A looking-backward, looking-forward meme

It's been a long time since I've done a meme and there are some good ones making their way across the blogosphere these days, so I'll combine two and make this my third "50 tidbits" (the first two are under "about me," to your right). Feel free to swipe!

1. Looking back on 2008, what might your theme song have been? "This Old Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Make It Shine!" (That is a song, isn't it?)

2. If 2008 was a movie, who would play you? People have told me that I remind them of Sally Field. She seems as good as anyone (over 40), so let's go with her.

3. What was your greatest gift of 2008? A deepening friendship with my dad's new love Lou, after the death of Mom in 2004. I liked her very much when I first met her; now I love and adore her -- not only for who she is, but for making my dad blissfully happy.

4. What is your New Year Resolution, or, what are you committing to this year? I really don't like New Year's resolutions. They seem so contrived. I should say to lose weight, work out, and eat healthfully. But what I really want to say is to write more (not just blog more, but to really compose thoughtful posts), to be more creative, and to learn more about photography.

5. If January could be represented by one song, what would it be? Rain Rain (and Snow, Snow!) Go Away!

6. What do you wish for your body in 2009? I'd like to just feel comfortable in my own skin, like I used to. I like feeling strong and healthy. Now I feel like my stressful job shows all over in my physical appearance. Of course, that's likely just an excuse because it IS, after all, 100% up to me to change that.

7. Name one new thing you would love to try in the New Year. My sister-in-law invited me to train for a simple triathlon in Seattle in August (12 mile bike ride, 1 mile swim, 3 mile run). It's not that I'm excited about trying that (I'm actually scared to death!)... but I'd feel so great if I actually DID IT.

8. What do you long for 2009 to bring? Peace and renewed world respect for America under Obama.

9. If that happened, how would you feel? Calm, happy and hopeful.

10. Where would you love to vacation in 2009 if money were no object? Maldives... with Europe on the way back. Oh, and Australia. Thailand would be nice too. And I've heard amazing things about Africa. Aw hell, I'd take a year and travel around the world with my whole family. We're all at SUCH great ages for it, too! Tom and I are still young enough to do it and the kids are all adult enough to do it. Wow -- THAT'S my dream!

11. What would you like the theme of 2009 to be? Change -- just like Obama says!

12. If 2009 was a book, and the title was 5 words or less, what might the title be? Be the Change You Want

13. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? I took a job NOT in education and media production for kids and teens.

14. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions because I could never keep them!

15. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! My dear friend Rebekah!

16. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.

17. What countries did you visit?
Just Canada -- which is just about in my backyard.

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

19. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 20th, September 1st and September 10th -- the days three of the kids flew the nest and went to college.

10. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Successfully empty nesting. Miss them, but also enjoying just being Tom and me again.

21. What was your biggest failure?
Not taking better care of my health. Letting stress eat me up.

22. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank goodness.

23. What was the best thing you bought?
My camera.

24. Whose behavior merited celebration?
People who voted for Obama and change.

25. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Sarah Palin.

26. Where did most of your money go?
With four kids in college (three for whom we pay tuition), you know the answer to that!!

27. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
November 4th, 2008 and January 20, 2009!

28. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Hey! I Love You!"

29. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a. About the same
b. Fatter. :-(
c. See #26!

30. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing. Moving. Dancing.

31. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. Working before 8 AM and after 8 PM.

32. How did you spend Christmas?
With the immediate family only. All the celebration, none of the stress!

33. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Like for the first time? Nope.

34. What was your favorite TV program?
OK, embarrassed here, but... THE BACHEOLR! And this season starts TONIGHT and features Seattle's own Jason. You better believe I'll be watching!

35. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone.

36. What was the best book you read?
Born on a Blue Day, Blink, and a bunch of others. I get engrossed in books, then forget their names. Weird.

37. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ben Folds

38. What did you want and get?
A new president!

39. What did you want and not get?
An iPhone and an iPod.

40. What was your favorite film of this year?
Saw a bunch, but none sticks out.

41. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 52 and went to the spa with my two daughters. Heaven!

42. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Doing more (career-wise) for kids and families. Helping to bring about a different type of "wealth."

43. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
If my daughter's approved it, it was deemed fashionable and acceptable... and sometimes I vetoed them because... hell, I'm 52, not 25!

44. What kept you sane?
My husband's love and support.

45. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Barack!

46. What political issue stirred you the most?
I was PISSED that we could elect the first black president but take away human rights on the same day! Prop 8 mortified me.

47. Who did you miss?
My mother. Always.

48. Who was the best new person you met?
Rebekah and her kidlets and all my wonderful new friends in Mumbai.

49. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Sometimes you gotta forgo the dream and just take care of life's necessities.

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

"I think I’ll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it’s time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years." (Tim McGraw)