2008, don’t make me look back, ok?

I copied this from Annanotbob since its New Years Day and I’m sitting here alone as usual. I’ll be perhaps sprinkling in some of the artwork that I sold this year. I think I sold 6-7 paintings and 1 photo. I didn’t have a chance to photograph everything. Meh.

What did you do in 2008 that you’ve never done before? I had my first solo art show this summer at a small trendy bakery downtown. I had a year to prepare for it, which I really needed since I didn’t really have the money to frame 18 paintings all at once. Even though I only had about 5-6 people show up for the opening and some who didn’t (which incidentally, really pissed me off…and you know who you are), I was very pleased with the experience and eventually ended up selling either 6-7 paintings including:

sold august 2008

sold august 2008

Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don’t make resolutions.

Did anyone close to you give birth? I have someone close to me?

Did anyone close to you die? Well despite going to two funerals in the last month….No.

What countries did you visit? The United States. It was really cool. Everybody was losing their houses, corporate CEOs were stealing money from their own companies,  factories were closing. I’m definitely going back next year!!! 🙂

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? More money. The return of good health. And perhaps  just a smidge of emotional intimacy with someone who I don’t have to open a can of catfood for.

What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? December 30, 2008. I found out I am in the middle stages of melanoma skin cancer on my chin and I have to go for a battery of x-rays next week. Brain x-ray, chest x-ray, some kind of a bone scan, pet-scan (I wonder if Guardcat knows about this??) and some procedure where they inject dye into my lymph glands to see if the cancer has spread.  And then yes, there will be a surgery shortly, like probably within two weeks. Happy new year!

What’s your biggest achievement of the year? Having the first solo art shows and actually selling stuff! Woo! Also getting out more socially at art openings. I’ve been slowly picking away at my social anxiety by going out to these. I still don’t talk much, but at least I’m going.

What was your biggest failure? Not being able to deal with some really intensive anger that has built up.

Did you suffer illness or injury? See above.

What’s the best thing you bought? I can’t really buy anything “fun”, but my Aunt did take me on a mini shopping spree this summer and let me pick out some new clothes at Macy’s. Its the first time I’ve had new clothes (other than underwear) in probably about 10 years. That was saa–weeeet!

Whose behavior merited celebration? Probably my friend “G” who bought me tickets to come visit him while he was on the road. He’s a very thoughtful and generous friend and I don’t think he realizes how much I enjoyed getting away and being able to see him. Thanks “G”. Love ya!

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? George Bush. The people who ran the hateful 2008 presidential campaigns. People running large corporations and pocketing money that doesn’t belong to them. The government healthcare system.

Where did most of your money go? Rent and car repairs

What did you get really, really excited about? Selling as many paintings and drawings and photos as I did this summer. I almost…I said ALMOST, felt confident enough to call  myself an artist this year. I felt like I fit in somewhere. I haven’t felt that way since high school! 

What song will always remind you of 2008? Sadly, I don’t listen to the radio at all, so I have no clue what songs came out this year except perhaps that Britney Spears thing where she’s wielding whips or she’s naked or something. That could be any of her videos, I suppose.

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Richer or poorer? Thinner or fatter? Well, up until my diagnosis yesterday I know I’ve been happier on a more regular basis. I would have been richer with the sales of my paintings if my car hadn’t had so many problems this summer. And my weight is really about the same.

What do you wish you’d done more of? Meeting up with “G”, since every town is a different adventure for someone who has no adventures. I wish I would have painted more. Had more job interviews. Made more money (I just worked briefly in early Jan. 2008). And tried kissing more reliable SINGLE men. I really need a break through moment in that department. I mean reaaaally. My next entry will be about some major action on sMatch.com over the holidays. No I didn’t sign up, but I’ve been getting winked at majorly and somebody is writing me incessantly, but I can’t see them because I’m not a memba! Boo hoo! He’s probably a serial killer anyways.

What do you wish you’d done less of? Feeling inadequate. Being angry. Eating too much chocolate. Pouting. Did I mention being angry? I really need help on that one. Eeep!

How did you spend Christmas? At my aunt’s house as usual with the normal side of the family. I truly ate vast quantities of sugar foods on Christmas. Its a wonder I didn’t fall into a snowbank in a diebetic coma.

Did you fall in love in 2008? Love? Nope. 2008 was totally void of any love stuff. I have been getting more attention from men since I’ve been wearing my new pseudo-Tina Fey/Hot Librarian glasses.  Maybe I can just SEE them swooning now. 🙂

What was your favorite TV program? I actually have two favorites: “The Office” and “Thirty Rock”. I’m also anxiously awaiting the return of “Scrubs” since I like shows where people just randomly break into musical numbers for no reason.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate’s a pretty strong word, but I am really irritated with someone at the moment, but I really think its because I’m irritated with a lot of stuff, and he’s a good scapegoat.

What did you want and get? Since I have really crappy poor people’s health insurance that literally put my health at risk, I decided I wasn’t going to let that happen. I sought out better insurance. I demanded that my regular physician do something, which turned out to be the biopsy. I had hoped I could get in sooner with the dermatologist who made me wait almost 8 months. I guess it didn’t work, because my doctor’s office had to find the plastic surgeon who has moved a lot faster because that’s how treating cancer  is supposed to be dealt with. You know…with fucking urgency.

What did you want and not get? Ya got an hour?

What was your favorite film of this year? I only saw 3 movies this year, ” Zohan”, “Four Christmases” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. I wasn’t really nuts for any of them. “Benjamin Button” was the best made, but my god, it was so frickin’ long!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 50 and went and saw the shrinkster that day. I had a lengthy paragraph about what happened, but I deleted it. All I have to say is don’t promise people who don’t have much, things that you have no intention of delivering.  Moving on…

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying Having a better and more reliable support system. I literally have had none since summer, except for the 3 hours a week at my art class. But they are the best. I love my art friends. They are very funny and loving. Even when they insist on getting naked in front of you. Funny how I’ve never felt the need to reciprocate.

 
How would you describe your personal fashion concept for 2008? Black artist unitard with a large gaudy diamond tiara.

What kept you sane? Making art.

What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Not sure what you mean by fancy? You mean date? If you just mean admire, I’d have to say Tina Fey. This really was her year. She made neurotic and fun, chic. She made writers, cool. And her Sarah Palin impression was one of the funniest things ever on SNL.

What political issue stirred you the most? All the nasty backbiting in the Presidential campaign.

Who did you miss? My Dad, always.

 
Who was the best new person you met? Did I meet anyone new? Not in real life. But I have been enjoying my internet friendies Xat and Anna, who both purchased art from me this summer. That was nice enough, but I’ve also enjoyed chatting with them since, as well.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008 Don’t trust men who make promises.  And I’ll leave it at that.

Here are just a couple more of my paintings that sold this summer.

sold July 2008

sold july 2008

Sold August 2008

sold October 2008

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE.