First meme (I think)

I don't think I've posted a meme on this blog before, I'm sure I've answered a few questions in one once, but what the hell, here goes nothing.

I yoinked this from Cathy, who I believed yoinked it from someone else.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
2 things come to mind - getting involved with a wonderful woman and having the quickest job turn around in history.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make any last year, haven't really decided about this year. I have a few "goals" but no "resolutions".

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A couple of old friends, a couple of new friends, I'm sure a lot of people I can't remember.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not last year.

5. What countries did you visit?
I was a homebody. Again.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More love. Money. Stability.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Feb 4th, June 10th, Dec 11th.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Accepting sometimes I have to fail to move forward.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting myself stuck in a situation I'm not so sure about (No, not relationship)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope, well aside from the general overweightness.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Purchased. 2008. Umm ... Maybe 2009.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
I have to mention Cathy here - because the growth she has experienced in 2008 is amazing.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Pretty much every politician and public "servant" on the planet.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Paying for a big mistake from long ago. As per usual.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Me? "really, really, really excited"? Yeah, this meme doesn't know me. Although my girlfriend coming home was pretty good.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Have no clue. Yup, even the "Top 1's of 2008" don't give me a hint.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?, b) thinner or fatter?, c) richer or poorer?
Much, much happier. A little thinner. Pretty much the same amount of poorness.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Earn more. Live more. Experience more. Sleep more. Work less more

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Be nervous and overthink.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Spent the day with my beloved. Best christmas in a long time.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Certainly did. Pretty amazing too.

22. What was your favourite TV programme?
As much as people will scoff at this - I don't think I have a "favourite".

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I *hate* anyone. I pity a lot of people, but don't think I hate.

24. What was the best book you read?
Must start a book list this year - I can't remember their names!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Almost understood what tap is all about. Almost.

26. What did you want and get?
A relationship with a wonderful woman. Someone to have fun with.

27. What did you want and not get?
Winning a lottery. A job that pays me mega-bucks and let's me have 360 days off a year.

28. What was your favourite film of this year?
A number of very, very good films but nothing is standing out.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Last year of my 20's this year. I have a stretched out birthday, most with my amazing girlfriend. Dinner with Cathy, dinner (or was it lunch?) with my family and then a great drinking session with a few of my friends. Was a fantastic birthday.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not overthinking things so much.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Personal what now? I believe the word that springs to mind when most people see me is "conservative".

32. What kept you sane?
Who said I was sane at any time?

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
The most? I don't think there's one out there I'd drop everything for.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Global Warming and the Nanny State that was Australia (in other words the Net Censorship)

35. Who did you miss?
The same person I have for the past 16 years.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Cathy.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Sometimes it's ok to get what you really want.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I am the invisible man.

When chivalry is killed

I know, I know, two blogs in one day - scray huh!

So, today I had the dubious honour of riding on Melbourne's public transport system. Generally I try to use this whenever possible, it's easier than finding car parks where I go and I can get on my high horse about being environmentally friendly - then go have a 20 minute shower. But I digress.

Today I was on a tram, the second tram of today. As most places of work are still on holidays and those that aren't are really only there to have a reason for the lights to be on - the trams were quiet and a bit slower than normal. Plenty of tourists and elderly people stumbling around with glazed looks. Perhaps the tourists more than the old troublemakers. Anyway, as I got near my stop I did the right thing and pulled the cord and went to stand near (ish) the door. I had just given up my seat to a nice old lady who thanked me profusely and smiled as I went to get near the door.

Now for a bit of non-tram-user information. Generally there are 3 "doors" on a tram. One at each end (next to the driver, similar to a bus) and one in the middle. Generally the doors in the middle are bigger so people can enter and exit at the same time. Not so for the doors near the driver. Which is where I was attempting to remove myself from this vehicle. It is also considered "polite" to allow the people getting off the tram, the ability to do so and then get on the tram yourself. Now, keep in mind that I was within personal comfort zone distance from the driver, I could hear him breathing, and that I was near the door awaiting to get off.

Pulling the cord, I stood near the door - and then I noticed them. A few old people struggling to get on board. Well, I thought to myself, how about I be nice and let these people on before I get off (they were old people and had assumed they could do whatever they wanted first). Turning slightly away from the door, I let the old people off. The nice old lady who stole my seat smiled at me again and waved a little. As the old people shuffled past, I stepped towards the door - as it slammed in my face. I turned to the driver, as he turned his head away from me and pushed the dials and buttons to make the tram go. A slight "Umm, excuse me?" jumped from my lips which seemed to make the driver jump (I will not accept surprise, he knew where I was) to which he said "Oh, can't stop here - next stop up ahead". To which I stepped away from the closed door and pulled the bell again, the nice old lady was wide eyed with shock and I think I may have had quite a look on my face - a few people near the front of the tram looked a little uncomfortable as I surveyed the area to determine what I could use if the idiot driver missed the next stop.

Adding another 500 metres to the walk I'd have to take to get to my final destination, the stop finally came up and the driver opened the doors. Making sure I was the first there and the first out - I turned my head and mentioned "Perhaps next time you'll use your eyes to actually see?", before stepping off the tram and noticing most of the people near the driver nodding and pointing at the driver.

I suspect he might have been in for an interesting trip with the rest of the passengers. I know that anyone does that me again I'll be speaking to whoever it is who is running those things that week. It's really crazy that they removed the conductors, but perhaps they could have at least employeed drivers who remember they are driving the public and at times the public do have manners and are chivalrous.

*cough*

I was recently reminded that while my holiday was on and then work started back - I still had to blog and keep the general populace happy. Or at least off my back.

So here it is - a creatively tapped blog. I have nothing. But here goes anyway ...

I had a great christmas. I got stuff - I got "experiences" - and I got to spend time with people I really love. Especially one person. I'm not going to go into depth about what I got just yet - but they will pop up in my blog when they are used, or experienced. I promise.

I recently hit (again) a road bump in my general web surfing - I got bored. I surfed my "regular" pages, I read the blogs, I read the papers and forums - yet I was still bored. I even went to sites like www.bored.com and www.damninteresting.com ... but at this time of year they aren't any good.

So, my dear readers (stalkers, guilt-readers, google-searchers-for-cyber-sex-tips) what do you do when you have those times when you want to "do" something online yet there's nothing to do? I'm talking about those times when everything else is done (or you don't want to do anything) and there's nothing on the net ... like there's nothing on TV when it's all shit. Give me your hints - your tips - your links - anything. Everything.

And before you all link me to Cathy's blog about the neighbours complaining about the noisy sex ... for all of you who have meet Cathy - I need not explain further ... for all those who haven't - I don't want to risk my life explaining, just send the links.

hehe