Happy New Year!

Around this time a year or so ago, I did a meme about looking forward to the next year. And since I'm home visiting family, and New Year's was last night, I thought I might revisit it. I'm going to tweak it a little, as a lot of these questions feel like they're targeted at my students instead of me, so where I'm able there will be a new question.

Incidentally, I saw Bittersweet Girl's Brave Year Meme, and I'm thinking long and hard about it, so it'll probably be up soon. But if you haven't seen it, check it out. It's a nice way of thinking about the year behind you.

1. Will you be looking for a new job?

I am. I've got a ton of applicaitons still out and two scheduled interviews. But I'm not putting all my faith in that, as I think that's how many interviews I had last year (I could look back, but I'm too lazy for that at the moment). S0 I'm starting to try to work on a resume for positions outside of academia. If anyone's got advice or good resources to point to for making that transition, I'd love to see 'em.

2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?

Last year's answer was cynical, wasn't it? But then, so is this question. Or at least it's short sighted. I know that it is trying to imply a dating relationship (for which the answer is no), but to relationships in general - friends, colleagues, collaborators - hell, yes.

3. New house?

Interestingly, I didn't move this last year, a first in about 12 years. But if I get a new job, yes.

4. What will you do different in 09?

It still sounds like a resolution question (again, see the next question). But generally, I'm going to try to manage my work habits a bit better. And I'm going to keep on working towards paying down debt.

5. New Years resolution?

Quoted from last year's answer: "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 09?

Taking on an overload schedule unless the pay's substantially better, for one thing.

7. Any trips planned?

A conference in February, two campus interviews, and I've got a travel voucher that has to be used. And I'm hoping to hit a conference in Mexico this summer.

8. Wedding plans?

Maybe my answer last year about planning to object if I was invited to a wedding resulted in no invitations (really it's that almost everyone I know is now married). But no, no plans, though I still sometimes fantasize about a quicky wedding in Vegas where I'm dressed as Elvis. It'd be fun for a weekend.

9. Major thing on your calendar?

The next part of the book, and hopefully it's summer publication. The publication of my book chapter that was submitted. I wish I had some major event planned that wasn't about work.

10. What can’t you wait for?

Quoted from last year: "Summertime. Also the return of 'Battlestar Galactica'."

11. What would you like to see happen differently?

At least from last year, politics in this country seems to be changing. Maybe this year will bring the other things.

12. What about yourself will you be changing?

I've got a sliver more of a life than last year, so I'm going to work to see more of that happening. I'm also hoping to get back to the gym regularly.

13. What happened in 08 that you didn’t think would ever happen?

Continuing to live with a roomate to pay the bills.

14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about? What a bogus question. Who is going to say no to it? So, new question: What can you do to be nicer to those around you?

Try to listen a bit longer before launching into the Grand Solution I've Envisioned 20 Seconds In.
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 07? I've given up trying to jump cliques. So, new question: What did you do well in '08?

I did a good job trying to get things published. And I've learned to say no a bit more to projects at work.

16. Will you start or quit drinking?

I probably should have thrown this question out, too, but whatever. I don't drink much, and I don't plan on changing.

17. Will you better your relationship with your family?

Quoted from last year: "I will if they will."

18. Will you do charity work?

I hate this question, too, since the tendency is to want to say "Yes" no matter what. I did a little last year, and I'll probably do a little this year. I'm trying to bring some of it in to one of my classes. We'll see how it goes.

19. Will you go to bars? What, am I 22? New question: Where would you like to go this year that isn't related to work?

London. Or Italy. Or a beach somewhere (maybe Thailand?)

20. Will you be nice to people you don’t know? Again, who is going to say no to this? I did vote against wars, and we won! But new question: What's something new you'd like to try this year?

I'd like to try to write a novel. Or skydive, finally

21. Do you expect 09 to be a good year for you?

I do indeed.

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

Much closer to having a lot of stupid bills paid off. I've learned to limit some of what I do for the job. Other than that, I'm probably largely the same.

23. Do you plan on having a child?

Nope.

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

Quoted from last year: "I'd like to keep the old ones and add some new ones, please."

25. Major lifestyle changes?

None that I can think of. More lifestyle, I suppose.

26. Will you be moving?

Quoted from last year: "Oh, I do so hope to move!"

27. What will you make sure doesn’t happen in 09 that happened in 08?

I still don't have quite that much control over the universe.

28. What are your New Years Eve plans?

After the fact, I spent New Year's Eve with my family, and talking to a few friends.

29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?

I didn't.

30. One wish for 09?

A good year for all my friends and family, many of whom have had a rougher 08 than I would have liked.