End of the Year Meme

Still getting back into the swing of blogging again, and with a departure for parts homeward happening in the wee small hours of tomorrow (no one on the road but me and the drunks), this might be it for awhile. I saw this over at Maggie's awhile back and it seemed like as good a way of catching up (with where I'm at, with blogging, with whatever) as anything, so...

1. Will you be looking for a new job?

Still. Ugh. I think I've got 11 applications still out there; no word from the two places I did some sort of interview with. And again, I'm thinking about jumping the academic ship (or shark - pick your metaphor) if something good doesn't turn up.

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?

This question makes my head hurt. Honestly, should a meme make me feel like I'm on the phone with my parents?

3. New house?

Probably. I've moved ever year for the last decade, so why break the trend? And if I get a new job, it'll be a certainty.

4. What will you do different in 08?

This sounds like a sneaky way of asking about a New Year's Resolution (see the next question), but generally, I'll be a bit more healthy than the last half of '07. And I'll try to be a bit better about protecting my time and energy from the job.

5. New Years resolution?

I don't really do resolutions since it seems to me that if you want to do something, there's no need to tie it to the change of the year. Seems like making an event out of them - putting them up for display - just adds pressure to them.

6. What will you not be doing in 08?

Not letting the degree dictate so much of the rest of my life.

7. Any trips planned?

Flying home tomorrow for a few days; hopefully to see some friends in various drivable locations throughout the term.

8. Wedding plans?

I barely plan my meals. Let's be serious. Though if I attend one, I plan to object, just because I want to be at a wedding where someone objects.

9. Major thing on your calendar?

The book submission.

10. What can’t you wait for?

Summertime. Also the return of "Battlestar Galactica."

11. What would you like to see happen differently?

Driving in this city, politics in this country, peace in this world, meaning in this universe.

Also I'd like to be able to find my favorite beers wherever I live.

12. What about yourself will you be changing?

I'd like to have a lifestyle again, as opposed to having a sort of "sleep mode" between teaching assignments.

13. What happened in 07 that you didn’t think would ever happen?

Paris! Also having to get a roommate as Ph.D. to pay the bills.

14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?

I hope so, which isn't to say I'm not nice to them. But who wouldn't want to be nicer?

15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07?

Two words: latex kilts.

Okay. Seriously, no, probably no differently than before.

16. Will you start or quit drinking?

I long for the days of bourbon smoothies in the office with my fellow grad students, but really, I'll probably just keep the same habits here, thanks.

17. Will you better your relationship with your family?

I will if they will.

18. Will you do charity work?

I could argue that teaching this much for this little while having no life is pretty much charity work, but that's not what the question means I'm guessing. So probably a little but not as much as I should.

19. Will you go to bars?

I'm sure sometimes. But probably not much.

20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know?

As with being nice to the people I care about, I hope I'll be nice to people I don't know. I'll start by voting against wars and such.

21. Do you expect 08 to be a good year for you?

I do indeed.

22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?

I'm edging closer to financially stable (albeit at a fairly glacial pace), I've got a good sense of how much I'm willing to take, and I'm starting to get a pretty good sense of what I'm willing to give.

23. Do you plan on having a child?

And miss the only time I'd ever use a hockey metaphor in my life? Hell no. Besides, that's not how my family does it.

24. Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?

I'd like to keep the old ones and add some new ones, please.

25. Major lifestyle changes?

This question made me think of the line, "Looks like a picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue."

But really, I don't feel like I've got much of a lifestyle so any change feels like it would be major. I hope they're good ones.

26. Will you be moving?

Oh, I do so hope to move!

27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 08 that happened in 07?

I don't think I've quite that much control over the universe. But I intend to allow more time and resources so that I can do things I want rather than just the things I have to do.

28. What are your New Years Eve plans?

Packing to go home, possibly talking to a few drunk friends around the country.

29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?

Does a lick on the face from my dog count?

30. One wish for 08?

Three more wishes. And if you're sticklers that say you can't do that, then I'd wish for a satisfying, comfortably paid job in a place that offers me all the sorts of things I like to do with a slice of cheesecake.

And with that, a Happy New Year (and a piece of cheesecake) to you all!