Where did you begin 2008?
At Glen's house with a bunch of friends, listening to folks jam, enjoying good food, good wine, good friendships. At midnight I remember sitting on the wooden steps between the kitchen and the back room where the wood stove is listening to Carol play something on the guitar as people came in to listen, too.
What was your status by Valentines Day?
single; spending time with a good friend
Were you in school anytime this year?
no
Did you have to go to the hospital?
no
Did you have any encounters with the police?
I was slow getting my tags renewed and got a ticket for that. Had to go to court and apologize and get them immediately.
Where did you go on vacation?
I don't really vacation. I did go to the Appalachian String Band Festival for the whole week in August, and I went to Clear Creek Festival for the whole weekend. Those were great times.
What did you purchase that was over 100?
banjo, rental car a few times, plane tickets (reimbursed)
Did you know anybody who got married?
yes, but I can't recall all of them right now. So many did, though.
Did you know anybody who passed away?
no
Did you move anywhere?
I moved in October from Kentucky to Oklahoma; I also moved from my apartment in June to a friend's guest room for two months in town, and then moved again at the end of August to another friend's guest room for a month in the country before moving to OKC.
What concerts/ shows did you go to?
No large circuit concerts. I heard Clack Mountain String Band, Mitch Barrett, MudPi, Red State Ramblers, Erynn Marshall, Blind Corn Liquor Pickers, etc.
Describe your birthday
My 32nd birthday... I had just moved into Vicky and Clarence's place. I don't think much happened. Probably went for a walk.
What is the one thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?
hmph!
What have been your favorite moments?
rallying with KFTC at the Frankfort courthouse on Valentine's Day, going with a friend to Al's Bar later that evening to hear Blind Corn Liquor Pickers and others, all writing group sesssions, long walks, all MudPi/Like How?/Sundogs gatherings and jams, the "goodbye apartment" dinner at my place in June, staying up all night Friday night at Clifftop in August, great music and gathering at Clear Creek Festival on Saturday night, when it dawned on me that I have a collection idea for a series of poems, seeing a deer in a field on August 13 during a meteor shower and listening to Leonard Cohen, long talks, whiskey evenings, the early-July drive through Western KY to see a friend and to see family in Memphis.
Any new additions to your family?
One cousin married, another cousin announced she's pregnant.
What was your best month ?
hmm... maybe either February, March, or April. August and September were good, too. I can't pick one.
Who has been your best drinking buddy ?
Phoebe at times, Michael at others
Made new friends?
strengthened friendships and made a few new ones
Favorite night out?
February 14th (KFTC Rally and Al's Bar music), and that all-night music evening at Clifftop, and one bourbon night in May
Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Berea Coffee & Tea
Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
no
Change your hairstyle?
trimmed and cut it a few times, dyed it a few times trying to get it back to its natural color
Have any car accidents?
no
How old did you turn this year?
32
Do you have a New Year's resolution ?
still thinking about them
Do anything embarrassing?
certainly
Buy anything new from eBay?
no
get married or divorced?
no
Get arrested?
no
Been snowboarding?
no.
Did you get sick this year?
a couple times with a bad head cold or sinus allergy reaction. Nothing serious.
Are you happy to see 2008 go?
there were mostly good times, so I am sad to see it go but hope 2009 doesn't hold back
Been naughty or nice?
ha! yes, a little bit of both
--- stole this one from Beth B. ---
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
stay up all night at Clifftop; move from KY to OK; make masks based on poetic personas; drink bourbon; drive a U-Haul truck with my car in tow on a trailer across KY, TN, AR, and OK
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I had stuff I wanted to work on, but I didn't call them resolutions, and I don't remember what they were
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Family friends in MS did
Did anyone close to you die?
no
What countries did you visit?
none
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Better self-discipline, more money, less procrastination, stronger self-determination
What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Mostly times that aren't huge moments to others but have a sense of deepness to me, mostly spending time with friends, particular feelings and moments like sitting on the wood steps between Glen's kitchen and the wood stove room on 2007's New Year's Eve, talking and listening to a friend give suggestions on a collection of my poems, standing with Teri at the rally in Frankfort shouting and chanting, seeing the deer in the field on a meteor shower night in August.... Moments of emotion.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
landing a job, working longer and more seriously on my poetry (though I still need to work more on it)
What was your biggest failure?
hmm... I don't know.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
no
What was the best thing you bought?
entrance fee to the Appalachian String Band Festival, banjo lessons
Whose behavior merited celebration?
my fellow writerly friends, Phoebe, MudPi, SunDogs...
Where did most of your money go?
coffee
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Appalachian String Band Festival, and most gatherings at Glen's
What song will always remind you of 2008?
Its impossible for me to pinpoint one song as they all are so tied emotionally to different moments and experiences.
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? richer or poorer?
Sadder, but looking forward to some changes
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taking time for myself, being productive, READING, writing more, working out, planning and following through
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating, spending money
How will you be spending Christmas?
Done. Spent Christmas at my sister's in Memphis with mom, Beth, Gregg, and Ryalnd
Did you fall in love in 2008?
.....
How many one-night stands?
none
What was your favorite TV program?
I don't own a TV, but sometimes I caught House at Vicky and Clarence's and a few other random shows at Mary and Char's.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.
What was the best book you read?
I read a few, but I remember most Lady Chatterley's Lover. I need to read more.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Because of the recommendations of friends: The Wood Brothers, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Clack Mountain String Band, Ryan Adams, Mike Chappelear, Swell Season...
What did you want and get?
stronger friendships
What did you want and not get?
....
What was your favorite movie of this year?
I have no idea. Movies mesh into time
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 32. Spent it with friends, I think.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I don't know. It was pretty satisfying with good friends, support, good times, good music.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Casual, whatever.
What kept you sane?
Friends, long walks
Which celebrity/public figures did you fancy the most?
eh.
What political issue stirred you the most?
the election was a big deal all year but I didn't focus on it until October; Mountaintop Removal
Who did you miss?
Family, friends who graduated and moved away, all the Berea folks when I moved away in October
Who was the best new person you met?
There's no ONE person I think, but actually getting to know and see more of the friends I already had.
Any regrets?
No. I said what I needed to say and did what I felt I could do. All is good.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
good energy equals good times.
