2009 Survey

What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Went to a Spiritualist Church. Loved it, and kept going. Told a Pentecostal Pastor I am gay and got the expected response. More his loss than mine.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolution, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t make resolutions. I set goals. I met most of the ones I set for 2009

Did anyone close to you give birth?
 
My niece.
 
Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, my supervisor and good friend from my previous job died of cancer. My partner’s dad died of cancer.

What countries did you visit?

Just stayed home in Australia, the lucky country.

What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
 
More peace and tranquility. More friends.

What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Don’t know the date, but January-February were fairly memorable, because those months brought the deaths mentioned above.
 
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
 
Getting through it.
 
What was your biggest failure?

I missed my plane to come home from Adelaide, which in the greater scheme of things is not that huge, but at the time it was a huge embarassment and inconvenience. Not to mention financially expensive.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

 I suffer from chronic illness, so yes I did, but my lot in life is not as bad as what some others had to face this year. I am alive, I breathe and walk and I can see…

What was the best thing you bought?
 
iPod Nano

Whose behavior merited celebration?

My daughter, for getting through another year of her nursing degree. So proud!
 
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The attitude of the pastor whom I told I am gay depressed me for a while, because it is so opposite to what Christ taught. In the end, though, I decided it was not worth stewing over something I cannot change so I changed the thing I can–my ‘religion.’
 
 
 
Where did most of your money go?

On books.

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

I can’t remember being THAT excited about anything in 2009, but I did get excited a few times, mostly involving getting together with people I love. My trip to Melbourne in February with my daughters and then a trip to Adelaide in May were highlights of the year.

What song will always remind you of 2009?

Obladi oblada for the early part of 2009 and For Baby (For Bobby) for the latter part.

Compared to last year, are you:

Happier/Sadder? Much the same, but last year (2009) I was a little less happy at this time than I am this year 2010.

– Thinner or fatter?

Thinner today than I was last January 2nd. I set a goal to lose weight during 2009 and I reached that goal. I put a little bit on again over the holidays, but I am still thinner than I was this time last year.

– Richer or poorer?  

Richer in the things that really matter, like love, family, friends and faith.
 
What was your favorite TV program?

Supernatural

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t last year?
 
I don’t like to use the word hate. Also, I have not fallen out with any of my friends or family, so no. I don’t have less liking for anyone now than I had for them last year.

What was the best book you read?

Good heavens! That’s impossible. I read many good books during the year! I don’t read bad books. If the book doesn’t grip me in the first few pages, I give it up. If you want to know what I read, glance back through my entries and you’ll find a list somewhere of the books I read most recently.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

I don’t make musical discoveries. That’s for agents/record producers. I like Stan Walker though, Australian Idol 2009.
 
What did you want and get?

Many things.

What did you want and not get?

A few things.

What was your favorite film(s) of this year?
 
Ice Age 3 on BluRay.
Knowing

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

I went out for lunch at the Hogs Breath Cafe with Sandra and my kids. I loved the day, and I was 46.

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

I don’t think there could be anything that would have made the year more satisfying. Things happen as they’re meant to happen and being unsatisfied with that is an exercise in futility.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Well, I don’t really have a ‘concept’ of fashion, apart from the thought that what is seen on the runways is not made for real people. I wear comfy clothes and try to look neat and tidy. That’s about it.

What kept you sane?

My partner, who is very good at grounding me sometimes painfully, when I fly off on a tangent. Finding friends and a church who accept me

for who I am and don’t judge. I will always be grateful for Mana Atua (Source Within) Church, my new pastor Myra, my friends Anna, Linda, Wendy and Bev and the "Tuesday night ‘Circle’."

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy most?

Fancy? Hmmm I am a fan of Johnny Depp.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Politics do not move me in the least. However, I am a firm advocate for civil rights for all people.

Who did you miss?

My mother, my friend, Niki who died in January. Many others at various times.

Who was the best new person you met?

There’s no ONE particular best. I met some wonderful people in 2009 both online and offline. They’re all a special part of my life now and no one is more special than another.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Be myself, speak my truth, don’t allow anyone to put me down.
 

If you could sum up 2009 in three words, what would they be?
 
Coming back home.