My annual yearly review is way over due. I had meant to post this several weeks ago! Anyhow, read on, enjoy, and have some laughs at my expense. There were obviously ups and downs in 2008, but I found it pretty much a plateau in my life. Maybe 2009 can change all that!
1_ What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
For the first time, I went on an extended camping/hiking trip. It was quite an experience to do some off-trail hiking in the South Dakota Badlands and hiking up Harney Peak was pretty damn cool in the Black Hills. It was rather cool to be camping in early September in the western hills, but it was fun and a great experience to share with some friends and co-workers. We're already planning on returning in '09!
2_ Did you keep your New Years' resolutions? Will you make more for 2008?
I actually did, for the most part. I made resolutions last year at this time to get old debt paid off to my father (which I did in August) and I was able to shed some pounds over the summer and have been able to keep if off, mostly. My weight, I've found, fluctuates. I was able to shed off about 5-8 pounds over the summer mostly from just eating a more healthy diet. I didn't really get out and exercise as much as I wanted to. And what I got down to in July, I've been able to stay at for most of the remainder of the year. And of course, the "meeting someone" resolution I set for myself every year... didn't pan out. Will it ever?
Either way, it's a resolution once again this year... along with trying to cut out candy and chocolate completely out of my diet, building up some net worth (my savings account!), and getting a few things fixed on my car. The cruise control hasn't worked in over 2 years now and I need new tires. Hopefully, these are things I will be able to have fixed at some point this year.
3_ What places did you visit?
I made it out storm chasing with my college buddies in late May and early June, so I was able to visit the southern and central plains once again. We chased some in extreme northeastern Texas, parts of Oklahoma, most of Kansas, northeastern Colorado and over central and eastern parts of Nebraska. As said above, I also made a return to the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota and, of course, my return home to Indiana in August.
4_ What events marked 2008?
» January: Nearly reached 40 degrees on the 6th with a high of 39° then went on an extended cold snap from the 13th through the 25th. Several days therein where we didn't get above zero for high temperatures! Watched the Colts lose to the Chargers in the first round of the NFL Playoffs on the 13th. One of the most extensive Severe Thunderstorm Warnings I've ever seen on the 29th.
» February: Very extensive Super Tuesday severe weather outbreak on the 5th. One of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in decades. Arctic outbreak from the 18th through the 22nd brought record lows to Fargo and Grand Forks... Watched another Manning win Super Bowl XLII! Writer's Strike continues still, after 2-3 months... Network television still sucks and I start having withdrawals with no new episodes of "The Office." Also, had a photo of mine show up as "Photo of the Day" on the 22nd on Webshots. Quite an honor!
» March: Major winter storm pounds the lower Ohio Valley on the 8th... Hit the 40° mark for the first time on the 18th, then greeted fairly rudely for Spring, with a fairly intense snow-storm. Still waiting for my stimulus check! :)
» April: A few intense snow-storms hit the area (mainly to the south and east of GFK) on the 5-6th (Story 1 | Story 2), the 11th and the 25-26th. Hit 50° for the first time in 2008 on the 2nd, and passed 60° for the first time on the 15th with a high of 70°! Funny that these are significant events, huh? ;) Northern Plains Convective Workshop in Bismarck from the 7th to the 9th - enjoyed a couple nights in the hot tub at the hotel! The first observed thunderstorm of the year on the afternoon of the 21st. Opening day for major league baseball on the 1st... and what became the start of a great season for the Chicago Cubs. A fairly significant (5.4 on the Richter Scale) earthquake rattled the Mid-Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley on the 18th, much to a lot of people's surprise. Lots going on in April!
» May: Victim of identity theft on the 3rd... of which, I wasn't pleased with. Departed for the plains for a week of chasing with my college buddies early on the 25th. Chased through the 31st. Hit 80° for the first time on the 16th! Summer is near! Still awaiting that damn stimulus check!
» June: Finally received that coveted stimulus check. I purchased GRLevel3 (finally!) with it, along with a GPS receiver, Street Atlas '09 and signed up for broadband access through Verizon. My chase expeditions were never the same! :) Start receiving some Office shifts at work (of which I was able to work rather extensively on the WeatherCam Network this summer). First semi-local chase on the 26th found myself and a few co-workers west of Bismarck on a few nice storms. Fairly extensive warm period from the 17th through the end of the month with 10 of 14 days 80° or better. Long-tracked, damaging tornadoes over Northwestern Minnesota on the 6th.
» July: Active pattern remains for the first two weeks of the month with several days of chasing... (the 1st, 7th, 10th and 11th). Hit 91° for the first 90-degree day of the summer. Warm month with 21 days at 80° or warmer! Pulled my right-quad on the 25th playing softball. Something I hope never happens again. Ouchy! Gas prices spike above $4.00 a gallon for the first time ever in my lifetime.
» August: Another warm month with 21 more days of 80° or warmer. A heat wave from the 16th through the 21st saw five days above 85°. Got inspired by Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture" and started my own "Daily Favorites" on the 2nd... Only lasted a couple of months before I started forgetting to do them. ;) My trip home to Indiana from the 8th through the 18th. A low of 39° on the 24th was a cruel reminder that fall and winter isn't far off, at all.
» September: The aforementioned camping/hiking trip to the Badlands and Black Hills with my brother-in-law and a few co-workers! Spent four days on the roads and trails, from the 5th through the 8th. The 15th, which will go down in infamy... Carlos Zambrano throws the first no-hitter by a Cubs pitcher in nearly 30 years. Cubbies still in first place and are looking for a truly dominate season in the NL-Central. Had the ECM replaced in the car late in the month - ran like new for another month or so.
» October: The Cubbies blow it... Again... In the first round of the Post-Season getting swept by the Dodgers... This has GOT to stop! Heavy rains from the 10th through the 13th dropped over 2 inches of rain across the area. Then had our first snow on the morning of the 26th. Low temperatures back into the 20's on also on the 26th. Bleh, winter's back already. Your's truly turns the big 3-0... on the 30th.
» November: The Election! Finally, no more stinkin' commercials! Renewed love for Carah Faye Charnow early in the month; which actually still continues... While overall, it was a cool month, we did experience thunderstorms on the 5th with heavy rains continuing through the 6th... We saw close to 2 inches of rain over the course of 3 days. Saw Rise Against in concert on the 13th!! A great show which was then followed by a distance record in my car! ;)
» December: Rocked out again, seeing Disturbed at the Alerus on the 9th. Then saw Blizzard 'Ali' move through the area that next weekend. Due to the snow-pack and continued train of Alberta Clippers throughout the month, it was a very cold one. Twelve days of single digits or colder high temperatures! Winters really do suck up here!
5_ Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope...
6_ Did anyone close to you die?
Nope...
7_ What do you wish you'd done more of?
Work on my web-cam project... Exercise... Sex... ;)
8_ What do you wish you'd done less of?
Dwelling on things that annoy me. ;)
9_ What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A meaningful relationship, as always! More money in my savings account.
10_ What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
October 30, 2008 - when I finally became "old." I don't necessarily want to remember it, but I will.
11_ What "things" did you want and get?
The Dark Knight DVD, a new cell phone, and a few toys for chasing... I wanted an appt. at a Chiropractor which I got finally at the end of December! It helped, tremendously!
12_ What "things" did you want and not get?
I still haven't bought that mic for the mobile rig in my car. Maybe I'll finally get around to that in 2009! A new TV, couch, or TV stand...
13_ What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Shaw and Kat took me out to O'Really's for a night of heavy drinking. Too many shots of liquor to remember who exactly was there with us, but it was a good way to downplay that big 3-0.
14_ What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having a naked, hot chick in bed with me. Hah!
15_ What was the best thing you bought?
Oh, it's a real toss up between the Street Atlas 2009, the GPS, or the GRLevel-3. Or a combination of all three. ;)
16_ Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
I'm sure my sister once again, tops this list.
17_ Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I've had one person in mind for quite a while, but I won't say who or why. They know. Probably.
18_ Compared to this time last year, are you......Happier or sadder?
Sadder... My cousin lost his little girl just two weeks into 2009 and since I was able to go home to spend time with him and his wife and my family during the entire ordeal, I've had to really think about where my future is going to take me. Let's just say if the economy wasn't so shitty, I may have decided differently where my 2009 will likely end.
19_ Thinner or fatter?
I'm actually about the same. Even though I exercised less in 2008 than I have in the two years before, I was able to maintain a stable weight. I haven't exceeded 162 pounds, but also, haven't been under 155 in over a year.
20_ Richer or poorer?
Richer... The lack of a car payment is still helping! Add to that, cheaper insurance!
21_ What were your favorite films of this year?
The Dark Knight! Wall-e
22_ What was your favorite TV program(s)?
Pretty much the same... The Office, Family Guy, SportsCenter...
23_ What was your greatest musical discovery?
Versant - Carah's new band! Found out about them late in 2008 and still awaiting the CD. It'll be awesome, I'm sure! Was also introduced to Rev Theory at a concert in August back home in Indiana. They were pretty kick-ass live!
24_ How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Became a little more stylish by fall... bought a lot of new clothes after my birthday. Print T-shirts and jeans, mostly.
25_ Who were the best new people you met?
» Kelsey... We were on and off-again for a while and even though we're no longer together, I still consider her my best friend outside of work.
» Caitlin... A co-worker and a fellow Valpo graduate. We reminisce about our Valpo days occasionally, plus, she's a blast to drink with.
» Tim... He brews his own beer! How much cooler can you be?
26_ How many different girls did you kiss in 2008?
Two
27_ How many girls did you have sex with in 2008?
None... still...
28_ Did you fall in love in 2008?
Fictionally, yes...
29_ What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my father paid off. He had covered a $2,000 medical bill for me a few years ago and I was finally able to save up the money to get him paid off. It felt great to give it all back.
30_ What was your biggest failure?
Getting tires for my car or getting my cruise control fixed. Both, desperately needed!
31_ Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Stretch before playing softball! ;)
32_ Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
"I need to wait, I just can't stop
it seems the dream has met a guillotine I never saw coming
I can't believe, you let it drop"
:: Orbit - Embassy
I met women in 2008, yes, but they consistently never gave me a chance. I'm hoping 2009 will reverse this funk I've been in. It's to a point where it almost feels unhealthy, that haven't been in a committed relationship in over 8 years!
1_ What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
For the first time, I went on an extended camping/hiking trip. It was quite an experience to do some off-trail hiking in the South Dakota Badlands and hiking up Harney Peak was pretty damn cool in the Black Hills. It was rather cool to be camping in early September in the western hills, but it was fun and a great experience to share with some friends and co-workers. We're already planning on returning in '09!
2_ Did you keep your New Years' resolutions? Will you make more for 2008?
I actually did, for the most part. I made resolutions last year at this time to get old debt paid off to my father (which I did in August) and I was able to shed some pounds over the summer and have been able to keep if off, mostly. My weight, I've found, fluctuates. I was able to shed off about 5-8 pounds over the summer mostly from just eating a more healthy diet. I didn't really get out and exercise as much as I wanted to. And what I got down to in July, I've been able to stay at for most of the remainder of the year. And of course, the "meeting someone" resolution I set for myself every year... didn't pan out. Will it ever?
Either way, it's a resolution once again this year... along with trying to cut out candy and chocolate completely out of my diet, building up some net worth (my savings account!), and getting a few things fixed on my car. The cruise control hasn't worked in over 2 years now and I need new tires. Hopefully, these are things I will be able to have fixed at some point this year.
3_ What places did you visit?
I made it out storm chasing with my college buddies in late May and early June, so I was able to visit the southern and central plains once again. We chased some in extreme northeastern Texas, parts of Oklahoma, most of Kansas, northeastern Colorado and over central and eastern parts of Nebraska. As said above, I also made a return to the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota and, of course, my return home to Indiana in August.
4_ What events marked 2008?
» January: Nearly reached 40 degrees on the 6th with a high of 39° then went on an extended cold snap from the 13th through the 25th. Several days therein where we didn't get above zero for high temperatures! Watched the Colts lose to the Chargers in the first round of the NFL Playoffs on the 13th. One of the most extensive Severe Thunderstorm Warnings I've ever seen on the 29th.
» February: Very extensive Super Tuesday severe weather outbreak on the 5th. One of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in decades. Arctic outbreak from the 18th through the 22nd brought record lows to Fargo and Grand Forks... Watched another Manning win Super Bowl XLII! Writer's Strike continues still, after 2-3 months... Network television still sucks and I start having withdrawals with no new episodes of "The Office." Also, had a photo of mine show up as "Photo of the Day" on the 22nd on Webshots. Quite an honor!
» March: Major winter storm pounds the lower Ohio Valley on the 8th... Hit the 40° mark for the first time on the 18th, then greeted fairly rudely for Spring, with a fairly intense snow-storm. Still waiting for my stimulus check! :)
» April: A few intense snow-storms hit the area (mainly to the south and east of GFK) on the 5-6th (Story 1 | Story 2), the 11th and the 25-26th. Hit 50° for the first time in 2008 on the 2nd, and passed 60° for the first time on the 15th with a high of 70°! Funny that these are significant events, huh? ;) Northern Plains Convective Workshop in Bismarck from the 7th to the 9th - enjoyed a couple nights in the hot tub at the hotel! The first observed thunderstorm of the year on the afternoon of the 21st. Opening day for major league baseball on the 1st... and what became the start of a great season for the Chicago Cubs. A fairly significant (5.4 on the Richter Scale) earthquake rattled the Mid-Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley on the 18th, much to a lot of people's surprise. Lots going on in April!
» May: Victim of identity theft on the 3rd... of which, I wasn't pleased with. Departed for the plains for a week of chasing with my college buddies early on the 25th. Chased through the 31st. Hit 80° for the first time on the 16th! Summer is near! Still awaiting that damn stimulus check!
» June: Finally received that coveted stimulus check. I purchased GRLevel3 (finally!) with it, along with a GPS receiver, Street Atlas '09 and signed up for broadband access through Verizon. My chase expeditions were never the same! :) Start receiving some Office shifts at work (of which I was able to work rather extensively on the WeatherCam Network this summer). First semi-local chase on the 26th found myself and a few co-workers west of Bismarck on a few nice storms. Fairly extensive warm period from the 17th through the end of the month with 10 of 14 days 80° or better. Long-tracked, damaging tornadoes over Northwestern Minnesota on the 6th.
» July: Active pattern remains for the first two weeks of the month with several days of chasing... (the 1st, 7th, 10th and 11th). Hit 91° for the first 90-degree day of the summer. Warm month with 21 days at 80° or warmer! Pulled my right-quad on the 25th playing softball. Something I hope never happens again. Ouchy! Gas prices spike above $4.00 a gallon for the first time ever in my lifetime.
» August: Another warm month with 21 more days of 80° or warmer. A heat wave from the 16th through the 21st saw five days above 85°. Got inspired by Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture" and started my own "Daily Favorites" on the 2nd... Only lasted a couple of months before I started forgetting to do them. ;) My trip home to Indiana from the 8th through the 18th. A low of 39° on the 24th was a cruel reminder that fall and winter isn't far off, at all.
» September: The aforementioned camping/hiking trip to the Badlands and Black Hills with my brother-in-law and a few co-workers! Spent four days on the roads and trails, from the 5th through the 8th. The 15th, which will go down in infamy... Carlos Zambrano throws the first no-hitter by a Cubs pitcher in nearly 30 years. Cubbies still in first place and are looking for a truly dominate season in the NL-Central. Had the ECM replaced in the car late in the month - ran like new for another month or so.
» October: The Cubbies blow it... Again... In the first round of the Post-Season getting swept by the Dodgers... This has GOT to stop! Heavy rains from the 10th through the 13th dropped over 2 inches of rain across the area. Then had our first snow on the morning of the 26th. Low temperatures back into the 20's on also on the 26th. Bleh, winter's back already. Your's truly turns the big 3-0... on the 30th.
» November: The Election! Finally, no more stinkin' commercials! Renewed love for Carah Faye Charnow early in the month; which actually still continues... While overall, it was a cool month, we did experience thunderstorms on the 5th with heavy rains continuing through the 6th... We saw close to 2 inches of rain over the course of 3 days. Saw Rise Against in concert on the 13th!! A great show which was then followed by a distance record in my car! ;)
» December: Rocked out again, seeing Disturbed at the Alerus on the 9th. Then saw Blizzard 'Ali' move through the area that next weekend. Due to the snow-pack and continued train of Alberta Clippers throughout the month, it was a very cold one. Twelve days of single digits or colder high temperatures! Winters really do suck up here!
5_ Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope...
6_ Did anyone close to you die?
Nope...
7_ What do you wish you'd done more of?
Work on my web-cam project... Exercise... Sex... ;)
8_ What do you wish you'd done less of?
Dwelling on things that annoy me. ;)
9_ What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A meaningful relationship, as always! More money in my savings account.
10_ What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
October 30, 2008 - when I finally became "old." I don't necessarily want to remember it, but I will.
11_ What "things" did you want and get?
The Dark Knight DVD, a new cell phone, and a few toys for chasing... I wanted an appt. at a Chiropractor which I got finally at the end of December! It helped, tremendously!
12_ What "things" did you want and not get?
I still haven't bought that mic for the mobile rig in my car. Maybe I'll finally get around to that in 2009! A new TV, couch, or TV stand...
13_ What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Shaw and Kat took me out to O'Really's for a night of heavy drinking. Too many shots of liquor to remember who exactly was there with us, but it was a good way to downplay that big 3-0.
14_ What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having a naked, hot chick in bed with me. Hah!
15_ What was the best thing you bought?
Oh, it's a real toss up between the Street Atlas 2009, the GPS, or the GRLevel-3. Or a combination of all three. ;)
16_ Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
I'm sure my sister once again, tops this list.
17_ Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I've had one person in mind for quite a while, but I won't say who or why. They know. Probably.
18_ Compared to this time last year, are you......Happier or sadder?
Sadder... My cousin lost his little girl just two weeks into 2009 and since I was able to go home to spend time with him and his wife and my family during the entire ordeal, I've had to really think about where my future is going to take me. Let's just say if the economy wasn't so shitty, I may have decided differently where my 2009 will likely end.
19_ Thinner or fatter?
I'm actually about the same. Even though I exercised less in 2008 than I have in the two years before, I was able to maintain a stable weight. I haven't exceeded 162 pounds, but also, haven't been under 155 in over a year.
20_ Richer or poorer?
Richer... The lack of a car payment is still helping! Add to that, cheaper insurance!
21_ What were your favorite films of this year?
The Dark Knight! Wall-e
22_ What was your favorite TV program(s)?
Pretty much the same... The Office, Family Guy, SportsCenter...
23_ What was your greatest musical discovery?
Versant - Carah's new band! Found out about them late in 2008 and still awaiting the CD. It'll be awesome, I'm sure! Was also introduced to Rev Theory at a concert in August back home in Indiana. They were pretty kick-ass live!
24_ How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Became a little more stylish by fall... bought a lot of new clothes after my birthday. Print T-shirts and jeans, mostly.
25_ Who were the best new people you met?
» Kelsey... We were on and off-again for a while and even though we're no longer together, I still consider her my best friend outside of work.
» Caitlin... A co-worker and a fellow Valpo graduate. We reminisce about our Valpo days occasionally, plus, she's a blast to drink with.
» Tim... He brews his own beer! How much cooler can you be?
26_ How many different girls did you kiss in 2008?
Two
27_ How many girls did you have sex with in 2008?
None... still...
28_ Did you fall in love in 2008?
Fictionally, yes...
29_ What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my father paid off. He had covered a $2,000 medical bill for me a few years ago and I was finally able to save up the money to get him paid off. It felt great to give it all back.
30_ What was your biggest failure?
Getting tires for my car or getting my cruise control fixed. Both, desperately needed!
31_ Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Stretch before playing softball! ;)
32_ Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
"I need to wait, I just can't stop
it seems the dream has met a guillotine I never saw coming
I can't believe, you let it drop"
:: Orbit - Embassy
I met women in 2008, yes, but they consistently never gave me a chance. I'm hoping 2009 will reverse this funk I've been in. It's to a point where it almost feels unhealthy, that haven't been in a committed relationship in over 8 years!
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 and is filed under random , survey . Monitor this post through the RSS 2.0 feed. You may leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.
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