via Pilgrim Steps.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Hire a personal trainer — it took me all year to get around to doing it though.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

In addition to #1, I vowed to work down my stash of yarn and finish UFOs (unfinished projects).  I’ll post recently finished projects (RFOs) soon.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No close relatives, but some friends and acquaintances.
4. Did anyone close to you die?

Sort of.  Friends of mine from church lost their daughter in a ski accident the day of President Obama’s inauguration.  I did not know the daughter well but am very fond of the parents.
5. What countries did you visit?

Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary — all on the same bike trip.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

More time for art (knitting and other crafts, guitar), less time for dealing with senseless crap at work.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The inauguration of President Obama.  Although I have been critical of his performance, the significance of his election to the history of race relations in the U.S.  is undeniable.

Just as significant, though, was the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.  It symbolizes have far we have to go.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Writing the first four chapters of my book on the history of emergency contraception.

9. What was your biggest failure?

“Failure is impossible!”  — Susan B. Anthony

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, I crashed my bike back in May.  It wasn’t my fault but  it wounded my pride more than my body.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My Honda Fit sport.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Senator Al Franken.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Senator Joe Lieberman.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage, utilities, taxes.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The trip to Eastern Europe.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Well, since this was the year of the anti-tax teaparties and teabaggers,  “Have a Cuppa Tea” by the Kinks suits this year perfectly.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
 a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?

Happier, fatter, and due to furlough days and salary freeze, slightly poorer.  Still, I’m grateful I have a job.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Playing my guitar.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Reading and posting on Facebook.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With family in Vermont.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

No (already was).

22. What was your favorite TV program?

“Bones.”

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt (review coming soon).

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I’ve been using a P.A. during guitar lessons — my singing isn’t so bad.

26. What did you want and get?

A new car.
27. What did you want and not get?

Universal health care.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

“Inglourious Basterds.”
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Went to see “Pirate Radio.” (my second fave for 2009) —   I turned 46.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Seeing Hilary Rodham Clinton elected president, or at least selected as VP.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

One step short of being nominated for “What Not to Wear.”

32. What kept you sane?

Knitting — it’s like constructive meditation.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

David Boreanaz.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Reproductive rights.

35. Who did you miss?

Although I wasn’t a big fan, I really am going to miss Michael Jackson.
36. Who was the best new person you met?

Gloria Steinem.  Runner-up — Merlin Mann.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

How to hack my way out of writer’s block. (thanks to campus visit by Merlin Mann).

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

From “Have a Cuppa Tea”:

Whatever the situation whatever the race or creed,
Tea knows no segregation, no class nor pedigree
It knows no motivations, no sect or organisation,
It knows no one religion,
Nor political belief.

Have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea,
have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea,
Halleluja, halleluja, halleluja, Rosie Lea
Halleluja, halleluja, halleluja Rosie Lea.