Thursday, December 08, 2005

2005 - Lauren's Year In Review

Well. . . . Since Babs tagged me, I guess I need to step up to the challenge. . . . You asked. . . .

1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn't done before?
Designed and executed a complete decorating plan for my home including furniture, paint, new lighting fixtures and accent pieces.

2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Two of my co-workers became first-time fathers. It’s fun watching them turn to mush over their new daughters.

3. Did anyone close to you die?
My friend Paul died suddenly in April. Massive heart attack. He was only 51.

4. A -Did you travel?
Unfortunately, my summer travel plans were dashed when the Michigan Treasury Department demanded payment of tobacco taxes for cigarettes I purchased from out of state. They went back to 2000. . . $3,400.00 later. . . . It was pay or go to jail. . .

4 B - Where did you go?
From broke to broker LOL!!!

4 C - Best holiday memory?
I really don’t get excited about holidays. . . It’s all too commercial any more.

5. Best thing you bought?
My new living room furniture (1 week before I got hit with 4A).

6. Where did most of your money go?
See 4A and 5 LOL!!!

7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Taking time off from work. . . I still have 2 weeks of vacation to use it by March 1, 2006 or I lose it. . .

8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Working 60 hour weeks

9. What kept you sane?
Are you serious??? Me sane????

10. What drove you mad?
The homophobic attitudes of several of my co-workers. . . This senseless war in Iraq. . . Watching right-wing Christian bigots get their way with our national leadership. . . Watching round after round of cuts at my job, knowing I could be next at any time.

11. What made you celebrate?
My Niece was crowned Homecoming Queen (OK, that was in 2004), graduated from High School with Honors and has gone off to college. She is so grown up now. . . .

12. What made you sad?
See 4A, 7, 8 and 10. . .

13. How was your birthday this year?
I don’t have birthdays. . . Age is a number. I am only as old as I feel. . .

14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
President Shit-For-Brains and his stupid war in Iraq killing our young people for no good reason. And killing people over there for no good reason. The renewed campaign by right-wing bigots to legislate non-heterosexual people out of existence. . . Or at least back into the closet. . . I’m GENDER-DIFFERENT. . . Deal with it!!!!!!!

15. Where you in love in 2005?
No. I fear it may be a long time before I have enough trust in another human being to say, honestly, I am in love with them in the romantic sense.

16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have this year?
A new job where I’m not constantly worried that I may be unemployed at any moment. A job where I don’t have to listen to a bunch of homophobic males use the word FAG on a daily basis. . . My self-confidence back so I can get out and enjoy myself. . .

17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
April 12, the day my friend Paul died so suddenly.

18. What song will remind you of 2005?
No contest here. . . Rob Thomas. . . Lonely No More. . .

19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
No.

20. Biggest achievement this year?
My first total home decorating effort. All the hours of painting, shopping, rearranging, searching for just the right accessories are rewarded every time someone walks in and says WOW!

21. Biggest disappointment this year?
The giant step backward I have taken in my gender identity issues. . . I miss being out in the world, having fun with others. I really don’t understand what has happened to me or why. . .

22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
Not having to write the answer I just made to question 21.

23. Best new person you met this year?
Naming just one is not possible. . . . All of my new Blog friends are so special to me. Several new people I have met face-to-face are also hard to choose between. . .

24. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year?
Friendship and trust are too valuable to lose.

Good or bad, there it is folks. . ..
Posted by Lauren :: 6:14 PM :: 3 comments

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