2017 in Review
- What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before? I led a fundraiser for my company. We raised just over $1000 for the Virginia Beach SPCA. It was pretty darn great.
- Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I gave up on resolutions ages ago. They’re honestly pointless to me. A great man once sang, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”.
- Did anyone close to you give birth? Unfortunately, yes. And I only say that because I’m a selfish person who sided with the bad guy in Dan Brown’s Inferno, not because I judge anyone’s life choices.
- Did anyone close to you die? We had a close call with my mom in law, but no deaths this year. But a lot of folks I know lost very close loved ones.
- What countries did you visit? Didn’t leave the bedraggled USA, but I was in Washington, D.C. a lot, and got as far north as MA.
- What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017? A decent President.
- What dates from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Probably November 9th, because this happened:
Some background: A person asked if you were to sing karaoke with you favorite celebrity, what song would you choose, and Lin stepped the fuck UP.
- What was your biggest achievement of the year? Being aware of the disgusting status of the US government, and doing my best to resist, march, protest, and help get the right people elected.
- What was your biggest failure? Not being able to travel to FL when I wanted to. Due to unforeseen financial issues, the trip to see my Orlando area friends (and visit the Harry Potter thing at Universal) wasn’t able to happen. That really bummed me out.
- Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major, just gained weight and got an ear infection for the first time since being a toddler.
- What was the best thing you bought? Concert tickets. I saw Ringo Starr and the man said hello to me from the stage.
- Whose behavior merited celebration? All of the folks who have fought the soon to be Fascist government in power. The Women’s March ladies, the #metoo movement, Jose Andres and what he’s doing to help hungry people in Puerto Rico, and the ordinary folks who have gotten off their butts and done SOMETHING.
- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Our Voldemort President (daily), and the men I admired that ended up either being super creeps or minor creeps. I’m looking at you, Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman, and Al Franken.
- Where did most of your money go? Food, alcohol, donations to good causes, and the occasional geeky bit of clothing or thingie.
- What did you get really, really, really excited about? I was absolutely THRILLED to be at the Lady Gaga show. It was magical for me. And part of it was on TV! And then she won an award! Gaga on American Music Awards
- What song will always remind you of 2017? Do You Still Love Me?
- Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c ) richer or poorer? A. Sadder B. FATTER C. Poorer
- What do you wish you’d done more of? Definitely hiked more; gotten exercise, been more politically active.
- What do you wish you’d done less of? Staring at shit on the internet and wasting time.
- How did you spend Christmas? A brief visit with parents, followed by a Game of Thrones marathon.
- Did you fall in love in 2017? I fall in love with my dude every day. He’s the best.
- What was your favorite TV program? Just one? Nice try. Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, Great News, Legion, The Crown, The Handmaid’s Tale, & Big Little Lies come to mind.
- Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is a strong word, but I have ended friendships. The state of our nation has made me realize who will be on the right side of history, and I prefer to be friends with those people.
- What was the best book you read? I really enjoyed The Devil’s West series by Laura Anne Gilman.
- What was your greatest musical discovery? LIZZO, y’all. Water Me
- What did you want and get? I got to stay alive?
- What did you want and not get? The impeachment of our jackass President.
- What was your favorite film of this year? There were a lot of badass films. Dunkirk, Thor: Ragnarok, Wonder Woman, Blade Runner 2049, Baby Driver, & It. But I have to go with Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
- What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Ugh, thanks for reminding me that it’s my 43rd year on this blue marble. I didn’t really do anything on the actual day of my birth, but my favorite present was experiencing the music of Game of Thrones, live. It was lovely. A taste: Winds of Winter
- What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Seeing so many fun concerts with my dude, and being able to contribute to my favorite podcast, even if it was just a playlist. Check out The Hooray Show with Horatio Sanz.
- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017? Fashion is a concept that will forever allude me. My mom in law gifted me a sweet wrap/sweater thing, however, and I wore it to the Lady Gaga show and felt most fierce.
- What kept you sane? Animals. My three cats, the cat we rescued from the streets (who may belong to us in 2018 – stay tuned), the foxes behind my backyard, the critters we helped at the shelter, and the elephant fosters I gifted to family (and the foster I received – Check out the elephant babies!).
- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Horatio Sanz, Lin, and Ryan Adams were the boys who made me smile the most.
- Who did you miss? I miss Carrie Fisher. Some funny Carrie moments
- Who was the best new person you met? I can’t recall meeting someone new, in person that is. But the guys who run the Crooked Media podcasts have been a welcome addition to my internet “pals”.
- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017. Do not put up with anything you don’t want to put up with. This world is too short and fucked up for that. But be kind and good. And funny.
- Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Are we crazy?
Livin’ our lives through a lens
Trapped in our white picket fence
Like ornaments
So comfortable, we’re livin’ in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble
Aren’t you lonely
Up there in utopia
Where nothing will ever be enough?
Happily numb
So comfortable, we’re livin’ in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, troubleAh, so good
Your rose-colored glasses on
And party on (woo)Turn it up, it’s your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumblin’ around like a wasted zombie
Yeah, we think we’re free
Drink, this one’s on me
We’re all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm, to the rhythmTurn it up, it’s your favorite song
Are we tone deaf?
Keep sweepin’ it under the mat
Thought we could do better than that
I hope we can
So comfortable, we’re livin’ in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, troubleAha, so good (so good)
Your rose-colored glasses on
And party on (woo)Turn it up, it’s your favorite song (oh)
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Turn it up, keep it on repeat
Stumblin’ around like a wasted zombie
Yeah, we think we’re free
Drink, this one’s on me
We’re all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm, to the rhythm (woah)It is my desire
Break down the walls to connect, inspire
Ay, up inna your high place, liars
Time is ticking for the empire
The truth they feed is feeble
As so many times before
The greed over the people
They stumblin’ and fumblin’ and we about to riot
They woke up, they woke up the lions (woah)
Meri's World 