1. If you could only hear one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is a tough question. Sometimes I get into phases where I’ll only listen to one artist or band for days at a time. After consulting my iTunes library and looking at my play counts, I’ll say Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. That song is perfect in every way.
2. What one song would you like to be played at your funeral?
For a while, it’s been Closing Time by Semisonic. If you listen to the lyrics, it seems funnily appropriate. And I wouldn’t want my funeral to be a weep-fest anyway. No Sarah McLachlan songs at my wake, either!
3. What one song is best to describe your feelings right now?
Considering I’m kind of stressed, maybe…Under Pressure?
4. What one song would you like to hear when you’re sad and depressed?
When I want to feel better (sillier), I put on Cupid’s Chokehold. That song cracks me up.
5. What’s one song that you wish you’d written?
Can’t narrow it down, but anything by Tori Amos or Jewel. Love them.
I’ve always been drawn to tortured souls like Edgar Allan Poe, Virginia Woolf, and Sylvia Plath. Learning about their (depressing) lives and heartaches–and in the case of the two latter, suicides–has prompted me to read their poetry and novels. I think it’s especially insightful, knowing the backstories and in many ways, autobiographical elements in their work. For me, that knowledge makes their work more meaningful.
(Disclaimer: hope the above makes some kind of sense. Am highly medicated on Sudafed + Benadryl. Apologies if my rambles don’t read well at the moment.)
This week’s question is…not about books, but songs! I could probably go on forever, so to answer this, I consulted my iTunes library and we have:
Rise Against – The Good Left Undone
In fields where nothing grew but weeds,
I found a flower at my feet,
bending there in my direction.
I wrapped a hand around its stem
and pulled until the roots gave in,
finding there what I’ve been missing.
The lyrics to this are poetic and rather beautiful, and part of me wishes that it had been done as a ballad instead.
Radiohead – High and Dry
Two jumps in a week,
I bet you think that’s pretty clever don’t you boy?
Flying on your motorcycle,
watching all the ground beneath you drop
You’d kill yourself for recognition,
kill yourself to never, ever stop
You broke another mirror,
you’re turning into something you are not
I’ve been listening to Radiohead more, and this is one of my favorites.
Modest Mouse – Float On
Bad news comes, don’t you worry even when it lands.
Good news will work its way to all them plans.
We both got fired on exactly the same day.
Well we’ll float on, good news is on the way.
If I’m having a bad day, this always makes me feel a little less crummy. It’s upbeat without being too cheesy.
Just mis-typed that as “end of the yarn,” guess what’s on my mind? ha! Saw this meme at hello, lovely:
What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Bought a house with the bf It has helped lower my stress level considerably.
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don’t think I made any last year–because I always break them–I think I’ll probably just make very general ones for next year, like read more; knit/crochet more; and start sewing.
Did anyone close to you give birth? Not close to me, but several women at work did.
Did anyone close to you die? No
What countries did you visit? None
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? A better handle on my finances, a new/better job
What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 4, 2008: Election Day. Yes we did!
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Buying a house with M
What was your biggest failure? Not getting out of credit card debt the way I wanted to
Did you suffer illness or injury? I was sick pretty much all of March – May…I had tonsillitis twice, due to poor nutrition/lack of sleep/working two jobs at the time
What was the best thing you bought? Our house
Whose behavior merited celebration? M got a new job recently–less of a commute and more pay, hurray!
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? hmm a lot of the political stuff during the campaign had me aghast…but I’ve tried to put it out of my mind since the election took place
Where did most of your money go? House-related things, bills, yarn and books (though not nearly as much as last year; I’ve cracked down on the yarn and book stashes, go me)
What did you get really, really, really excited about?TWILIGHT ahahaha
What song will always remind you of 2008? Probably “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” – Stevie Wonder. Reminds me of the Obama events I went to since it was one of the campaign songs.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier ii. thinner or fatter? probably fatter, boo iii. richer or poorer? maybe about the same…possibly poorer, but who isn’t right now, with this economy?
What do you wish you’d done more of? read, crafty things, saved money
What do you wish you’d done less of? worry, stress, spend money
How will you be spending Christmas? Pretty low-key–we’re going to my parents’ house for lunch, after opening presents in the morning. I am simple and easily pleased, haha.
Did you fall in love? I was already in it
What was your favourite TV program? hmm I don’t watch a whole lot of TV…I watched Dirty Jobs a lot this year, and probably way too much MSNBC during the election season: Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, Morning Joe, Chris Matthews
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? What an odd question, lol…ummm Sarah Palin? Hate is a strong, strong word, I know.
What was the best book you read? Weeeeell I don’t know about “best,” because while it’s one of my favorites, I wouldn’t call it great literature, you know? We’re speaking of Twilight, of course. Also I read it three times since the summer, because I am knowingly an obsessed Twihard freakazoid. yes. Other than that, I also read The Time Traveler’s Wife, which I loved.
What was your greatest musical discovery? ooh so many:
Cat Power:
Adele:
Laura Marling:
And of course Rob Pattinson:
What did you want and get? A house with M and a little less stress as a result
What did you want and not get? Freedom from credit card debt, a new/better job
What was your favorite film of this year?oh come on!
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? ummm is it bad that I don’t really remember what I did? It was on a Saturday this year, I know I spent it with M but I didn’t do anything really unique…I turned 28.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably satisfying? To have come into an inordinate amount of cash, and paid off my debts.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? ha! hahaha. nonexistent, I’d say. That, or “comfortable.”
What kept you sane? Knitting. Also crocheting, and escapist wish fulfillment young adult novels. ahem.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?La la la la…
What political issue stirred you the most? Getting Obama elected–I don’t know how I would have reacted if he hadn’t won…!
Who did you miss? A couple people I used to know online, but have lost contact with over the years
Who was the best new person you met? The girls at Stitch & Bitch, I’d say
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: oy. ummm…be cool? Don’t sweat the small stuff? (I swear to you, I just mis-typed that as “don’t SWEATER the small stuff,” I need to go knit something ok??)
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
You realize that life goes fast
It’s hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn’t go down
It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
What is says about you: You are a creative person. You appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. You are patient and will keep trying to understand something until you’ve mastered it.
1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world 8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightning at sea 14. Taught myself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child (do dogs count?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run 32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar (hated it, thought it was gross)
72. Pieced a quilt 73. Stood in Times Square (drove through it…)
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House (I think I drove past it?)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant
Hate is a strong, strong word, I know.
Also I read it three times since the summer, because I am knowingly an obsessed Twihard freakazoid. yes. Other than that, I also read 
