How I Spent My 2007

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?

  • Went on a real vacation to another country with friends (instead of just family).
  • Spent the night at the office a few times.
  • Had my first video shoot.
  • Hosted a few 3.5 hour training sessions for clients all by myself.
  • Fired someone.
  • Attended traffic school.
  • Ate Krystal's Burgers.
  • Mastered the art of the Rubik's Cube.

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

Last Year:

I want to be able to run a mile non-stop. I haven't been able to do that since 9th grade.

Whoa. I didn't remember saying that. :oh: I started out running and the end of last year, but since my office moved to West LA (taking away another 1.5 hours of my day), it's hard to have energy to run by the time I get home.

This year I want to work on two things:

  • Eating Slower — I keep hearing the benefits of eating slowly, but mainly it's the benefit of losing weight. This means drinking one big glass of water before every meal, and breaking my habit of pre-opening my ketchup/sauce packets, among other things.
  • Making More Small Talk — Because I'm working, it's easy to fall into the trap of only talking to my co-workers during the week. Not to knock on my co-workers or anything, but I need to be more social again. To start, I'll work on making small talk with all the hot moms people I bump into in my building.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

This year? Not that I can think of. But two more babies for the family are due next year though. Fuck! Means more birthday and christmas presents to pay for!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Nobody! Truly blessed this year.

5. What countries did you visit?

Bahamas, Puerto Rico and some other islands in the Western Caribbean.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

I'd like to have my new online business up and running! It's a lot of time, work and money on my part but my gut is telling me to do it.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I suck at remember dates, but I'll always remember:

  • my first all-nighter at the office
  • the Reunion Cruise
  • talking to my dad on the drive to Vegas for Thanksgiving.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Definitly selling my basketball site. It was a big step for me, and the timing was just right for this point of my career.

9. What was your biggest failure?

None. Wow, that's a first!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Just the occasional sniffles I get when I eat something off the table.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My iPhone. I could walk around the house with no clothes on, but I won't feel naked as long as I have my iPhone at hand.

iPhone

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Clarissa, Lindsey, Mogley...got married!

And Erol's valiant effort in the Hairy Chest Contest:

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Finding out her mom is getting divorce...for the third time.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Savings, like a good boy. And then the occasional splurge on things like my iPhone, Wii, Aeron and [Ferrari](http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5646/imgp0050500x375shklht2.jpg alt: Ferarri Panerai).

But after reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad, I'm definitely gonna be smarter with my money this upcoming year.

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

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

  • The Great Escape* by Boys Like Girls
  • September (Earth, Wind & Fire Cover)* by Sisqo and Vitamin C

17. Compared to this time last year, are you...

  • Happier or sadder? About the same. I definitely have a routine down these days. I love my job, so it's all good.
  • Thinner or fatter? Jollier. Had a hard time finding a good place to play ball after long working hours and commuting from LA.
  • Richer or poorer? Richer. Feels good knowing it's all my money too.

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

Chill with Webb and Cal Poly friends more.

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

Less driving. My baby's already got 19,000+ miles on her!

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

At Raynell's with the whole family:

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

Yep. Everytime I look at Shannon. Looking at her is like looking at myself naked in the mirror; the first thing I think of is "God damn, you are one fucking sexy bitch!"

22. How many one-night stands?

:chill:

23. What was your favorite TV program?

24. What is the best book you read this year?

The Google Story

I love the first few chapters of The Google Story: "How the fuck are we gonna make money?" "I dunno."

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Samir's collection of old school 90's dance and techno mixes.

26. What did you want and get?

  • My Herman Miller Aeron chair.
  • My Ferrari Panerai

27. What did you want and not get?

To see all the girls on the reunion cruise.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Superbad
Transformer: The Movie

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

Turned 25. Half-day at work, birthday cake, korean bbq with co-workers, and then Rainforest Cafe with Meliss.

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

Seeing all my homegirls.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

The same 'ol clothes, hahaha. I realized how expensive clothes are when I started paying for it with my own cash. Good thing my job has a nearly non-existant dress code so I can wear whatever the hell I want. :biggrin:

Alan:

What the fuck, you wear that Shark Week shit all the fucking time!

32. What kept you sane?

Lunch breaks with Tracie and late nights with Meliss on AIM.

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

Started to have a thing for blondes this year:

Carrie Underwood
Kristen Bell
Elisha Cuthbert

Carrie Underwood — grew a big appreciation for her after seeing her dressed down in her I'll Stand By You video.

Kristen Bell — kept hearing her name and finally saw her on Heroes.

Elisha Cuthbert — couldn't get enough of her when I went on my 24 marathon, and fell harder for her when I heard her on the radio. Cutest fucking laugh evar.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The RIAA continuing to ruin the music industry.

35. Who did you miss?

Nadin. April. Tracie.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Becca cuz she's kinda cool and easy on the eyes. And she bakes me some magical cookies.

The rest of my co-workers are awesome too. It's cool to be able to really let out my inner geek among other geeks. :chill:

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

The client is always right, even when they're wrong. They pay you to do shit for them, not to think for them.

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

Not a song lyric, but a piece written by Ralph Waldo Emerson (via Joyce's blog):

To laugh often and much.
To win the respect of intelligent people,
and the affection of children.
To earn the appreciation of honest critics,
and endure the betrayal of false friends.
To appreciate beauty.
To find the best in others.
To leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition.
To know even one life has breathed easier,
because you have lived.
That is to have succeeded.

39. Past Years Surveys

  • 2003: It's Been a Great Year »
  • 2004: Mel's Year in Review »
  • 2005: How I Spent My Year 2005 »
  • 2006: How I Spent My Year 2006 »