New Year’s Quiz
Sometimes I’m like freakin’ Powder when it comes to techie gadgets. It’s possible, that I just run them into the ground with use but really, the way that electronics malfunction while in my presence is unsettling. Does it happen to me more than most people? Probably not. Will I complain about it though, like it does? Absolutely.
In what I’ve now deemed “The Great Mother*%&#board Blow-out of ’07”, I lost my entire Outlook inbox including several related to impending deadlines. One of the disappearing e-mails contained info on who to send a small article for Interweave Crochet I wrote, so I jumped on Kim Werker’s (mag editor-in-chief) blog for guidance. On it she had filled out a questionnaire that clued me in on what’s been going on with her. I don’t know her very well and I really enjoyed reading it because in some way, I think of blogs as frequently updated briefings on people you relate to, admire or, are just curious about. You can read her post here and see my answers to the same questionnaire below.
(*Completely unrelated, as I’m typing this Blondie’s “Call Me” is on the radio and I can’t help thinking about watching her sing this song on Solid Gold in the early ’80s–man, I loved her shiny pants! My cousin Chris was an Associate Producer for the SG–remember, it’s the one that was hosted by Marylin McCoo?–and I remember tuning in religiously just to see her name in the credits roll by. The Blondie episode though, that was by far my favorite. But I digress.)
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Eloped. Visited Vancouver, Vermont, MN, Chicago and Massachusetts. Produced a podcast.
2. What are your New Years Resolutions?
I don’t so much do the resolution thing–I feel like they set us up for failure.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?
Yes! Both my best friend and sister-in-law had baby boys last spring.
Oh, and a good friend in California had her 3rd boy at age 44–wowza!
4. Did anyone close to you die.
Fortunately, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Canada…barely. I had to drive over the border to make it to a “She’s Crafty” shoot. I’m happy to report though, that I now have a valid passport and plan on (hopefully) using it in the near future.
6 What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Peace of mind, professionally. Since royalties aren’t a reality in how-to tv programming, my show being on hiatus for the entire year forced me to hustle… even more than usual.
7. What date(s) in 2007 will remain etched in your memory and why?
March 30th, the day Dave & I got married in a wine cave in Napa Valley.
It’ll also be hard not to think about February 14th 2007, every year on Valentines Day. That was when all of us us DIY craft hosts and crew were trapped overnight in a house in Vermont during the largest blizzard in recent history. And when I say “trapped”, I mean snowed in…with wine, a great view and a roaring fireplace. Poor us. 😉
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Personally: Marrying my best friend and finally feeling like my children are happy and settled in our joint family situation.
Professionally: Launching my own yarn line with SWTC and finishing writing a book (Knit Aid).
9. What was your biggest failure?
Personally: Not getting anywhere near perfecting the co-parenting gig with the ex.
Professionally: Letting my name be used on a disastrous project that I had little to do with.
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Nah. I was a little worn out after the tour/holiday special shoot extravaganza but thankfully, last year was spent feeling pretty healthy.
11. What was the best thing someone bought you?
My new, red Fender Jaguar Bass (see above post)!
12. Who’s behavior merited celebration?
The families who were granted homes through Habitat for Humanity program I worked with in L.A.. They all had to work very hard to get through the approval process and continued to, aiding in the construction of their future residences. Also, the little old ladies of South Carolina I met at Warm Up America who had assembled thousands of blankets collectively, for people in need.
13. Who’s behavior appalled and depressed you?
The members of the current U.S. administration.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, taxes, wardrobe for shoots and reinvestment in my necessities for my business.
15. What did you get really, really excited about?
Running away to get married, seeing my kids experience Christmas morning, working with my new yarn line, and the fantastic response to my little pet project, my podcast CRL.
16. What song(s) reminds you of 2007?
“Love is a Place” by Metric, “Here’s Your Future” , by The Thermals and, “Robots”, by Flight of the Conchords
17. Compared to last year are you…
a.) Happier or Sadder? Happier
b.) Thinner or Fatter? I prefer, “working-to-bring-the-trend-of- too tight-clothing-back”
c.) Richer or Poorer? (See answer to Question #6)
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Making more gifts for my friends and family, rather than buying them.
Set aside more time for charity.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Hustling and traveling for work (See #6)
20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with my family, mom and mother-in-law. It was lovely.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007.
I fell deeper, yes.
22. How many one night stands did you have?
None. Thankfully, I’m officially out of that world.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Dexter & Big Love
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t this time last year?
I may choose to distance myself from certain people but, I don’t really ever hate anyone, ever. Hatred takes up too much energy that I’d rather expel in other ways.
25. What was the best book you read?
Middlesex
26. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Went with the fam to my friends Courtney & Matt’s house for an early, Thanksgiving celebration. I turned 34.
27. What was your best musical discovery?
Oooh, that’s a tough one. I discovered a ton of new bands last year. I guess though out of all of them, I probably listened to The Thermals, Great Northern, Mew and Silversun Pickups the most.
28. What did you want and get?
I agree with Kim, this is a weird question. A pink pony? A trip to the moon? Kidding.
Everything I really want and have revolves around my family and friends.
29. What was your favorite film of the year?
Another tough one, I’m as big of filmphile as I am a musicphile (and yes, I know those aren’t real words). I loved Knocked Up, Sweeney Todd and Gone Baby Gone, though.
**Addendum: Since originally posting this quiz I watched Juno & 3:10 to Yuma, which were both AWESOME. Thank you.
30. What did you want and not get?
Floor to ceiling bookshelves. 😉
31. What one thing would’ve made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More respect from the broadcast community for crafts and overall do-it-yourself lifestyle hobbies and art forms as valid genres of entertainment and audience interest.
32. How would you describe your fashion concept for 2007?
Same as always, really: casual funky with influences from art, music, screen and both modern and retro trends. I did bring back more black into my wardrobe this year. I missed it. :)
33. What kept you sane?
Dave, my best friend Tammy, and wine.
34. Which celebrity or public figure did you admire most?
Al Gore & Barack Obama for waking up the collective conscious of this country (and others).
The writers on strike for standing up for their rights.
35. What political issue stirred you most?
Women’s rights, health care and environmentalism.
36. Who do you miss?
My brother in California.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
My new friend, Adrienne. She’s the kindest, most giving person I met in 2007.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned?
Have faith in people, but trust yourself more.
39. Quote a song line that defines your year.
“Every rose has it’s thorn
Just like every night has it’s dawn
Just like every cowboy
sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has it’s thorn.
Yeah it does.”
–Poison
(At this point in the quiz, I’m clearly just entertaining myself)
Happy hump day! (If I this post wasn’t already way too long, I’d get in to how much despise ending in “ump” make me gag.)
xo,
Vickie
Vickie, Vickie, Vickie. It was the great Bret Michaels of POISON that wrote that song, not GNR. And, if it’s any consolation, I write DIY all the time for new episodes of KG. :/
Dammit, you’re right! Shame on me for that snafu. I know better than that, since I saw them sing it live in the late 80’s/early 90’s. I’ll change it right now!
um, dexter rocks socks. AND it’s going to be aired now on CBS starting Feb. 17th!!! (or is it the 10th? I can’t remember)
i blog about the showtime network, so it’s cool everytime i see someone else loving their shows!
hahaha… love the Powder reference…
Hi Vickie:
I am VERY VERY upset that your show is on at 5:00 am in Florida. I love your show, and It is the only reason I bothered paying for cable and see DIY. We have enough crap on T.V and your show is inspirational, brings out the creativity in all of us. If you don’t do the show anymore, I will cancel DIY since I already have HGTV and don’t need another painting, fixing, or carpenter show to watch. We need more craft shows.. Scrapbooking, Knitting, ect. etc.
All my best to you,
Edie Vargas
Lake Worth, Florida
Roe-Thank you for getting it. I forgot to put the link in to the movie, so it didn’t seem obscure. 🙂
Robyn- Yeah, I got the books that the Dexter series is based on for Christmas, too–although I must say that I like the creative changes the writers made for the show. That said, it’ll be interesting to see if it translates well to network TV. It kind of makes me cringe to think of how they’re going to have to water it down. I mean Deb’s mouth alone will require a whole team of dubbers!
Edie-I hear ya, sister!
Hi Vickie,
OMG, someone else remembers the glory days of Solid Gold and that Debbie Harry episode. She sang Call Me but she was by herself. I Remember when she hosted an entire SG episode. Glad to know another Blodnie fan.
Cheers!
I’m so jealous that you met Adrienne Armstrong, she seems like a really cool person!
Glad you had what sounds like a fantastic year!
I’m sad to hear that Knitty Gritty is on hiatus. My kiddos napped at the time it was on, so it was my break during the day. I’d knit and watch the show. BTW I agree with the New Years resoultions….I hate setting myself up for failure too. It’s seem eaiser to start resoultions when my kids go back to school in the Fall. I have more time to spare. 🙂 Take care.
Damn, what am I gonna do without Knitty Gritty. Thank god for the TIVO. They are all there on the tivo.
As for tech related issues..I lost 9 years worth of picture from my external hard drive. My heart is broked along with the hard drive.
I do hope to have a positive 2008…life was a bit tough for me. Lost my best friend from college, having to use my ventilator more, and just not up to par.
But with a positive attitude that I try to keep, will make 2008 better.
I will keep knitting, to keep life content.
always
annette m Hanna
Reading these comments i was reminded of how knitting & crafting in general, has helped me survive many setbacks & tragedies in my life as well as providing me with great satisfaction and peace of mind. Guess I’m going to have to get tivo! I am still writing DIY (as well as other knitsters i know) for new episodes. Hang in there! You already do so much for us & your appreciated although more money is good too! 🙂 MargKnitin’ARound
I love your show, I tivo it so I never miss and episode:) I live in Napa, which wine cave did you get married in? I have the same technology affliction, I am constantly ready to throw one of the computers out the window! Did someone design your blog layout for you or do you do it yourself? I really like it and am wanting to change my blog layout to be more esthetically pleasing! Glad I found your blog, looking forward to seeing what you come up with next! You are an inspiration!!!!
Vickie,
Are the broadcast people nuts?? Let me tell you, crafting and knitting kept me sane thru a rough childhood and continue to do so well into my 40s (am a teacher now, I knit every night!!). It is not just a pasttime, it helps us focus on something positive in a world full of insanity. I still tape your shows and watch the reruns anyway, but the girls in the knitting group and I are craving more!! Who do we complain to??