Blogoversary

I made my first post a year ago today on this blog, and I had ideas about things to say: what kind of impact keeping this online journal has had on my life, things I’ve learned, things I’ve done, etc. etc. And I don’t have them to say today, because I am not quite feeling it today, you know? My eyes are puffy, and I miss my cat, and that’s life at the moment.

While I’m on the subject, I want to thank all of you who left comments today and yesterday. Jeff and I both really appreciate all of you taking the time to stop by and leave a message. It’s been a crappy day, and you guys have really been a bright spot. Really, I can’t say how much I appreciated your messages.

You know, ironically, the events of the past day and my subsequent bloggy malaise are the very type of thing that’s made keeping this blog such an unusual and rewarding experience. You can’t plan life. It does what it wants to do, and I find myself on many days sort of trying to surf along, or sometimes sort of dog-paddling along, figuring it all out as I go. And when you keep a journal about life, sometimes the blog ends up doing what it feels like too by necessity.

So I’m beginning a new year not with plans and pithy editorializing, but with just me and my life. Just hanging out here on the internet, talking about what’s going on, and the things I do, and hopefully making a few connections with folks out there along the way.

And in many ways I think this halfway coherent post, this few sentences were the result of the latest curveball life has had to offer me, has ended up being the most appropriate blogoversary post I could have made. I’m not running the New York Times here after all … I’m running a journal here about an unplanned journey.

20 qu … well, some questions

These are usually nonsensical, but sometimes I like to do them anyway. And today seems like a good day.  I do actually like to read others’ versions.

What is in the back of your car? not sure. map, trash, a plastic folder, a magazine
Name one person that made you smile today? my Caper-kitty made me smile
What were you doing at 8 am this morning? wondering why the demon-kitten was climbing the spare mattress like a tree
What were you doing 45 minutes ago? drinking coffee, eating a doughnut, contemplating my day
What is your favorite candy bar? I don’t much like candy bars, but I’ll do plain milk chocolate.
Have you ever been to a strip club? yes
What is the best ice cream flavor? Phish Food, preferably the Phish Stick variety.
What are you wearing right now? t-shirt and some comfy pants
Have you bought any new clothing items this week? nope
When was the last time you ran? last weekend I had a nice jog
The last sporting event you watched? I don’t do sporting events
What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? butter. But an errant piece recently cracked one of my teeth, so I’m not feeling very kindly toward popcorn at the moment.
Who is the last person you sent a comment/message on Myspace? I try to ignore myspace, but I was trying to find my missing hairdresser. I was desperate.
Ever go camping? Many, many times
Do you take vitamins daily? No, they always manage to make me feel sick
Do you go to church every Sunday? No
Do you have a tan? I don’t believe I tan anymore - burn, freckle: yes
Do you like Chinese food over pizza? They’re about the same unless I’m in Chinatown
Do you drink your soda with a straw? No.
What did your last text message say? I asked the Google text-messaging service for the weather
Are you some-one’s best friend? I try not to rank friends
What are you doing tomorrow? I may eat brunch
Look to your left, what do you see? ironing board, kitchen table, cat tree, cabinet, hell, I see most of my house to the left as I’m sitting at the right wall
What color is your watch? as if I could possibly keep a watch running
What do you think of when you think of Australia? koala bears, kookaburra, desert, eucalyptus
Do you use chap stick? I’m not good at remembering such things
Do you have a dog? yep. Audrey, who turns 8 years old on the 20th. Still acts like a puppy - it’s the charm and curse of the Yorkie.
Last person you talked to on the phone? my mom, announcing she’d be at my house in 10 minutes
Have you met anyone famous? the most famous people I’ve met were R.E.M. Well, Mary Lou Retton was pretty famous at one point. Lyle Lovett and I once shared a hair salon (you want to know how big my hair was in the 80s now, don’t you?)
Any plans today? not really “plans” per se
How many states have you lived in? If DC counts, I think … 8?
Ever go to college? For too many years
Do you dye your hair? Nope. Too lazy. Was contemplating henna.
Biggest annoyance in your life right now? my effing teeth
Last song listened to? I was listening to Astrud Gilberto, I think
Can you say the alphabet backwards? if I think about it and go slowly
Do you have a maid service clean your house? I wish
Are you jealous of anyone? people who have a maid service to clean their house
Is anyone jealous of you? dunno
Do you love anyone? yes
Do any of your friends have children? one or two, mostly not. mostly they have cats.
Do you eat healthy? doughnuts and weaknesses like lemon pound cake, cheese and queso aside, yes.
What do you usually do during the day? I go to work or work at home.
Do you hate anyone that you know right now? there are people toward whom I have unkind feelings
Do you use the word ‘hello’ daily? er, never thought about it.
What color is your car? silver
Do you like cats? unfortunately. i’m not sure if they like me back.
Have you ever been to Six Flags? i’ve been to at least four different ones.
How did you get your worst scar? I had spinal surgery.

Exhaustion 1, Miriam 0

In case we’re keeping score …

14 hours of weekend overtime + 5 during the week.

1 elephant completed, 1/2 of a puppy, the head of a cat.

1 mother apologized to for being Lame on Mother’s Day.

1 Indiana Jones movie watched.  In preparation for the new one, you know.

And that is my weekend.  I feel like that cat –> looks.

Did I mention we’re having a gigantic event tomorrow?  Yeah, that’s me.