2018: The Wig that Was

Remember last year when I lambasted myself for doing this in April? Let’s remember those halcyon days as we gather together here together in autumn. It’s been a year, my god it’s been a year. I’m only now getting my head around a lot of it. Let’s begin.

2018 Year in Review 

1. What did you do in 2018 that you'd never done before? 

Shot a gun, went to a baseball game, had anesthesia.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

2018’s resolutions 

1.       4 glasses of water a day 

2.       6 books read 

3.       Pay down our debt by half 

4.       Gym twice a week 

Short. Simple. Challenging. 

1. I think I actually did this one. TB always gets on me to drink water and his nagging is having a positive effect. Don’t tell him I said this

2.     2) Didn’t manage this. Got 3 down, which is… a number.

3.     3) Well, sort of? Paid off one of three credit cards and cut that shit up, getting close on another, last one is a disaster. But we’re making progress.

4) please go away

I think just survival for 2019 is all I want. And to keep up the water thing.

3.  Did anyone close to you give birth? 

My coworker H made an adorable little bub in October. Our friend C let us chill with her new addition who was born in March. A few acquaintances here and there. You know, 30s-something life.

4.  Did anyone close to you die? 

Well, they weren’t a person yet, but they did die, and inside of me is as close as one can get so… I don’t really know how to answer this one yet.

5.  What countries did you visit? 

Peru 4 times in 4 months! The food was awesome, got to see friends and do some challenging work. Afterwards, TB joined me for a week which was fantastic – it’s wonderful seeing someone you love thrive outside their comfort zone. Toured Machu Picchu, ate our weight in ceviche and sea urchin– a really excellent time. Then the requisite trips back home to Canada to remember our roots.

6.  What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018? 

A paid off credit card, a successful pregnancy 

7.  What date from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 

October 2nd, when I found out my life was about to change. November 2, when it actually changed, but not in the way I'd thought it would.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? 

After months of preparation, the Summit went off practically without a hitch - very proud to be a part of that team. And went on to organize the Peru trip for us as well as 3 colleagues/friends and that was hugely successful, even though it was a lot of work to organize all the moving parts. I also came right back into another huge work event, and negotiated high-level resolutions for the first time and pulled it off. Felt really good about that.

9.  What was your biggest failure? 

Still can’t figure out how to get ahead with my budgeting. And I think I only speak half a Spanish now, at best.

10.  Did you suffer illness or injury? 

Had two absolutely terrible colds that lasted well over 2 weeks and that was brutal. Also, got altitude sickness which, we learned, is no fucking joke.

11.  What was the best thing you bought? 

I bought TB a bidet attachment for Valentine's Day (romance is not dead!) and I am honestly not exaggerating even a little bit when I say it has changed our lives forever.

12.  Whose behavior merited celebration? 

Dunkelman went through a rough patch at the end of 2018 and handled it as well as anyone could ever be expected to. I'm super proud of her. TB got me through some of our darkest days even though he himself was suffering and is just.. generally bad at watching me be sad. I'm forever grateful i hitched my wagon to his star.

13.  Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? 

A friend of Dunk's was just an absolutely horrendous woman and totally flipped on her when she needed her most. At the end of the day, it's a good thing she got off that crazy train, but my god what an asshole. 

14.  Where did most of your money go? 

medical bills and their interest, even though our care is covered. Ubers, natch. eating out under the guise of "treat yourself!" 

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

Lots of stuff! Most of the Peru trips (the one where there was only 10 days of downtime in between was rough), visits from lots of folks-  old colleagues, family, friends, and my bff. Beetlejuice the musical! Hamilton! bucket list concerts! Elton John! Paul Simon!

16.  What song(s) will always remind you of 2018? 

Let the River Run - Carly Simon
September - Earth, Wind and Fire

17.  Compared to this time last year, are you: 

i. Happier or sadder? 

ii. Thinner or fatter? 

iii. Richer or poorer? 

i. Sadder than I've been in a long time

ii. HOW DO I ALWAYS ANSWER THIS WITH FATTER?? WILL I SIMPLY GROW UNTIL I BURST MY HOUSE’S FOUNDATION?? (Fattest I’ve ever been, thanks for asking) 

iii. Actually making some headway as I said, so let's say richer.

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

studying, cooking at home, listening to music

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? 

Worrying, googling.  

20.  How did you spend Christmas? 

We'd been talking about it for years, but this was the first year we decided to combine our families Christmases. Happy to report it was a rollicking success. In the morning, I woke up in my family's home, we exchanged presents, ate cinnamon rolls and annoyed the dog. in the afternoon we headed to my inlaws where we exchanged even *more* presents annoyed even *more* dogs, ate a turkey dinner, enjoyed a walk in the snow, and then played games. Absolutely lovely. As predicted last year, we did the small extended family christmas a few days early and no one had any issues with it. Perfection. 

21.  How did you spend New Years? 

Since it was such a success last year, we headed over to Beckta for their New Year's Dinner and it went over well. I think we'll try somewhere different in the future, just to switch it up a bit. Lots of good food and lovely libations. Then we went back to my inlaws house while my SIL went to extrovert it up with her friends. We played games, watched the ball drop, managed to fuck up a confetti cannon, and figured out which bathroom had the constantly running toilet (it was the main floor powder room). Total success.

22.  Did you fall in love in 2018? 

Yes, and the bidet has decided to take my last name.

23.  How many one night stands? 

I could use a new night stand actually. <---- Never changing this answer. 

24.  What were your favorite TV programs? 

So this should be prefaced by the fact that weed became legalized this year and for the first time since high school, I imbibed. The discovery of edibles has completely blown my mind. I mention this, because our tv viewing toward the end of this year was heavily influenced by this discovery. Before edibles: Master of None, Better Call Saul After edibles: Literally anything on the Game Show Network, Every Hallmark movie ever. Before and after: Great British Bake Off. 

25.  Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? 

Other than that awful friend of Dunk's nah. Wouldn’t say hate, but some folks really got on my nerves this year but they were more fun to complain about than anything else. 

26.  What was the best book you read? 

I enjoyed the outsiders and Speak, both read on one of my very long plane rides as I decided to try and rediscover my love for teen fiction with two well known titles I had never read.

27.  What was your greatest musical discovery? 

I said this last year but I’m just going to accept that I stopped listening to new music after 2008 and I refuse to pretend anymore. I did enjoy the soundtrack to the Beetlejuice musical though, as well as grooving my way through the Elton John discography in preparation for the concert.

28.  What did you want and get? 

An American Girl doll, more outings with people

29.  What did you want and not get? 

a cleaner house, more local friends

30.  What was your favorite film of this year? 

8th grade was so so hard to watch but so very poignant and funny incredibly accurate.

31.  What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 

Such a good birthday. Jax and Dunk came down for the week and we lived. It. Up. On the actual day of my birthday we went to the Embassy where we ate free bbq, drank festive cocktails, took hilarious photo booth photos, posed with the Stanley Cup, and ate cake like it was free (it was). Then we took a long nap, before TB whisked us off to a really nice French restaurant. It was a totally wonderful day, surrounded by my favourite people. And then I was 36. 

32.  What would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

Better quality sleep. Less anxiety. 

33.  How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018? 

Bold and thematic. From novelty prints to monochromatic chicness, I really did try hard to dress my personality this year. I became known for my themed outfits at the Summit meetings and I extended my #7daysofspoopy into #fortnightoffright this year, finding 2 weeks of halloween outfits and uploading them to instagram. I also really lived for my holiday outfits. Embracing the fact that I am not, and likely never will be, a suit-wearer has been really invigorating.

34.  What kept you sane? 

Therapy. Weed. Reddit.

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

19 years running: Paul Rudd. 

36.  What political issue stirred you the most? 

Ugh. The Kavanaugh hearing and fallout was really depressing. 

37.  Who did you miss? 

My mom and my grandparents until the end of days.

Our new friends Jay and Dee who we just met moved to sunnier climes. We really missed having them nearby.  

38.  Who was the best new person you met? 

I met a woman while working on the Summits and she was just a wonderful light. We've been trying to get together ever since but have only managed a handful of drive bys unfortunately, but I was really happy to make her acquaintance as we worked together. 

39.  Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018. 

These mountains that you were carrying, you were only supposed to climb.  

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

"It's asking for the taking
Trembling, shaking
Oh, my heart is aching"

-“Let the River Run” Carly Simon