So long 2008 Survey…

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

I acted in a motion picture. Did a lot better than I thought I was going to do too…

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

Nope, not a single one. Big surprise, eh?

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

One of my cousins did. Not a close one, but I didn’t want to leave this answer blank.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My last grandparent, the Grandmother on my Dad’s side passed away in February.

5. What countries did you visit?

Took one trip to the US to visit Nashville in July, man was that a big mistake.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Stay home. Going out might be a bad idea unless it’s for work.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

July 21st. Was an amazing night for Leah and I.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Partaking in my first independent motion picture. If things work out, it looks like this movie might be making a few film festivals next year. 🙂

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not finding work that was more ‘responsible’ to everyone else’s expectations.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Damn, where do I start?

1) I had my MRI scans in January to test for a possible brain aneurism. After a few months of scares and nervous waiting, everything came back clean. I’ve been put on a migraine medication, and things bave been good ever since.

2) In late August, Maple Leaf meats had to shut down due to a massive recall because of a bacteria that was found in their plant. Turns out several products were in our house at the time of the recall. Thanksfully for us, all of the products were stuff the kids to not eat. For some reason the kids hate eating sliced meats, they’re PB&J all the way. Not only did I eat the tainted meats, but I was also done in by about a dozen pepperoni sticks that were consumed (over a one week period) before they too were added to the recall list. I became violently ill to the point where I was hospitalized. For the next two months, digesting anything was a bitch. Doing better now, but now happy with Maple Leaf. I have not bought a single item of their since the recall.

3) I found a small lump in a very sensitive place about a week before my birthday in October, and I ended up being tested for what might have been cancer a day before I turned thirty-three.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I didn’t buy much this year, but one purchase that I think was worth making was the tickets to see the Eagles. $40 each to see the concert of a lifetime was a pretty sweet deal.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Ethan has been doing a lot better and has been working hard to learn his letters and reading. He’s been behaving better around his brother as well. He’s been making amazing progress…

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

That award goes to my little brother for being absent for pretty much the entire year. Skipping everyone’s birthday (including both my sons) and not even calling up to wish everyone a happy holiday. Yeah, he clearly earned his turd of the year award…

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills and rent… I didn’t make much this year but anything I got went back into the household.

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

I was excited about the trip to Nashville, but that was a big, fat letdown.

The Eagles concert lived up to the hype and then some… that rocked our world.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Not sure really. I didn’t listen to any new music this year… radio is dead around here.

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

i. Happier or sadder?

Definitely happier. This time last year, I was really down and unable to look forward beyond the upcoming MRI. I had a lot on my mind and was very preoccupied. This year I’m a little more hopeful and can at least work on this that are more productive and will help the family out. Set some real goals…

ii. Thinner or fatter?

Unfortunately a little heavier. Need to get back in shape…

iii. Richer or poorer?

Little poorer, I am the living example of a poor artist.

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

Work, but what I’ve done at home is nothing to make fun of either.

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

Fighting, everyone could always do less of that but for some reason we always don’t.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I don’t care… I’m an atheist. I’ll just hang out and watch people do their thing. If I’m involved or not I don’t give a rat’s ass.

21. What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in 2008?

I got a hint from a director that a part was ‘mostly’ mine. I got too cocky and learned that hard way that mostly doesn’t mean mine until I get that confirmation email cause I didn’t get the part. I was very upset about it cause it was a high paying job. Lesson learned…

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Nope, didn’t happen.

23. How many one-night stands?

Zero.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

This year, the cable networks ruled the world. Dexter, Californication, In Treatment and Mad Men were the best shows on the tube… hands down.

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

Hate is a very strong word. Disliked many… hated? I don’t think so…

26. What was the best book you read?

The God Delusion… reading it again I liked it so much.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Through the magnificent musical that was Mommia Mia, I rediscovered Abba. I love the shit and I don’t care who knows it!

28. What did you want and get?

I didn’t get much this year so a lot on my hit list… well all of it went unfulfilled. But I have my health and that was something I didn’t think I would have at the start of last year!

29. What did you want and not get?

Refer to last answer.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

Best movie this year was Frost / Nixon. I would love to see the broadway show now…

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

I turned 33 this year, and I did nothing. It was just another normal day. People went to work, I took care of the house and the kids and that’s it. I didn’t care…

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Landing an agent or a book deal. That search has been brutal…

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Non-existant.

34. What kept you sane?

Writing my journal and continously working on more writing projects.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy most?

Was the year of the political commentator. Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow ruled my world this year.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The 2008 American Election was by far the issue that stirred everyone here this year… hands down.

37. Who did you miss?

A few people…

38. Who was the best new person you met?

I met someone named Nic. He’s the director of the indy feature that I was a part of this year. We got along very well on the set, and I hope that we work together again in 2009.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Until you get that formal offer in the mail, nothing should be taken for granted, even if they flat out tell you the job is yours.

40. If you could sum up 2008 in three words, what would they be?

Yes we can.