contemplativeSo without further ado, I present,
1. Where did you begin 2012?
Living in Ottawa. As per usual. I decided this year that I wasn't going to party or go out or anything, just stay at home and be a bit introspective. Have a relatively quiet time and all that. Plans worked out pretty much as I expected, with one exception. I went to sleep around 12:30 am or so.
2. Was 2012 a good year for you?
I think the year was a year that was middling at best, with more health problems than anything else, and too much stress and the like over the course of the year. There were some terrific parts of the year - the Loreena McKennitt concert, GenCon 2012, CanGames 2012, working on the Primeval RPG, and a few other things - but they were somewhat overwhelmed by some of the bad stuff this past year.
3. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My biggest achievement of the year was the fact that my diabetes didn't improve significantly but it didn't get any worse. It's always been tough for me to deal with the diabetes, and this past year was really difficult health-wise, which made the control of the diabetes tougher. After that, the two biggest achievements were finishing the Geology course that I started the September before near the end of March, and the editing and writing work that I've done for the Primeval RPG that culminated with the rulebook coming out finally at GenCon 2012.
4. What was your biggest failure?
Pretty much the same as it was the year before. Not being able to stay healthy this past year. And losing control of the lifestyle I wanted to lead this year.
5. What was your status by Valentines Day?
Single.
6. Compared to this time last year are you:
a) Fatter or thinner? I only gained about 1 lb. overall this past year. The health problems I've had this year (notably with my back and feet) prevented me from exercising as much or as often as I would have liked. Some poor food choices at times (stress and depressed periods do that to me) contributed to that as well.
b) Happier or sadder? About the same.
c) Richer or poorer? Definitely a bit poorer. GenCon drained the finances a bit more than I would have liked this past year, and once more I bought a few roleplaying games and a few other items that will never see use. Waste of finances, but same old, same old.
7. Were you in school anytime this year?
Yes. I continued the Geology 101 class that I had started the previous September, finishing it near the end of March.
8. Did you have to go to the hospital?
Yes, several times. I had lots of hospital appointments this past year, at both the doctor and the Diabetes Clinic, as well as having to see the prostate specialist again, a neurologist about my back, and the gastro specialist. I had two endoscopies, a colonoscopy, an MRI, several CT scans, and lots of blood tests. Visited one friend and my mother in the hospital, and a couple of other hospital incidents that I wish I could forget.
9. Did you have any encounters with the police?
Nope, thank Goddess.
10. Where did you go on vacation?
I went to GenCon Indy once more this past year, but I don't know whether that counts as a vacation. If I had gone on vacation somewhere, it would have been to some place warm this winter, where I could stretch myself and just ease some of the tensions. Or maybe to a bunch of dinosaur museums and the like. :)
11. What did you purchase that was over $100?
Well, let's see... I only go in to buy comics once every few months, so I spent over $100 on comics a couple of times in the year. I spent way too much money at GenCon on various gaming stuff, notably the Shadows of Esteren gaming line of products. That and a couple of Kickstarters that I'm somewhat regretting. And the usual other stuff.
12. Did you know anybody who got married?
Nope.
13. Did you know anybody who passed away?
I didn't know anyone personally who passed away this past year. There were a couple of other deaths among the many that saddened me this year, notably Ray Bradbury and Gerry Anderson.
14. Did you move anywhere?
Nope, I continue to live in the condo townhouse that I am in and have been for the last 16 years.
15. What sporting events did you attend?
Didn't go to any sporting events this past year.
16. What concerts/shows did you go to?
I saw MonkeyJunk at the Wilton Tavern in May. Went and saw the Tedeschi Trucks Band at Ottawa Bluesfest in July. And the best show that I saw this past year was on December 1st, when I went to see Loreena McKennitt play. All told, only a few concerts this year for me, but all three were very good.
17. Describe your birthday.
Rather than describe my birthday here, I refer you to this entry, this entry, and this Birthday Report. I had a pretty good birthday this year.
18. What is the ONE thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2012?
Well, I didn't expect to spend as much time in hospitals this past year. However, on the positive side, I didn't plan to go to GenCon this past year, and ended up doing so (mostly for all the right reasons).
19. What have been your favourite moments?
Running a couple of terrific games of Primeval RPG at GenCon. Seeing Loreena McKennitt in concert. Seeing my mom wake up after her surgery in December.
20. What was your favorite moment of the year?
I don't think I actually have one this year. The closest I can come to this would possibly be a rather personal memory that I don't really care to share.
21. What was your least favorite moment of the year?
A night spent in the hospital in rather bad discomfort.
22. Any new additions to your family?
Nope.
23. What was your best month?
Probably August, but that's not saying much.
24. What date in 2012 will remain etched in your memory?
There is no specific date from this past year.
25. Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Nobody. I don't drink alcohol these days. Well, other than the Bailey's Irish Cream that I had on my birthday. :)
26. Made new friends?
Yep, I made a couple of new friends this year. One was someone I met through Twitter, and the other is someone I met on LiveJournal and then met at GenCon through the gaming industry.
27. Favourite night out?
The concert with Loreena McKennitt.
28. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
At work, doctors' offices (unfortunately), hospitals (ditto), and spent some time at Kathy's place.
29. What songs will always remind you of 2012?
There are two songs that stand out. And I offer both videos. The first is PSY and his Youtube hit, "Gangnam Style":
The second song is the hit by Carly Rae Jepson, "Call Me Maybe":
30. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I had lost some weight.
31. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I really wish I hadn't stressed out so much this past year; wish that I had been able to play more rather than GM so much when it comes to roleplaying; bought less rpg and board game material that I'll never run or play.
32. Have you lost any friends this year?
Nope. Thank Goddess.
33. Change your hairstyle?
Nope. Still balding, and getting balder. Adding more grey to my hair (such as I have left!).
34. Have any car accidents?
Nope. Again, thank Goddess.
35. How old did you turn this year?
57
36. Do you have a New Years resolution?
Oh, yes, definitely. I have a couple that I have made for this coming year. Hopefully I can keep them.
37. What countries did you visit?
Just visited the United States this year, when I went to GenCon Indy in August.
38. Do anything embarrassing?
Other than being prone to stupid accidents this year? Nah... And if there were, I wouldn't even mention them here! :)
39. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Too many to mention here. Largely, nations that made asses of themselves. Oh, and at times, my own.
40. Where did most of your money go?
Bought the whole batch of the Shadows of Esteren roleplaying game material. The rest of the money went to buying music CDs, Doctor Who DVDs, rpgs, a couple of board games, diabetes medication, and a few other things.
41. Buy anything from eBay?
Not a thing.
42. Get married or divorced?
Not that I know of. :) And if I did, please let me know. :)
43. Get hit on?
Yes, several times. However, I'm not going to share any more details on this stuff.
44. Been snowboarding?
Nope.
45. Did you get sick this year?
Caught some minor colds, and a couple of viruses. Then there was the usual diabetes stuff, the problems with the prostate, and of course, my injured back and the bulging disc.
46. Are you happy to see 2012 go?
Damn right I am. The back and toe problems made this past year absolute hell to some extent. I'm also looking forward to a new year and a clean slate, so to speak.
47. Been naughty or nice?
Yes ;)
48. How will you be spending Christmas?
Next Christmas? No idea. Probably on my own, and then dinner with friends and/or family. But who knows what the year will bring, so can't predict the end of the year.
49. Which LJ users did you meet for the first time?
Don't remember if I actually met any that I didn't know before, though I did meet some at CanGames and GenCon that I had known and met before. Look forward to meeting a few more in 2013.
50. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Sadly, no.
51. How many one night stands?
None. Not really me.
52. What was your favorite TV show?
There wasn't a lot of stuff on tv this year that I really liked. I've enjoyed Emily Owens, M.D. and Primeval: New World. Looking forward to the new season of Body of Proof this month. If I forgot any tv shows that I like, someone can remind me in the Comments. :)
53. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I try not to hate people, as that's a very negative emotion, although there are a few people I dislike or who drive me crazy. Takes too much energy to hate someone, and not worth the time and effort.
54. What was/were the best books you read?
Several books that I read this past year were pretty good, but I enjoy pretty much most of the books that I read. Rather liked The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Nation by Terry Pratchett, Something Rotten by Jasper Fforde, and Unwelcome Bodies by Jennifer Pelland.
55. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Didn't have any this past year. :(
56. What was your favourite film this year?
None really. But I did like The Hunger Games.
57. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Business suits for work, t-shirts and slacks for home. Hoodies, when necessary. :)
58. What kept you sane?
Sometimes I wonder if I was sane this past year. :) But... my friends; the music of Thea Gilmore, Jethro Tull, and Renaissance; my goddaughter; Crystal; reading books; and several good games of Pandemic.
59. Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Dana Delaney.
60. Which political issue stirred you the most?
The stupidity of what's been going on in India.
61. Did you treat somebody badly in 2011?
I hope not, but there are times when I'm not a nice person.
62. Did somebody treat you badly in 2012?
Not gonna answer this one.
63. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year.
Be careful about karma. It has a way of coming around.
64. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Nothing comes to mind here.
65. What are your plans for 2013?
Trying to eat healthy, definitely lose some weight, and keep my diabetes under control. Deal with the back problems I'm facing. Do a bit more fiction writing. Cut down on roleplaying game and board game purchases, and run only 3 roleplaying games during the course of the year. Not stress out so much.
66. What are you looking forward to most in 2013?
Nothing comes to mind, other than a possible vacation in August or thereabouts.
As you can see, that was quite a long set of questions and answers. But a good indication of the basics of how 2012 was. Looking forward to 2013, for sure! :)