Accommodatingly

Do not invite Steve on your show. He has the kiss of death. First Bryant Park Project (where he was brought in for his expertise on NCAA Women’s Basketball), now Weekend America (where he read a poem about cocktails mere days before the show was canned). Sure, you could blame it on the economy, and Steve never appeared on Day to Day or News and Notes, but you can’t be too careful in these uncertain times. Stay away from Steve if you know what’s good for you.

This time it’s because of the convergence of “Wheels on the Bus” and Stephin Merritt, both of which have a place of high importance in my life.

Annoyed by Harvard Coop ejecting students for writing down ISBN numbers? Why not go directly to their website and let them know what you’re teaching? Your students may thank you for it.

A bunch of high schoolers did a really nice thing.

*clap* *clap* *clap*

…to Steve.

Inspired by Jinty.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
Gave birth to and fed another human being.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I pretty well skipped the resolutions, but I have managed to lose most of the baby weight in spite of eating rather badly at times. I know that the weight loss was likely due to nursing, so once that’s done I’d better watch out that I don’t blow up to the size of an elephant.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Uh, yes. Me.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
We were fortunate this past year, although we mourned the passing of close relatives of good friends.
5. What countries did you visit?
Canada. One evening in Niagara Falls.
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Time to myself.
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 14th (and days leading up to it), March 5th, June 1st, December 25th.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Not switching to formula.
9. What was your biggest failure?
No major ones, just a host of tiny but devastating moments, mostly involving Nathan’s head making contact with a hard object and my not being able to stop it.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only if you count the C-section. Oh, and the massive barfing virus I contracted the first week of the year that sent me to the hospital for an IV and a check of the wee one inside.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
For myself: the Mac Mini. For Nathan: either the $3 stacking cups or the blue LED lights we have hanging between the living and dining room.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Steve. He is a wonderful daddy and more patient and kind than I deserve.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mike Hatch. Why on earth does the DFL insist on running such lousy gubernatorial candidates?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Baby gear, diapers, Veggie Booty, etc.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Nathan demonstrating that he knows the difference between several of his books by retrieving the exact ones asked for.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Southtown Girls by the Hold Steady or Baby by John Lithgow.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier, but in a more complex way.
b) thinner or fatter? thinner, but, hey, I was VERY pregnant at this time last year
c) richer or poorer? richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Reading and writing.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Driving.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
It’s over now–spent it with my family in CT. Many, many family members were sick this year.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yes, with a wonderful and adorable boy.
22. How many one-night stands?
None, and this question shows that this quiz is for singletons.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
There are many shows that I have enjoyed, but none so thoroughly as Good Eats. I adore Alton Brown.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope. Don’t have the energy to hate anyone aside from the usual suspects in politics.
25. What was the best book you read?
Before, a collection of short stories about pregnancy.
27. What did you want and get?
Nathan!
28. What did you want and not get?
Enough sleep!
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Stranger than Fiction.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 35, and I honestly don’t remember.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Can’t think of anything.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Wear what fits.
33. What kept you sane?
Necessity.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
George Clooney. I’m in total agreement with People mag on this one point.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Gay bashing initiatives passing all over the place, but finally getting defeated in one state.
36. Who did you miss?
My family back east.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Nathan! Plus all the cool parents in our daycare Co-op.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Don’t be so grumpy all the time. It affects the people around you.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“For a year now, you’ve been a part of things, and it’s clear now, you’re at the heart of things. My love for you is more than I knew love could be.” John Lithgow’s “Baby!”

As I predicted, posting is rather difficult Chez Burt, mostly because someone is staying in the computer room, and I don’t want to disturb her. Good argument for getting a portable device that will allow me on the internets. So just a quick note now to say that Nathan seems to be thoroughly enjoying his Thanksgiving premiere, and we’re enjoying showing him off. Steve’s family is, as always, a fantastic swirl of personalities, all different but pretty wonderful.

Unrelated note: I think I swallowed a Whitestrip this morning. When I went to take them out, the bottom one was missing. I’ll have to research the health implications of Whitestrip injestion.

American Apparel 20% off coupon, anyone? First five to respond get the discount. I’m a huge fan of their baby basics.

have my name written all over them.

Snazzy new website, btw–it’s Gap’s new shoe store. I wonder if it’ll be as schizophrenic as the clothing store, which seems to have a hard time deciding if it’s selling to people like me or slutty 13-year-olds.

I’m down today, for reasons I don’t entirely understand but probably have something to do with milk production. As such, I am opting to keep this post short and as whine-free as possible. Tomorrow I get a haircut and will be more cheerful.