And so. I plan to do some kind of tarot reading later tonight, after Jeff and I get back from our New Year's Eve dinner date, but for now, I'm stealing something that Finn shared (it may have originated over on TC, I'm not sure) to get me ruminating on the past year. Here goes.
2012 Review
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
Namely, moved across the country to live in Seattle. There are so many first-evers that have resulted from that, it feels odd to list all of them, but I'll try to highlight some of the more important ones:
- Saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time.
- Taught naturalist programs to school groups and the general public.
- Celebrated solar festivals with a local OBOD group.
- Started my own business. (Put in more than 60 hours of work a week doing a job I love.)
- Wrote the first draft of a novel (okay, almost — in word count alone, definitely).
- Met a new goddess.
- Saw the salmon returning to spawn.
- Voted to legalize gay marriage! Yay!
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make very many resolutions back in December of last year, but looking at my Uncensored To-Do List from back in March, I see that many of the things I'd hoped to do (or keep doing) had to fall by the wayside or take second priority to FF&C and my volunteer work. This is, in some ways, a bit disappointing. But in other ways, I think it's a natural process of winnowing that needs to take place as I settle into more fulfilling work that requires a larger time and energy commitment.
On the other hand, there are some commitments that I think I need to revisit and renew, in particular those that have to do with establishing healthy habits for both body and spirit. So yes, I will be making some resolutions for the coming year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ugh. This was the EW's off year. She popped one out right before our wedding last year, and another one is apparently on the way for next year. Some people need to stop procreating.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just the one I live in. But if we revise this to bioregions, I've seen quite a few this year, including the low-lying Puget Sound area (because I live there now) and the wild mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest. We drove through the usual deserts and grasslands of the central U.S. during our move early this year, but we didn't linger.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
I suppose it would be snarky to answer: Time. Honestly, I feel that my life is very full these days, both of wonderful things that I'm grateful for, and not-so-wonderful things that cause stress. So what I would like for 2013 is a sense of perspective and an attitude of non-attachment and simplicity that will help me to make the necessary choices about what to hold onto and what to release. Does that sound too New Agey?
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The Wild Goose West Festival was fantastic and inspiring, as were the few days leading up to it that Jeff and I spent in the yurt on the Oregon coast.
On a less happy note, the day that we had to spend in court because of the EW. Too often, I find myself back in that courtroom going over all the things that we could have done or said.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Starting my own business and producing 50 hour-long podcast episodes and two successful seasons. But a close second would be finally getting a first draft of a novel written. (On the other hand, if you ask the internet, it would probably be writing that Hipster Paganism post. #irony)
9. What was your biggest failure?
No single failure, really, but the slow build up of minor daily failures (like the failure to exercise as regularly as I'd hoped, or to eat as well as I should, or to meditate on a daily basis), which has resulted in me still being 15 or so pounds overweight and, in general, feeling more stressed both physically and spiritually than is really necessary.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Stupid recurring minor aches and pains in my shoulders and back, most of which I'm sure has to do with lack of regular exercise and stretching. Other than that, nothing beyond the normal seasonal colds and such.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I didn't technically buy it, but my birthday gift this year was an iPad, and it has far exceeded my expectations.
As for something I actually bought, since they are so few and far between, I'd say my hiking boots, followed by the cheap treadmill/standing desk combo I got so I could walk while I work. But the $2 thirft-store leather coat (to be converted into some sort of steampunk outfit in the future) was pretty awesome, too.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jeff continues to win Husband of the Year in my heart. Our first year of marriage was pretty damned kickass, and I can't wait for many, many more.
The kids were awesome when they came out to visit us in Seattle, though they tended to be a bit wild and rude during our last visit with them over Solstice. Still, in general, they are growing up to be lovely people and it's always so cool to hang out with them.
My brother, who left his well-paying corporate job to go back to grad school and is now earning his Masters at Columbia. I'm so proud to have a brother who puts knowledge and social justice ahead of profit.
Also, Penny is such an inspiring person, she makes me want to be awesome.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Don't get me started. Mostly people on the internet being the reason Why We Can't Have Nice Things (especially in the Pagan community — I need to learn to hold this loosely and not get upset when certain Jerks Celebre decide to attack me personally). Politicians, but in particular asshat Republicans who keep trying to fling us back into the stone age. Unsurprisingly, the EW, who continues to be a weirdly small-minded person who lies about almost everything, even though she's really bad at it.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Most of "my" money went to paying student loans, and after that to the podcast, occasional dinner dates with Jeff, a few ebooks, and the rest into savings.
Most of our money as a couple went to the EW — Jeff calculated it out that we spend about 44% of our total joint income on child support and travel expenses for the kids. After that, rent and food are our next biggest expenses, followed by the usual utility bills and such. We're trying to live a pretty modest lifestyle, but it's hard not to be resentful when you know that those thousands of dollars in child support are financing the EW's next pregnancy and a new pair of toe-shoes.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The podcast, on numerous occasions. Joining SageWoman as a columnist. Welcoming a new goddess into my life. My naturalist training and teaching. My Saturn Return finally being over. Steampunk Druidry.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Er..... Probably something from Professor Elemental (Jeff's fault). Certainly not anything from that awful movie version of Les Miz.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier, and most definitely less stressed.
b) thinner or fatter? Maybe a little bit heavier, unfortunately.
c) richer or poorer? Certainly less in debt than last year, and were it not for the asinine new child custody agreement that has Jeff spending thousands on unnecessary travel while the EW doesn't contribute a dime, we'd be richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Hiking and spending time out in nature (not just in the local parks, but out in the wilderness). Exercising and doing regular yoga. Reading challenging books, especially nonfiction (though I read a lot more fiction this year than in previous years).
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time being angry or annoyed with people on the internet. Worrying about money and having to battle with the EW's need to control our lives long-distance. Eating ice cream and other comfort foods.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We spent Christmas itself hanging out at home, just the two of us, watching The Hogfather and eating homemade lembas (that Finn made for us!) and drinking hot chocolate.
We spent Solstice with the kids visiting my parents, with Dan (and his two cats) there, too, and Jeff's Aunt Melanie coming to visit for a couple days. It was a full house, but it was wonderful to see everybody!
21. What was your favorite month of 2011?
I think August was pretty awesome. We'd just finished our first successful season of FF&C, and Jeff was back home from his time on the east coast with the kids. We had gorgeous weather and lots of time on weekends to go out and enjoy it. I did a lot of writing and spiritual work.
November was pretty fun, too, though, thanks to NaNoWriMo, though I started to burn out by the end.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
I'm very much in love with Jeff. It's kind of astounding how awesome he is.
23. How many one-night stands?
All of my nightstands last for more than one night; they're made of wood.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
I get a kick out of The Mindy Project, which just started this year and has a lot of the same people working on it that did The Office. Other than that, eh, re-runs courtesy of Amazon Prime.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I try not to hate people. However, I am more familiar with some of the reasons why I dislike so many Republicans.
26. What was the best book you read?
Jeff has been introducing me to the old Sherlock Holmes stories (which are way better than all of the current remakes coming out in film and television), and I really enjoyed Juliet Marillier's trilogy, the Bridei Chronicles, in particular the third book, The Well of Shades.
I really can't think of any really great nonfiction books I've read. Lyanda Lynn Haupt's Crow Planet was enjoyable, but not ground-breaking or anything, and JMG's Mystery Teachings from the Living Earth was alright, though it also left a lot wanting. I have so many cool books on my to-read list, but just haven't had the time to get to them. (For instance, for Solstice I got an awesome collection of essays on the evolution of the concept of "wilderness" in Western society!)
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
B sharp
28. What did you want and get?
An iPad. A wonderful little apartment (with counter space!)
29. What did you want and not get?
A wonderful little apartment close to a park — this, I think, has been the subtlest but most important disappointment of the year. I had not anticipated how big a difference this would make to my ability to get out to nature regularly. Still, this apartment is so vastly better than the one we were living in in Pittsburgh, it's worth it.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
A tie between Brave and The Hobbit, I think, which aside from a few other unremarkable ones are pretty much the only movies I've seen this year. (Why do all these questions make me feel like I need to get out of the house more?)
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29 this year, without very much pomp or celebration. Jeff was out in New Hampshire with the kids, so I had a quiet day probably puttering around the house doing what I normally do.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If we had been able to reach a reasonable child custody agreement in which Jeff got to see the kids for two months in the summer, and the EW had to pay for half of the transportation costs of sending the kids to Seattle once a year.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
I don't know what this question means.
Ummm.... I would say "practical naturalist." Is that a thing? Lots of practical clothes, layers against the wind and rain, and of course, my awesome hiking boots.
34. What kept you sane?
Jeff. Sushi. Time by myself. Watching the crows in the hemlock tree across the street.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't know.... Patrick Stewart? (I feel old.)
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I really can't help but cry every time the issue of marriage equality comes up. Despite all of the places where we seem to be going backwards, I am so so proud of the progress we've made towards equality and acceptance on that front.
Otherwise, the usual environmental issues. Out here, we have reason to be concerned about them trying to run coal trains through the area to ship coal over to China, where they'll burn it without any regulations and the pollution will end up back over here anyway. #gah
37. Who did you miss?
As for people: I miss hanging out with Arthur watching Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica on Thursdays. As for non-humans: I miss the woods and mountains of western PA, the city of Pittsburgh (Frick Park and Phipps Conservatory, in particular), and the rolling farmlands of Lancaster county.
38. Who were the best new people you met?
Finn rocks. :) I knew her online, but we got to meet in person once we moved out here.
I also got to meet the amazing people who work for the city parks, like Penny, Anne, Belinda, Brian, and a bunch of other volunteers, who are all pretty kickass.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
I just saw this quote somewhere recently that I think sort of sums it up: "If a conductor wants to lead the orchestra, they have to turn their back to the crowd."
I guess another way of saying this is that finding fulfilling work that inspires and enchants you goes a long way to make up for not being allowed to sit at the Popular Kids Table in the great High School Cafeteria of Life. (And the accompanying insight is that, sadly, most people never really leave the high school cafeteria, and it's no use getting angry with them about it. Just make friends with the teachers and the lunch lady, and find where all the other nerds are sitting. ;)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Though the soldiers may be fighting
In the trenches or on a battleship at sea
But there isn't any war
When the clock strikes four
EVERYTHING STOPS FOR TEA
(My gods that ended up being a long questionaire!)