2008: The Year (of Suck) in Review

Omg, dudes, it's been awhile! I've missed you. And apparently, I've missed the boat with the whole "Year In Review" blog, seeing that it's the 4th day of 2009. Whoops a daisy. Well, I'm gonna do it anyhow. I've done some extensive research on some very dependable websites (facebook and myspace) and have collected a significant amount of data and scientific questions, compiled into one "survey," as some might say. Here we go:

2008: The Year (of Suck) In Review

Where were you when 2008 began?
At the High Noon, watching bands and drinking champagne with Tara, Tom, Nick, Mercy, Lee, and a billion other people. I kissed all of their faces. I spent the next day in bed, hungover, writing blogs. Awesome.


Where will you be when 2008 ends?
Um, I was in my parents' living room at a pretty hilarious party. Check it!






Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yeah, probably like 30 or 40 times. With all of you.

How many different states did you travel to in 2008?
I had a totally sexy summer vacation in Nude England, a lovely and spooky Halloweener in Atlanta, many food-and-drink filled weekends in Chicago, and a night in Minneapolis, where I visited one of my future husbands, Bruce Springsteen.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
I missed everybody this year, man. I've been seriously missing Sarah, Jenny, Andy, Christopher, Helen, Tucky...basically everybody from college. I wish so hard that teleportation existed. Come on, science! Get on it!

What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2008?
Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny. Duh, dudes. You know what was not the best movie ever? The Sex and the City movie. I was so mad after I saw it...I'll probably watch it again some day when I'm in a better mood. But jesus...

Did you have a favorite concert in 2008?
Oh my god, there were some really good ones this year.
The Bigguns: Bruce in March, Devotchka TWICE in April, M.I.A. in April, Alice Cooper with Sweet n Sour Larry Sweeney in August, Tina Turner with my mom in September, GZA/The Black Keys/The Roots for FREE at that Southern Comfort Music Thing outside, and I guess I'll mention Poison, even though it wasn't that good...
Mediums: The Kills at the Annex, Enon at the Annex, Califone and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club separately at the High Noon (not so much because of the music, but because I got to see old friends! Aww!), Bang Camaro at the Annex, The Giraffes the first time they played here, Mr. Gnome/Leslie and the Lys/Dan Deacon during the Forward Music Fest, Holly Golightly at the Momo, but mostly because of the company (yay Jess and Laura!), Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Barrymore, Kraak and Smaak at the Majestic, The Planets at the Overture Center.
The Local Stuff: Digibot and the John Ashcroft Fan Club on Election Night, seeing Marcus King and thee Royalty for the first time, The Junkers at the Crystal, Heather's band at Mickey's, seeing the Shabelles a bunch of times, seeing Kitty Rhombus and liking them more and more each time, El Valiente at the High Noon. I know I'm forgetting some. But yes, many good ones.

High Point of the year?
I guess December 31st at 11:59 pm because the year was almost over? Okay, there were some good points. They were little, here and there, and mostly involved people I love being wonderful. Thanks, dudes.
My sister dyeing my hair and my mother washing it out in the kitchen sink. I know, it's funny, but it was great.


Having the Irish cousins visit this past week. They're some of the most genuine, sincere, lovely, loving people ever.
My trip to Nude England.

Low point of the year?
March 26th through April and a lot of May
That week at the end of July
That other week right before Thanksgiving

Best holiday?
Arbor Day, definitely. No, wait. Halloween, duh. It was a doozy this year...Gigantic warehouse party, jello shots, dancing to Rihanna and The Pussycat Dolls when Layla took over the music, eating like 20 cocktail weenies at the end of the night (this was after only eating fruit for like 5 hours - then I forgot). Being a fortune teller and making my own deck of tarot cards. Omg.



Anthem for 2008?
Rock n Roll Part 2. It became the Family Anthem...the rule is, whenever somebody starts singing it, everybody else has to stop whatever they're doing and join in on the "HEY!" part. Rules is rules...


Who did you spend your valentines with?
I honestly don't remember. This year will be different...me and Jordan Catalano all the way. He'll teach me how to drive his car, and I'll appreciate the way he leans. Like...against stuff.

Best New Relationship/Friend?
I was a lucky son of a gun this year, I gotta tell you. I met some amazing people, reconnected with others, became closer with and got to see more...fantastic times...
Best Newbies: Breena, Marc, Lacy, Jess, Laura, Anna. Friends rule...I'm such a lucky lady!
Best Reconnections: Alex/Larry Sweeney, Kevin, Jenny, Lauren, Mark
Best Others: Daniella, Lisa, Lee, Lynn, Bill, Jacob. Oh my god. Friends rule.

Best new album that you have?
Okay, I don't have it, but I love that Raconteurs album. This year I was also loving these:
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Devotchka - A Mad and Faithful Telling
Bloc Party - Intimacy
M.I.A. - Kala
Santogold - Santogold
Betty Davis - This Is It!
I've also been loving Blondie, Art Tatum, and probably a billion others. Can you tell I'm a bando?

Most proud moment?
Recitals, going to "Friends and Family Day" at Emil's school (it was also very hilarious). Starting the One Second Time Machine. I don't know, man, every time I look at my friends and family? I'm a proud, proud guy.

Most reliable person?
The Fam, Sarah, Genia, Tara.

Best job of the year?
Mine. This answer will never change, I promise you.

Favorite quote of the year?
I've given some thought to my jewelry needs, and I don't think I need gold anymore...I need something spider-based. Nothing tacky or cheap looking...I need, like...a pretty web necklace. -a Gem from Sara

Rate 2006 on a scale of 1-10(best)
Ugh. A 5 maybe? Such a year of suck...more sadness and tragedy and awfulness than I've ever seen in one year, seriously. Between the deaths and divorces and sickness, I don't even know. Not to mention the economy. But I learned a lot. My Saturn hit me very hard, and I'm a much better person for it. Much more mature - in fact, when I wrote "person" back there, at first I spelled it "peeson" and laughed for about five minutes. See? More mature.

Plans for 09?
Stick with this whole less tumultuous, quieter thing I've got going on. Less drama. More of what I want. More of what I need. A big trip somewhere with Sarah to celebrate our 30th bdays. Keep eating right and cooking awesomely. Evaluate exactly what is keeping me in Madison. Buy a better Ipod. Book club! Keep writing, specifically my blog.

Thumbs up, 2009! Stay classy!