As we were driving through the Valley today we saw this enormous "X" in the clouds. It was a bit freaky actually. Reminded me of Independence Day. I kept waiting for the Mother Ship to break through the clouds and shoot it's phaser weapon.
The picture doesn't really give the scale of the thing...it was miles long. Odd.
Today's upset of the Titan's sealed my on-going question of whether I should root for the Ravens. Count me as a fan and send me some Raven's apparel. A Joe Flacco Jersey for my upcoming 40th would be nice.1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Flow Yoga at Pepperdine Rec…it was awesome! I'm definitely hoping to do more Yoga in 2009. Great exercise, terrific calming atmosphere, and low-impact. (I wish I could count the Rose Parade, but technically that was 2009).
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm not a resolutions kind of guy any more. However, I've been satisfied with the life I've lived in 2008 in all the usual resolution categories.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Hmmm…I don't think so. Lots of friends from church, but no family members (that I can remember!).
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A new house with an ocean view. Seriously.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Well… I can't think of any. Lots of special memories, but not date related.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
It's a tie between maintaining a healthy lifestyle for another year and finally resubmitting a journal article that's been on my desk for nearly a year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Spending too much time on my teaching, and not enough on my research. I've enjoyed the teaching but more research for 2009…
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope! After some ear and dental issues in 2007, 2008 was free from injury and illness.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A Yamaha V-Star 1100 (and of course, the road trip I took with Mark on it).
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
So many people in my family…Matt, Madison, Marcus, Michelle. I'm so proud of Matt for learning C++, Madison for her amazing Viola skills, and Marcus for learning to read, write, and become and artist. Michelle deserves celebrating for dealing with a few very difficult situations with amazing grace and humility.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
W.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The downturn drain.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I think the Moto Tour with Mark was the most exciting thing I've done in a long time.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
This isn't really an answer to this question…but I think my favorite new artist of 2008 is Jamie Cullum. I know he's not new, but I just found him this year.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
This year was ideal…I'm exactly the same in all three of these categories. J
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Quality time with my family (he says as he sits on the couch blogging rather than interacting with either of his boys who have asked him a dozen times this morning to play something else…)
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Reading the news. This is a total waste of time and I hope to do much less of it in 2009.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my beautiful family, getting fatter and happier. Although this was the first time in my life I've not been with my parents and siblings. That was a bit odd, but we had a good time anyway.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I'm philosophically opposed to the expression "Fall In Love"…but I have had a rapid increase in positive affect towards my V-Star.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
I don't think I watched a single TV program in 2008. Unless you count a few NFL football games. If they count it had to be the first Redskins/Cowboys game this fall.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope. Same hate list as last year. I'm not saying who's on it though. J
24. What was the best book you read?
Close call… I'd have to say it's a toss-up between Crime and Punishment and Moby Dick (both of which I listened to on Audio during our cross-state summer vacation).
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jamie Cullum, and Simple Plan (which I actually "discovered" on a Scooby Doo episode Marcus watched).
26. What did you want and get?
The V-Star, time with Michelle in Europe, and a long family-vacation.
27. What did you want and not get?
A new iMac for the bedroom PC.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Ironman
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I think we went out for Sushi for my 39th bday. This year I'm hoping to do a bit more for the big day.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A yoga schedule that fit my schedule.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
In a word…transitional. I've had the opportunity to redo my wardrobe over the past 18-months.
32. What kept you sane?
Absolutely nothing.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Obama
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Another toss-up…between Guantanamo Bay and the toothless SEC/Fed
35. Who did you miss?
All my family at Christmas.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
This is actually a tough question…I don't know that I've met many new people lately. I'm kind of in a "go deep and narrow" phase in my personal life. I don't have the time and space for many new people. That sounds awful, doesn't it?
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Fiction is more fun (and instructive) than non-fiction.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
After years of expensive education,
a car full of books and anticipation,
I'm an expert on Shakespeare and that's a hell of a lot
but the world don't need scholars as much as I thought.
Jamie Cullum-TwentySomething
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| 2009-Q1-Rose Parade |
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