Year In Review

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before? Became a father to the most amazing little girl ever. There are some negatives I won't mention here but they are pretty embarrassing. Took a job outside of the automotive industry.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I almost always say I am going to lose weight, yet near the holidays I end up about the same weight. I will post numbers, this year I hit my all time highest weight of 301 lbs. This year I also weighed as little as 258. I need to focus more on health than the numbers. I am back in the middle of those numbers but even on the low end, it will kill me. So, moving ahead, I will run a 10k, maybe two of them. I will do my best to get my blood pressure and cholesterol down.

3. Did anyone close to you have a child? Well yes, my wife had one. She is amazing too! My friend Christina had one, found out my friend Ashley is preggers, neighbors had one, actually, a few were born in the neighborhood.

4. Did anyone close to you die? We weren't close but my first boss Jim died, he was only 57.

5. Where did you travel? Sunset Beach, that was all. We did have a baby. Hoping to head to PA this year sometime.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? More satisfaction and less frustration with my job. A happier disposition.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory? I would have to say June 27th for sure. That is National Tinky Bums Day! My epic birthday party bashed where I partied like I was in college, also in 1999.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? My 4.0 GPA in grad school. Getting a new job with 10% unemployment in the area.

9. What was your biggest failure? A list so fast cannot fit on Al Gore's Interwebs.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I got sicker than I have ever been in my adult life. I went to the ER twice and Urgent Care once. Only the third time was the proper treatment finally rendered. I had never missed more than two days of work at a time from illness, I was gone a whole week. I missed a trip to Chicago for Brent's wedding. My mommy took care of me. Certainly a low point.

11. What was the best thing you bought? iPhone 4S. Thought I might also say that I am really enjoying my Bostonian saddle bucks.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Barack Obama's, he ended Don't Ask Don't Tell.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Me

14. Where did most of your money go? Mortgage, baby, automobiles, credit cards, SCHOOL.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Virginia's birth! Her first Christmas was epic too! Even though she had no clue what was going on, I really enjoyed putting together her Cozy Coupe late at night on Christmas Eve.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011? "You Run Away" BNL

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? Much happier! Fatter, Equally Poor.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Spending time with my family, figured it out toward the end of the year but they are great people, great fun, and very supportive.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Focusing on my wants and needs and being generally selfish.

20. How will you be spending Christmas? We spent the last year doing the typical four christmases, we are done with that shit! Next year, Christmas Dinner at our house, if you want to see VA, then make the trip to the HVL.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011? I did, rediscovered love too.

22. What was your favorite TV program? Parks and Recreation, How I Met Your Mother

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I hope I hate less.

24. What was the best book you read? I enjoyed reading about many things, mostly about business. I guess the Harvard Business Journal and the Economist.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Avenue Q, God I still miss Weekend Excursion!

26. What did you want and get? A new job, iPhone.

28. What did you want and not get? A house at the beach and a pile of money.

29. What was your favorite film of this year? Super 8, the Help, Rio, Hangover 2.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 30 and I do not remember. I got drunk like a college kid.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Skipping the bad decisions.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? Clean, weight/age appropriate.

33. What kept you sane? D and M at CBC. Amanda at home, and Zoloft of course.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Emma Stone

35. What political issue stirred you the most? Don't Ask Don't Tell repealed, but really the House and their refusal to do their job, I hope November shows them that ideals without compromise is dictatorship.

36. Who did you miss? Uncle, sad he missed Tinky.

37. Who was the best new person you met? Tinky!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. That when you fuck up, don't run away from everyone, admit it, your family loves you more than you think they do.