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athersgeoFirstly, the 2005 meme
What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Visited New York City and Duisburg (not at at the same time!)
Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Um *looks down at waistline* no.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Actually, yes. There's been a positive glut of babies around me - and another two expected before the end of the year (both of which are more or less due on my birthday!)
Did anyone close to you die?
Well, a relation of mine died (Great Aunt), but I think I'd only met her once or twice, so it was something I was aware of but not hideously sad about.
What countries did you visit?
America and German - it's just possible I might have been in Holland, but I'm not convinced of that.
What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A book published.
What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The date that OUGHT to be etched in my mind is the day Michael Vaughn wrapped his hands around the Ashes trophy, but I suck with dates.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I passed my first OU course - which would actually be my first higher education course that I've passed without the aid of resits.
What was your biggest failure?
Organisation. Another thing I suck at - appearences to the contrary here in LJ!
What was the best thing you bought?
Toss up between my digital camera and my Sony Walkman (Hard disk version!)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Way too many to mention
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
*shrugs* Can’t think of anyone.
Where did most of your money go?
On car parts. I was thinking it was my normal mismash of DVDs and books, but all things considered, I've spent upwards of £7000 on cars and car parts this year, so that's gotta be the hands down winner - particularly if you throw in petrol too!
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Vacations, gatherings and getting to be REEEEEEALLY distructive with a sledge hammer!!!
What song will always remind you of 2005?
"Rolling Stock" from Starlight Express - probably sung in German.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Probably marginally happier - but it's not a big shift.
ii. thinner or fatter? Depressingly, fatter
iii. richer or poorer? Financially poorer. See previous comments re cars!
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing. I've spent rather a lot of this year going "I should be writing but I can't be arsed". I do also kinda wish I'd done more exercise.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'd say Puzzle Pirates, but I've made new friends through that, so no real complaints.
How will you be spending Christmas?
Quietly, with the 'rents and the bother.
Did you fall in love in 2005?
Ah, nope.
How many one-night stands?
The only person who's shared my bed in the last year is one of the cats. And that's usually not when I'm in it. So none.
What was your favorite TV program?
TV? What is this TV that you speak of?
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Well there are one or two clients who are on my shit list, but as I'm pretty sure they were there this time last year - and for the same reasons - nope.
What was the best book you read?
Being Freddie - Andrew Flintoff
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Best new albums I've bought are "All The Right Reasons" by Nickelback and "Have A Nice Day" by Bon Jovi. Can't say either of them were a discovery, though; I've liked 'em both for yonks and absolute yonks respectively!
What did you want and get?
A good grade on my OU course
What did you want and not get?
Shadow Games published. I've now got three rejection slips and four other people who haven't bothered (yet) to respond.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Hotel Rwanda (absolutely spinetingling drama and fantastically acted - and robbed at the Oscars)
Ice Princess (enjoyable, fun and entertaining - it may vie with Labyrinth as my "pickmeup" film)
Lethal (so bad it is absolutely hysterical)
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I haven't yet. It's in a few days time and I'll be twenty-seven. I can tell you that I'm proposing to spend SOME of the day scrubbing the kitchen floor (it needs doing and I have the day off, so it seems like a marriage made in heaven!), but other than that, I expect it'll be a quiet day.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not going through the car hassles I got stiffed with March through to November (and touch wood, they're now over!) would have made life less stressful, while getting Shadow Games accepted first try would have been validation that I didn't waste the greater part of last year!
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Comfortable.
What kept you sane?
Sane? Who the hell says I'm sane?!
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Daniel Southworth. Which was the same answer I gave last year, too, I expect!
What political issue stirred you the most?
I don't do politics online.
Who did you miss?
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ganeris and family and the rest of the folks in PA. It's been way too long.
Who was the best new person you met?
I could answer "worst new person you met" (which would be one of the candidates who stood in my area in the elections - and who had the most unpleasant handshake I've ever had to accept), but best?
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
That, apparently (and according to the police), it's more or less my own fault that my car was broken into because I'd dared to leave my glove box shut. (For anyone reading this who doesn't know the story, page back to March this year and you'll get the whole story.)
Quote a song lyric.
"Everybody's different - God makes no mistakes" - Bon Jovi "Welcome To Wherever You Are"
Secondly, one of my infamous film reviews...
When I was little, I had a Marvel annual. It was my first meeting with Wolverine, indulged my love of Spiderman, convinced me The Incredible Hulk was ok really, and it introduced me to The Fantastic Four. I foun them interesting and different (though I DID find the idea of a man who could stretch himself out like Mr Fantastic just a little disturbing - did and still do) and enjoyed the story they had in that annual.
So you'd think that I'd be first in line to see the Fantastic Four movie when it came out. I wasn't. For a whole bunch of reasons, I didn't get round to seeing it in the cinema and now that I've seen it on DVD, I'm glad I didn't bother hauling my butt out to the multiplex for it. I'd have felt cheated.
I'll start with the things I did like: Johnny Storm (and the fire effects to go with his character) were perfect and just how I'd have imagined it to be. Ben Grim (and the makeup/costume effects to go with his character) were even more perfect. Michael Chiklis was a fantastic piece of casting and he was absolutely brilliant, as was Chris Evans.
And now to what I didn't go so much on: Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards didn't work well for me. He didn't seem quite old enough. Julian MacMahon was on the scenery chewing side of life and slimy to boot. I'm not familiar enough with the comics to know if that's an accurate portrayal of Dr Doom, but it didn't come off well to me. Also, the story was quite weak - I know that it's the "establishing" movie, but X-Men, when they launched to the big screen, actually contrived quite a workable story to establish the characters, whereas this is just...nothing. Sure, they go up into space, get zapped, come back and end up superheroes, but...it was virtually plotless, and the buildup to von Doom's transition into Dr Doom was so slow that the end fight was almost anticlimactic. And then there was that very silly scene with Reed Richards being frozen. Guh. I hate it when they do that in an otherwise "serious" film. It never looks good to me.
And then there's what I flat out hated: Jessica Alba is waaaaaay too young. If I remember right, Sue Storm is supposed to be older than her brother and the same age (or thereabouts) as Reed, Ben and von Doom and it just did not work because she was so clearly twenty years younger than Chiklis and ten years younger than Gruffudd and MacMahon. She did OK in the part in most respects and her manerisms matched the ones I remember from that one comic strip I've read, but I can't help but wish they'd gone with someone a little older - Rachel McAdams, who was in the hunt for the role, for example, would have been perfect. And then there's the introduction of Alicia Masters, The Thing's girlfriend. Kerry Washington, frankly, was crap. Alicia is supposed to be blind and Kerry Washington's body language was entirely wrong and, worse, you could actually see her focussing on Chiklis in her introductory scene - I don't mean turning her head in his direction, I mean actually looking at him. Honey, you're supposed to be playing a blind gal; even if the costume is the wildest thing you've ever seen, you're not supposed to be visibly taking in the details!
And all that is without me going into the assorted minor snafus and unexplained things like "why are Reed's clothes expanding with him before he's actually in the suit?".
All things considered, it's not going to be one of my films of 2005.
And, apart from saying that tomorrow, I *WILL* finish Five by Five (see my resolve face and determination), that's all she wrote, folks.
Time for bed!
What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
Visited New York City and Duisburg (not at at the same time!)
Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Um *looks down at waistline* no.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Actually, yes. There's been a positive glut of babies around me - and another two expected before the end of the year (both of which are more or less due on my birthday!)
Did anyone close to you die?
Well, a relation of mine died (Great Aunt), but I think I'd only met her once or twice, so it was something I was aware of but not hideously sad about.
What countries did you visit?
America and German - it's just possible I might have been in Holland, but I'm not convinced of that.
What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
A book published.
What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The date that OUGHT to be etched in my mind is the day Michael Vaughn wrapped his hands around the Ashes trophy, but I suck with dates.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I passed my first OU course - which would actually be my first higher education course that I've passed without the aid of resits.
What was your biggest failure?
Organisation. Another thing I suck at - appearences to the contrary here in LJ!
What was the best thing you bought?
Toss up between my digital camera and my Sony Walkman (Hard disk version!)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Way too many to mention
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
*shrugs* Can’t think of anyone.
Where did most of your money go?
On car parts. I was thinking it was my normal mismash of DVDs and books, but all things considered, I've spent upwards of £7000 on cars and car parts this year, so that's gotta be the hands down winner - particularly if you throw in petrol too!
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Vacations, gatherings and getting to be REEEEEEALLY distructive with a sledge hammer!!!
What song will always remind you of 2005?
"Rolling Stock" from Starlight Express - probably sung in German.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Probably marginally happier - but it's not a big shift.
ii. thinner or fatter? Depressingly, fatter
iii. richer or poorer? Financially poorer. See previous comments re cars!
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing. I've spent rather a lot of this year going "I should be writing but I can't be arsed". I do also kinda wish I'd done more exercise.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'd say Puzzle Pirates, but I've made new friends through that, so no real complaints.
How will you be spending Christmas?
Quietly, with the 'rents and the bother.
Did you fall in love in 2005?
Ah, nope.
How many one-night stands?
The only person who's shared my bed in the last year is one of the cats. And that's usually not when I'm in it. So none.
What was your favorite TV program?
TV? What is this TV that you speak of?
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Well there are one or two clients who are on my shit list, but as I'm pretty sure they were there this time last year - and for the same reasons - nope.
What was the best book you read?
Being Freddie - Andrew Flintoff
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Best new albums I've bought are "All The Right Reasons" by Nickelback and "Have A Nice Day" by Bon Jovi. Can't say either of them were a discovery, though; I've liked 'em both for yonks and absolute yonks respectively!
What did you want and get?
A good grade on my OU course
What did you want and not get?
Shadow Games published. I've now got three rejection slips and four other people who haven't bothered (yet) to respond.
What was your favorite film of this year?
Hotel Rwanda (absolutely spinetingling drama and fantastically acted - and robbed at the Oscars)
Ice Princess (enjoyable, fun and entertaining - it may vie with Labyrinth as my "pickmeup" film)
Lethal (so bad it is absolutely hysterical)
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I haven't yet. It's in a few days time and I'll be twenty-seven. I can tell you that I'm proposing to spend SOME of the day scrubbing the kitchen floor (it needs doing and I have the day off, so it seems like a marriage made in heaven!), but other than that, I expect it'll be a quiet day.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not going through the car hassles I got stiffed with March through to November (and touch wood, they're now over!) would have made life less stressful, while getting Shadow Games accepted first try would have been validation that I didn't waste the greater part of last year!
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Comfortable.
What kept you sane?
Sane? Who the hell says I'm sane?!
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Daniel Southworth. Which was the same answer I gave last year, too, I expect!
What political issue stirred you the most?
I don't do politics online.
Who did you miss?
ganeris and family and the rest of the folks in PA. It's been way too long.Who was the best new person you met?
I could answer "worst new person you met" (which would be one of the candidates who stood in my area in the elections - and who had the most unpleasant handshake I've ever had to accept), but best?
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
That, apparently (and according to the police), it's more or less my own fault that my car was broken into because I'd dared to leave my glove box shut. (For anyone reading this who doesn't know the story, page back to March this year and you'll get the whole story.)
Quote a song lyric.
"Everybody's different - God makes no mistakes" - Bon Jovi "Welcome To Wherever You Are"
Secondly, one of my infamous film reviews...
When I was little, I had a Marvel annual. It was my first meeting with Wolverine, indulged my love of Spiderman, convinced me The Incredible Hulk was ok really, and it introduced me to The Fantastic Four. I foun them interesting and different (though I DID find the idea of a man who could stretch himself out like Mr Fantastic just a little disturbing - did and still do) and enjoyed the story they had in that annual.
So you'd think that I'd be first in line to see the Fantastic Four movie when it came out. I wasn't. For a whole bunch of reasons, I didn't get round to seeing it in the cinema and now that I've seen it on DVD, I'm glad I didn't bother hauling my butt out to the multiplex for it. I'd have felt cheated.
I'll start with the things I did like: Johnny Storm (and the fire effects to go with his character) were perfect and just how I'd have imagined it to be. Ben Grim (and the makeup/costume effects to go with his character) were even more perfect. Michael Chiklis was a fantastic piece of casting and he was absolutely brilliant, as was Chris Evans.
And now to what I didn't go so much on: Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards didn't work well for me. He didn't seem quite old enough. Julian MacMahon was on the scenery chewing side of life and slimy to boot. I'm not familiar enough with the comics to know if that's an accurate portrayal of Dr Doom, but it didn't come off well to me. Also, the story was quite weak - I know that it's the "establishing" movie, but X-Men, when they launched to the big screen, actually contrived quite a workable story to establish the characters, whereas this is just...nothing. Sure, they go up into space, get zapped, come back and end up superheroes, but...it was virtually plotless, and the buildup to von Doom's transition into Dr Doom was so slow that the end fight was almost anticlimactic. And then there was that very silly scene with Reed Richards being frozen. Guh. I hate it when they do that in an otherwise "serious" film. It never looks good to me.
And then there's what I flat out hated: Jessica Alba is waaaaaay too young. If I remember right, Sue Storm is supposed to be older than her brother and the same age (or thereabouts) as Reed, Ben and von Doom and it just did not work because she was so clearly twenty years younger than Chiklis and ten years younger than Gruffudd and MacMahon. She did OK in the part in most respects and her manerisms matched the ones I remember from that one comic strip I've read, but I can't help but wish they'd gone with someone a little older - Rachel McAdams, who was in the hunt for the role, for example, would have been perfect. And then there's the introduction of Alicia Masters, The Thing's girlfriend. Kerry Washington, frankly, was crap. Alicia is supposed to be blind and Kerry Washington's body language was entirely wrong and, worse, you could actually see her focussing on Chiklis in her introductory scene - I don't mean turning her head in his direction, I mean actually looking at him. Honey, you're supposed to be playing a blind gal; even if the costume is the wildest thing you've ever seen, you're not supposed to be visibly taking in the details!
And all that is without me going into the assorted minor snafus and unexplained things like "why are Reed's clothes expanding with him before he's actually in the suit?".
All things considered, it's not going to be one of my films of 2005.
And, apart from saying that tomorrow, I *WILL* finish Five by Five (see my resolve face and determination), that's all she wrote, folks.
Time for bed!
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-04 10:44 pm (UTC)At least I can tell you that you spent a week about 45 minutes away from the border to the Netherlands ;).
What song will always remind you of 2005?
"Rolling Stock" from Starlight Express - probably sung in German.
I wonder why! *grins*
What was your biggest failure?
Organisation. Another thing I suck at - appearences to the contrary here in LJ!
Organisation? What is this organisation? Never heard of that, nuh-uh. ^_~
(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-04 11:47 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-12-05 05:52 pm (UTC)