Riding the Slipstream

One of my blog-friends(?) passed this meme on to me and dared me to complete it. I am sure she made up, in the hopes of duping me into revealing more about myself. It is lengthy, but what the bloody heck! 1. What did you do in 2005 that you had not done before? I took an honest and painful look at myself and decided I needed to make a few changes. 2. Did anyone close to you give birth? A good friend became a father. Sharing in his happiness, made me want to raise a flock of little chittys. [Slap me, please] 3. Did anyone close to you get married? A cousin got married in November. It morphed into more of a family reunion, which was quite nice. 4. Did anyone close to you die? Thankfully, no. I hate funerals. 5. Did you travel? Where did you go? Best holiday memory? I traveled quite a bit around South Africa. Last year was the first time in a long time that I did not travel outside of South Africa. It was nice, but I am starting to miss not going overseas. Best holiday memory would be the ski-holiday at Tiffendel in August. 6. Best thing(s) you bought? Two things: IPod nano. For the money I paid, it had better be! Canon EOS 350D Digital SLR camera 7. Where did most of your money go? I have absolutely no idea! Here... there.. everywhere. My money disappeared as fast as I could make it. I can’t remember half the things (junk) I bought in 2005. A great big chunk went on parties & booze. Extremely sad! 8. What do you wish you had done more of? Focusing on what’s important, not only on what’s important to myself but to the people in my life. I wish I had loved more. 9. What do you wish you had done less of? Spending money. I guess I should have tighter control over my finances. Problem is, fun=money (mostly) and I so like to have fun. 10. What kept you sane? My girlfriend and my ability to adapt to circumstances. 11. What drove you mad? The uncertainty and insecurity that comes with changing jobs. I hate not in being control of my destiny and I went though a phase last year where it seemed I was not. 12. What made you celebrate? Strangely enough, my new job and the fact that I finally got the better of my old boss. 13. What made you sad? My infinite capacity to ignore what is right in front of me. The war in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina and the poverty & suffering I see around me every day. 14. How was your birthday this year? It was a grand affair. One I will remember for years to come. I like the idea of growing older in years; it is the physical decline that comes with it that freaks me out. Which reminds me... regular visits to the gym. 15. What political issue stirred you the most this year? The Zuma affair and how close we came (and still could) to having him as our next president. 16. Where you in love in 2005? Yes and I still fall in love every day. 17. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn't have in 2005? Stability. A harem of beautiful women? 18. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why? Two dates: The day I sat down with my father and discussed my feelings about leaving my job. The fact that he cared enough to listen and the sound advice he gave me. The day I ran into my high school sweetheart and realised that she was never meant to be mine to begin with. 19. What song will remind you of 2005? You’re Beautiful – James Blunt 20. Compared to this time last year are you happier? Yes, I am. I have grown and matured. There’s hope and anticipation in the air and I look forward to achieving my goals. My long-term memory is shot and I’m sure I said the same thing last year… haha! 21. Biggest achievement in 2005? Changing jobs. Not allowing my penis to get the better of my common sense? 22. Biggest disappointment in 2005? No taking full advantage of all the opportunities that came my way. I guess conscience really does make cowards of us all. 23. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied? Winning the Lotto Who am I kidding? I’m a hedonistic SOB, so it is all about self-indulgence and physical pleasure to me. 24. Best new person you met this year? The stewardess I met at the team getaway. The kiss was awesome, time stopped, and one of the more romantic moments of 2005. My fellow bloggers. 25. A valuable life lesson you learnt this year? Life is fluid in all its aspects. In order to survive and be happy, one sometimes has to go with the flow. I am not tagging ANYONE, but I challenge you to take stock of your life in 2005, if you dare!