2017 Meme

[mallorys_camera]

I copped this meme from alicey many, many years ago. She no longer inhabits LJ although I continue to know her in – ha, ha, ha – Real Life.

I’ll add here that it doesn’t bother me in the slightest that LJ has turned into a ghost town. The fewer people who read what I write here, the more uninhibited I can be.

I copped this year’s Deeply Symbolic Photograph from zyzyly. I don’t think he’ll mind, and if he does, he can tell me, and I’ll take it down. The photo reminds me so much of one of my very favorite stories, H. G. Wells’ The Door in the Wall, although, of course, Wells’ door was green not blue.

Still…

1. What did you do in 2016 that you'd never done before?

I took an overnight train trip from the quaint and scenic Hudson Valley to Chicago.

I think I was expecting an Agatha Christie experience, but it was nothing like that.

It was an interesting experience, which means, by my standards, that it was an entertaining experience. (I’m not sure that all that many people share my definition of “entertaining.”)

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

I don’t make New Years’ resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

If they did, they’re keeping it a secret.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. The Former Democratic Candidate for Congress and my Aunt Jane.

I’m not sure how “close” I was really to the Former Democratic Candidate, but I liked her a great deal. I haven’t set foot in Cranberry’s since she died – Cranberry’s is what passes as a local coffeehouse hereabouts –because I used to run into her there on Saturday mornings, conducting little impromptu salons for local political activists. I’m sure she would disapprove of this: “Struggling small businesses need your support!” she would lecture me sternly. But you know. Cranberry’s would seem very empty without her.

And I keep the webcam on all my computers covered up with masking tape because she and I went to see Snowden together.

I’ve written realms about my Aunt Jane in this space. She gave me a gift in her will, which was completely unexpected because she and I did not have a Good Relationship. I suppose the deal with Jane is the same deal that it is with most of us: We have generous impulses, we want to be good people, but our personalities, our egos, get in the way. Forgiveness is as much a gift to oneself as it is to the person one is forgiving, and yet, I find it singularly hard to forgive. Is that my Sicilian blood?

I do see the overview. I do know what Jane went through. In fact, I probably understand it better than those she was closest to because although I’m familiar with the narrative, I'm only a minor character in it; a minor character who nonetheless is singularly observant. The saga of my mother and her two sisters is a fascinating one. Would make good fiction!

And I saw her at her best. That day in that classroom at Ithaca College when she was teaching Roethke. (I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow…) She was magical that day. I’m sure she would have preferred to be the self I glimpsed that day all the time.

5. What countries did you visit?

Um. Do Chicago, Berkeley, Oakland, Tustin, or Solvang count?

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

All in all, 2017 was a good year for me. I was pretty contented. My personal life was A-Okay. I mean, yes – It looks like I’m never gonna couple off again. There are men around whom I’m attracted to and who like me, but they’re already coupled off. But, you know. I’ve always been pretty happy having adventures on my own.

Politics, which is driving many of my friends cray-cray, isn’t really bothering me. That’s because I refuse to get caught up in the Ain’t It Awful frenzy. I don’t watch cable news. I always thought Obamacare was problematic, and Obama actually deported more undocumented immigrants his first year in office than Trump has done. In that alternate universe where Hillary Rodham Clinton won the 2016 Presidential Election, the rich are still getting richer and the poor, poorer. I will say that more is being done about climate change in that alternate universe. But we’re at war with Syria.

7. What date(s) from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

(1) January 21: The Woman’s March on Washington. It was amazing to be with so many people without a single negative vibe.



(2) July 4: lifeinroseland took me to Coney Island and then to watch the fabulous fireworks over the East River! I hadn't been to Coney Island since I was a kid, and the fireworks exploded right over my head!



(3) August 21: The eclipse.

No, I was nowhere near the Path of Totality. But it was still a magical experience. Total strangers came together to hold hands in a circle and thank the Universe.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Nothing really.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Nothing really.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?

Still have the Autoimmune Disease and the cataracts. The Autoimmune Disease hasn’t given me much trouble this year – knock on particleboard. I should do something about the cataracts, but I’m afraid the optometrist is gonna tell me, Oh, this isn’t cataracts! It’s an incurable, irreversible eye disease called Mmphblegooharumph, and by this time tomorrow, you will be completely blind!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Oh, Jeeze. I don’t buy things. I spend my discretionary income on trips.

The best thing I acquired is that little elliptical workout bike! But I found it on somebody’s lawn with a sign: Free!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Many, many people. I’m fortunate to be tolerated with affection.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Nobody’s.

Which is not to say that I didn’t stop speaking to a few people. My tolerance for dealing with assholes that I don’t absolutely have to deal with is short these days. But, you know. I’ll put up with a lot of disagreeable behavior before I’ll decide, He/she is an asshole.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Rent, food, kids, insurance, travel.

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

Nothing stands out. I’m sure I did get excited. I’m an excitable girl! But nothing changed my life.

16. What song will always remind you of 2015?

None.

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

a) Happier or sadder? Happier

b) Thinner or fatter? Thinner.

c) Richer or poorer? Richer

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

Finishing pieces I started writing. Trips.

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

Watching mindless streaming entertainments.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Didn’t do anything memorable.

Christmas isn’t meaningful to me.

As a religious holiday – well, hey! I’m a Jew.

As a secular holiday, Christmas appears to be a celebration of ugly sweaters, price-slashed iPhones, and relatives that – ‘fess up! – you can’t like all that much ‘cause you never bother to see them the rest of the year.

The iPhone I have now is just fine, thanks.

21. How will you spend New Years?

If I’m awake, toasting with the casa-mates.

I probably won’t be awake.

22. Did you fall in love in 2017?

No.

23. How many one-night stands?

Ha, ha, ha!

24. What was your favorite TV program?

The Last Kingdom. (“Destiny is ALL!”)

Runners up: All seasons of Orphan Black except the last (which sucked!) and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No.

26. What was the best book you read?

Matthew Desmond’s Evicted.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla’s nuevo tango music.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

28. What did you want and get?

An elliptical bike! An emergency fund!

29. What did you want and not get?

Nada. It helps that I keep my expectations low.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

Get Out. Brilliant movie!!!!!!

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

I’m pretty sure I was doing taxes. I told absolutely no one that it was birthday, and I didn’t identify the date on social media. (I know a lot of people enjoy b-day greetings on FB, but I am not one.) Of course, those who actually know me knew it was my birthday. B sent me a purse! For an X-husband, he’s awfully generous: He also sent me a really nice wool blanket for Christmas.

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

Like I said, it was a good year.

I suppose I would have liked to have won the billion dollar Lotto jackpot, but then I would have had to have bought a Lotto ticket.

I suppose would have liked to have topped the New York Times bestseller list, but then I would have had to have finished one of the innumerable Works in Progress.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

Oh, I have no idea how a 65-year-old woman is supposed to dress! My hair remains a pleasant shade of aubergine with a white fringe; my manicured nails are an attractive shade of shimmery melon. My dear friend Eleanor gifted me with a black cashmere turtleneck, which I wear with jeans. I’d like to buy seven identical cashmere sweaters, seven identical pairs of jeans, and make this my uniform.

I don’t wear much makeup anymore. Every now and then I’ll do the kohl-around-the-eyes thing, but really, I’m not sure it makes much difference. When you’re 65, you look like every other old person out there.

34. What kept you sane?

Exercise. Lightbox (in winter.) Vitamin D. Cats.

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

I did have a couple of celebrity crushes this year. Including one on – I’m embarrassed to admit – James Franco.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The events in Charlottesville in August 2017.

37. Who did you miss?

Nobody really.

38. Who was the best new person you met?

lifeinroseland. Samir.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016

“What it boils down to is putting one’s feelings on a special plane; most unwise, if you come to think of it. Because the bitter but true fact is that the only person who cares about one’s own feelings is ONE." -- Jessica Mitford