1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Went to New Zealand and flew Air New Zealand. Their food was terrible!! Entered my first recreational bike ride which I’m doing on Saturday. Broke the 60kms marker on a bike.
2. Did you keep your new year resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I fail to see the point of new year resolutions so therefore don’t make them.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, my sister. She had a son, Liam, who weighed in at 10.3lbs (!!!)
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.
5. What countries did you visit?
America and New Zealand.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Less debt! More money to squander on all those things that I want. I can’t complain though. I have a lot less debt then most people.
7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 30 – day I flew out to America. September 5 – day I flew out to New Zealand with my friends for a group holiday. And I’m thinking December 12 will stick out as well.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Riding to Black Rock for the first time. It always seemed so far away (54kms to be exact) and I thought I’d never be able to do it. I think when I cross the finish line of Scotty’s Ride on Saturday that’ll be a big achievement. Sometimes I think my biggest achievement is the fact that I’m still here. (Not exactly in the most chipper of places right now.)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Putting on five kilos over winter. It seems to happen every year. I work insanely hard to lose the weight only to lapse and put it all back on. It’s slowly coming back off now.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I fell off my bike in July and messed myself up pretty good. Took nearly five months for my right hip to heal. Probably didn’t help that I fell over onto it whilst attempting to learn to ski.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Without a doubt, my bike. Words can’t express how much I love her and cycling in general.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My brother and his girlfriend for coming to get me when I fell of my bike. My brother checked out my bike to make sure she was okay and then they put up with me watching all three seasons of Avatar: the Last Airbender because I couldn’t get off the couch without my hip swelling for about three days.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The moronic cyclists who run red lights, act like idiots on the road and make everyone hate us. And the car drivers who are openly hostile to cyclists.
14. Where did most of your money go?
On my bike and the required accouterments. Also on my trips to America and New Zealand.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
It took a while but I did get super excited about going to America again. The road trip from LA to San Fran was one of the highlights of my year. And it was so wonderful to see everyone and get hugs from them. Plus I got to visit San Fran and discover a city I utterly adore.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Umm… I have no idea. Nothing is springing to mind.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Right now, sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? fatter I think. But it could be about the same
iii. richer or poorer? Way poorer. 2009 has been an expensive year.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Ate better so that I didn’t get so fat! And more cycling. I’m sure I could’ve squeezed more in.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being so hard on myself. I’m my own worst critic and I always think the worst of myself. Hence my riding partner saying he was going to whack me one because he paid me a compliment and I immediately came out with some self-depreciating comment.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With the family as I do every year. Hhmm… time to think about what horror movie I want to watch on xmas eve.
22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
No.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Avatar: the Last Airbender, Entourage, Supernatural, FlashForward, Californication, Castle, Top Gear and Dexter. I also really like Lie to Me even though Tim Roth usually freaks me out. I like Glee too but I can see the novelty wearing off really quickly.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope.
26. What was the best book you read?
Umm… I really, really enjoyed The True Story of Butterfish by Nick Earls.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I seem to be more about what I know these days then finding anything new.
28. What did you want and get?
A new bike 🙂
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Star Trek. I think I was exactly the audience they were trying to reach. I’m not a Star Trek fan at all but I really enjoyed the movie. Also Up! and District 9. I really looking forward to seeing Avatar at imax.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was at work. My workmates took me out to lunch. We had cupcakes from Little Cupcakes 🙂
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Feeling like I have a better idea of where I’m going and what I’m doing. I feel really directionless at the moment so it’s hard.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Same as last year. Got blue sneakers though.
34. What kept you sane?
It’s debatable that anything has but I must say all the cycling makes me a happier person, most of the time.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ummm… no one is springing to mind.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I’m getting politically lazy because nothing reached out and really grabbed my attention this year.
37. Who did you miss?
I haven’t really missed anyone. It was weird when my brother moved into his house with his girlfriend. I came home to a house that echoed.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Is it terrible that I can’t think of anyone?
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009
That I need to have more faith in myself and my abilities. I can do the things I want to if I put my mind to it.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Last year it was so easy to come up with something. This year I’m totally stumped.