learning

Ms Smack asked how did I grow from my experiences in 2008, and then Deb asked what did I learn?.

I found that an easier answer than the first one for some reason. I thought about it for a short time and came up with a simple reply:

Savour every single moment.

If I were to expand on that it would be to remember and keep the good moments and forget the bad ones. But don't forget the bittersweet either, because life needs balance.

Some of those moments I've talked about already and some are in the meme here that I've borrowed from my intrepid traveler Sparsely Kate.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I drove around the country by myself and did alot of thinking in between meeting lot of friends.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't do resolutions, never have.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My daughter did, making me a grandpa (and if a Aussie says that as she tries to imitate a southern accent, I smile every time!)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My mom, and my dog.

5. What countries did you visit?
Australia and Mexico. Part of Kate's answer was I bloody love my country, man.
Kate, I bloody well love it too!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Lots and lots of hot, sometimes kinky sex... what? After my marriage, I think karma owes me, and it appears karma agrees, because it sent me Terry.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 9/10th, August 18th, November 4th, November 23rd.
Kimba, mom, daughter and Obama (same date), Terry.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Learning to be myself, and to be strong enough to do what had to be done with my daughter when I came home.

9. What was your biggest failure?
When I went to visit Sheila when I knew I shouldn't, and knew where it might lead...
But as a friend here pointed out, failures just help us learn, and I did from this.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a kidney stone attack in Melbourne, but it thankfully passed while being driven to the hospital...and I'm going through the process of getting my prostate checked out.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I picked up a pair of Aboriginal music sticks, some nice artwork in Arizona too, and I'm really liking my new sofa I'm laying on right now as I write this...

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The high road that Obama stayed on through the campaign.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The people who tried so hard to scare Americans into thinking Obama was something he wasn't.
Ignorant twats.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food and gas and travel.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The election here in the States and the one in Australia, as well as the national apology to the Aboriginal people by the Australian government in February. I was there during exciting times in Oz.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
There's several, but probably the numero uno would be Miles Away by Madonna.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? About the same, all things considered.
b) thinner or fatter? Heavier by 3 pounds.
c) richer or poorer? Don't even ask... I'm quickly becoming a starving artist ;)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I think we covered this with #6...

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Overthinking and worrying about some stuff.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At my son and partner's apartment, we had a very nice time.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
No. Some serious cases of like going on a few times though... (thanks Drama, I like that term)

22. What was your favorite TV program?
NCIS and Battlestar Galactica. (Don't make me choose!)
I did discover a new "old" show though, Joss Whedon's Angel.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone in my life.

24. What was the best book you read?
A six book series about a group of Australian teenagers fighting a invasion of their country, ala Red Dawn. And a non fiction self help book No More Mr. Nice Guy.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That's a tough one, I found alot of great new stuff this year.
Pink, Fergie, Kid Rock, Katy Perry, 3 Doors Down, Brian McFadden...too many to limit to just one.

26. What did you want and get?
Terry :)
And a coffee maker for Christmas.

27. What did you want and not get?
For my daughter's lazyass BF to grow a pair, and start being a responsible adult and father.
Ok Annie, Kimba, and Drama, stop laughing!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Vantage Point, it kept me on the edge of my seat.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
You know, I don't remember now, weird eh? Two days before on my daughter's birthday, I met my friend and fellow blogger Deb, that's what I do remember.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If my mom hadn't passed away.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I think I dress fairly well, and I love my new leather jacket, it's something I've wanted for a long time.

This is the photo that caught someones eye, taken by my good friend Loving Annie.

32. What kept you sane?
Music, and working in the front and back yard of my place in Oz.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barrack Obama.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The presidential election.

35. Who did you miss?
My dad.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Terry.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
It's not my job to make my children happy or take care of them. This really pertains to my daughter, my son has turned out quite well I think (don't get a swelled head now son *wink*), while my daughter has retrograded, thanks to lazyass BF.

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

When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

High up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try
you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Coldplay