Year in Review - 2010

What age did you turn this year and how did you spend your birthday?
I turned the big 3-0. I spent my birthday as a usual day, and didn’t do anything big, hoping to throw a big party perhaps in January celebrating both Andy & my 30th for our friends.

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did manage to keep soda and fast food to nearly a minimum. Especially here at the end of the year, I am usually having lemonade at restaurants.

What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I don’t know about never, but I did buy a bike and ride for the first time in over a decade. It’s been fantastic.
Jeff introduced me to Dodgeball. Awesome - can’t wait to sign up for next year.
Gained a regular email buddy.

Did anyone you know give birth? Did anyone you know die?
Unfortunately, these are wrapped into one. Andy’s sister had a 7 month old premature baby that passed away. It was a very dark experience.

Tell us about some noteworthy things done by people you know.
Andy’s about halfway through getting her Master’s Degree, Buggs built an epic Hall of Justice (JLA HQ) in Minecraft, David Niose is making ripples nationally in the fight for secular rights, our good friends Jeff & Ann became incredibly involved politically and got their own place

Do any traveling?
Not really - quite a few trips into Boston, though, for secular events.
Looking forward to conventions next year - Boston and maybe Iowa.

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Travel more, see friends more often, keep the podcast going stronger, get GWH moving faster and help it grow

What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 15th - the day Andy & I received the news that we are going to be parents in May.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Impregnating my woman!
Doing graphic design work for The Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard and The Ethical Society of Boston
Starting a new series of events at GWH - Humanist Excursions - where we visit local locations of interest for Humanists.

What was your biggest disappointment or failure?
Tried to run a themed GWH meeting. Due to a series of last-minute cancellations, had to lay it all on one person who didn’t have enough time to be prepared. Hoping to run a much better meeting soon. The cause that the meeting stood for also ended up fizzing out, although in a good way.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Oddly, no. I can’t remember even having a fever, and this year I managed to get pollen and dust allergies down to zero thanks to growing balls and demanding a prescription for Rhinocort.
Actually, I did get a retinal migraine, but that was pretty minor - just scary.

What was the best thing you bought? Best gift you were given?
Bought: iPad! Bought one for Andy and one for myself - we love ‘em!
Gift: Honestly, best and most memorable gift was from Linda Z. - she bought me a box of mints. I’ve given out hundreds of mints to anyone who’s standing next to me when I go to get one, and she’s the only person who noticed and reciprocated. Made me happier than she’ll ever know (She doesn’t come online much :)
Also, when Jeff & Heather found out I didn’t have a birthday cake, they had one waiting for me the next day. Got to enjoy it with Emerson.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
Buggs deserves much more praise than he receives for how much work he puts into GWH. Things have been slow the last couple months, and I think that may be out of frustration that he isn’t getting much help. I hope this changes.

Also, Jeff & Ann’s incredible involvement in the Wesley campaign. While I don’t agree with them on most political issues, they really put themselves out there for what they believed in, and it really got Ann out of her shell. And they both had one hell of a rebound after the loss.

Whose behavior did not?
My biggest disappointment lately has been Senator John McCain. I really liked him, and would have voted for him over Hillary Clinton, sans Sarah Palin. His stance on DADT is ridiculous, and he has become a very unlikable individual, a cranky old man even. Watching him on old episodes of Daily Show makes me sad.

Where did most of your money go?
Most to mortgage, although we did cut our interest rate by a third. Otherwise, general bills, then gadgets. Between 2 iPads, a new laptop for Andy, and motion controllers for various consoles, it was quite a year for my gadget addiction. What’s that I’m hearing about the iPad 2…?

What did you get overly excited about?
Baby! (although, not quite in the same place Andy is on this - baby stores are dangerous)
iPad! iPhone 4! iPod Nano! Tron Legacy! Fujifilm W3! Halo: Reach! Mass Effect 2! Back to the Future Blu-ray and in the theater! Seeing the modded DeLorean in person!

Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder?
To avoid saying “sadder,” I’m going to go with more introspective. Last year was the year of confidence-building, this year, re-examining.

ii.thinner or fatter?
Thinner - averaging 10 lb. less than last year.

iii. richer or poorer?
Richer due to mortgage rate decrease, and a significant raise.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Physical activities? Bike riding was great, but a little late in the season, and now using Active 2 and Dodgeball to get better through the winter.
Becoming comfortable with social drinking.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Problem client work.
Being emo and co-dependent.

How will you be spending the end of the year?
Hanging out with Ken, Sean, and the rest of the gaming crew.

With whom did you spend the most time on the phone with?
As usual, Jeff. I don’t speak to people over the phone much.

Did you fall in love in 2010?
Yes. Many times.

Best TV shows and/or website?
TV: Dexter! Community! Always Sunny in Philadelphia!
Websites: Toucharcade! spent way too much at iTunes!

Best video game?
MINECRAFT!

Best book/comic?
Walking Dead, hands down - read 70 issues in less than a week.

Which songs will always remind you of 2010?
Felguk - 2nite
Deadmau5 - Ghosts n’ Stuff
Daft Punk - Derezzed
Genki Rockets - Star Line (Stratos Mix) - probably moreso for 2011, if all goes well
David Guetta - Memories

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Deadmau5 - been listening steadily for 6 months
Sigur Ros has potential, though.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending time with friends
Working on meaningful projects

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
If I’m not going to actively work to become slim, I might as well not look like a slob. I’ve decided to work with what I have.
Joseph A. Bank, Banana Republic received a bunch of my money in the fourth quarter.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Beating Bill Gunn locally, but certainly didn’t do much about it besides a yard sign.
Visited a Tea Party meeting to see if it was as bad as I’d heard. It was.

Whom did you miss?
Old Mike.
Grampy.
Joe R. - but I did something about that

Who was the best new person you met?
Didn’t really get to chat with many people this year, so I’ll mention the cool chick with awesome taste at Ultimate Electronics - my new favorite store.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Family stuff is popping back up again…
Otherwise, almost got into my first fight - I HATE Asian Longhaired Beatdown. And with such a clever name!!!

What did you want and get?
Pregnant!

A valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?
Friends are more important than ideals.
Most of the time, all it takes is contact and taking the initiative.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finding a “replacement family.” Still want to find a family to “adopt” me. I would love a place to go for holidays where I can feel comfortable & challenged.

Quote to sum up your year.
“Just wait ‘till next year…”

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