Bit of Ivory

My laptop’s power cord has apparently gone kaput, so I’m back to using my ancient desktop (it’s six years old now, that’s like 87 in computer years). I’ll have to call Dell tomorrow about getting a replacement, and it should be under warranty. Since I plan on spending a goodly amount of time on my computer in the next little while, I’m looking into getting a new desktop soon. My dad’s probably going to build me one on the cheap– I don’t need a new monitor (I’ve got a flat screen) or a keyboard and mouse (I’ve got wireless for both), so it’s just the tower that needs replacing. I’ll probably call it Harry II.

And, since it’s a new year and all, let’s see 2005 in review:

1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?

Hmm. Attended a sibling’s wedding, finished a year of grad school, threw up on an airplane, wrote a thesis prospectus.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Not really, no. I mean to do better next year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I have several new first-and-second cousins, and a niece or nephew on the way.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year, thank goodness. I had enough of that last year.

5. What countries did you visit?

Is Texas considered a separate country?

6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?

An MA in English. A boyfriend. 30 or so fewer pounds.

7. What date(s) from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 14– my brother’s wedding. July 16– HBP day!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Completing this semester, completing the lit project at WGU, submitting my prospectus.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not losing any weight. Not being accepted to teach.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?

Only minor stuff.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Hermione the iPod.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Jo Rowling’s. Those who came to the aid of hurricane victims. Melissa and Emerson.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Some Harry/Hermione shippers. Those who spent more time complaining about how the hurricane disasters were handled than doing anything to help.

14. Where did most of your money go?

School stuff– tuition, books, gas money.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, of course.

16. What song will always remind you of 2005?

We Are the Champions by Queen, Everybody’s Changing by Keane

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? ‘Bout the same
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter, alas.
iii. richer or poorer? Once again, about the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Exercising.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Procrastinating.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2005?

Nope.

22. How many one-night stands?

Same as last year (and evermore): none

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Gilmore Girls

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I dislike a few people more, but I don’t think I’d use the word hate.

25. What was the best book you read?

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Umm. Either Keane, the new Real Group CD, or Taylor, the Latte Boy.

27. What did you want to get?

I was hoping for a Jane Austen action figure, but did not get one. Woe.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Ooh, hard to decide. I’d say it’s a tie between Elizabethtown, Serenity, Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I had dinner with my family, then saw Pirates of Penzance

30. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Good friends.

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

If it doesn’t make me look fat, I’ll take it.

32. What kept you sane?

Jane Austen, my family, good friends.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Still Orlando Bloom.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The Katrina fiasco.

35. Who did you miss?

So many people! My grandpa and great-grandma, my friend Kat, lots of online friends who I hardly see around any more.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Oh, good grief. I couldn’t possibly decide.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005:

Procrastination will bite you on the butt eventually– if not in your grades, at least in your level of stress.