1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Lived in a foreign country. Spent four months away from all of my friends and family. Smoked legal and illegal substances. Blacked out from drinking at Frulingsfest in Munich. Surfed. Spent a solid amount of time single, something I honestly hadn’t done until that point in my adult life. Slept with a best friend. Learned to cook and really appreciate wine. Saw my parents, specifically my dad, completely relax and enjoy themselves — vivere la dolce vita, as it were.Visited a concentration camp and felt the permeating sorrow of thousands. Felt inexplicably empowered by traveling alone, making the best of weird situations and learning to be more bold in making requests from people and making them explicitly aware of my expectations. Got over working for Disney, and started to think bigger.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t remember making resolutions last year, I don’t even remember what I was doing. Some resolutions for this year:
- Take a self-portrait every day for 365 days.
- Document my life a bit better.
- Read at least two books a month.
- Make more art.
- Get back into the exercise routine I had going.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Jordan, on Christmas day!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
High school acquaintances, strange and sad.
5. What countries did you visit?
Italy, France, Germany, England, Ireland, Spain.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Financial discipline.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- January 27th: I flew to Florence, Italy.
- March 28th-April 11th: My parents came to see me in Italy.
- The week of May 17th: I came home to California, saw The Decemberists, Manchester Orchestra and fun. shows, caught up with all of my friends, Poultry Challenged, dined at Club 33 and graduated from Chapman University.
- September 11th: I hosted the Walt Disney Studios day at the D23 convention; Kermit waved to me, I was less than five feet away from Johnny Depp dressed as Captain Jack, and Tim Burton picked me out of a crowd of tour guides (recognized me from tours past), came over to say hi and share a hug.
- December 31st: Blue Moon with Luna, a perfect night.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’d say graduating college, but that really wasn’t challenging. I’m really proud of the silver octopus ring I made, and my progression in pastel life drawing.
9. What was your biggest failure?
A stupid multi-night stand choice.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was pretty sick in the middle of October, and then gave it to Chris. In a funny way it brought us together, as far as I can pinpoint, that was the beginning of the “official relationship,” blah, blah.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
MacBook, plane tickets, Chianti Classico.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My brother; who, while living in a frat house, manages to retain a good balance of dignity, personal boundaries and scathing reviews of skank bitches, when pressed.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Disneyland management.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Lady Gaga will probably always remind me of Italy, because the clubs would play her shit back to back, but this year I became entirely obsessed with The Format and their album Dog Problems.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 2009 was easily the best year of my life, so far.
b) thinner or fatter? I don’t fluctuate much.
c) richer or poorer? Oh man, 2009 was an experience in extreme debt.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Made more friends faster at the beginning of the semester in Florence, surfing.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
I did a lot of parading around like a raging bitch at work this year. I’m disappointed in myself for that — there are acute problems, and those who aren’t involved shouldn’t get hit with the shrapnel.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I spent it at work, exchanged gifts with my family afterwards, did the traditional Bovich Family Dinner, then went with Chris to Harrison’s and spent some time talking and laughing in the jacuzzi with Rebecca and Carson.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes, on a mountain.
22. How many one-night stands?
One extended, regrettable one. One best friend one.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Community is fantastic.
24. What was the best book you read?
Blink - Malcom Gladwell
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Format, Beirut, Bright Eyes, The Mountain Goats.
26. What did you want and get?
An incredible experience abroad.
27. What did you want and not get?
More Chinese food? To get back from Italy and get out of debt immediately. (Still working on that.)
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Inglourious Basterds, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog
29. What did you do on your birthday?
Took friends and family to dinner at the SJC train station, had everyone over for drinking and laughing afterwards.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I couldn’t ask for anything more, truly.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
“It’s fucking cold.”
33. What kept you sane?
Tumblr, actually. That’s interesting. The Union Line shows, more of a respite than a means to stay sane.
37. What political issue stirred you the most?
Health care debates, specifically involving birth control, abortion and the way women’s reproductive health is thought about.
36. Who did you miss?
I don’t see Megan or Jeff enough anymore.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Laura Winegardner, Christopher Luna, Bowie, Boston.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009?
Go everywhere, do everything. There is so much love in the world. Educate yourself, no one else is responsible for your intelligence. “Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow…” - Vonnegut
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“Here is the sound that photographs make
When I see them
When I hear them
I see regions of sharp precision
Over abundance
Over indulgence
Tied together with rope and twine
Stuck together with paste and glue
Two old planks of knotty pine
A couple of nails that poke right through.” - Knotty Pine, The Dirty Projectors
“Take only what you need from it.” - Kids, MGMT
