50 things that made my year

I got this idea from Tim, who was inspired by another blogger. They both went to 100, but I found 50 to be… well, easier.

In no particular order, fifty things that made my year in 2014:

1. ringing in 2014 in Fort Kickass
2. yoga
3. headstands and the other cool stuff I’m learning to do with my body. That sounds dirty.
4. construction of the Green Line finally finished and now I get to take the train to work
5. my resolutions for the year: eat more cheese and eat more burritos. Massive successes.
6. that time the White House had a real-life Big Block of Cheese Day
7. that genius burrito Kickstarter campaign
8. the even more amazing Reading Rainbow campaign
9. we got rid of our janky old car
10. I learned to knit
11. PuppyCam happened again
12. that time Enli and I encountered a squirrel in the yard carrying an entire egg roll in its mouth.
13. RiffTrax Live was perhaps a life-changing experience.
14. Clay Aiken ran for Congress, his opponent died, and he still lost.
15. Finally took Darren to the original motherland of Bagley, WI. It was kind of sad, but I’m glad we made it there anyway.
16. So many office happy hours.
17. Peanut Butter Oreos
18. I started making my own BBQ sauce and life may never be the same.
19. The horrible upstairs neighbors broke up and moved out.
20. that time I saw Derek Jeter in real life and spent the rest of the day singing Derek Jeter’s Taco Hole.
21. Sharknado 2 and the existence of the Sharknado theme song
22. the day of my oldest brother’s wedding, I learned that my Twinkle is gonna be a dad (in like 2 1/2 months, whaaaat!)
23. So, yeah: Cody got married, Tyler got engaged, Kyle and Jenna are having a baby. I’m piggybacking off my brothers and their Big Life Events.
24. that time a bunch of us only worked until noon and then went to a baseball game
25. playing Goldeneye for the first time in probably 15 years
26. midterm elections happened and I got to experience the joy of not voting for Mike McFadden.
27. we went to a hunting-themed wedding where the groom wore a camouflage tuxedo jacket and it made my life.
28. I watched so much good TV, thanks in large part to Netflix. Psych, Twin Peaks, all of Gilmore Girls, yet another West Wing rewatch… to name a few.
29. the OMG Literally Dead Instagram account
30. spending a day swimming and bar-hopping with Brenna, and more friends joining in
31. lunch on the “patio” at the Blue Door with Kate, in the rain
32. so many birthday cupcakes!
33. I finally read The Princess Bride
34. Other “made my year” books I read: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Hyperbole and a Half, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, The Ocean at the End of the Lane
35. mom gave us copies of her pregnancy notes so I scanned ’em.
36. watching Enli and Winston wrestle
37. I saw a very impressive Beatles tribute show
38. I made cheese
39. yet another excellent day at the State Fair
40. we put in new seats at the Orpheum and it was crazytown.
41. I crocheted several adorable things for Fetus Johnston.
42. these ladies
43. this guy
44. these little monsters
45. air plants and my ability to actually keep them alive
46. when Kelsey’s question for Nick Offerman ended up on the Tonight Show.
47. this picture of me and my dad
48. all the things that made (and continue to make) me laugh really hard, like this gif.
49. meeting a bunch of new friends
50. many, many excellent cups of coffee.

2014, as she happened.

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I made two resolutions: 1) eat more cheese. 2) eat more burritos. Yes I did keep them, thank you very much. I might even make the same resolutions for 2015.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Someone people I’m FB friends with, but not real-life friends. SOON THOUGH. Soooooooon.

Did anyone close to you die?

Not as of today, and it better stay that way.

What countries did you visit?

Alas, I only got as far as Wisconsin.

What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?

Okay, I always say more money, but that will be true until I win the lottery (which will be never because I don’t play the lottery). More travel, too.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Another year has passed without a fetus. Win.
OH AND I learned to do a headstand.

What was your biggest failure?

I didn’t get around to paying off my Macy’s card. So close! Fuck you, Macy’s.

What was the best thing you bought?

Subaru!

Whose behavior merited celebration?

I’m drawing a blank here.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Uh, basically all the police at this point, and the whole justice system.

Where did most of your money go?

The shaggin’ wagon, which I love, but goddamn if we haven’t spent a lot of money on it.

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

Yoga.

What song will always remind you of 2014?

I don’t think there is one. I feel like there’s rarely a song that will always make me think of a specific year. One exception is Grand Theft Autumn, which takes me right back to 2004.
Although, “I Don’t Give A Shit About Anything” by The Drug Budget might get the job done.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or Sadder?

Happier.

Thinner or fatter?

I think thinner? Maybe I’m the same, but with more abs.* Not fatter though, so that’s nice.
*My abs are only visible when I flex, and even then it’s only the top two. Don’t be too impressed.

Richer or poorer?

I got a raise a few months ago, so richer by default.

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Adventuring.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Drinking, although I’ve improved.

How will you be spending Christmas?

Christmas Eve with my family as always. Although we still don’t know whether or not Darren will be able to come. Stupid work.

Did you fall in love in 2014?

Only with things. Obviously I still love Darren and my friends and my pets, but I already fell in love with all of them.

How many one-night stands?

The likelihood of me having a one night stand is extremely slim.

What was your favorite TV program?

Hmm…  I’d have to say The Mindy Project.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Newp.

What was the best book you read?

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

The Drug Budget has been around for a lot longer, but I first heard them play on NYE. Quite good. Quite.

What did you want and get?

A new car!

What did you want and not get?

A bigger apartment.

What were your favorite films of this year?

New films? Guardians of the Galaxy was the only movie I’ve in the theatre this year. I guess I still have two weeks to change that…

What did you do on your birthday?

We went to dinner at Flame (RIP) and I had a really amazing burger, but I also paid for a single trip through the salad bar just so I could get a shitload of those cheesy hashbrowns. I will miss you, cheesy hashbrowns. Then we went to the bar, which was not planned as a birthday thing but y’know. Wingin’ it.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?

If I could live in leggings and tunics (or long, flowy cardigans) I’d be a happy camper.

What kept you sane?

Yoga and Netflix. Not at the same time.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Taran Killam. Or maybe Chris Pratt.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Bitches trying get all up in my uterus.

Who did you miss?

My mom.

Who was the best new person you met?

Probably Mat. Yay Mat!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014:

Something boring about making sure your income tax withholding is correct. No shit.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Life is a playground, but it takes a lot of work.