Nikki did it. So did Sara. And Amber.

So I might as well.

What did you do in 2008 that you have never done before?

Successfully piloted a pontoon boat, thus justifying my hard-earned Tennessee Boating License. As the son of a tourney-winning fisherman, this was much like taking up an ancestral mantle. Seriously.

How do I define “success” here? Cort, Julie and Nikki didn’t drown, nor were they forced to await rescue from a capsized pontoon boat. That is success.

Did you keep all of last years resolutions?
Did I make any resolutions for this year? Oh, yeah, I did. “Better posts. Better shape. Better, all around.” (Having a blog alleviates the need to actually remember things … kinda.)

I think I handled the first one well enough, as my blog posts have been coming with more regularity, augmented by regular Twitter-age and the very convenient Tumblr. I didn’t finish my Presidential Fantasy Cabinet, but the incoming reality-based Dream Team is turning out well enough. As far as that last “Love and Doctors Who” post goes … I’ve got about 12 days left. It might still happen.

Am I in better shape? Overall, sure. I feel better. I’ve cut out most of the HFCS from my diet (thanks, Michael Pollan), making rare exceptions only. Straight-up Coca-Cola has been replaced entirely by Diet Coke or Coke Zero. And Nikki and I have become big fans of the Whole Foods produce department, which helps us to realize that not every meal requires a meaty guest star.

Still, I need to exercise. Maybe next year.

Have you any resolutions for next year?
Sure. Probably more of the same (write better, be healthier), but I’m considering a few more ambitious ideas.

What countries did you visit?
The United States of America. And Florida.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you didn’t have in 2008?
More discipline. And more travel.

What date in 2008 will remain etched in your memory?
November 4, 2008.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finishing the third year of North Fulton Drama Club (our first as a non-profit) with two very successful shows (Midsummer and Romeo & Juliet) and enough interest to more than justify our upcoming fourth season and beyond.

What was your biggest failure?
Many home improvement projects went unfinished for too long this year, so they’re still on the list for 2009. One of my goals for next year — not a resolution, per se — is to make our house an even better home for Nikki and myself.

Did you suffer any illness or injury?
Nothing too dreadful that I can recall, other than slicing the bejeebus out of my left thumb this past Saturday. It seems to be healing up now, but I came mighty close to an un-fun trip to the emergency room. Don’t cut wee vegetables without a cutting board, kids.

What was the best thing you bought?
My Samson Zoom H2.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Appalled by: President Clinton (on the campaign trail), Senator McCain (up until his concession speech), President Bush (every other day). Appalled and depressed by: “President” Robert Mugabe.

Where did most of your money go?
Coffee, most likely.

What did you get really really really excited about?
North Fulton Drama Club. Barack Obama. Podcasting for work.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting precious time on various trial/beta accounts for Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games. Until a company releases a game that is truly worth my time (Champions Online, perhaps?), I should realize that a familiar feeling of “Oh, what is the point of all this?” is inevitable.

How will you be spending Christmas?
At the in-laws house in Dawsonville with Nikki, her folks (their house, after all) and my parents.

Which bloggers did you meet for the first time?
I can’t recall if I met any new … wait. I met Seth of Mostly Muppet for the first time at The Highlander for the Sub-Optimal Beer Podcast. He’s a really neat guy and he looks like Gordon Freeman.

Did you fall in love in 2008?
Eight days a week, I fall over and over, so it’s a good thing I married her.

How many one night stands?
I’ve left that game behind, thank you.

What was your favourite TV show?
I was most keen on staying up and current with Doctor Who this year, though I’ve developed lately an appreciation for House. The Closer is still a favorite and I’m liking the new buddy cops on Law & Order.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word. Like Henry Rollins once said, “When you hate someone, you’re giving them too much of yourself. Just because someone hands you a bucket of sh*t, you don’t have to carry it.” That being said, I would really appreciate it if our neighbor would stop being so incredibly passive aggressive toward us and our yard …

What was/were the best books you read?
The Book Thief was a wonderful and haunting surprise. (Thanks for the recommendation, Youth Librarian!)

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Only one? This is me we’re talking about here … Perhaps Labi Siffre was the best find of the year. Or Murs. Coultrain? Tina Dico? Janelle Monae? This list could just go on and on …

What did you want and get?
New music, more friends, better games. I rebuilt my PC from the inside out (dual core!), so that was a marked improvement. But overall, I find that I’m not so much driven by gotta-get wish lists anymore, just things that I keep in back of mind as nice-to-haves.

What did you want and not get?
A new camera, a “real” one, a DSLR of some kind … but that’s a thing you have to save towards.

What was your favorite film this year?
Wall-E. The Dark Knight was excellent, Iron Man was very fun and Milk was probably the best overall, but Wall-E hit me right square in the heart.

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 36 this year, so I’m twice the adult I was at 18. We had dinner at Sugo with friends. Rusty ordered the Three Tenors plate.

What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?
More travel. It’s been three years since we’ve been out of the country, so some international adventure would’ve been great.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
“Don’t dress like an asshat” is a motto I’ve held for a few years now. Based on my closet, an inventory of Threadless and Woot t-shirts defines my weekend look, while the button-down and unpleated khaki combo is my at-work standard. I did get new frames (even nerdier than before), so maybe that qualifies.

What/Who kept you sane?
Nikki keeps me sane. Always. (The cats assist in this endeavor, of course.)

Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
Huh. Well, my utter disappointment with this year’s leather-bound Janet Jackson (Discipline) reminded me of just how much I used to crush on janet.-era Janet Jackson, so let’s go with that.

Which political issue stirred you the most?
The Return of Nuance. This is my own personal concern, I know, but we’ve had far too much monochromatic policy over the last eight years. Not everything can be defined in stark terms of black and white, so I championed the return of consideration — thinking before acting — and actual debate (which happened to manifest itself in the Obama campaign) in 2008.

Who did you miss?
My grandmother — my sole remaining grandparent — died this year. She and I spent so much of my childhood together. We didn’t always get along, as I was headstrong and willful, but I’m glad she was there. Because she was, my parents never needed to place me in daycare or arrange a babysitter. And looking back … of all the people who have loved me over my whole life, I never had to wonder if she did or not. She did.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year?
Life is short, so take nothing for granted and find joy in as many moments as possible.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

There’ve been times that I thought
I couldn’t last for long,
But now, I think I’m able,
I’m able to carry on.
It’s been a long, a long time coming,
But I know, a change is gonna come.
Oh, yes it will.

Tagging: Basically, anyone who hasn’t done this yet.

(And if I mentioned you in this post by name — looking at you, Youth Librarian — then I am especially awaiting your answers.)