2010

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Worked in a fine dining restaurant, still, surrounded by idiots. Calmed down a manager of said restaurant with the City Hall coping mechanisms so deeply ingrained in me. I've probably been more dishonest this year, with myself and others, than at any other point in my life. I worked retail, I opened Pandora's box of wine, beer and spirits. Been afraid to go home.

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

These were the resolutions I made last year, needless to say I kept none of them:

• 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.

Shall we give those another shot in 2011? A few additions:

• Move out. (!!!)
• Make a budget.
• Apply to move in Napa or within the company... or out of the company. I guess the goal is to stop stagnating.
  
• Study more (and study better) for the sommelier and cicerone exams.
  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Chris's sister is just about to...

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I don't believe so.

5. What countries did you visit?

Ugh. This is depressing.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Financial discipline. Concrete goals.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

• April 11 - I transferred out of Guest Relations and started at Napa Rose.
• November 16 - I took and passed the Level I Som exam.
• November 17 - I took and failed that Level II Som certification and met Stephen.
  

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I got a phone interview with Pixar. Level I Som exam.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I didn't get called back. Level II Som exam. Dishonesty. Not giving enough of a shit.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Same cold, different year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Screen-printing classes at Saddleback, concert tickets, Comic Con tickets.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Steve Olson, the guest service manager at Napa Rose.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My own.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons

Kentucky Burbon - Murder by Death

Laundry Room - The Avett Brothers

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

a) happier or sadder? Sadder, I guess. I miss everyone so much.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter, perpetually.
c) richer or poorer? Neither, still scraping by.

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

Exercising, reading, painting,

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

Hard liquor.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Gifts at home, dinner at the Boviches, the evening in bed with Chris.

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

That's still to be determined.

22. How many one-night stands?

None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Community, SNL.

24. What was the best book you read?

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The Avett Brothers, Frightened Rabbit, Mumford & Sons, Murder by Death, The Black Keys

26. What did you want and get?

New sheets, new plaid, passed my Level I Sommelier exam. Great screen-prints.

27. What did you want and not get?

An iPhone 4. Level II Sommelier Certification. To go on a big trip with Chris.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

At this point, True Grit. I need to catch up on December releases. How to Train Your Dragon was a very pleasant surprise from Dreamworks, Toy Story 3 was a token finish to the trilogy. Inception was all around fantastic, Tim's take on Alice in Wonderland was a lot of fun -- beautiful costumes courtesy of Colleen Atwood, yet again. HP: Deathly Hallows was very well done, all of the actors have really come into their own, I still hold that the original casting crew should get an Oscar. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World was a ton of fun, as was Despicable Me. I'd still like to see The Social Network, Black Swan, Love and Other Drugs, Tangled, Blue Valentine and The King's Speech.

29. What did you do on your birthday?

Went to dinner with Chris and the family at The Vintage in the old San Juan train station, found out Bowie and I are distantly related, drank at the bar 'til they closed and moved over to The Swallows Inn (where there was a serious porn collage in the mens' restroom) and drank until I nearly died. Then Christopher took care of me and made sure I didn't "Hendrix out."

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

To have had some sort of direction.

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

"I'll start being healthy next month."

33. What kept you sane?

Christopher and his infallible logic. Tumblr. After work trips to Haven with Adan and Ryland.

37. What political issue stirred you the most?

Healthcare.

36. Who did you miss?

Sean McKesson, Graeme and the News Team. Chelsea, Mego and Jeff.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Adan Lopez, Ryland Brown, Dani Barber, Stephen Langton

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: