millionreasons | There's another fortnight of 2005 left

1.What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
I was discussing this with a friend who has had many many ‘firsts’ this year, whereas for me it’s been a pretty low key year. I grew courgettes and cauliflowers for the first time - I’m not sure if that counts.

2.Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My NY resolution is always the same – to be nicer to people and I always break it by 4th Jan.

3.Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of friends did but no-one asked me to be godmother, oddly enough.

4.Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5.What countries did you visit?
Ireland (for the first time), India, Sweden, Herefordshire.

6.What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A new place to live that is mine (and David’s) own. Or, owned by the Nationwide Building Society at least.

7.What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
7th July, I suppose.

8.What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Keeping sane.

9.What was your biggest failure?
Not applying for a new job, not starting anything new, not making enough of what I’ve got.

10.Did you suffer illness or injury?
In March, I had the worst hangover I’ve ever had. Started Friday night and lasted until Sunday. No more Erdinger for me.

11.What was the best thing you bought?
My life is not defined by my possessions, goddamit. Although I did buy a pair of shoes that don’t hurt my feet which is always a plus.

12.Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I was very moved by the man who was seriously injured in the July bombings and was against the 90 day detention plans. I always admire people who don’t let their personal circumstances affect their opinions and values.

13.Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Mostly everyone in the news

14.Where did most of your money go?
I went down from 4 to 3 days a week at work so I only spend money on the essentials: rent, travel, food, gin and coffee.

15.What events did you get really, really, really excited about?
Fosca going to Sweden. The 2nd test match.

16.What song will always remind you of 2005?
Sweet Summer Night and Black Cab by Jens Lekman

17.Compared to this time last year, are you:
Poorer

18.What do you wish you'd done more of?
Creative things

19.What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being bored at work

20.How will you be spending Christmas?
In Donny.

21.Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Trying to get my parents off the phone is quite difficult.

22.Did you fall in love in 2005?
See Q35

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favourite TV program?
Veronica Mars

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
The same people, but with more of a burning ire (see Q13)

26. What was the best book you read?
Lady Oracle – Margaret Atwood

27. What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery?
Jens Lekman

28. What did you want and get?
Wasted?

29. What did you want and not get?
A new “challenge”.

30. What were your favourite films of this year?
The Edukators
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Afterlife
Goodbye Lenin (these latter two not released this year)

31.What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
32 and I spent it in a beer garden with my lovely friends. Wine in the sunshine.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not being hounded by the morons at Southwark council for council tax already paid.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Scruff?

34. What kept you sane?
My boyfriend of course.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most/least?
Oooooh Cillian Murphy. Least – David Blunkett?

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I suppose the aftermath of 7th July. And that ridiculous rape survey of a few weeks back.

37. Whom did you miss?
I miss Charlotte who lives in Nottingham.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
I didn’t meet them this year, but have really appreciated the friendship of Jo and Heike.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:
Roll with the punches. I have gone a whole year without a massive blow up flight with anyone.

40. Do you have any lost feelings of others.
I didn’t like Broken Flowers very much.