watch the stars from my window sill
The whole world is moving and I’m standing still”
- The Weepies, “The World Spins Madly On”

The not-so-depressing version:
“Now comes the night
Feel it fading away
And the soul underneath
Is it all that remains
So just slide over here
Leave your fear in the fray
Let us hold to each other
‘Til the end of our days”
- Rob Thomas, “Now Comes the Night”

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