2008 Review

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Moved across the country.
AT in the field.
Learned Iraqi Arabic.
Whitewater Rafting.
Snowshoeing.

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

I had planned to work on a 101 in 1001 list, but after finding out I'd be deployed I postponed the list.
Will make new resolutions, yes.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, I had a sister give birth to a nephew.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Close to me, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

US.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

More travel.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 18th: I arrived in Portland.
June 4th: I met someone.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Moving across the country.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Failed road-trip for Christmas/NewYears.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Strep throat: twice in 2 months.
Back pain, as usual.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My GPS.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My parents for being so civil while they disagreed with me.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed

My MPLS friends for claims they made against another friend.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Moving expenses, fun excursions, and big-boy toys.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Exploring the Pacific Northwest.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Not sure there is one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) Happier.
b) Probably about the same weight.
c) Poorer, but I have a debt reduction plan.

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

Hiking, running.

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

Procrastinating.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Flew to the midwest and spent with family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Yes.

22. How many one-night stands?

None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

House

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

A friend.

25. What was the best book you read?

Reading Portland. A book that gives a literary tour of Portland, Oregon's history.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

None.

27. What did you want and get?

iPod, GPS, laptop.

28. What did you want and not get?

dream job.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

The Fall

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I went to my usual bar, drank with friends. I turned 25.

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

If I had kept a better budget and procrastinated less.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

ACU & casual.

33. What kept you sane?

My cat.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

FDR? I'm not sure how to answer that question.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

DoD allocations?

36. Who did you miss?

My friend Kipp.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Matt.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Curve balls happen.

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

On his face is a map of the world.

in memoriam

"In Iraq, Soldiers die for freedom, for honor, for their country and for their buddies. Here in Philadelphia, they die without honor, without purpose, for no country, for no one ... There is a war at home raging every day, filling our trauma centers with so many wounded children that it sometimes makes Baghdad seem like a quiet city in Iowa."

--Maj. John P. Pryor
Army Reserve combat surgeon
University of Philadelphia trauma surgeon

Maj. Pryor was killed on Christmas by enemy fire in Iraq while serving as a combat surgeon. It was his second tour of duty in Iraq. He leaves behind a wife and three children.

More information: http://www.drjohnpryor.com/

Happy Holidays

blogging cat
Originally uploaded by jtcyclones

From our blog to you, Happy Holidays.

About a foot of snow on the ground, and ice mixed in.
I-84 has been closed, open, now closed again.
Most of the highways from here to the coast have closures on them.
Chains required on city streets.
We're flying.
Going snowshoeing today.

Weather Delay

We've had 2 storm systems move through, and now we have another one coming through.
Right now the hill is too icy for the vehicle to get up, even with chains.
Watching the road more than the weather. Once we can get up the hill, then we'll reevaluate the weather across the route.
If it seems we won't be able to get out for Christmas, then we'll change plans, stay in Portland for Christmas and continue with New Years plans.
I'm grumpy right now. So wanted to be ahead of the storm. Grrr.

Road Trip

Road Trip for Christmas:
Portland, OR to Omaha, NE & on to Iowa.